Page 112 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade

He smiled against her lips, shucking off his outer shirt before grabbing his undershirt, breaking the kiss only long enough to pull it over his head. He threw it aside, returning to kissing her, feeding from the sweet nectar of her mouth.

Astria moaned, her hands roaming over his torso.

He took hold of her shirt and lifted it, still eating at her mouth.

She pulled back momentarily and removed her shirt. She cast it over her head and went for his mouth again, making him chuckle.

His laughter faded fast as his hands cupped the soft swells of her lace-covered breasts. He bent, kissing her chest and stomach on his way to his knees.

Astria grabbed for him. “What are you doing?”

He looked up at her, taking in the sight of his mate standing there partially undressed. The need to adjust himself was great but he didn’t dare. Making contact with his erection could result in an explosive experience with as worked up as he was. Instead, he proceeded to help her out of her boots. He set them aside and tapped her left foot.

She lifted it and he removed her sock before doing the same to her other foot. “Stratton.”

He fixed his gaze on her face as he undid her cargo pants and eased them down her legs. Her delicious scent moved over him, and he hurried his pace, getting her out of her pants and then her panties in seconds. She was left standing before him in only a bra.

She was stunning.

He leaned, putting his face between her legs. The second he swiped his tongue over her, the buzzing energy within him increased.

Astria grabbed his shoulders and darted back from his touch, her gaze frantically going to her arms. The sigils began to glow faintly once more.

Stratton stood to his full height and undid his belt and slacks. The taste of her was still on his lips, driving him mad with need. “Does it hurt?”

Shaking her head, her gaze shot to him. “It tingles. Why are they doing this?”

He freed himself from the confines of his slacks, not bothering with removing them. Taking himself in hand, he licked his lips, soaking in the alluring sight his mate provided.

Her attention slid to his groin and his actions.

The glow from her markings increased as she bit at her lower lip, providing a vision too tempting to resist. “And why do I want to throw you down and not let you up for days and days?”

A slight grin spread over his face. “Mating energy.”

Astria gulped and glanced around the room. Her brows met. “Why are we in my bedroom from the house on Gallows Lane and why hasn’t it changed at all?”

Stratton covered the distance to her and lifted her, depositing her on the queen-size bed behind her. She bounced on the purple comforter, her breath catching. He moved onto the bed, sliding up and over her as she opened her legs for him. He took hold of her bra and was about to tear it off her body when he noticed a clasp in the front. He undid it, chuckling softly to himself as he thought about how disappointed Peggy would be.

As Astria’s breasts spilled free, any thought beyond being in her left his head.

She grabbed his shoulders and lifted her head some, kissing him hungrily. “Hurry up.”

With a nod, Stratton pressed himself to her, finding her wet and ready. His mouth slanted over hers as he fed himself into her, gradually to start, only to lose his fight with the mating energy and surge forward. She cried out in his arms, her legs going around his waist as he began pumping in and out of her, his mouth seeking hers.

They kissed as he continued, finding paradise within his mate. The mating energy came to a head, leaving him increasing his movements and whispering words in Fae that equaled a claiming.

Astria bucked beneath him and then her legs stiffened, her thighs trying to close as her body pulsed around his. She gasped and dug her nails into his upper arms, repeating the exact phrase back to him as if on autopilot.

Stratton reached culmination, his jaw going slack, his body jerking.

The glow from her markings flared, bathing them in light, as did the ring on the chain around her neck. It pulsed and then died out, calming almost instantly.

He felt it then, the threads of destiny weaved between them.

They’d done it.

They’d completed the claiming.

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