Then he moved lower, paying homage to every inch of her skin. He nibbled the sensitive spot behind her ear, her neck, and her collarbone. Next, he suckled her nipples, tightening them to rigid peaks. Played with them until she moaned, needing much more attention in other places, too.
He was happy to oblige, trailing his tongue down her abdomen, tickling her belly button and making her laugh. Laughter during sex, who’d have thought? But what was happening between them tonight transcended sex—this was a sharing of bodies, connecting souls. Why shouldn’t it be an occasion of joy?
Then he crouched between her legs, spread her thighs wider, baring her sex to him. She’d never been ashamed of her body, but this openness, the ease she felt with him, was unlike any relationship before him. This man was hers.
Cupping his hands under her bottom, he raised her some and began to feast on her pussy. Every cell in her body came alive, singing at his attentions. This was her mate, pleasuring his woman as no one else had the right to do, ever again. His possession nearly tipped her too far over the edge. As though he sensed how near she was to release, he grinned and lowered her to the bed.
“Not so fast, baby. Gonna make you come on my cock.”
“Yes, please!”
Moving over her again, he placed the head of his hard cock at her entrance and began to ease inside. He impaled her slowly, and it felt so damned good. He was the perfect fit, stretching and filling her so she was nearly incoherent with pleasure. Then he began to slide in and out, stroking her inner walls, and she clung to him. Let him sweep her away in glorious waves of delight that drove her higher.
“I love you, Mackenzie,” he said softly, holding her close. Thrusting his cock slow and deep. “God, how I love you.”
“I love you, too. Have since the minute I saw you.”
“Baby . . .”
His thrusts increased in speed bit by bit. His breathing came harsher as he picked up the tempo. Then he gathered her in his arms, and not breaking their connection, pulled them into a sitting position with Mac on his lap.
“Ride me just like this, sweetheart,” he breathed. “Fuck me like this.”
“Yes!”
She took the lead, clinging to his shoulders as she bounced on his lap. Fucked him with enthusiasm, spiraling them toward the inevitable climax.
“Gonna claim you, my mate. Never let you go.”
“Please, Kalen!”
Needing no further encouragement, he struck. The instant his fangs sank into the curve of her neck and shoulder, the force of her release detonated her world. Mac was vaguely aware of screaming out her wild ecstasy as he reaffirmed their bond, pumped his come into her on and on.
When at last their shudders stopped, he still held her tightly, rubbing his palms on her back. Eventually he withdrew his fangs and licked the wounds, though she sensed that the beast in him had been reluctant to give up his hold.
“I meant what I said,” he told her. “It wasn’t just the heat of sex, either. I love you, Doc.”
“And I love you, Sorcerer.”
He smiled. “You make me happier than I have a right to be. But for once, I’m going to enjoy having what I want and worry about the rest tomorrow.”
“There’s the spirit.” She kissed his luscious lips. “I suppose we should move.”
“Ugh. Do we hafta?”
“Shower?”
He perked up. “Does that include shower sex?”
“If you’re lucky,” she teased.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
Carefully he eased her off his lap. Together they padded into the bathroom, started the spray, and let it get nice and hot. Then they proceeded to steam up the glass in more ways than one.
Afterward, Mac thought again about how she needed to tell Kalen about the baby. Crap, if they started sharing living quarters, he was going to be worried about her getting sick in the mornings.
And she’d have to tell him about the nightmare and Malik’s claims.
She’d tell him about both soon. But she wanted this one night just for the two them, before reality intruded.
Surely that wasn’t too much to ask.
With a sigh of contentment, she snuggled into his arms and slept better than she had in months.
Later, she would be very glad she hadn’t known of the tragedy and heartbreak to come.
Eleven
The morning following claiming his mate for the second time—with much happier results—Kalen was flying high. So high his lover would’ve given him a drug test if she hadn’t known for a fact it was natural.
So he should have known the buzz wouldn’t last.
After Mackenzie had dressed and headed to the infirmary, Kalen went back to his quarters for a change of clothes. He was contemplating asking his mate if they could move in together when his cell phone rang.
Nick’s name popped up on the display and he grimaced. A call from the boss wasn’t typically cause for celebration, and this one was no different.
“I’ve got a location on your parents,” he said without preamble.
“Well, there’s some fantastic news,” Kalen replied with all the sarcasm he could muster. This conversation required coffee. Maybe he’d add a dash of whiskey to it, too. “I can hardly wait for the heartfelt reunion. Should I bring tissues?”
“Funny. Don’t you want to know where they are?”
“Not particularly. But I guess you’ll tell me anyways.” Yep, coffee. Better leave out the booze, though. He reached for a mug and stuck it under his single-cup brewer, then hit the switch.
“Your childhood address is still listed in their names.”
Kalen froze, watching the fragrant brew steam into the mug. “You’re kidding.”
“No. The weird thing is that my contact says nobody can recall seeing the Blacks for years. Nobody going in or out of the house, no visitors, nothing. But the house is well kept, flowers planted, grass mowed, newspapers and mail picked up regularly. Records show the bills have been paid on time, et cetera. For nine years. All seems good on the surface.”
“Except not a soul has seen them in almost a decade.” A cold finger trailed down Kalen’s spine. He didn’t need Nick to tell him that something wasn’t right. “When do we leave?”