Page 78 of Chev's Mate

I huff. “Of course I am.”

And I hate it, too. The damn fabric is constricting, and it’s prohibiting my thighs from breathing. I won’t be surprised if I wake up needing an amputation. My limbs have no blood flow, but I’ll suffer if it keeps Vanessa comfortable.

“I thought you hated normal clothing?” Vanessa asks.

She’s smirking, and I roll my eyes as I realize she’s making fun of me. She knows I hate when she refers to the clothing worn by the other breeds as “normal.” My leathers are normal, and they’re by far the most comfortable.

I have room for movement in them.

“My legs are shriveling up as we speak,” I say.

My smile grows when Vanessa lets out a proper laugh and snuggles against my chest. She’s everything, and I wrap my armaround her head and urge her to come closer. I want every inch of my body pressed against hers.

The pajamas she wears are soft, and I’m happy she decided not to wear the ones with lace. They’re my favorite to look at, but they’re itchy. I don’t want them rubbing against me in the middle of the night.

Vanessa tangles her leg with mine, and I stiffen when she hooks her finger into the waistband of my underwear. What’s she doing? She gives the elastic a gentle tug, her heart pounding so loud, I can hear it from here.

“Take them off,” she whispers.

A small part of me knows I should question her statement and confirm she’s okay with me being naked beside her, but my desperation to free my limbs has me yanking the offending fabric down and kicking it off my feet without a second thought.

I sprawl out the second I’m freed.

“Do you feel better?” Vanessa asks.

I nod. “So much.”

Vanessa seems pleased, and I remain painfully still as she lifts the covers and peers underneath. She’s in a good mood tonight, but I’m sure not going to complain. I stare at the side of her head as she looks over my bare body. I’m neither shy nor insecure, but I can’t say I’m not nervous. If she doesn’t like how I look, I might die.

She purses her lips and cocks her head to the side. I have no idea what it means.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you completely soft before,” she eventually says.

I tuck my chin into my chest and stare down at myself. I’m not in my most impressive state right now, but I was under the impression it wasn’t needed. Our cuddling isn’t sexual, but that can be changed if she requests it.

“I can fix that,” I say, directing my gaze to Vanessa’s breasts.

It’s the quickest way to make me hard.

Vanessa shakes her head, her eyes widening as she watches me stiffen.

“Oh, no, it’s not a bad thing,” she says. I don’t believe her, not one bit, and I lick my lips as I watch her nipples stiffen through her shirt. “I was just making an observation.”

An observation she’ll never make again. I will remain hard for my mate—every minute of every second of every day.

Vanessa drops the sheet, hiding me from her view.

“Chev,” she scolds.

I shrug.

“I enjoy it when you’re soft,” she says. My female is a very skilled liar.

I gesture toward the blankets.

“But you like it better when it’s hard,” I say.

Vanessa sighs. “I like it both ways for very different reasons. Now, will you fix it?”

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