“Conleth,” she gasped, legs locked around his hips. She pulled his head down, arcing back to expose her neck. “Now.”
With a deep groan, he bit down. The bright flash of pain vanished, swept away by pure bliss as he pulsed within her. She felt him not just in her body but in her mind, hersoul, reaching out to touch her very essence. She stretched back eagerly, reaching for him in return, trying to complete that tenuous connection?—
Except shecouldn’t. She teetered on the very edge of climax, yet that sense of missed connection held her back from release. No matter how she strained, he was just out of reach, like brushing fingertips in the dark.
“Conleth,” she panted, body clenching around him in agonized frustration. “I want this, I want you, but it’s still not working! I’m doing something wrong!”
To her utter bewilderment, he actuallylaughed,mouth still pressed to her shoulder. With a parting kiss, he pushed himself up on his arms, grinning down at her.
“Paige,” he murmured, still deep within her. He turned his head a little, offering her his own throat. “Youneed to claimme.”
YES.
She didn’t hesitate. Gripped by pure instinct, she bit deep, marking him as hers forever.
And finally, everything was right.
Afterward, they lay curled together, slowly getting their breath back. Paige traced the crescent mark she’d left on his neck, already healing.
“I should have been more careful about where I bit you,” she said. “That scar’s going to be visible above your t-shirt.”
He brushed his thumb over her own mate mark, which he’d managed to place rather more discreetly. “Good.”
She rolled on top of him, pillowing her arms on his chest. “Since you’re so pleased,youget to explain it to the kids.”
He winced, a slight look of consternation crossing his face. “As much as I hate to say this, we might want to get back to camp early tomorrow. Otherwise we’re likely to find ourselves assaulted by another surprise party.”
“Mmm.” She nestled comfortably against him. “I’m willing to take that risk.”
His deep chuckle vibrated through her bones. “So am I.”
Paige closed her eyes, listening to his slowing pulse. When she concentrated, she could feel the same steady, reassuring rhythm deep in her chest, like his heart beat next to her own. His love shone through the mate bond, as solid and undeniable as his arms around her.
“Not long now until the end of summer,” she murmured sleepily. “We should start making plans for the future.”
She felt him nod, his muscles flexing under her ear. “I’ll send a preliminary list of shifter pediatricians over to your mother tomorrow. And I’ll start researching potential?—”
“Not just for my family,” she interrupted. She pushed herself up on her elbows, propping her chin in her hands so she could look down at him. “I meant for us. As much as I love that you want to fulfill my every desire, I know there are thingsyouwant, too.”
“Ah.” A slightly wistful look flitted across his face, but he shook his head. “Long-term plans. We need to get your family settled first. It can wait.”
Paige had a peculiar sense of something shifting in her head; a large, warm presence, stirring grumpily out of hibernation. A thought pushed into her awareness, emotion taking shape into something that wasn’t quite words:
Nottoolong.
“Paige?” Conleth looked up at her quizzically. “What is it?”
She came back to herself, blinking in astonishment. “I think my bear just spoke to me.”
Conleth’s eyebrows rose. “What did she say?”
Hiding a smile, she bent to claim her mate again. “I’ll tell you later.”
CHAPTER 42
“Bye Paige! Bye Conleth!” Hetta called over her shoulder as she got on the bus. “See you next summer!”
“Thanks for everything.” Nancy released Paige, turning to hug Conleth as well. “Especially mountain climbing! I can’t wait to tell my parents all about our expedition!”
