Chuckling, Hunter rolled off the bed. “Later my pet. First, a bath, then food. Don’t move. I’ll be back to get you shortly.”
“No worries about that, mate, cause I can’t move.” Fionn mumbled to himself, listening to the water running in the bathroom. A bath sounded perfect for his cum-crusted body and sore muscles. Still feeling his mate’s touch on his nipples, he touched, one, following the path Hunter’s thumb left on it, that had burned into his soul.
“C’mon, my pet.” Gathering Fionn in his arms, Hunter carried him into the bathroom and lowered his mate into the bubble bath waiting for them. Then stepping into the tub, Hunter sat down behind his mate, pulling Fionn’s back against his chest.
“Fucking perfecto!” Fionn exclaimed, as the hot water eased his soreness. Turning his head, he kissed his mate’s jaw before licking it and savoring his mate’s taste. Letting his head fall back against Hunter, he murmured, “This is divine.”
Sliding his hands down Fionn’s arms, intertwining his fingers with his mate’s, Hunter sighed in contentment. His need to touch Fionn was more than casual; he was driven to continually touch him to satisfy an insatiable desire for his mate’s heat. Never in his imagination did he ever picture a mate as perfect as Fionn. Everything about him sang to his soul, calming him in a way he’d never felt possible.
Enjoying the silence, Fionn closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of security he now had, finally realizing he could breathe—and that made him feel free. Something he never thought would happen if he was claimed by a mate.
Guessing at Fionn’s thoughts, Hunter said, “You have nothing to fear, my pet, you will always be free with me…free to be who you are…free to soar…free to become anything you wish…and always know in your heart I will be there for you to help you any way I can.”
“I know… I feel it in my soul,” Fionn replied, grasping his mate’s fingers tighter. “I’m sorry I left.”
“You came back to me and that’s all that matters, my pet.”
“I was afraid of you…afraid of what you might do to me. I fought so hard for my freedom and…and…”
“Hush. I understand, but if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I will never deny you what you need. I know that freedom feeds your soul and makes you happy and that, in turn, makes me happy.”
“Do you mean that?Reallymean it?” Fionn asked, holding his breath, waiting for his mate’s answer.
“I do,” replied Hunter, licking Fionn’s earlobe, enjoying the shiver it brought forth. “Tell me, what is it you want to do?”
Knowing the answer but saying it out loud scared Fionn.What if he doesn’t think I can? Or what if he thinks I should follow in my father’s footsteps? Noooo, better to avoid answering…I learned that lesson with my father.“I don’t really know.”
Kissing his mate again, Hunter let the answer slide, not willing to push when it was obvious Fionn was reluctant to say. “Well, when you do, let me know.”
Nodding, Fionn was relieved his mate accepted his answer. It was in stark contrast to how his father had behaved. Thinking about it, Fionn realized his father had robbed him of his ability to trust—and his mate was trying to give it back to him. And hedidwant it back, as it dawned on him that his mistrusting nature had stripped away part of his soul.“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“Don’t be, my pet. It’ll happen when the time is right.” Picking up a cloth, Hunter poured some body wash on it and started to bathe Fionn, beginning with his chest. “I’ll order some gold rings today,” he said, teasing the pink nubs to hardness.
Shuddering at his mate’s actions, Fionn moaned, as heat flowed through his body. Feeling himself begin to react, he grabbed Hunter’s hands, stilling them so he could tellhim something. “You don’t have to. I have gold rings…they’re with my hoard…I can get them later.”
That idea didn’t appeal to Hunter at all unless he could accompany his mate. But sensing it wasn’t the time for that discussion, he merely resumed washing him. In fact, Hunter realized he didn’t want his mate to go anywhere where he couldn’t protect him.So what do I do when he shifts into his dragon and flies away?Trying to figure out a solution, Hunter’s brow furrowed as he sorted out the possibilities.I can always ride on his dragon’s back, I suppose. But I can’t do that when I’m my wolf…so is that so important?Instinctively Hunter knew it was but how it could ever happen puzzled him.Maybe we’ll just have to accept what is and make do with me riding on my mate’s back…
“Hey, where did you go?” asked Fionn.
“Huh? I’m right here.”
Fionn snorted. “Ahh, not really. You’ve been washing the same arm for the last five minutes.”
“Oh, crap, sorry. Just thinking.” Feeling the water cooling down, Hunter quickly washed the rest of his mate, rinsed him off and lifted him out of the tub. Grabbing a heated towel, he dried Fionn before wrapping him in a robe.
Sitting on the edge of the tub, Fionn watched his mate towel off the last drops of water. “What were you thinking about?”
Pausing before answering, Hunter finally said, “I was trying to figure out how my wolf and your dragon can spend time together.”
“And…what answer did you come up with?” asked Fionn, smirking.
“Nothing. I guess I’ll just ride on your dragon’s back,” Hunter answered, tossing his towel on the floor before slipping into a robe. Scooping up Fionn, he carried him into their sitting room, setting him down on the love seat. Sitting next to him, he continued, “And you can ride my wolf when I go for a run.”
“Have you checked on your wolf since I claimed you?” Fionn asked, grinning.
“Yeah, last night…your dragon was curled around him and they were sleeping.”
Fionn giggled. “I think you should do it again.”
