To my relief, he stopped teasing and slowing me down, and instead growled my name, cupped one hand at the back of my neck and clasped the other on my hip, then began to pound.
I was a ragdoll in his grip, bounced and jolted, every thrust bringing a new wave of pleasure that bloomed and grew. I tried to call his name, tried to tell him, but in the end my cries were wordless, joyful keening—until I shuddered and—
“JANN!”
He bellowed a roar and thrust one final time, holding me to him as the tidal wave of need crashed over us both and we were dragged under, tumbling, swirling, pounding chaos… then washed onto the shore.
Some time later, I blinked and found myself collapsed on Jann’s chest, his hand on my back, my head tucked under his chin.
He groaned when I moved, pushing up to rest my elbows on his chest and stare down at him. My breathing still hadn’t returned to normal, but at least I could think now.
He caught a strand of my hair that had stuck to my cheek, and pushed it behind my ear. “Are you well?” he asked softly, tentatively. As if he half-feared the response.
I gave him a look. “I promise to warn you if I might throw up on your chest,” I snorted—which made my body tighten on him. He twitched and groaned, but he laughed with me.
“I love that sound,” I said, suddenly on the verge of tears. “I’ve missed it so much.”
“Me groaning?”
“No… your laughter. Jann, you used to laugh all the time—flirt and make jokes and tease… I miss that. I missyou.”
His forehead furrowed, but he didn’t break eye contact. “You miss me?”
“Yes!”
“I’m right here.”
“I know, but…”
“If you miss me, you must needmore.”The devilish look in his eyes made me smile, despite the impending tears.
“Always,” I whispered.
An hour later, after a snack and a drink, and Jann’s worried questions that stole his smile away again, we were both sprawled in bed, in the half-dark of the curtains we’d pulled against the sunlight outside.
He’d fallen asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. I’d thought I would too—even if there was now bright sunlight shining behind the thick curtains—but as he’d sunk deeper and deeper into sleep, I found myself more and more awake.
I feltgood.Satisfied. Relieved.Content.Only for now, though.
I’d done good work overnight—and even though Jann was so frantic, I wasn’t going to stop. I felt like I finally knew what I was here for, and how I could be useful.
But, Jann…
I lay on my back, one arm under my pillow, head turned to watch my mate breathe. It was the most peaceful I’d seen him in weeks. He was sprawled, utterly asleep. Yet one, heavy hand rested possessively on my belly. That made me smile.
The more I stared at him, the closer I got to tears, just because I was so deeply in love. I wished every night could be like this—the lovemaking, the teasing, the warm connection. More and more, the darkness and cruelty of the world around us seeped in.
Then I remembered what he’d said tonight when he was worried and angry…
…I’d doanythingto keep you and our son safe. Anything.”
“Even lose your soul?”
He barely hesitated. “If it saves yours… yes.”
I went cold at the memory. Jann frowned in his sleep and shifted, but his breathing stayed even and slow.
I swallowed hard. Had it just been a performance for Caelan? Or was I fooling myself even hoping for that? Just making excuses for him?
