My face heats remembering the sensation of his base expanding when we mated. How painful yet wonderful it was.
“The base expands while inside you and acts as a lock. Some supernaturals knot after ejaculation; others, like gargoyles, knot seconds before. It’s meant to keep my cum inside you for breeding purposes—”
“Breeding? Like, having babies?”
My eyes widen, and I place my hand over my chest, my heartbeat thundering beneath it.
“Conception will only happen if both your mind and body are ready and willing. When I knotted in you… that was part of the mating ritual. I don’t knot every time we have sex, but I can if that’s what you want. It can be used to enhance your pleasure. Elongate your orgasms… and mine.”
I take another long drink of water.
“Okay. Um… I don’t know if I want babies. I mean, I never really wanted kids, and now I’m in my forties so it’s not likely to happen anymore.”
Locheran brings our embraced hands up to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.
“Remember last night when I told you my immortality was shared with you?”
I nod, the memory of his words inside my head replaying.
“Your aging will slow. Your body will remain fertile for hundreds of years, meaning you have that long to decide if you want to have kids. Ifwewant to have kids. If you don’t, that’s okay too.”
“This is crazy. I mean, it’s all… overwhelming. I’ve known you for what? Months?”
“Technically about a year.”
I stand and step away from Locheran to pace my living room. I’m in full panic mode.
“You know what I mean. You barely spoke ten words to me before Evangeline’s wedding and now you’re talking about having babies with me?”
“Farrah—”
“So, am I supposed to be in love with you now after one whole day of being your mate? I mean, yeah, I like you a lot. And I’ve crushed on you hard since we met, but love?”
I don’t miss Locheran’s smirk at my confession that I’ve always had a crush on him.
“This is happening way too fast. What if you realize you don’t like me or you aren’t attracted to me or—”
“Farrah!” Locheran’s raised voice startles me, and it might be the first time I’ve seen this man… um, gargoyle… frustrated. Now standing in front of me, he cups my face in his large hands. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry it happened this way. It’s not how I imagined finding my mate. I wish you would have been able to take your time to make this decision. That we could have had time to explore our feelings. But I’m not sorry it’s you. I can’t tell you that we will never fight, or that you won’t hate me sometimes, but if you ever doubt my attraction to you—mind, body, and soul—I will take you over my knee and spank your ass so hard, you won’t be able to sit for days.”
He shuts his mouth, opens it, then clamps it shut.
“I’m… wow… that’s not what I… it’s the bond talking… I swear…”
His eyes bore into mine; pupils expanding. His sight falls to my chest, which heaves, as if his words jumpstarted my libido. I briefly consider jumping into his arms and demanding he fuck me.
The thought is ludicrous, which is why I laugh.
And laugh and laugh until I'm a giggling mess.
Locheran joins in, perhaps amused by me losing my shit or maybe it’s this situation.
Probably a little of both.
“Maybe I want you to spank me,” I say, once my cackling has died down. The words are quiet, but full of possibilities. I bite my bottom lip, attempting to appear innocent.
I want to be anything but innocent around my mate.
Locheran groans and looks up at the ceiling as if struggling whether he wants to take me up on that offer.
