I did as she asked and used my shifter abilities to turn my arm into a flame.
“See, you’re glowing for me right now.” The smile she gave me was warm, and kind, and filled with love.
I extinguished my flames and scooped Fatima into my arms. My heart was so filled with joy I thought it might burst.
“You would accept me even though I cannot luminess?”
“Of course I do,” Fatima assured me. “I’ve been worried that you might not wantme. I can’t luminess to you either and I’m pregnant with a child that isn’t yours.”
I placed my hand on her belly and rested it there for a long moment. “They could be ours. It would bring me great joy if you’d let me raise them as if they were.”
She’d been looking down at my hand on her stomach, so I placed a finger under her chin and made her look up at me. “Iwant you, Fatima. I’ve wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“Truly? You want me and the baby?” She asked with hope in her eyes.
“Yes, I want us to be a family. I want to cook for you, rub your back, and take care of all your needs. I want to be there when the baby is born, and to care for you both as you recover. I want it all, every moment, all the ups and all the downs. I want you to be my mate, and I would be honored if you would claim me as yours.”
“I want you too, Zander. I think I’ve wanted you for a very long time.”
All the breath wooshed out of my lungs as I took in her words. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.
She lifted her face toward mine in a hopeful invitation for a kiss. I happily obliged and met her lips with mine. As our kiss grew more fervent and intense, so did the scent of Fatima’s arousal.
I dipped my fingers below the hem of her pants and cupped her sweet cunt. I lingered there waiting for her permission to touch her in the way I yearned to.
“Yes,” Fatima breathed and I lightly circled her clit as my fingers danced over her sensitive flesh. She threw back her head and gasped.
“More,” she pleaded, so I dipped my fingers into her channel and was surprised to find she was already wet for me.
“Zander,” Fatima stilled my hand, and I pulled my fingers out of her.
“Did I hurt you?” Had I been too rough? I hoped not. I don’t think I could bear the thought of hurting her.
“No,” Fatima smiled. Then she shyly chewed her lip and took a deep breath.
“I know I’m rather big at the moment, but...I want you inside me. I want you to claim me fully.”
“Gladly,” I purred. “Would you prefer to lay down on your side, or ride atop me? The choice is yours. Either way, you will be comfortable and well pleasured.”
“Oh,” Fatima’s cheeks turned an even deeper red. “I, uh, I think I’d prefer to lay on my side.”
“I will start a fire, and then I will claim you as mine.” A pleased growled rumbled up my chest.
“Yours,” Fatima breathed, and began to take off her clothes.
There was already a fire pit here in the beach cave. All I needed to do was grab a few more logs and get it started.
I rushed outside and gathered the first pieces of wood I could find. They weren’t completely dry, but that didn’t matter to a fire shifter like me.
I reentered the cave and dropped all the lumber I’d been carrying at the sight of my new mate standing naked before me.
Fatima swallowed hard and moved her arms to cover her chest and the patch of fur between her legs.
“Don’t you dare,” I growled as I moved closer to her. “You are too beautiful to hide.”
“Even with my big belly?”
“Especially with your big belly. You are carrying our child. There’s nothing more beautiful than that,” I assured her.
