I ran my hand over his hand that was splayed across my belly.
“But then time moved on, life kept moving forward, and I accepted that this was the way of things. I grew, became stronger, fought for the king and protected my kind… then felt that bone-deep loneliness consumed me of no’ having my mate.”
My breath caught at the emotion in his voice.
“And then I found ye, sweetheart.” He kissed the crown of my head. “I found ye and I lost the only thing that meant more tae me than the waking sun.”
“Odhran—”
“I love ye,” he whispered. “I love ye so much that I’ll never let ye go, never stop making sure ye know how much ye mean tae me.”
“I know. Gods, I know and I love you so much for it. You’ve been there so I could heal, have helped me go in the right direction to get better. You’ve taken care of me, never rushed or pressured me.”
I saw this look of pure wonder on his face.
“You’ve helped me realize I’m stronger than I’ve ever given myself credit for.” I was silent for a moment just to catch my bearings, catch my breath. “You never made me feel like I was a burden, like my trauma held us back. And I know it’s not just because we’re mates and you’re bound to me by fate.”
I felt his heart beating steadily behind me, pounding against his ribs, loud and hard and spearing right into me.
“It’s because you’re a good male. And fate chose perfectly for me.” I looked over my shoulder and our gazes locked.
His erection, which had gone down once we started talking, was hardening against my ass once more the longer we stared at each other.
His gaze dipped to my mouth, and I slowly dragged my tongue over my bottom lip. Emotions were running high again, the room filled with the scent of our combined desire, and the gruff sound he made right before his eyes flashed blue had my own carnal need rising up almost violently.
“Odhran—”
“I know what my girl needs.” He ground his now rock-hard erection against my bottom and I moaned. “My female needs me tae make love tae her, doesn’t she.” It wasn’t a question.
I made a desperate sound of my approval and felt him slide his hand down my outer thigh, his fingers curling under my knee.
He lifted my leg and placed it over his hip, his mouth licking and sucking at the side of my throat as I felt his hand go between our bodies, then felt the tip of his erection notched at my entrance.
I was so wet I couldn’t stop moving, trying to impale myself on him. He groaned and gently bit my shoulder as he pulled back, gripping my waist to pop my ass out more, and then thrust inside of me in one fluid push.
My back arched, my nipples beaded, and I closed my eyes as pleasure rained down on me.
His groan mixed with mine.
“Tell me what I want tae hear.” His voice was distorted, vibrating against my skin as his thrusting was intense, never-ending. His fingers sank into my hip as he pulled me back at the same time he thrust upward, burying all those thick, hard inches into me.
Even after all this time, my body was still so unused to his penetration, at the feeling of stretching, of that incredible sensation of burning alive, of being filled. It was ever-present.
I bit my lip hard enough I tasted blood, a tangy flavor across my tongue. His other hand was suddenly gripping my chin and turning my head so he could kiss me. He plunged his tongue into my mouth, then sucked mine into his.
We both panted and groaned, his hips pistoning back and forth, the wet sounds of my body welcoming him… sucking at his cock loud in the room.
And then I came so suddenly, I saw stars and cried out against his mouth.
“That’s it,” he groaned, his lips still pressed to mine. “That’s my sweet girl. Ye make me feel so fooking good.” He groaned, grunted, and snarled as he pushed forward. “Do ye like when he’s here?” Another hard thrust upward.
I made a strangled noise of pleasure.
“Do ye like that I share ye with my feral beast?”
I couldn’t answer, couldn’t find my voice. I curled my hand around his thickly corded wrist, which rested on my waist, holding me still as he claimed me.
“That’s it. Show me again how much ye like it.” I gave him the sound he wanted. “Thatta girl.”