Page 77 of His Mate

A shiver ran through me, my pulse quickening at his words. I leaned back into him, feeling the warmth of his chest against my back. The world outside the cabin felt miles away; it was just us, cocooned by the firelight and the snow softly falling beyond the window.

Rowan turned me to face him, his blue eyes holding mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch. He brushed a thumb over my cheek, his gaze tracing every inch of my face like he was committing it to memory.

I rested my hand on his chest, feeling the reassuring thrum of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips.

“Are you always going to look at me like that?” I murmured, the question slipping out without thinking.

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and he leaned closer, his voice a soft rumble. “Like I couldn’t possibly look away?”

I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. “Yeah.”

He cupped my face in his hands, his touch gentle, reverent, as he leaned down to kiss me, his lips brushing against mine in a way that was both familiar and new. The kiss deepened, slow and unhurried, a promise as much as it was a demand, and I melted into him, losing myself in the warmth, in the feeling of being completely his.

Rowan’s hands drifted down, settling on my waist again as he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me to the bed by the window where the firelight cast soft shadows. He laid me down gently, his gaze never leaving mine, his fingers tracing a line along my jaw, down my neck, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.

I reached up, pulling him closer, and he responded, his weight settling over me, surrounding me with his warmth, his scent, everything that was him. His lips found mine again, soft and insistent, and the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us wrapped up in each other.

In that quiet moment, it was like all the chaos, all the danger we’d faced, melted away. There was only him, his hands, his heartbeat, the gentle way he looked at me, and I knew, without a doubt, that I’d never felt safer or more loved than I did right then.

“I love you, Kendra,” he murmured, his voice rough but tender, his forehead resting against mine.

“I love you, too,” I whispered back.

He kissed me again, his lips trailing down my neck, his breath hot on my skin. His hands roamed over me, exploring, teasing, leaving a trail of heat everywhere he touched. He unbuttoned my shirt slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, his gaze full of raw need and love, and when he lowered his head to press his lips to the bare skin of my collarbone, I could have sworn the room itself seemed to spin.

His hands worked lower, tugging at the waistband of my jeans, his touch lingering on the curve of my hips. His movements were deliberate, every touch sending sparks through me, lighting me up from the inside out.

He pulled back slightly, his gaze locking onto mine.

“Now, my sweet mate, I want you to strip.”

A flush crept across my skin, and I bit back a smile.

I rose to my feet, feeling his eyes on me as I slid my shirt off, letting the fabric fall to the floor. I reached back to unclasp my bra, revealing my breasts, my nipples hardening under the sudden chill of the air. I hesitated for only a moment before kicking off my shoes, and sliding off my jeans and panties, leaving me standing completely naked in front of him.

I lifted my chin and growled at him, a low snarl that challenged his authority just enough to make his entire body stiffen.

His expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he stood, taking a step closer. His hands moved to his belt, and he slipped the leather free from the loops, the sound making my heart stutter. Taking the belt and doubling it over, he let it hang at his side. He circled me, his eyes burning with an intensity that took my breath away. He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.

“Turn around and put your hands on the wall,” he ordered, his voice a low rumble.

I obeyed without hesitation, bracing my palms against the cool wood. He stepped closer, the heat of his body radiating against my bare skin, and I could feel his cock hardening through his pants.

He wanted this.

The thing was I wanted this too.

I let out a soft moan, feeling him press against me, his lips finding the curve of my shoulder. He pulled back slightly, the heat of his breath sending a shiver down my spine.

“It’s been far too long since I’ve been inside you, Kendra,” he growled, his voice low and possessive.

“Yes,” I breathed.

His hand tightened on my hip, the other gripping his belt. His fingers brushed across my ass, feather-light, and the sensation sent a shiver through me. He leaned forward, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

“I think it’s time I remind you who’s alpha,” he said.

I gasped as the belt came down, the sharp crack echoing in the room. It stung, but the pain was mixed with a surge of pleasure, heat racing through my body.

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