“Do you remember the first place we lived? The one-room cabin in the middle of the woods.”
Leif smiled. His eyes stayed shut as he savored the sound of Aspen’s voice and warmth of his arms surrounding him. “That place was tiny, especially for a bear.”
“I loved it there. You couldn’t escape me.”
Leif took a breath. With every passing second, the fear and pain lessened. “In those days, we didn’t have much in the way of entertainment in the middle of nowhere.” A devilish smile tugged at Leif's lips. “But I was never bored.”
“Maybe that’s what we need.”
Leif’s eyes opened. He glanced over his shoulder. “To fuck? I’m in.”
Aspen chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.” He paused for a beat. “Or maybe I did. Everything seemed so simple back then. No electronics. Just us with no one else around. We didn’t worry about running into a mystery mate. You created a magic little bubble for us so we’d be safe from any chance of a stranger—man or beast—stumbling in. No one existed but us. I don’t recall why we ever left.”
“Your pack.” Leif hated saying those words and ruining the moment, but that was what happened. “You worried they might need you.”
“No.”
At Aspen’s denial, Leif started to argue that was absolutely what had them leaving that bubble.
Aspen continued before Leif could get irritated. “I worried they would tear my little brother to pieces without me around. He was so small and sweet. You know how they felt about anything small or sweet. One day, I woke up and just had the worst feeling in my gut—like I needed to get to him. Not that they let me see him when we returned.”
Leif searched his mind, trying hard to remember that part. “I don’t recall any of this. Maybe my brain got scrambled in that fire.”
A very bear-like growl rumbled against his ear.
“Don’t joke about that. Noted.”
Aspen licked his neck.
Leif's entire body lit. He had not forgotten this part. The affectionate bear kisses that always stole his breath.
“None of this is the point. Maybe we need to disappear into a bubble again for a little while.”
Leif desperately wanted those days back, but he had to be realistic. “I thought you wanted to be part of Waylon’s pack. You sacrificed everything for me back then. I don’t want you to do that twice. You have no idea how fucking sorry I am for hurtingyou again. I don’t want to make all the same mistakes. Fuck, Aspen. I just want to love you like you deserve.”
Aspen licked his neck again. This time, he didn’t stop.
Leif’s walls fell as all the stress seeped from him. His entire being focused on that tongue. He felt Aspen poking around in his mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. His skin tingled. Leif’s erection grew.
Aspen palmed Leif’s dick through his jeans and massaged.
Leif’s entire ass left the floor trying to fuck that hand. He needed the release. In one swift motion, Leif was on his back on the kitchen floor. His shirt ripped away as Aspen licked his torso. The way his tongue swirled held every ounce of Leif’s focus.
“That feels so good. I’ve woken up twisted in the sheets over memories of that tongue.”
A very animalistic sound rumbled from Aspen’s throat. Leif gasped at the sensation. He felt everything like his nerve response had been turned up by a thousand percent. Leif had been rendered useless by Aspen’s ministrations. The sound of ripping jeans filled his ears while Aspen traced a circle around Leif’s navel. The second air brushed his erection, Aspen’s tongue lapped him front root to tip before Aspen swallowed him.
Leif dove his fingers into Aspen’s hair. He couldn’t even see clearly anymore. The lust was bigger than everything, killing any sense not needed to enjoy Aspen on his dick. He pantedas Aspen did his best to suck the skin from Leif’s cock. The closer he was pulled toward oblivion, the wilder he turned. He lifted his hips in perfect rhythm with Aspen bobbing on his dick. Leif fucked Aspen’s throat. The animalistic noises coming from Aspen were like a vibrator around his cock. Leif couldn’t think. Nothing existed but them. When he blew, Leif saw stars and lost all ability to breathe. A silent scream poured from him as he saw stars. He shook with the power of his orgasm. They weren’t broken. They were flawless together. Leif would make Aspen remember that.
Chapter Six
Ratherthanreturningtohis duties, Leif spent every day working at Aspen’s side. They integrated themselves into the community, helping and simply enjoying the company. They went to bonfires and joined the full moon run. Leif adored watching Aspen’s happiness grow by the day. He fit here, and Leif loved that for him. Still, Leif was grateful as hell for a day at home with no plans.
Sprawled out on the couch with his feet on Aspen’s lap, Leif stared at Aspen. Aspen rubbed Leif’s feet. Leif realized he had intentionally forgotten these moments. Aspen had always quietly spoiled the fuck out of him, treating him like a king. The most addicting part was Aspen didn’t even recognize his actions as spoiling him. Aspen loved taking care of Leif in every way. He took pride in it. That was why losing him had literally killed him. There was no life after this one. Everything without Aspen was too hard. When Celeste had sent him back, Leif had been forced to convince himself he hated Aspen. Without that shield of angerand loathing, life was too crippling. Now here he was, staring into the face of ultimate happiness. He wished he knew how to make Aspen feel just as cherished.
“If you could have anything, no matter how outlandish it is, what would you want?”
Aspen looked his way. His expression screamed that he took the inquiry seriously. “Hmm.” He laughed and shook his head, as if his first thought was absurd.
