“Does that mean you liked it?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Liked it? That was the most pleasurable thing I’ve ever had happen to me.” He still looked spell bound by the experience and I was happy to lay down next to him and soak up the afternoon sun.
He drew me close and held me against his chest. Neither of us said anything for a long while. When the silence was finally broken it was Orsu who spoke first.
“Julie, you are special to me,” he began. “My day starts with thoughts of your smile and it ends with a longing to be near you. I have never known such joy as when I get to cook by your side. Your laugh gives me life, which is why I always have a joke on my tongue. Your smiles are a pleasure I never thought I’d get to experience. From the moment I caught your scent in the air I knew you were mine.”
He sat up and put my hand on his chest. “Julie, will you claim me as yours? Will you be my kira-si, the very reason my heart beats?”
I sat for a moment and waited for my normal anxietyto creep in and tell me all the reasons why committing to Orsu this soon after we met was a bad idea. I sat and waited for the pros and cons list to start rattling off in my head, but none of those thoughts clouded my mind. The only thing I could think wasyes. I wanted him to be mine and I to be his. There was a peace that settled in my soul at the thought of us being together, sharing his bed cave, cooking together at every meal. It just felt right. So that’s what I said: “Yes.”
He reached out and drew me onto his lap before he planted a passionate kiss on my lips. We were together and nothing would separate us–not now, not ever.
Chapter 13
Orsu
Julie and I walked into the cavern hand in hand. My chest filled with pride and joy as everyone took in the sight of us. Julie had claimed me as hers and was willing to announce our bond in front of the entire dekes.
“What do we have here?” Kayla asked as she looked at our joined hands.
Julie looked up at me and smiled. “Nothing much, just hanging out with my mate.”
All the hu-man females squealed and rushed toward us. Julie was quickly engulfed in a group hug and a chorus of congratulations.
Drovo and Axon clapped me on the shoulder. Their teary eyes and wide smiles told me all I needed to know about the joy they had for me.
“The goddess has blessed you, my friend.” Tarak chimed in. “A mate is the greatest treasure a male could hope for.”
I caught Drovo sending Kayla longing glances, as if he were imaging what it would be like to be mated as well.
Kayla glanced his way briefly but quickly looked away.
Everyone seemed to be happy about our news–everyone except Rhaz, of course. He wore his usual frown and left the cavern. His anger I could understand, but thisnew avoidance he had of the hu-man females was baffling to me. Did he not want a mate as well?
“Do not worry about dinner tonight,” Lumod clapped my shoulder. “I will prepare the evening meal.”
“I appreciate that my friend, but nothing brings me more joy than to cook beside my mate.”
I looked down at Julie for confirmation and she squeezed my hand in response.
My mate and I got to work preparing the final meal of the day. I never thought I could find such joy in making food. Every time our shoulders brushed or our hands touched we would look at each other and smile.
I dabbed Julie’s nose with flour and she laughed when she attempted to do the same to me, but could only reach my chin. I would have to take care with Julie during our matings. She was tiny compared to me. But all the same, I looked forward to tonight and the possibilities it held.
Once the meal was finished, Lumod shooed us away so we could retire to our bed cave while he washed the dishes.
Julie and I exchanged a glance and her cheeks turned that beautiful red they tended to do when I flirted with her.
“Should we head to the furs, my mate?” I purred in her ear.
“I’d like that.” Her words came out breathy, making my cock to stir.
Once we were out of the main cavern I lifted Julie over my shoulder and ran to our room. She yelped but soon her surprise turned to giggles.
I pulled back the curtain to our private cave then put it back over the entrance after setting Julie down.
When I turned back turned around I was surprised to see Julie already sitting down on the furs with a seductive gleam in her eyes. Her earlier shyness was now gone. My shaft grew ever stiffer at the sight of her on my furs. Onourfurs.
