Nic kissed him.
It was sudden and fierce, cutting off Tamsin’s thoughts.Tamsin made a sound between a protest and a surrender before melting into it, his hands coming up to cup Nic’s face.He might be terrified, but it didn’t change the way he felt about Nic or how much he wanted him.
When they finally broke apart, Nic pressed their foreheads together.“I’m sorry,” he whispered.“I’m sorry I scared you.But I had to know what Parrish was planning.I had to do something.”
“You should’ve told me.”Tamsin traced Nic’s cheekbone with his thumb.“We’re mates.We’re supposed to face these things together.”
“I know.”Nic’s eyes closed briefly.“I just didn’t want you to be in danger because of me.I thought if I could just find more information and get out—”
“You thought you were expendable.”The realization hit Tamsin.He should’ve realized it before.“That’s what this is really about, isn’t it?You still don’t believe you’re worth protecting.”Nic thought the clan hated him, and maybe most members did, but Tamsin didn’t believe that.He and the other Vila shared the village with Krsniks, but also with humans.Hell, Nic’s friend Devon was human, and even though they were still working through what Nic had done, Tamsin didn’t think that Devon wanted Nic dead.
Tamsin’s heart ached.He tilted Nic’s chin, forcing their eyes to meet.“You’re my mate.You’re wortheverythingto me.When you put yourself in danger, you’re hurting me, too.Because if something happens to you, I—” His voice broke.“Please don’t do that again.”
Nic’s expression crumbled.“I’m sorry,” he said again, and Tamsin believed that he was.“You’re right.I should have talked to you first.”
“Yeah, you should have.”Tamsin ran his hands down Nic’s arms.He needed to reassure himself that Nic really was here, and the easiest way to do that was to touch him.
“Come on.You need a shower, then rest.”
Nic didn’t argue when Tamsin pulled him upstairs to their bathroom, or when Tamsin raised his sweater to take it off after dropping the blanket Clay had given him earlier.He was quiet while Tamsin worked, making Tamsin wonder what was going on in his head.
“I’ve never had someone care like this before,” Nic finally said.“Someone who wanted to take care of me.Well, I’m sure that my parents did, but I barely remember it, and it’s been so long.”
“Well, get used to it.You’re stuck with me.”
A smile tugged at Nic’s lips.“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”Their bond would make sure of that, but more than that, Tamsinwantedto be stuck with Nic.“For life, remember?That’s what the mate bond means.”
“I love that we’re bonded, but there’s more, isn’t it?”
Tamsin sucked in a breath.There was more, yes.They’d been waiting for the right moment, but maybe there wasn’t one.After all, Nic was it for Tamsin, no matter how much they waited to have sex.Besides, there was no way to know what would happen in the future.Parrish was still out there, and while Tamsin didn’t know him well, he was ready to bet that with Celeste gone, Parrish would look for revenge, and he wouldn’t stop until he either got it or died.He’d make sure to hurt Nic as much as he could, and there was a possibility that he and Tamsin wouldn’t have the long decades together they were supposed to have.
“Is that what you want?”Tamsin asked carefully.
Nic pulled him closer.“I want you,” he said.“I’ve wanted you since the moment we met.And after tonight, I don’t want to wait anymore.”
“You’re sure?You’re not just reacting to what happened tonight?”
“I’m sure.”Nic’s hands settled on Tamsin’s hips, warm and steady.“I know our bond is right.”
Tamsin’s eyes stung.“I was so scared,” he admitted.“When I felt your fear through the bond, I—”
Nic kissed him, slow, tender, and sweet.“I’m here,” he murmured against Tamsin’s lips.“I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Tamsin deepened the kiss, pouring everything he’d felt—from his fear to his relief, to his growing love—into it.Nic responded by sliding a hand up to tangle in Tamsin’s hair while the other held him close.
When they finally broke apart for air, Nic’s eyes were dark with want.“Take me to bed,” he said.“And let me show you I’m really okay.”
Tamsin couldn’t help the shaky laugh that escaped.“You’re supposed to rest.”
“I’ll rest later.”Nic kissed the corner of Tamsin’s lips.“Right now, I need you.”
How could Tamsin argue with that when he felt the same way?He claimed Nic’s mouth in another kiss, letting his mate feel the depth of his need, his relief, his love through their bond.Even though he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to express all of it with words, he didn’t need to.
“Yes,” Tamsin breathed between kisses.“Yes.But if—”
“No ifs.”Nic’s hands were already working down Tamsin’s body.“I promise.Now stop fussing and touch me.”
