Page 72 of Primal

“Are you sure?”

I wassosure. “Do it.”

Cody walked backward onhis knees, his large hands trailing down my sides as he went. “Here?” His breath feathered across my ass.

“Yes.”

His teeth punctured my skin there.

I cried out. There was sharp pain at first, but he immediately released his grip, withdrawing his teeth from my flesh.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, sugar. Are you all right?” He licked the wounds. “The serum on my teeth should provide pain-relief in a few moments, and my saliva will promote healing.”

“I’m okay,” I promised. It had been so quick. Endorphins must already be rushing in because all around the pain was the shimmer of pleasure.

Of satisfaction.

Of fuck-yes.

“What do you need, sugar? Some ice?”

“It’s already better,” I promised, shaking my head. “I just need you.”

Cody’s exhale came out in a gust, and he immediately settled behind me, his strong arm wrapped around my waist. He pulled me snugly against him. “I love you, Riley Abbott.”

Euphoria poured through me. I didn’t know if it was from the serum on his teeth or the pain endorphins or just from love.

“Am I yours now?” I murmured, drugged with bliss.

“You’re marked as mine.” Cody’s fingertip circled my areola. “Every shifter will know you’ve been claimed by me. My scent has been permanently embedded in your flesh.”

“You’ll wear my ring,” I told him. “So every human will know you’ve been claimed by me.”

Cody chuckled. “Are you proposing to me, Riley Abbott?”

I smiled as he kissed behind my ear. “I am.”

“Aren’t you supposed to get down on one knee or something?” he teased.

“Mmm. That’ll be later. Both knees. When I return the favor you gave me on the Jeep.”

Cody’s cock surged between my legs. Apparently, his age wasn’t going to make multiple orgasms a problem.

“Well, then the answer’s yes. But I’m not taking your last name or anything,” he joked.

I laughed. “Do you want me to take yours?”

“Sugar, you’re a modern woman. You can do whatever suits you–take my name, hyphenate, or keep yours. It doesn’t change anything for me. My species’ traditions have been satisfied.”

I turned my head and leanedit back, so it nested against his neck. “I want everything. The whole fairytale with the white dress, and my dad giving me away at the altar. And maybe a hyphenated name to make it easier for the kids. Someday.”

Cody cupped my breast in his hand and squeezed. “You get everything you want. You name it, I’ll provide.”

36

CODY

The following Saturday,I parked with all the other cars beside the Wolf Ranch barn. Beside me, Riley sat wringing her hands.

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