Page 65 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“I’m gonna come,” I groaned. “Is it okay?”

She nodded. “Come. Come for me. Don’t pull out.”

“Fuck.”

I lowered my forehead to her chest, moving faster, until fireworks seemed to erupt in my balls and pelvis, sending cascading waves of pleasure through me. Kirsten twitched and trembled under me, moaning as her own climax flashed hot and powerful through her.

My movements became slow, languid. In and out, slower and slower, until I buried myself within her and collapsed onto her, breathing deeply, intoxicated by her scent.

“Holy fuck,” Kirsten muttered into my ear, panting for breath. “That was… really fucking good.”

At last, I pulled free and sprawled next to her. I pulled her close to me, pressing my body to hers. We both lay there silent, enjoying each other’s presence. Now that the initial high was fading, I was able to think clearly again. The connection we’d shared had been bone-deep for me. It had been like being reunited with a part of myself I hadn’t known was missing. I wanted to ask her if she’d experienced the same deep connection I had but hesitated, worried it had been one-sided.

Kirsten broke the silence by beating me to the punch. “You are my tether,” she said. “I’m sure of it. There’s no way that would have been as intense with anyone else. It was almost like we were one person for a while there.”

Relief, cool and welcome, washed over my mind. “And I’m positive you’re my fated mate. Not from the curse, but because of destiny. You’re one with me and my wolf.”

Kirsten sat up, her breasts swinging gently, and even though I was exhausted, stirrings of arousal began to form again at the sight of her.

“Can I see him?”

“See who?” I asked dumbly.

She swatted my chest. “Your wolf. Like, up close and personal.”

“Oh.” I blinked at her. “Sure. Now?”

“Why not?”

A strange excitement filled me at the thought of letting the deepest part of myself out for her to see. How would she react? Would she be afraid? Shocked? Indifferent? I swallowed hard, hoping she would be happy.

I climbed off the bed and looked at her. “Are you ready?”

She nodded, and a moment later, I sat on my haunches before her, looking up from the floor where my wolf now sat. I stared into her eyes, trying to get a read on her emotions.

“Wow,” she said, easing off the bed to run her fingers through my fur and smiling.

Relief flooded through me at her reaction. She gazed at me with such wonder in her eyes as she dragged her fingertips through my fur. The elation and relaxation that came with her touch made me whine with happiness.

Her hand on me was a wonderful sensation I’d yearned to feel my entire life. My mate—my fated mate—this close, caressing me, her hands and fingers petting me like that felt amazing. I closed my eyes in rapture as she scratched under my chin and behind my ears. I licked her hand as she pulled away. Reluctantly, I shifted back, standing again. All I really wanted was to sit there and let her pet me for hours.

“And?” I asked.

“You’re a cute wolf,” she said, her gaze sliding down my naked body. “But this view is hotter.”

That night, I had the best sleep of my life, completely and totally at ease in a way I’d never felt before. Having Kirsten asleep beside me, having my mate right there in my arms, lulled me to sleep. Kirsten must have experienced the same relaxing effects because I didn’t feel her stir the whole night.

She was still snoring lightly when I woke and eased out of bed. After putting on pajama bottoms and flip-flops, I headed downstairs to make breakfast. Hopefully, she liked bacon and eggs. If I was feeling frisky, I might even try my hand at homemade biscuits. Would that be showing off after the dinner I made the night before? I wasn’t sure.

While the bacon cooked in the oven, I cleared last night’s dishes from the table. That done, I went about making the biscuit dough and cutting the pieces out, all the while replaying the night in my mind.

A knock sounded at the door while I was scrambling eggs. “Hello? Jace?”

“Stephanie?” I leaned around the corner and saw her walking in the front door.

I had an open-door policy with my council. Unless I’d specifically told them I needed some time alone, they were all free to come by whenever they wanted. Though, usually, they at least waited for me to answer the door before barging in.

Stephanie looked worried, almost harried. “Jace, we need to talk.”

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