Page 43 of Chomp's Challenge

He’s been carrying me to his place during our conversation, but I didn’t notice before now. Chomp pushes the door wide and carries me bridal style over it. “Welcome home, Ariel.”

Chapter

Nineteen

CHOMP

We have to be clean for our mate, my gator bellows. I will jump in the lake before we ask her to bathe with us! She doesn’t need to see bloody water, Chomp.

His antics have me grinning so when Ariel looks up at me, she asks, “What has you smiling, Chomp?”

“My gator. He wants to spoil you and bathe with you, but with me being a bit… bloody, he’s worried it’ll bother you. He thinks he should jump in the lake first. Quite honestly, he’s besotted with you, my mate,” I reply.

She giggles then reaches up and cups my face in her hands. “Gator? I think you’re the handsomest, strongest alligator I’ve ever seen. You’re an amazing protector, and I want you to know I appreciate your efforts to show me how much you care. I see you, Gator.”

Oh my God! She’s talking to me! Gator’s voice is almost high-pitched in my head. His excitement adds to mine.

“Ariel,” I groan out, my heart overflowing with emotions I’ve long ago pushed deep inside. “Let me clean off in the lake so he doesn’t have a heart attack, then I’d like to bathe with you. It’s something I need, and it doesn’t have to go any further if you’re not ready.”

“Chomp, I want to be yours in all ways. I don’t know how I’ll react, but as long as you’re patient with me, I think I’ll be just fine,” she assures me, easing some of my worry.

I don’t have time to dwell on her words because I back up, shifting at Gator’s insistence. He does a couple of spins and a flip before making a beeline for the shore, submerging as fast as he can. I feel his urgency as we dive deep, slicing through the water and rolling once we’re deep enough. Gator is feeling a bit excited, so we continue to roll along the bottom of the lake, stirring up the sediment until the water is cloudy and hard to see.

When I remind him our mate is waiting, he shoots through the murky depths and pops the surface, immediately checking the shore. And there she is, our beautiful Ariel, waiting with a humored smile that shows a dimple in one cheek.

I’m on the shore, shifting back, and nearly running to her as water drips from my skin. I’m naked, but it doesn’t faze me. Ariel? She gets an eye full of my package before I scoop her up and dash inside the house. Her giggle feels light and unencumbered, confirming the worst of the past is behind her.

Now, if I can just make her come, maybe I can begin to erase all the horror and pain she’s suffered. I know just how to get her to relax, too. After all, this isn’t my first time giving her a bath. I just plan to join my mate and make her feel good in the process.

Not a drill, not a drill, not a drill, my gator chants as we head to the bathroom.

I gently set her on her feet then turn to start the water in the tub. Once I’m sure that it’s not too hot, I push the stopper in so it can fill. “I have a bath bomb I bought for you,” I admit as I turn to the linen closet. “I also got you your own loofah brush, as well as the shampoo and conditioner you prefer.”

“Chomp, you didn’t have to go to so much trouble,” she says. I notice her skin is flushed and she’s avoiding looking at my dick, which is fully erect and bouncing against my lower abdomen.

Hiding my smile, I put the bath bomb in the tub, then grab two fluffy towels to put on the towel warmer that Kodiak came over and installed for me. He said something about mates liking their towels toasty. Since I agree that her comfort is paramount, I let him come over and put it up.

We play her game for now, avoiding direct eye contact, but as soon as we’re both in the water, I’ll snag her gaze. I ensure there’s plenty of bubbles before I turn and find her already naked. She’s been sneaky, slowly dropping her clothes so I didn’t notice. Now that I do, I seem to grow harder, anticipating my mate’s desires and needs. I see the old scars her body bears, and it breaks my heart that she endured that pain. Once again, I vow to make her remaining time on this earth a beautiful one.

No more pain. No more scars. Just beauty and happiness. One day, I’ll ask if she wants to cover them with tattoos, but not today. Today is for us; Ariel and Chomp.

And children, my gator adds. And if she has boys, we will not fight them.

Ariel swallows loudly as I reach for her hand. “This is just us, my mate. Me and you. No need to be nervous. We go at your pace.”

I see her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. “Okay.”

She steps into the water with a soft sigh, submerging to her breasts as she rests against the tub. For a few seconds, I take my fill, staring at this gorgeous woman who owns my heart and tamed a wild gator. My heart speeds up, and I know it’s because she’s nervous and excited, which affects my own heart rate. I take a mental picture, storing it in my mind because it’s one I never want to forget.

“May I wash you?” I ask, trying not to growl the words.

She smells ready, my gator informs me. Yes!

She does. I sense and scent her arousal and willingness. It’s almost too much for me and my gator. We’re holding back, and it’s for her, but it’s also agony.

Ariel lifts her hand, inviting me closer. “Join me.”

I never had to ask. My chest puffs with pride at the progress she’s made, and step into the tub. Water sloshes over the side, but I placed extra towels to catch the overflow, so I’m not worried about a mess. I’d gladly clean for days if it meant enjoying this moment with Ariel.

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