Page 18 of Courting the King of Cliffs

He stepped closer, and the words died in my throat when I felt his erection against my lower belly.

He wanted me.

“You have a mate,” I finally said, though my own desire was swelling, and swelling, and swelling.

“I do.” He captured my face between his palms and tilted my head backward.

My hands landed on his, holding them to my skin as our eyes collided. “Where is she?”

He didn’t answer, his eyes still locked with mine.

Everything slid into place.

The reason the kings had never had us try to control our magic so we could be around each other.

The reason his friends had put me in his room.

The reason he looked and smelled so good to me.

Granite was my mate.

We were fated.

“No,” I breathed.

“Yes.”

“When?” I asked, nearly demanding. “When did you know?”

“The first time I saw you.”

My mind went blank.

My chest rose and fell rapidly, against his, as I struggled for air.

I hadn’t known.

He’d never told me.

Tears stung my eyes. “I thought our magic was incompatible.”

“It is. Mine caused you pain when we met, and then again a few years later when Quake and I tried.”

My eyes stung more, but my throat was dry. “Then there’s nothing else to say, is there?”

He closed his eyes, let out a slow breath, and nodded.

Then he released his hold on my face.

The revelation was too intense for me to fight him when he stepped back, putting space between us.

“Your breasts are fucking perfect,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “I left because if I’d stayed, I wouldn’t have been able to control myself.”

Goosebumps erupted over my skin at his words alone.

“I have always been yours, and always will be yours, even though we can’t accept the bond.” His eyes burned into mine.

Tears dripped down my cheeks.

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