“Again, we’ll go at your pace.We won’t do anything you don’t want.”
“I’ve never, um, had sex before,” she admits softly.
My bear roars inside me, and my cock hardens at the thought of being my mate’s one and only.
“Me neither.We’ll figure it out together.When you’re ready.”
She smiles at me gratefully, and I stand to get started on the dishes.
“What’s it like for you?I mean, when I first saw you, I felt safe and achy.I’ve never really noticed guys, but I noticed you.”
Her words aren’t helping the situation in my pants.
“It was like seeing the sun for the first time,” I say honestly.“Before you, my days were gray and lifeless.Everything changed when you stumbled into my yard.Now I feel like I have a purpose.I have something to look forward to each day.”
I look at her and see her melting at my words, so I go on.
“I’m happy, truly happy.I didn’t realize how lonely I was until you came into my life.Now I’m having guests and making new friends.You’ve made my life so much better already, and it’s only been a few days.”
Her light blue eyes are locked on me as I finish the dishes and dry my hands.
“I already want you, mate.Badly.That will never change.It will always only ever be you.”
Vivian licks her full lips.
“I know it’s not the same for you since you’re human, but I’ll do anything to make you happy with me.I will always keep you safe and take care of you.I?—”
“I’m ready,” she says, interrupting me.
I freeze.“What?”
She smiles softly.“I’m ready.For this.For you.I want you.I want it all.”
Relief crashes through me so hard that I nearly laugh.
“Thank fuck,” I breathe.
Before I can stop myself, I pull her out of her chair.Vivian gasps softly as I wrap my arms around her.I wonder if I should slow down, but I can’t.I kiss her.Hard and deep, like I’ve been waiting my entire life to do it.
Luckily for me, she kisses me back just as passionately.Her fingers clutch the front of my shirt like she needs something solid to hold onto, and I tighten my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me.She’s warm and soft and real in my arms, and my bear practically purrs inside my chest.
Mine.
The word echoes through my head, deep and possessive.
I tilt my head, deepening the kiss, and Vivian lets out a soft whimper that goes straight through me.Her lips part beneath mine, hesitant at first, but then she relaxes and melts against me like she trusts me completely.
That trust hits me harder than anything else.
I slow the kiss slightly, giving her space to breathe, brushing my mouth over hers again and again.Each kiss is softer than the last, slower, savoring.I’m not trying to rush this moment.I want to remember it.
My mate.
My hand slides up her back to cup the back of her head, my fingers threading gently into her dark hair.It’s even softer than I imagined, silky against my skin as I guide her closer.
When I finally pull back, it’s only an inch.Our foreheads rest together, and we both breathe a little harder.Vivian’s cheeks are pink, her lips swollen from my kisses, and her light blue eyes are wide as she looks up at me.
“Wow,” she whispers.
