“That’s it,” he murmurs, straining with the effort of maintaining control. “Take all of me.”
The encouragement pushes me closer to the edge, my body responding both to his words and the increasing pressure of his knot. One final, firm circle of his fingers over my clit sends me careening into orgasm, my inner muscles clamping down on his cock in rhythmic waves.
As my climax peaks, Jared drives forward once more, his knot pushing past the tight ring of muscle at my entrance to lodge inside me. The sensation of being stretched extendsmy orgasm, drawing a cry from my throat that echoes in our bedroom.
“Em,” Jared gasps, his body going rigid behind me as his own release hits.
The hot pulse of his seed filling me triggers another wave of pleasure, and my inner walls clamp down in a vice-like lock as my channel ripples around his hard length.
I turn my head to find his mouth, kissing him over my shoulder as our bodies lock together. The slight shift in position causes his knot to rub spots inside me that send aftershocks of pleasure rippling through my core.
Carefully, Jared guides us both onto our sides, spooning me from behind while remaining joined. His arm wraps around my waist, holding me to him as small tremors continue to run through both our bodies.
The hum of our bond passes between us, confirming this is real,weare real, and I didn’t make a mistake this time.
“Perfect,” he murmurs into my hair, his breath warm on my neck. “You’re perfect.”
I reach back to find his hip, my fingers tracing the curve of muscle there. “You, too.”
We lie together, breathing in tandem, as his knot pulses inside me. Each subtle throb sends a fresh trickle of his release deeper, triggering tiny contractions in my own body. The biological imperative of it, his body designed to ensure his seed remains where it can take root, stirs a primal instinct within me.
My teeth find his bicep where it crosses in front of me, biting down in the spot I know drives him wild. The action draws a surprised gasp from him, followed by a groan as his cock jerks inside me, releasing another spurt.
“Careful,” he warns, though his arousal contradicts the admonishment. “Keep that up, and we’ll be here all night.”
“Are you saying you’re not up for the challenge?” I ask, soothing the bite with my tongue.
His knot gives another pulse, and he buries his face in my neck with a groan. “I’ll do my best, but don’t hold it against me if I pass out.”
I laugh, the movement causing interesting sensations where we’re joined. “Poor Alpha. Can’t keep up?”
The taunt earns me a gentle nip at my shoulder, his teeth grazing the skin without breaking it. “I’ll show you ‘keep up’ once this knot goes down.”
“Promises, promises.” I nestle into his embrace, enjoying the solid warmth of his body curled around mine.
Jared’s breathing slows, his body heavy and warm behind me as the tension drains from us both. He kisses the back of my shoulder as his arm tightens around my waist in a protective gesture rather than possessive.
“Hey, Em,” he says quietly.
“Mm?” I murmur, lids at half-mast.
“I’ve been thinking about us.” His thumb traces a slow line along my hip. “About making things… formal. Eventually.”
The languid satisfaction that filled me vanishes.
“Not now,” he adds, sensing the change in me. “I’m not asking for an answer. And definitely not tonight, while we’re still locked together.” A soft huff of laughter follows. “But I wanted you to know I want it. When and if you do.”
The idea of a registered pack, of sayingyesto that kind of permanence, fills me with a heady mix of excitement and fear. I gave everything up once, and it had crashed and burned around me. Afterward, independence became my armor, and the thought of setting it aside again quickens my pulse. Not because I doubt Jared, but because some small part inside still doubtsme.
“I appreciate you telling me,” I say, turning my head far enough to catch his jaw with my lips. “And thank you for not demanding an answer right away.”
He smiles into my hair. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
I settle once more, letting his presence anchor me as my thoughts drift. Paperwork. Registries. Names on file. Making things official brings with it a certain level of protection for both of us. And to be able to tell everyone that Jared is my bondmate… The thought prickles under my skin in a good way, even if there’s also fear.
But as I lie there, Leif once again invades my thoughts. Pale. Guarded.Alone.
Curled in the safety of Jared’s arms, I can’t shake the image of Leif running from the party, knowing that soon he’ll have no choice but to face whatever he fled tonight.