Kivani’s tiger roared approval, demanding he close the distance, take what his mate was offering. But he forced himself to stay still, to let Dakota set the pace. “Then we go back.”
Dakota pushed himself up slightly, his face hovering close to Kivani’s. His pupils were dilated, his breathing faster than normal, and Kivani could smell the shift in his scent. Arousal mixing with lingering fear, want tangled up with uncertainty. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” Kivani’s hand came up to cup Dakota’s face, his thumb brushing across his mate’s lower lip. “I want this. Want you. Have wanted you since the moment we met.”
Dakota closed the remaining distance, pressing their mouths together. The kiss started gentle, questioning, but quickly turned hungry. Dakota’s hand fisted in Kivani’s shirt, pulling him closer, and Kivani let himself be pulled. His tiger purred, the sound rumbling through his body where they touched.
Dakota made a small sound and opened his mouth, and Kivani’s tongue swept inside to taste tea and honey and something uniquely Dakota, sweet and addictive. Kivani’s hand tightened on his mate’s hip, his fingers digging into flesh through the sweater, and Dakota gasped against his mouth.
They kissed until Kivani’s lips felt swollen, until Dakota was trembling in his arms and making these breathy little sounds that drove his tiger wild. His mate tasted perfect, felt perfect pressed against him, and every instinct demanded he take this further. Mark and claim and make Dakota understand exactly what he meant to Kivani.
Dakota pulled back, his eyes heavy-lidded and dark. “I want more.”
“More what?” Kivani needed to hear it, needed Dakota to tell him exactly what he wanted.
“More of you.” Dakota’s hands moved to the hem of Kivani’s shirt, fingers sliding underneath to touch bare skin. “I want to feel you. Want to stop thinking about vampires and shifters and just feel something good.”
Kivani caught Dakota’s wrists, stilling his exploration. “You’re sure? You've had a terrible night. I don’t want you doing this just to distract yourself.”
“I’m not.” Dakota’s voice held conviction, his eyes meeting Kivani’s without wavering. “I’ve wanted this for weeks. Wanted you. Tonight just made me realize I shouldn't wait for the perfect moment, because apparently the world is full of vampires and nothing is guaranteed.”
The logic was flawed, driven by shock and fear and the human need to affirm life in the face of danger. But Kivani’s tiger didn’t care about logic. His mate wanted him, was offering himself, and every fiber of Kivani’s being demanded he accept.
“Okay.” Kivani released Dakota’s wrists and pulled him back in for another kiss. This one was harder, more demanding, and Dakota responded with equal hunger. His hands pushed under Kivani’s shirt, nails dragging across skin, and Kivani purred into his mouth.
Dakota broke the kiss to pull at Kivani’s shirt, trying to get it off. Kivani helped, yanking the fabric over his head and tossing it aside. Then his hands were on his mate’s sweater, pushing it up to reveal pale skin and the lean lines of his torso. Dakota raised his arms, and Kivani pulled the sweater off, his eyes tracking over newly exposed flesh.
Beautiful. His mate was so fucking beautiful it made Kivani’s throat tight. His body was slim and pale with barely any muscle definition, the kind of body that looked delicate but, Kivani knew, held surprising strength. He wanted to map every inch with his hands and mouth, wanted to learn what made Dakota gasp and what made him moan.
Dakota’s hands found Kivani’s shoulders, his fingers tracing over muscle. “You’re really built.”
“Tiger genetics.” Kivani’s hands settled on Dakota’s hips, thumbs stroking the jut of bone. “We run bigger than humans.”
“I like it.” His mate leaned in and pressed his mouth to Kivani’s collarbone, his tongue darting out to taste skin. “You make me feel small. Safe.”
Kivani’s hands tightened, his tiger rumbling approval at the words.Mine, it growled.Ours to protect. Ours to keep.
Dakota’s mouth moved lower, kissing and licking across Kivani’s torso. His tongue found a nipple and circled it, and Kivani’s hands flexed on his mate’s hips. Heat built in Kivani’s stomach, his cock hardening in his jeans, and when Dakota’s hand dropped to palm him through the denim, Kivani’s hips jerked forward involuntarily.
“Fuck.” The word came out strangled, and Dakota looked up with satisfaction in his expression.
“You like that?” Dakota’s hand moved again, rubbing along the hard length straining against fabric. “Like me touching you?”
“Fuck yes.” Kivani’s voice had dropped lower, edged with the growl that lived in his throat. “Don’t stop.”
Dakota didn’t. His hand worked Kivani through his jeans, applying pressure and friction that made Kivani’s breathing ragged. His mate learned quickly, paying attention to what made Kivani’s hips roll forward, what pulled sounds from his throat. Those clever fingers found the button of his jeans and flicked it open then dragged the zipper down slowly.
Kivani’s cock pushed against his boxer briefs, the fabric doing nothing to hide how hard he was. Dakota’s eyes fixed on the bulge, his tongue darting out to wet his lips, and Kivani had to lock every muscle to keep from just taking what he wanted.
“Can I?” Dakota’s fingers hooked in the waistband of Kivani’s underwear, his question barely audible.
“Baby, you can do whatever you want.” Kivani’s hands moved from Dakota’s hips to the couch, gripping the cushions hard enough that his claws wanted to extend. “I’m yours.”
Dakota pulled the fabric down, freeing Kivani’s cock. It stood hard and flushed, and Dakota’s hand wrapped around it without hesitation. His fingers were cool against overheated skin, and Kivani’s hips jerked at the contact.
“You’re so hot,” Dakota murmured, his hand stroking slowly from base to tip. “Like you’re burning up.”
“Tiger.” Kivani forced the word out, his head falling back against the couch. “We run hot.”
