They stripped off, clothes discarded in a careless pile that Ant would probably organize in the morning because he couldn’t stand mess in the bedroom. Viktor guided his mate back onto the mattress, following him down and bracketing Ant’s body with his own.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. Ant reached up and traced Viktor’s jaw, his collarbone, the faintest of scars that decorated Viktor’s chest from fights that played out centuries before they’d met. “You’re beautiful.”
Viktor huffed a laugh. “I’m a monster, babe.”
“No.” Ant’s expression turned fierce. “You’re a vampire and my mate, and if I call you beautiful it’s because you are to me.”
He meant it. Every syllable. In Ant’s ordered, logical worldview, Viktor wasn’t a predator or a killer or a shadow - he was simplyViktor,and that was enough.
How the fuck did I get this lucky?
Viktor kissed him instead of answering, pouring everything he felt into the slide of lips and tongue. Ant responded with surprising aggression, rolling them over so he straddled Viktor’s hips, pale hair falling forward to frame his face.
“Let me,” Ant said quietly.
Viktor’s hands settled on his mate’s thighs. “Whatever you want.”
Ant bent down and kissed him again, slower this time, exploring with the same methodical focus he brought to everything. Viktor let himself sink into it, into the careful attention Ant paid to what made him shiver or gasp, the way his mate noted every response like data to be analyzed and applied.
There was a zing of magic, and Viktor knew he wouldn’t be on prep duty this time. When Ant finally shifted to take him in, Viktor had to close his eyes against the overwhelming sensation.Fuck.His mate was tight and so perfect, Viktor was ready to blow at a second’s notice.
“Okay?” Ant asked, sounding breathless.
“Yeah. You?”Oh, look. I can still form words.
“I’m exactly where I want to be.” Ant began to move slowly, seeming to want to savor every sensation. Viktor gripped his hips and let his mate set the pace, fighting the urge to flip them over and take control.
He needs this,Viktor reminded himself.After Claudius, after being trapped, he needs to choose.
So Viktor held on and let Ant take what he needed, watching pleasure transform his mate’s usually serious expression into something open and unguarded. The bond sang between them, creating a feedback loop of sensation and emotion that blurred the line between where Viktor ended and where Ant began.
“Viktor,” Ant gasped, rhythm faltering.
“I’ve got you.” Viktor sat up, wrapping his arms around Ant’s back and pulling him close so they moved together. “Always got you, babe.”
Ant buried his face against Viktor’s shoulder and came apart with a choked sound that went straight to Viktor’s core. The smell of Ant’s spunk was enough to drag Viktor over the edge with him, and he sank his teeth into Ant’s shoulder, savoring a few mouthfuls of his mate’s blood, before licking the small marks closed. For several long moments, they just held each other, focused on their shared breath and the way their hearts beat as one.
Eventually, Ant pulled back, looking dazed and satisfied. “That was…”
“Yeah.”
“Very thorough.”
Viktor laughed and kissed his temple. “From you, that’s high praise.”
“You’re biased.”
“Damn right I am.” Viktor eased them down onto the mattress, tucking Ant against his side. His mate’s heartbeat was gradually slowing as his body relaxed. “Just so you know, you scared the shit out of me at that estate.”
Ant was quiet for a moment. “I scared myself,” he admitted. “When I was trapped in that loop, I thought...I thought I might not find my way back to you.”
“But you did.” Viktor’s hand cupped Ant’s face, thumb brushing his cheekbone. “You called for me, and I came. Keep remembering that babe, because that’s how it works. You call, I answer. Always.”
“Always,” Ant repeated softly, like he was testing the weight of the promise.
“For as long as we’re both breathing.” Viktor pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Longer, if I can manage it. I told you before - there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you.”
Ant’s eyes were starting to drift closed, but he smiled. “I love you, too.”
