Page 126 of Primal Bonds

With her yes, it took form in a way that was impossible to put into words. It just was—a magical ribbon running between him and Evie. Insubstantial and yet as real and bright as the three fae lights dancing gleefully about their heads.

Emotion swamped him. Love…desire…need. He rested his forehead against hers. “You won’t regret it. I’ll take care of you and Kyler. Anything you want, it’s yours. You just have to ask—”

“Jace.” Evie stopped his words with her fingertips. “All I want is you. Yeah, I could use help with Kyler, but only because he could use a man in his life. I’m not looking for anything else. We’re in this together.”

“Together. Right.” He nodded while secretly resolving to help her however he could. But for now, he had a mate-claim to christen. He sucked her middle finger into his mouth, enjoying how her sable eyes darkened to near-black. “Now, about that shower…”

He helped Evie out of her pants and they stepped into the shower. He was still more than a little shaky. He’d have to find a temporary quartz to tide him over while he searched for a permanent replacement.

Evie wasn’t much better. As he turned the handle to hot, she yawned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I could sleep for a week.”

He traced a finger down her straight nose, over the slope of her cheek. There were shadows under her eyes. His heart fisted. She might seem tough, but she was much more fragile than he.

No sex, then. Just loving care.

“I’ll wash you.” He encircled her waist with his arm and nabbed a bar of soap. “You don’t have to do anything but relax.”

“Mm.” She leaned against him, her firm ass up against his groin. His cock sprang to attention, but he gritted his teeth and ignored it to concentrate on Evie. He rubbed the soap over her body in slow strokes, massaging her breasts, running his hand down her abdomen, then turning her around and giving the same careful attention to her back. He knelt to wash her legs and feet, and then stood back up. Squeezing some shampoo into his hand, he worked it into her short blond locks, massaging her scalp for good measure before continuing down to rub her neck and shoulders as well.

Her head lolled back against his chest. Water spilled over her face and her dimple flashed. “That feels so good.”

He pressed a kiss to her cheek at the place where her dimple hid. It felt like a secret only he was privileged to know. “I love you.”

“Love you too.” She turned her head to kiss him.

She rinsed off and then picked up the soap. “My turn.”

“You don’t have to,” he said, but she ignored him to slide the soap over his chest and abdomen. Then she soaped up her fingers and slid them down to where his erection jutted out, washing him with an excruciating care that had him groaning. “You’re too tired,” he made himself say.

The answer was a very Evie grin. “I’m reviving fast,” she said, and gave him a good squeeze.

Heat shot through him, but he grinned back. Loving how nothing kept her down for long. Loving how she could always make him smile. Loving her.

He took the soap from her and set it on the ledge. Taking her by the shoulders, he backed her up against the wall and kissed her, slow and deep. She was still smiling; the curve of her lips imprinted itself on his.

Water streamed down his back. Evie twined a leg around his hip and pressed against his front, her nipples pebbled against his chest.

He gulped. “No,” he said, although he was having a tough time recalling why not.

She tilted her head and gave him a wide-eyed look that made his breath snag. “Please?”

“You’re a witch.” He slid the broad head of his cock over her soft, welcoming folds.

Her breath hissed out. “Jesus.”

“Is this what you want?” His jaguar rose up, the two of them intent on one thing: claiming their mate. He pinched one tightly furled nipple, and her eyes slit with enjoyment.

“Yes. That’s… perfect.” She undulated against him, sending a jolt of electricity to his balls.

She was wet and hot and so ready for him. “God’s cat,” he muttered as he rocked his hips against her, “you’re so fucking sexy.”

She squeezed his ass. “And you’re so…hard.” She nipped the sensitive skin beneath his jaw and the jaguar rumbled in approval.

“You like that?”

“Hell, yeah. Mark me.”

She nipped him again, harder, sucking and biting at his skin until he knew he’d bear the print of her teeth. When she lifted her head, he held her against the wall and left his own mark at the turn of her neck. Everyone in the den would know he’d claimed her.

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