Now that Paul had promised not to break the bond, he could relax and enjoy giving himself completely.
“Dios, Laurent. Need you so much. Want you so much.” True to his words, Paul stroked deep and long, his eyes never leaving Laurent’s face. He seemed intent on giving pleasure, caressing Laurent’s cock in time to his thrusts, which were slow and deep and deliberate.
Laurent didn’t know how long it lasted. It seemed forever that Paul filled him over and over, their eyes locked together, their hearts beating as one, the bond wide open between them so that every touch, every kiss, every gasp was exponentially magnified.
When they both came, Laurent said the words he knew Paul couldn’t say aloud. “I love you, mon amour. So much. So very, very much. Never let me go.”
Paul kissed him, taking his mouth with a deep hunger that made Laurent moan. “I never will.” Then both of them got lost in the overwhelming pleasure and no more words were possible.
Chapter Fourteen
“I’m sorry to see you leave, mein liebling. But I understand why you must go.” Nana cocked her head to one side in the birdlike attitude Laurent remembered from his childhood. “But do you really think it’s safe to tell your father you are renouncing your title for a were?”
“I’m not going to mention the were part.” Laurent crossed one leg over his knee and leaned forward on the red brocade sofa. Paul was packing the car by himself since the sun had still not fully set. “That would be pushing him too far. But I must stand up to him, Nana. I cannot allow him to force me to do something I know is wrong for me.”
“Your father believes that might makes right, as I recall,” she said dryly. “You might be better off just sending him a postcard from wherever it is you and Paul decide to settle.”
“So he can track me down and do something horrible to Paul? No, absolutely not.”
Laurent frowned. “He has to be made to remember that I am of age and no longer under his legal guardianship. I will formally renounce the title as well as our family name—in front of the entire council if need be. Once I do that, he can do nothing but let me go.”
Nana frowned. “I hope you are right, my darling. I truly do. And what of Paul’s people? What will he say to them?”
“We are going to see his stepmother in person because he feels she may understand our relationship if she meets me. After that he will call his packleader and try to see him alone, without the rest of the pack. It seems…safer that way.”
“I see.” She nodded. “Probably a wise decision.”
“Yes. Paul is concerned about how he will react when he sees my marks on him.”
Laurent sighed. He couldn’t help but worry about how Paul would handle Angel. He could tell through their link that Paul had been more than half in love with the packleader for most of his life. Did he still feel for him? And would that lingering residue of emotion cloud his judgment?
“Okay, car’s all packed and the sun just set. Time we got a move on.” Paul came in, dusting his hands on his jeans.
“Well then, you had better go.” Nana rose and took one of Laurent’s hands. Then she reached out to Paul. After a brief moment of hesitation he took the offered hand and gave her an uncertain smile. “Very well, my darlings.” Nana looked at them both. “You are both dear to me now and I fear for you.”
“We will be fine, Nana,” Laurent tried to reassure her but she shook her bushy head. “I only hope you are correct. Remember what I have always taught you, Laurent— the course of true love is never easy but always worth it in the end.”
“I will remember,” he said solemnly.
“The bond between you is a special thing—a sacred thing,” she emphasized, squeezing both their hands and looking more at Paul. “Cherish and feed it. Nurture it and let it grow and get stronger and in doing so, make you both stronger as well. For once broken, it can never grow again. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Nana,” they said at the same time.
“Good.” The old woman smiled. “Now both of you give me a kiss and take care of yourselves. And if you ever need a place to stay together again away from prying eyes, come see me. You are always welcome.”
“Thank you, Nana.” Laurent leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. When he straightened up, Paul did the same. Nana caught the were’s hand and looked into his eyes.
“Take care of my Laurent,” she told him sternly. “Keep him safe and love him as much as you can.”
“I, uh, promise.” Paul sounded uncomfortable but sincere. “I’ll do my best to take care of him, Nana.”