Page 34 of Midnight Rain

But Cormac did deepen the kiss, crushing Austin to him, because he seemed to lose any semblance of self-control around him. A single heated look had Cormac hard and ready, willing to do whatever his mate wanted.

Stray fingers brushed over the head of his cock, making his dick pulse harder. “Austin, behave,” he said against his mate’s lips.

“Never.” Austin gripped the head and gave it a light squeeze. It took a legion of willpower and every favor Cormac owed to whatever higher power to pull back.

Austin looked up at him, his eyes smoldering. “Tease.”

“If you want to pick this back up when I’m done, I’m going to show you how I can tease every inch of your perfect body with my tongue.”

Austin shoved at his chest. “At this point, I don’t care if you turn into a cat or a horse. Just hurry the hell up so I can be your buffet.”

Cormac hoped like hell that was true, though he seriously doubted it. Right now, his mate was dazed, his mind too preoccupied with sex. Cormac was about to crush all of that, even though it killed him to do so.

Taking a step back, Cormac kept his gaze locked on Austin’s, and then he shifted, waiting for Austin to scream and try to run or maybe even start throwing things at him.

A sound between a squeak and a burp erupted in Austin’s throat. He stood there, blinking like his eyelids could power the house, unmoving as he stared wide-eyed at Cormac.

Taking a chance, Cormac inched closer, purring as he butted his head against Austin’s hand.

“This…is…so…freaky.” But Austin had yet to move. “You’re gigantic, Cormac. To be honest, I’m strangling a scream right now. This can’t be real, but I’m looking right at you, so it has to be.”

Austin had said that with only his lips moving. His eyes were still wide, and his body was still stiffly standing there.

Cormac rubbed his head over Austin’s hand, his purrs getting louder. Then he licked Austin’s arm.

“I promise I’m not very tasty.”

Cormac would disagree.

He slid his side over Austin’s leg, determined to get his mate to pet him. If he could get Austin past that hurdle, he might relax a bit instead of looking like a wax figure in a museum, only his eyes moving and his lips, barely.

“I’m going to try to pet you right now. My hand is moving slowly toward you. I’m not going to make any sudden movement, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t, either. If you move any part of yourself faster than a snail, I promise you I’m outta here.”

Cormac had warned his mate not to run. Right now his cheetah’s instinct was in full control, and Cormac wouldn’t be able to stop it. His cat would think it was a game of chase if Austin took off.

His mate’s fingers lifted slightly, the tips touching Cormac’s fur. His cheetah rubbed against them, his purr never easing up. His cat wanted Austin to accept it as much as Cormac did.

“Okay, so you’re way softer than I thought you would be.” Austin’s fingers stretched out a little more. “Just don’t nip my fingers or I might use the window to escape.”

Austin blew out a series of short breaths. “I’m petting a fucking cheetah. One the size of a small pony, but it’s still a cheetah.”

Inwardly, Cormac grinned. He could hear Austin’s labored breathing ever so slowly decrease.

“I’m reaching a hand out. My fingers are touching you even more in an up-and-down motion.”

The motion was so fast that his cheetah wanted to yowl, but Cormac prayed it didn’t. Austin was already on the verge of passing out, but they were making a slight breakthrough.

He licked Austin’s hand.

“Not a fan of that weird-feeling tongue, Cormac. Just let me do this at my pace.”

If he waited for Austin to relax, they’d be there until cars were flying.

Deciding that Austin had had enough for now, Cormac shifted back into his human form.

“Oh, thank fuck!” Austin pressed a hand over his heart. “I thought you’d make me stand here for the next hour petting you.”

“I just wanted you two to meet.” He wanted to pull the guy into his arms but not until his mate calmed down. “Deep breaths in, babe. Try to slow your heart.”

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