“Dkaar,” he murmured, pulling me down into his lap. “When you arrived at my door with that outrageous letter from Hendricks, I vowed I wasn’t going to touch you.”
I felt my lips pulling up as I tried to fight my way out of the twisted teddy straps. “You fought the good fight, Garrak. Because I’d decided that you were hot, and I wouldn’t hate going through with my father’s plan.”
He stiffened. “Your father is the monster in your life, not me. Is it strange that I’m half-hoping hewillfind a way to weasel into next week’s game, so I can confront him?”
Knowing Dad, he was already in. I sighed and rested my head on Garrak’s shoulder. “It was a shit plan, and I’m sorry you were subjected to it.”
His hand spread across my back. “I’m not. I knew from the moment you stepped into my home that you would be mine… I just struggled to accept it. By claiming you,dkaar, by focusing on my own pleasure, I thought that meant your father had won?—”
Fuck that!
I silenced him with a soft kiss, and kept my lips against his as I murmured, “What we have is more than debt payment.”
When he sighed, I caught his breath with my own.
“You’re right, my Mate.” His hold on my tightened. “Gods below, I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have found you. I wish my mother could have met you.”
I raised a brow. “She would be impressed with a scrappy hustler who?—”
“She would be impressed with a female who understands others so well, who is intelligent and studious and empathetic.” He kissed me. “Do not insult my Mate.”
I grinned against his lips.
When he pulled back, I went with him. “I wish I could have met her too,” I murmured. “Your family sounds much better than mine.”
“Sylvik’s brilliant,” he announced proudly, “and his Mate is perfect for him. Just as you are perfect for me.”
“Perfect, eh?”
My tone was teasing, but it hid my questions.
Is this what I wanted? Forever?
“Perfect,” Garrak growled.
With that, he flipped me over on my back. My squeal of surprise turned into chuckles as he loomed over me.
“You think you can prance around this condo wearing that skimpy little outfit, when your Mate has entered the Rut, and escape with only being fucked twice, female?”
God, I loved it when he went all growly and primal on me. Grinning in what I hoped was an enticing way, I lifted my arms to him. “You think you could manage to fuck me again, Mate? Prove it.”
With a snarl, he lowered his mouth to my nipple, his hand to my pussy, and proved it right there on the floor of his—and possiblyour—home.
Chapter Thirteen
Garrak
On the thirdday after claiming Stevie, I finally awoke feeling…satiated.Happy. MyKteerwas at peace, purring contentedly, and I smiled lazily, knowing I’d pleasured my Mate again and again.
I needed to think about moving someplace with better sound-proofing.
Perhaps I ought to consider starting the process to build on my piece of property. It hadn’t seemed necessary until now, but the thought of Stevie being able to scream my name as loudly as she wanted, without having to be worried about being overheard…
On the other hand, I remembered how she responded when I fucked her in public. Maybe my fierce Mate didn’t mind being on display like that.
With a contented groan, I stretched and rolled over, surprised to discover Stevie wasn’t in the bed. I assumed she was in the kitchen since I didn’t hear her in the bathroom. She knew it was my responsibility to care for her, but shedidmake excellent omelets, so perhaps I should consider letting her cook for me if she wanted to…
Why couldn’t I hear her?
