Before Simon could glimpse anything under the blanket, Mitch had the briefs on. “Don’t wear them because of me,” Simon said. “I mean, uh, you shouldn’t be uncomfortable on my account.”
“No worries. I’m good.” Mitch stood and began folding the bedding on the couch. His briefs hugged his butt, the firm muscles bunching and moving as he worked.
With his gaze and his focus glued to Mitch’s backside, Simon barely noticed his own breathing quicken and his dick harden. Then Mitch turned around and the front of his packed briefs came into Simon’s line of sight.
“That’s a great sound.”
“Huh?” Simon jerked his gaze away from Mitch’s groin to his face.
“That little aroused whimper.” Mitch walked over and stopped when they were a breath’s distance apart. “It’s hot.”
His brain addled and his body full of yearning, Simon couldn’t speak. Instead, he tilted his face up and stared at Mitch, waiting for direction on what they’d do next.
“Simon?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re done with just words, right?”
Blinking in confusion, Simon tried to wade through the haze of desire overwhelming his mind.
“Do you trust me to know what you want and need without you saying the words?”
Simon started nodding before Mitch finished the sentence. He trusted Mitch completely, regardless of what Mitch based his decisions on—scent, body language, or his ever favorite gut. “I trust you.”
After tucking the folded linens under his left arm, Mitch cupped Simon’s cheek, rubbed his thumb back and forth across his jaw, and then leaned down and nibbled on his lower lip. “Let’s go to bed, pup.” He slid his palm down Simon’s neck and then massaged his nape as he led them to the bedroom.
Mitch set the linens on a chair in the corner of the room and then took Simon’s hand and stepped over to the bed.
As Mitch lifted the comforter, Simon became more aware of the differences in their clothing. He glanced down at the sweatpants and long-sleeved T-shirt he wore and said, “I usually sleep in this.”
“It gets chilly at night,” Mitch said agreeably. He tugged Simon forward and waited for him to get in bed.
Simon slid to the side, making room for Mitch. “And yet you sleep naked.”
“I run hot, and I have a lot more mass than you.” As if to prove his point, Mitch climbed into bed, lay on his side, and then pulled Simon up against his warm body.
“You’re better than a heater.” Simon huddled closer, pressing his chest to Mitch’s and pillowing his head on Mitch’s bicep.
“C’mere.” Mitch tangled his fingers in the back of Simon’s hair and tugged, lifting his face to a good angle for kissing. “You have great lips.” Mitch first lapped and then nibbled on his lips.
“Mitch?”
“Uh-huh?”
“Thanks for being patient with me.” Simon darted his gaze away. “I know I wasn’t easy on you at first.”
“You had every reason to be careful around shifters you don’t know.” Mitch cupped his nape and massaged it soothingly. “And I’ve never been great at using words, so I overwhelmed you.”
“I didn’t have to be so…” Simon had collapsed in the forest less than four weeks prior, certain, and maybe even glad, his life was ending, and yet, he felt like years had passed since Mitch stormed into his life. “Hard on you,” he finally said.
“You’re my mate. I knew I’d wear you down eventually,” Mitch said playfully.
“I’m not worn down.” He realized Mitch was joking but he wanted his protective Alpha to know how he felt. “I’m healthier than ever.” He looked Mitch in the eyes. “And it’s not because you’re my mate. That’s not why I…” Simon’s voice faltered.
His eyes softening in understanding, Mitch rubbed the tip of his nose against Simon’s. “Do you want me to say it first?” he whispered.
Simon dipped his chin in a subtle nod.
“I love you, Simon.”
They were just words so they shouldn’t have mattered, but they did. Hearing them released the dam that had been holding Simon’s emotions at bay and waves of longing and desire smashed free. Mitch’s words flowed into him and filled him to the point that his chest ached.
“I love you too,” Simon rasped, needing to relieve some of the pressure. It wasn’t enough. His eyes burned. “I love you so much.”
“Shhh.” Mitch rolled to the side, flattening Simon against the mattress and covering him from head to toe. “You’re okay.”
Completely engulfed by his larger mate, Simon’s tense muscles relaxed. “I love you,” he said again, his breath easing with every declaration. “I love you.”
His coal gaze boring into Simon, Mitch slammed his mouth down, kissing him ferociously.
“Mmm,” Simon moaned as he parted his lips to Mitch’s questing tongue and bucked his hips, rubbing his groin against Mitch’s belly.
Immediately, Mitch pushed back against him. He grasped both of Simon’s hands in one of his and pinned them to the mattress, ground their hips together, and held Simon’s jaw still while he plundered his mouth.