"Are you certain?" I asked, searching his face. "Liam, this isn't something we can undo. Once we're bonded, it's forever."
Instead of reaching for his notepad again, Liam's throat worked visibly. His lips parted, and for a moment, I thought he was simply taking a deep breath. Then, in a voice rough from disuse, but unmistakably his, he spoke three words that changed everything:
"I'm sure, mate."
* * * *
~ Liam ~
My own voice surprised me as Rooster guided me back into our bedroom, his large hands gentle but possessive on my frame. The sound hung between us—rough from disuse, barely more than a whisper, but mine.
After fifteen years of mostly silence, those three words had scraped against my throat like gravel, yet speaking them had felt right in a way nothing else had since I was seven years old.
I watched Rooster's face, saw the wonder and desire darkening his eyes as he processed what had just happened—not just my agreement to the claiming, but the gift of my voice after so long.
"Liam," he breathed, my name a prayer on his lips. His fingers cupped my face with such reverence that I felt my chest tighten. "You don't have to speak again if you're not ready. That was enough."
I nodded, grateful for his understanding. The words had come naturally in that moment of decision, but I wasn't sure when—or if—more would follow. Instead of trying to force morespeech, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his, letting my actions speak the volumes my voice couldn't yet manage.
Rooster responded immediately, his mouth claiming mine with hunger that matched my own. His kiss tasted of coffee and something uniquely him—warm and spicy and home.
I felt my body melting into his as his arms wrapped around me, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of my head while the other pressed against my lower back, drawing me closer until our bodies aligned from chest to thigh.
His tongue teased the seam of my lips until I opened for him, allowing him to deepen the kiss. I'd been so touch-starved before him, so defensive of my personal space that even accidental contact had sent me into panic.
Now I craved the heat of his skin against mine, the solid strength of his body anchoring me to the present instead of triggering memories of the past.
"I've waited so long for this," he murmured against my lips before trailing kisses along my jaw to the sensitive spot just below my ear. "For you to be ready. For you to choose this."
His hands moved to the hem of my shirt, pausing there in silent question. I nodded, lifting my arms to help him remove it. The cool air of the bedroom raised goosebumps across my skin, but they didn't last long as Rooster's warm palms smoothed over my chest, his thumbs brushing across my nipples until they hardened under his touch.
"Beautiful," he whispered, lowering his head to replace one thumb with his mouth. The hot, wet suction sent a jolt of pleasure straight to my groin, pulling a gasp from my throat.
I tugged at his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against mine. He straightened long enough to pull it over his head, revealing the expanse of his chest—broad and solid, dusted with red-gold hair that matched his beard.
The contrast between us was stark—his massive bear shifter physique making my leaner lynx form seem almost delicate in comparison.
But there was no inequality in our desire. His eyes reflected the same burning need I felt coursing through my veins.
His hands moved to my belt, those thick fingers displaying surprising dexterity as they unfastened my jeans and eased them down my hips along with my underwear.
I kicked them aside, standing naked before him without the shame or fear that had once ruled me. His gaze traveled over my body with open appreciation, seeing past the scars that marked my skin to the man beneath.
"My turn," I whispered, reaching for his belt.
He groaned at the sound of my voice, standing perfectly still as I undressed him with trembling fingers. When he stepped out of his jeans, his erection jutted proudly between us—thick and heavy, intimidating in its size yet making my mouth water with anticipation.
Rooster led me to our bed, laying me down with careful hands before covering my body with his. The weight of him pressed me into the mattress, not crushing but grounding, making me feel protected rather than trapped. His mouth found mine again as his hand slid between us, wrapping around both our cocks and stroking slowly, the friction drawing a moan from deep in my chest.
"I need to prepare you," he murmured against my lips. "Don't want to hurt you."
I nodded, spreading my legs wider in invitation. Rooster reached for the lubricant in our nightstand, coating his fingers generously before returning to me. His eyes held mine as he circled my entrance with one thick finger, the cool gel warming quickly against my heated skin.
"Relax for me, baby boy," he crooned, easing the tip of his finger inside.
I forced my muscles to yield, breathing through the initial discomfort until it gave way to pleasure. By the time he added a second finger, I was pushing back against his hand, seeking more.
He worked me open with patient care, scissoring his fingers and crooking them until they found the spot that made me arch off the bed with a choked cry.
