Page 46 of The Jorogumo

Even my own parents had washed their hands of me when I decided not to study what they wanted me to, and I was barely more than an acquaintance to them now.

How could this man, who was so much more powerful than me, who'd only known me for a few short months, have such confidence in me?

"Okay," I found myself saying, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Okay?"

I nodded. "I'll buy the shop. And I'll—I'll pay you back."

Haruto rolled his eyes. "How about a lifetime supply of free comics?"

I snickered. "Considering how long you'll live? Sure, that sounds fair."

Haruto grinned widely, and I marveled at how this man could feel so happy forme. I'd never had someone in my corner like this before, someone who cheered me on and encouraged me to do better, to be better. It felt amazing.

"Now, since you've been so good, I think you deserve a reward," Haruto declared, and my brows shot up.

"A reward?"

He nodded emphatically. "Yes. Ask for anything."

I stared at him for a moment, and my cheeks heated up as I decided what I wanted. Clearing my throat, I pressed closer to him, then tucked my head against his shoulder so he couldn't see my face.

"I want you to make me forget everything. Everything except you. Please?"

Haruto's arm tightened around me, and he exhaled slowly.

"Whatever you want, my precious mate."

Seventeen

Haruto

This was not whereI'd expected the night to go, but I always enjoyed giving my mate pleasure. I loved watching him needy and begging for my touch.

While his arousal fed my magic, his need for me fed my soul, and I wanted to watch him teeter on the edge, to see how long I could push him before I let him come.

Hopping off the hammock, I turned, stepping between his spread legs and cupping his cheeks. I pulled him into a kiss, and he hummed against my mouth, then whimpered when I bit his lower lip.

He tasted of spices and vanilla, and I licked into his mouth, chasing the flavors and searching for a taste of him.

"Haruto, please," he mumbled against my mouth, his hands clutching at my shirt.

I pulled back with a shush, disengaging his hands from my shirt so I could remove it.

Once I was naked, I helped him out of his clothes, my eyes roaming over his hard, slightly hairy chest, his soft belly, and his thick, thick thighs. My mate was a work of art, and tonight, I was going to worship every part of him.

"Lie back," I murmured, and he did. I took a minute to tie up the middle of the hammock at an angle so it tilted up and I could reach all of him easily, using another bit of web to bind him to the hammock at the hips.

Liam sucked in a breath when he realized he couldn't get up, and I raised a brow at him, checking in.

"I'm okay," he promised, and I nodded before kissing him again.

I kissed him until he was struggling for breath, and then I trailed my lips down his throat. Sucking on his Adam's apple, I ran my palm down his chest, scratching my nails through the sparse hair on his chest.

Liam pushed up into my touch with a groan that vibrated under my lips, and I hummed softly, keeping up a steady pace as I went down his body.

I could feel his cock leaking against my torso, but I paid it no mind as I latched onto his left nipple, sucking gently before biting down.

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