No matter how much my cock wants to sob in frustration.
Shae’s gaze never wavers from mine. “I know that, Griffin. While I won’t lie and say that I don’t still have some fears about this bond between us, I can’t deny it anymore. And I don’t want to reject it. I realized some things while I was alone on the hilltop.” He reaches up and cradles my face in his hands. “I want to be with you. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. So, when it comes to our fated-mate connection, I’m not going to keep running from it.”
“What are you saying?” I whisper, my whole body starting to tremble.
The way he looks at me is so tender it takes my breath away.
“It means I’m ready to accept our bond.” He strokes my cheek, sending a zing of awareness through me. “I love you too, Griffin McIntyre. You won me over with your sweet nature and your anime-level cuteness that seriously pushes all my buttons.”
It feels like glitter bombs of love are exploding in my chest as I slowly digest his words.
Then my eyes widen and I fumble for the gold coin in my pocket. I shake it like a proverbial Magic 8-Ball and ask, “Does Shae really love me and want to be my mate? I’m not dreaming, right?”
Shae rolls his eyes fondly.
The writing on the coin from last time disappears to be replaced with All signs point to ‘fuck yes!’ Congratulations. You’re not dreaming, fool.
Shae snorts.
I tackle him onto the bed and, unable to control myself, lick his cheek.
He freezes and I do too.
Oh no. I let my Wolfkin side take over a wee bit too much.
I licked him. Now he’s mine, my inner wolf tells me.
Waaah! He’s gonna think I’m so weird!
“Uh… did you just lick my cheek?” he asks, eyes wide and mouth twitching.
I roll off him and cover my face with my hands. “Sorry! It’s a Wolfkin thing. I swear, I’m not a total freak.”
He gently pries my hands away from my no doubt flaming red face. “Want to explain what that was all about?”
“Like I said, it’s a Wolfkin thing,” I mumble awkwardly. “It’s a sign of affection usually reserved for family and loved ones.”
“I see.”
“Did it creep you out? I promise to try to never do it again.” I hate the faint whine in my voice, but I can’t stand the idea of Shae possibly being disgusted with me.
“Slow down, Wolf Boy. I will admit that it was… unexpected, but it didn’t creep me out.” He gives me an amused smile. “It didn’t exactly turn me on either, so I don’t think I’m into it in a sexual way, but otherwise I’m okay with it every now and then.”
My ears and tail droop. “I totally ruined the sexy mood we had going, didn’t I?”
“Only a little.” He leans in and kisses me, a quick peck on the lips. “But my dick is making up for lost time and isn’t going down anytime soon.” He gestures to the very evident tent in his pants. “I’m still raring to go down below.”
I gulp, my mouth suddenly dry. “What do you want?”
There’s a mischievous twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes. “I want to go in the ocean with you.”
“What?” I’ve suddenly lost the thread of this conversation.
He reaches out to caress my cheek, my lips, and my nose, and I shiver all over. “I want to go skinny-dipping with you and we can get each other off in the water. What do you say?”
It’s all I can do to restrain myself from wanting to howl at the moon.
Instead, I say the only thing I can. “Let’s go.”