“Good.” Dakota’s smile was small but genuine, the first real smile Kivani had seen since the attack. “I don’t want it undone. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine. No more halfway. No more waiting for the right moment. This is the right moment.”
Kivani’s control shattered. He pulled Dakota into his lap, his mouth finding his mate’s in a kiss that was all hunger and need and three weeks of holding back. Dakota made a sound against his lips and opened immediately, his tongue sliding against Kivani’s, his mate’s hands fisting in his hair.
The kiss tasted like relief and promise and coming home. Kivani’s hands roamed over Dakota’s back, relearning the geography of his mate’s body, feeling the way he responded to touch. His tiger purred so loudly the vibration traveled through both their bodies, and Dakota gasped into Kivani’s mouth.
“I love when you do that,” his mate murmured, lips moving to Kivani’s jaw. “The purring thing. Makes me feel it everywhere.”
“You’ll feel a lot more than that.” Kivani’s hands found the hem of Dakota’s shirt and pulled it up, breaking the kiss just long enough to get the fabric over his mate’s head. Pale skin revealed itself inch by inch, and Kivani’s mouth went dry at the sight.
Beautiful. His mate was so fucking beautiful it hurt to look at him sometimes, slim and delicate and trusting Kivani with something precious.
Dakota’s hands went to Kivani’s shirt, tugging impatiently. “Off. I want to feel your skin.”
Kivani obliged, yanking his shirt over his head and tossing it somewhere behind the couch. Then Dakota’s hands were on him, palms sliding over muscle, fingers tracing the lines of his torso. The touch made heat pool low in Kivani’s stomach, his cock hardening in his jeans.
“Bedroom,” Kivani said, his hands gripping his mate’s hips. “I want you in my bed when I do this.”
Dakota’s eyes went dark, his pupils dilating. “Yes.”
They moved together, Kivani standing with Dakota in his arms. His mate wrapped his legs around Kivani’s waist automatically, trusting Kivani to carry him, and the gesture made Kivani’s tiger rumble approval.Mine, it growled.Ours to protect. Ours to claim.
The bedroom was dark except for the light filtering in from the living room. Kivani laid Dakota down on the bed, following him down to press their bodies together. The contact was electric, skin on skin, heat building between them. Dakota’s hands roamed over Kivani’s back, his legs still wrapped around Kivani’s waist, pulling him closer.
“I need you,” Dakota said, his voice breaking slightly. “Need to feel you. Need this to be real.”
“It’s real.” His mouth found Dakota’s throat, kissing along the line where Bennett’s bite had healed. A reminder of what his mate had survived, what they’d both survived. “You’re real, and you’re mine, and I’m going to make sure you never doubt that.”
His hands moved to his mate’s jeans, popping the button and dragging the zipper down. Dakota lifted his hips to help, and Kivani pulled the denim down his legs along with his underwear. Then his mate was naked beneath him, flushed and wanting, his cock hard against his stomach.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” Dakota said, his hands tugging at Kivani’s jeans. “Not fair.”
Kivani stood long enough to strip off his remaining clothes, his erection jutting out as soon as the fabric was gone. Dakota’s eyes fixed on it, his tongue darting out to wet his lips, and Kivani had to force himself not to just take what he wanted right then.
“Lube's in the nightstand,” Kivani said, climbing back onto the bed. “Top drawer.”
Dakota stretched to reach it, his body arching in a way that made Kivani’s mouth water. He retrieved the bottle and handed it to Kivani then spread his legs in clear invitation. The trust in the gesture made Kivani’s throat tight, made his tiger roar with possessive satisfaction.
Kivani flipped the cap and coated his fingers, warming the lube between them. His other hand stroked along Dakota’s inner thigh, feeling the muscle tremble under his touch. “Relax for me.”
“I am relaxed.” Dakota’s voice was breathless, contradicting his words. “Just touch me already.”
Kivani’s fingers found Dakota’s entrance, circling slowly before pressing inside. The resistance gave way gradually, Dakota’s body opening for him, and Kivani watched his mate’s face for any sign of discomfort. But Dakota just made a sound that was pure want, his hips rolling to take Kivani’s fingers deeper.
“More,” Dakota said, his hands gripping the sheets. “I can take more.”
Kivani added another finger, working them both inside, stretching carefully. His mate was tight and hot around him, his body responding to every movement. Dakota’s cock leaked against his stomach, his breathing coming faster, and Kivani had to force himself to go slow when every instinct demanded he claim right now.
“You feel so good,” Kivani said, his voice coming out guttural. “So perfect for me.”
Dakota’s response was a whimper, his body pushing back against Kivani’s fingers. “Please. I’m ready. I need you to fuck me.”
“To seal the bond, I have to bite right here.” He ran his finger over Dakota’s soft skin where shoulder and neck met.
His mate glanced at him, fear evident in his eyes.
“One second of pain followed by an earth-shattering orgasm.” Kivani wasn’t trying to sell the idea to his mate. He was being honest, and would back down if Dakota refused.
Gripping Kivani’s shoulders, Dakota slowly nodded. “I trust you. Trust what you’re saying is true. Make me yours.”
