Groaning, Adri hid his face in Rafe’s throat, sparking a laugh from the older man. “Can we just go to sleep and pretend my jaguar isn’t a total simp for you?”
“Yes, but only because when we wake up, I’m going to devour you.”
Adri’s purr grew even louder, and Rafe moaned. “That’s so hot. Love the noises you make. Love everything about you.”
Settling down, Adri let the reassuring noise of Rafe’s deepening breaths lull him into sleep. Just before he succumbed, he whispered into his skin, “I love you, too.”
Strong arms tightened around him, and Rafe kissed his nape from where he was spooning him. “It means everything that you trust me enough to tell me, kitten. Thank you.”
Adri must’ve been more tired than he thought because when he woke later that night, Rafe was already up and dressed—if you could call low-slung sweatpants and nothing else dressed—as he moved quietly around the cabin, making them coffee. Kicking the covers down, Adri indulged in his jaguar’s need to stretch, exaggerating the arch of his back when he felt Rafe’s eyes on him.
By silent agreement, they orbited each other at a distance as Adri rolled out of bed and headed to the shower. Poised. Waiting. Like they both knew that the second they touched, it was on. The clink of cutlery was the only noise as they ate breakfast fordinner—fluffy eggs and crusty, thick bread with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Adri had been hard since before he woke, and his cock only ached harder the longer they went without touching. Knowing where this was heading, he’d taken the time to clean and prep in the shower. He hadn’t bothered with clothes when he emerged, and Rafe’s knowing eyes shone gold with his wolf as he tracked Adri’s naked body moving around the space.
“Tell me you want this,” Rafe said as Adri stacked their dishes in the sink before turning to lean back and stare at his mate.
Like so often when he didn’t brace himself before glancing at Rafe, Adri lost his breath for a moment as he took in his tanned, powerful muscles, the silver-grey of his hair glinting in the light, and his furry chest just begging for Adri to run his fingers over it. It was the look on his face that undid him, though—hope. Affection. Love.
If Rafe needed reassurance every day that Adri was in this, he’d give it. Anything to keep that hopeful, contented look on him. Rafe carried so much past hurt, gave too much of himself to everyone around him. Adri was going to make sure he never had to do it alone again. Rafe had shown him over and over again for more than a decade that he was there for him, and Adri could finally believe that care came with no strings. That Rafe was never going to try to control him in ways he didn’t want to be controlled, or stifle the fierce independence of his jaguar.
“Make me yours, Rafe. Bond me so you never doubt how much I need you again. Bond me so I can feel your soul curled up in my chest where it belongs. Bond me so my strength can bolster you when you tire, and my love can carry you through when the pain you see every day is too much.”
Rafe opened his mouth like he was going to ask if he was certain again, and then closed it. The tension in the room spiked, and Adri drew in a sharp breath as raw dominance emanated from his mate.
“Then, run,” Rafe growled, shoving his sweatpants to the floor and stalking in Adri’s direction.
Mouth stretching in a wicked grin, Adri spun lightly on the balls of his feet and tore out of the cabin into the moonlit forest.
CHAPTER 19: RAFE
Rafe’s heartsang in his chest as he grabbed the lube and ran after his mate. He’d never seen Adri like this—playful and open. Rafe’s mate had been so angry and determined for so long that he’d started wondering if that was just who he was after what happened to him, but deep down, he’d known it could be like this between them. That once Adri processed that he wassafe, he’d finally be free to pounce and twine and tear through the forest, making trouble. It didn’t mean he wouldn’t also snap and ambush. It just meant that murderous instinct of his was balanced with something else. Something he’d been missing for too long since he was taken and forced into the fighting ring—love.
If he hadn’t already waited thirteen years, maybe Rafe would have dragged this out longer and let Adri lead him a merry chase through the forest. Maybe they would have shifted to their animal forms to stalk each other. There’d be time for that later. Time for thatforever. Right then, he couldn’t bear waiting another second. Desperation rode him hard as he used every bit of his alpha speed to power across the clearing, letting his dominance roll out ahead of him.
In the distance, a wolf howled in raw joy and was answered by others—Marco and the pack. His Alpha could sense what was about to happen through their bond. Rafe ignored it. Ignored everything but the way his mate’s scent made his blood run hot, and the tantalising view of his glutes tensing and releasing as he pounded across the grass.
Lunging forward, Rafe wrapped an arm around Adri’s waist, spinning to throw him to the ground and twisting at the last second so it was his back that crashed to the ground, and he could cushion Adri’s fall. Their bodies slotted together like they were made for each other, and they groaned in unison as their throbbing lengths pressed close. Dropping the lube beside them, Rafe reached up and grabbed Adri’s nape, hauling him into a filthy kiss that had his mate breathless and laughing.
“Did you seriously stop to grab lube and still catch me before I got past the edge of the clearing? You didn’t need it. I’m ready for you.”
Rafe grinned. “I washighlymotivated. And I’m not going to risk hurting you. Plus, I don’t think I can take that ridged monster without a little help.”
Adri pulled back, eyes glittering as he stared down at Rafe. “You going to let me take you, Doc?”
“Of course,” Rafe said. “Doesn’t mean I won’t still be in charge, though.”
Adri huffed out a breath and leaned down, nipping at his ear with sharp teeth and sparking another moan of pleasure from him. “Only because Iletyou be in charge, and only when we’re fucking.”
“You’re so hot when you let me give you pleasure. And we’re not going to befucking.”
“What are we doing, then?” Adri asked with a furrowed brow.
“Making love, mating, committing,breeding.” That last one made his mate throw his head back on a laugh like he knew it would.
“You gonna put your puppies in my belly, Rafe? Don’t think it works like that.”
“We’ll never know if we don’t practise. A lot.”
