Chasen scowled a bit. “I don’t like the idea of that experienced deity putting his hands on my pure sister.”
Hunter growled in agreement.
“I don’t think you need to feel that way. He really treasures her.” Freja looked over at Chasen, who only shrugged. Reiya was his little sister. He was protective of her. Simple as that.
“So how are sleeping arrangements tonight? Should me and Freja have a slumber party?” Jin asked excitedly. Chasen let out a low moan and held Jin deeper in his chest.
“I don’t want to sleep without you.” Chasen pouted as he looked at Jin with puppy dog eyes.
“I … I was actually hoping you would stay with me tonight, Freja.” Hunter looked at her, his eyes searching for a responsefrom her. “We’re mates. We’ll sleep better if we’re close. I promise I’ll behave. Honestly, you’ll have to make the first move.” He gave her a crooked grin and then cleared his throat. “If you aren’t comfortable with that, then I can set you up in the room next to mine.”
She didn’t want to sleep away from him either. It was weird. She didn’t even like having him out of her sight, because she felt like she needed to protect him. As if he needed protection. What she couldn’t get over was the vulnerability in his eyes as he looked at her. As if saying no would crush him. She didn’t want to hurt him. She wasn’t worried about him restraining himself. She trusted that he would. The truth was, she didn’t trust herself.
Chasen figured his brother and his mate could use some time alone. Sam and Renee had already gone to bed. He squeezed Jin’s arm and smiled. “Well, have a good night guys. I’m taking my Jin with me for the night.”
“Good night,” Hunter and Freja said in unison.
Hunter watched his brother leave with Jin. He was thankful to him for being considerate. He reached his hand out to Freja and smiled. “Come on. We might as well go in, too. You can think about what you want to do.” When she took his hand, he gently clasped his fingers around hers and tugged her upward and into his side.
He walked her upstairs and to his room. “Would you like a shower? I’m sure you probably want to get cleaned up. I should have gotten you more clothes to wear from one of the girls … I have more shirts and joggers, if that’s alright?”
Freja giggled. “Hunter, it’s fine. And yes, a shower sounds great.”
Freja came out from the shower wearing Hunter’s clothes, which were big but comfortable. She looked over at the couch where he was sitting, his head back and his eyes closed. She walked over and sat next to him, waiting for him to open his eyes. She knew he was awake. She watched as he raised an eyelid and peeked at her.
“Did you enjoy your shower?
“Yes, thank you.”
“Do you want to watch some television, or are you ready for bed?” Hunter was curious about what she’d decided she wanted to do. He hoped she would stay with him. He couldn’t stand being away from her all night. “Do you know what you want to do as far as bed? I promise I really will behave myself.”
Freja looked away from him and brought her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She lowered her head to her knees and fixed her gaze on the floor. “I trust you, Hunter.” She gnawed on her bottom lip and closed her eyes. “It isn’t that I don’t trust you. It’s me I don’t trust.”
Hunter sat beside her, shocked. She’d just admitted how much she wanted him, that she wasn’t sure if she could control her urges.Please don’t control your urges,Hunter thought wryly to himself. And why was she holding herself back? If she planned on staying with him anyway, he felt like it didn’t matter. Okay, that might have been the male hormones in him, screaming that she should give in. If it mattered to her, then it did matter. Regardless of the reasons. Inwardly, though, he was smiling. She wanted him, too.
“Tell me what you want, Freja. I’m here for you in every way. I’m your partner and your support. Tell me what you need fromme.” Hunter’s voice was gentle as he coaxed her like he would a wild animal, trying to stay calm in order to keep her relaxed, too.
Freja tilted her head up to Hunter and smiled. “I’m frustrating, aren’t I?”
Hunter reached over and slid her body into his, wrapping his arms around her and lowering his head onto hers. “Baby, I’m just glad you’re here. Everything else is fine. I’m just happy that I’ve found you.” He rubbed his hand over her arm, enjoying the tiny sparks that ignited where he touched her skin. He felt her curl up into his chest as her hand came to rest on his stomach, her fingers slowly playing with his shirt. Something as simple as this made him hunger for more from her.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Scruffy!” Freja said and tried to get up. She was held securely in place, and she looked upward in curiosity to meet with his gray eyes.
“Can’t you hold me tonight instead?” Hunter asked seriously. All joking aside. He wanted her to be close to him. He needed her close.
Freja sat up and he loosened his grip on her, allowing her full control of the situation. He still kept his hands on her hips as she sat facing him, though. “Maybe …” Freja bit her bottom lip, licking them slightly and staring at Hunter’s mouth. Maybe, if she could at least kiss him, she would feel a bit better. If she could at least put her body to the test and check her restraint. Yeah, that’s what this was about. It was about testing her restraint. It had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to feel Hunter’s lips against hers. It was nothing like that at all. Or at least she tried to convince herself of that.
Hunter’s eyes darkened slightly. He trailed his fingertips upward, resting his hand on the back of her neck. He slowly leaned in, watching her eyes, making sure he was reading her correctly. When his nose touched hers, he looked at her lips once more before closing his eyes and finally kissing her. Joltsof electricity celebrated over his body. Her soft lips melted against his as he gently moved his lips against hers. A soft moan sounded from her throat, which was music to his ears. Hearing his mate’s want for him was reassuring. He could hear the sound of her heart rate picking up as she continued to respond to his kisses.
Freja felt like her mind was clearer. Everything she was worried about … was it really anything she should be dwelling on? She was already marked and connected to Hunter. She was already attached and protective over him. Even if something were to happen now, it would be too late. She would already be devastated. Jin was right. She was the same person for the most part, except for one thing. She was stronger now, and her mate was strong. She didn’t have to mark him now, but as for being with him … that was something she wasn’t going to deny herself. There was no good reason for it. She needed him and he needed her. They were mates, and that was all there was to it. She didn’t need to overcomplicate things. It was just him and her. The rest would sort itself out.
She sat in his lap, straddling him. Wrapping her fingers into his luscious ebony hair, she sank deeper into their kiss, biting his bottom lip and demanding entry. She thrusted her tongue inside his mouth and was pleased with the low moan she made escape from his throat. Their tongues clashed against the other in urgency.
They broke apart for a moment, panting into each other’s lips, trying to catch their breaths.
“Freja.” Hunter's voice was low and husky.
“I want this, Hunter. I want us.”
