Chapter Seventeen

Mason

She walked to the stairs by herself, and I followed her close behind. I couldn’t take my eyes off her enticing hips as they swayed. She stumbled on the first step, and I rushed to catch her. She laughed, but I frowned and scooped her up into my arms. I was going to carry her to the bedroom, whether she liked it or not.

“Maybe I did it intentionally,” she joked, nuzzling my neck.

“Maybe you’re too exhausted to see straight.”

“No, I’m feeling better. I promise.” She pressed herself against me and whispered in my ear, “When I’m so close to you, I really do feel better. I don’t know why. I can’t explain it.”

The Mating Fire started burning within me. My cock grew hard in my pants, and now it was difficult for me to focus on climbing the stairs safely.

“I love this sound you’re making all the time,” she said. “It’s like it comes from inside you. Is it a purr? It sounds like a purr. Like you’re a big cat, except you’re not.”

“That’s my fire,” I said.

Finally, we reached the second floor. I took her into the bedroom that used to be Kara’s and Goliath’s. It was spacious, with its own bathroom. There were fresh sheets on the bed, courtesy of my sister-in-law. I gently lay Maya on the bed.

“Stay with me,” she said, clinging to me, like she’d done in the basement.

I couldn’t resist her, and I had no intention of trying. I climbed in next to her, and she immediately curled up in my arms.

“I feel such a strange pull toward you,” she said. “Do you feel it too?”

“Yes. The fire you ignite inside me differs from anything I’ve felt before. It’s called the Mating Fire, and few golems are lucky to experience it. It can only be awakened by a true mate.”

She looked up at me, brows slightly furrowed. “What do you mean by true mates?”

“Fated mates.” I kissed her lips gently. “You were made for me, and I was made for you. It’s clearer to me because I was built to recognize it, but I believe some humans believe in soulmates, too.”

“I guess so. I never thought about it.”

“You’re mine, Maya. I know it with such conviction that I feel myself melting just thinking about it.”

“Melting in a good way, I hope,” she gave me a playful smile.

I shifted our positions, so I was hovering above her. Our eyes locked, and I found I couldn’t look away from her. I wanted to drink her in, have her face imprinted on my soul. I ran my fingers through her hair, and she moaned.

“I was feeling tired earlier,” she said, “But I think I’m good now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Touch me, Mason. Show me how a golem and a human can be together, fit together perfectly.”

Her words made my fire burn brighter. Beneath me, she was illuminated by my warm, red glow. I touched her face, traced her lips with the tips of my fingers, moved down to her beautiful neck and delicate clavicle. She closed her eyes and exhaled, her lips parting with a tremble.

“I will do anything for you, Maya.”

Slowly, I started peeling off her clothes. She sat up when I needed her to, lifted her hips so I could roll her jeans down her smooth, pale legs. Her breasts were round and firm, with dark pink nipples that turned into hard pebbles as I fixed my gaze on them. I took in every inch of her body. It hurt my soul thatI could see her ribs, knowing she was so thin because of the suffering she’d endured the past several days. I swore to myself that I was going to take care of her, provide for her, and make sure she had everything she needed and more.

“Please,” she whispered. “Stop teasing.”

I removed my own clothes, throwing them on the floor. She stared at me with wide eyes, her gaze traveling down my chest and abs. When she saw my erect cock for the first time, she gasped.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I will be gentle.”

She nodded. “I trust you.”