Page 111 of Healer's Call

I can see the uncertainty in his face, and I know I’m going to have to be the one to take the lead in this. He's too shaken still from “losing me.” I step close and run my hands over his chest. “Tell me what to do,” I say. Even I don’t recognize my voice. But I love what it does to him. His eyes light up, and I know his wolf is present. “Tell me, Mav,” I tell him, running my hands up and over his shoulders, standing on my tiptoes to do so. And then, taking a chance, I run my fingers along his lips before I hesitantly touch mine to his. He reacts to that instantly.His arms come around me and wrap me up tight before one hand delves into my hair and the other hand lands between my shoulder blades, pulling me to him. He deepens the kiss, and my skin begins to tingle. I sigh, and he groans low in his throat. He kisses me harder, and I push myself against him, arching into him. Before I know what’s happening, he’s pulled us over to the bed. He lowers himself onto it before pulling me onto his lap, all without losing our connection. It’s impressive really. “I should have never wasted time staying away from you,” he says in between kisses. “I was doomed from the first moment I saw you. I knew you were going to be trouble.” He pulls back and smiles indulgently at my swollen lips. “I thought I lost you.” His face tightens. “I’m so sorry for what I put you through. I’m sorry for being awful to you, to your friends. I’m sorry for not protecting you. I'm sorry I wasn’t—”

I put my finger on his lips. “I forgive you, Mav.”

“I don’t deserve it.”

I shake my head. “Everyone deserves to be forgiven and loved, Mav.” I stare into his gorgeous gray eyes. “I love you, Mav.”

His eyes close, and he takes a deep breath before opening them again. This time, they’re glowing with the presence of his wolf. “I love you, Rose, more than you can possibly know.” He kisses me again, and we go from zero to sixty in no time flat.

“Tell me what to do,” I murmur against his lips. He kisses me hard, and I almost lose my focus. He reaches back and grabs the back of his shirt and pulls it over his head. His eyes blaze when mine run all over his chest before running my hands over all those muscles. He puts his hand on the back of my head and guides me gently to his shoulder. “Right here,” he directs. “Bite hard enough that it stays.”

I pull back and meet his eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Baby, I want this kind of hurt,” he says in a raspy voice before once again directing my head to his muscular shoulder. I find the section of skin between his muscles and then open my mouth, refusing to think about what I’m doing and just bite. I latch onto his shoulder and bite hard. I expect to be repulsed, but it’s just the opposite. He groans low in his chest, so low it’s almost a growl. He pushes my head against his shoulder, and I bite deeper. The moment is so intimate and amazing.

“Was that okay?” I ask, my own voice hoarse.

His blazing eyes meet mine just a moment before his lips crash into mine. He kisses me hard and pushes his tongue into my mouth and wrestles against my tongue. I groan low, feeling euphoric. He growls again and plunders my mouth. I’m a mess of feelings and desire, and I feel like I’m going to erupt. I pull back, and he releases me slightly. His eyes are so dark, his pupils blown wide. “We’re mated now, right?”

“Yes. Now and forever. You will always be mine, and I will always be yours. It’s like marriage in the human world,” he explains patiently, even though I already know all this.

“Then make me yours all the way,” I tell him.

He goes still and searches my eyes again. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” There’s not an ounce of uncertainty in my voice. “I need you.”

Those words are his undoing. “I need you more,” he says against my lips. And then we’re moving. He places me so gently on his bed and glances down at me. I can see the uncertainty in his expression, and I grab his hand. “Show me you love me,” I whisper to him. “Because I want to show you how much I love you.”

I thought it would be rushed with him, with how intense we both were. But he surprised me. He took his time with me, lavishing me with love and care. One thing was certain, I wasnever going to be the same after this night; and I was okay with that.

Chapter 52

Rose

Hours later, I stroke Mav’s strong jaw. “Do you want to go talk to Cade now?”

“No.” His answer is instant, and I can’t help but grin. “But we probably should.”

“Yeah.” He gives me one more kiss and then rolls off the bed. I stare at him, taking in his strong body and wondering how in the world this man belongs to me.

“Keep staring at me like that and we’re not going to get out of this room, Healer,” he growls at me. Since I know he’s not teasing, I quickly sit up and climb out of bed. I glance around for my clothes.

“Mav, where’s my...” I turn to see his glowing eyes trailing over my body. I take a step back. “Mav, we have to go talk to—”

He growls and stalks towards me. But I turn and run into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.You know that lock won’t keep me out, right, Mate? he asks through our bond, his voice full of his wolf.

I can’t help but grin; I know I will never tire of being able to talk to him this way.I know, but I’m hoping you will not break the door down. Now, give me a minute to shower and get dressed.

He absolutely didn’t give me a minute, but now we’re both showered so I guess it all worked out in the end. A few minutes later, he opens the door and puts out his hand to me. For the first time in hours, nerves get ahold of me. He closes the door and pulls me into his arms. “I’ve got you.” He strokes my back before tipping my chin up to him. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

My nerves ease slightly. “I know, Mav. It’s just we have to leave our perfect little bubble and face reality now, and it’s not a super great reality.”

He gives me a wicked grin. “We can stay in here; I’ve got ways to keep your mind off all the problems.”

I shove his chest lightly, laughing. “Come on. Let’s go.” He takes my hand, and we walk down the hallway. I can’t help but look down at our entwined hands and smile.

“Cade said he’s in the gym.” When we get to the gym, he stops outside for a moment.

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