Page 27 of A Monster’s Future

I pulled out slowly, my cock dragging against her walls, and she whimpered, her body still sensitive. I gathered her into my arms, her skin warm against mine, her breath slowing as she curled into me.

I wish I’d had more control. Our first time should’ve been sweet and slow. I should’ve tasted her first. But despite my mistakes, I had never felt anything as perfect as this.

I wondered how long it would take for Julie to realize we were cuddling and push me away. She wouldn’t regret what we’d done, but it would be hard for her to accept it. I closed my eyes and started counting.

***

A hundred and forty-six seconds. We cuddled for a hundred and forty-six seconds.

With our lust sated, reality had filtered back hard and fast, and Julie was back to pretending she hated me.

That didn’t stop me from grabbing the towel to clean her up.

The sheets were still warm when I climbed back into the bed, the scent of her clinging to the fabric. Julie had already claimed her side, her shoulders tense. The mattress dipped under my weight, and she let out a sharp breath.

“You’re only allowed on here because there’s one bed,” she muttered, “and I’m not a bitch.”

I grunted in amusement. Allowed. Like she was the one calling all the shots. Like she was doing me a favor.

She turned her back to me, putting as much distance between us as the small bed would allow. I didn’t let her get far. My arm slid around her waist, pulling her against me. She fit perfectly, her body molding to mine like she was made for me.

“Hey! No cuddling,” she snapped. “I don’t want your pheromones or whatever brainwashing me.”

I chuckled. “I’d say it’s too late for that.” But I released her anyway.

She wiggled back to the very edge of the bed and slapped her hand on the wall, turning off the lights. Then after a long stretch of silence, there was a sudden motion, a yelp, and the unmistakable sound of her hitting the floor, pulling the thin sheets with her.

I didn’t even try to hide my laughter. There wasn’t enough time.

Julie groaned, her voice muffled by the sheets. “Shut up.”

Pushing myself up to one elbow, I reached down, hauling her back onto the bed. She landed against my chest with a huff, her hair tickling my chin. “We tried it your way,” I murmured, my arm settling around her again. “Now let’s try mine.”

I tucked her back into my body. She resisted at first, her body tense. But then, slowly, she relaxed. Probably thanks to the calming hormones I was secreting now. Our bodies always knew what our mates needed, and right now, she needed rest.

“I still hate you,” she muttered.

“I know you do.”

She was quiet for a moment. Then, softer, “Why are you even doing this?”

I exhaled, my breath ruffling her hair. “Because we both know it’s impossible to fight the mate bond.”

She scoffed. “But you don’t even like me. You treat me like some kid who needs to be reminded to wipe her ass.”

That had me frowning. “I have never reminded you to clean your bottom.”

“I don’t mean literally.” She groaned. “And how the hell did the mate bond miss all the other times you’ve touched me? I don’t believe it. Something smells fishy here.”

I sniffed. “I only smell you. And you smell delicious. I regret not tasting your cunt first.”

She stifled a gasp. “Grtirr! Stop that. You’re being obtuse. And you know what I mean. I’ve never heard of a mate bond missing the freaking point dozens upon dozens of times, only to score years later and drop the warrior to his knees.”

I knew what she meant. It was unheard of. But I pretended not to understand. “There are plenty of cases where bonds form after many years.”

She dug her flat little nails into my forearm in warning. I had not fooled her.

“That’s from spending time together and growing a bond. Usually, if it takes a long time, the bond is gradual, and there’s no love at first touch. That’s not what happened here. It’s different, and you know it.”