My pants were still around my knees, and I reveled in the cool air drifting over my swollen, wet, and still supremely sensitive skin. Arching my back, I widened my legs to intensify the sensation.
“Fuck,” Daniel barked as his cock throbbed. He tugged a little at my hair and then loosened his grip so that I could pull away.
Instead, I took him as deep as I could, my hand on his balls tightening just a bit as I hummed in pleasure.
He came so hard down my throat that I barely even tasted it until I pulled away, letting my tongue drag along the bottom of the shaft and up over the hole at the tip.
“Come here,” he said softly, raising me off the ground before he’d even pulled his pants back up.
“Better,” I replied, feeling a little drunk as my thighs brushed against his.
“Mine,” he said, kissing me like his life depended on it. His hands found my ass, and his fingers dug in so hard they probably left bruises. By the time he lifted his head again, my lips felt swollen, and my head swam.
I stood there with what I imagine was a very dreamy look on my face as he pulled my clothing back into place before fixing his own.
“Earth to Rosie,” Daniel joked, laying his hand on my cheek. “You good?”
“Don’t bother me,” I replied. “I’m basking in the aftermath.”
He burst out laughing, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sound. He had an excellent laugh. Deep and rough, like it came from his belly.
“Come on, baby. Let’s be done for the day.”
He held my hand as he walked me back to the house, pausing only to brush the dirt off my knees when we reached the back door. He shouldn’t have even bothered, because my pop paid no attention to us as we moved through the kitchen. The house smelled like freshly baked bread and some kind of stew, and I drew it deep into my lungs as we headed for my room.
Daniel closed the door behind us as I pulled off my hoodie and tossed it toward the hamper.
“Rosemary,” he called, his voice more serious than it had been before.
When I turned to look at him, he was thoughtfully scratching at the beard on his cheek.
“What’s up?”
“I need to go back to my parents’ place.”
It hit me with the force of an anvil, like one of the cartoons I’d watched as a kid. We’d had such a good day that for a moment I’d forgotten the rest of the outside world. I hadn’t worried about the people who were kidnapping mates or the carnage we’d left behind at his house. I hadn’t remembered the awful week I’d spent tied to a chair or the way I’d had to beat back the panic, reminding myself that Iwantedthose idiots to take me.
Instead, I’d been too wrapped up in the mating bond. Wondering what our life would look like. Staring at him as his muscles strained against his shirt. Trying to ignore the heat that built. Reveling in the hands that could do insane things to my body.
“Even if I had clothes here, which I don’t, I still need to go home and check in with them. My brother’s mate, Lucy, was pretty messed up, and so were my parents.” He paused when I jerked in horror. “They’re fine. Mated, remember? But I’d still like to see them with my own eyes.”
“Of course you do,” I replied, reaching for my pants. “Just let me get dressed real quick and I can?—”
“You can’t go with me,” he reminded me gently. “You need to stay here with Gary.”
“What? No.” The thought of him driving an hour away made my chest squeeze and my guts twist. No, mates weren’t supposed to be far from each other. That was what the heat was all about. It forced proximity.
“It’s not safe for you to be seen.”
“We’ll just go straight there,” I argued. “We won’t get out of the car until we’re in your parents’ driveway. No one will see me.”
“I’m not taking the risk.”
“Well, then I’ll just lie down in the back seat,” I countered feebly. “I could use a nap anyway.”
“You need to stay here,” he reiterated firmly. “Don’t leave the property.”
“That’s crazy,” I shot back incredulously.
