Page 34 of Borgaz

Her voice was carefully neutral, but he raised his head to look at her. Was she… disappointed? Or was he projecting his own wishes?

He dipped his hand between her legs and they immediately parted for him. He rubbed his seed into her skin, marking her with his scent, even if it was only temporarily.

“It could be reversed,” he finally admitted, and felt her quiver but she didn’t respond directly.

“Why now? Was it the fight?”

It had certainly been a factor, but it had been his conversation with Harkan that had actually caused him to reconsider.

“When did you know Rosie was your mate?” he’d asked the other male.

“As soon as I saw her.” Harkan grinned. “Even though I was delirious at the time. I was ill when I arrived - a lingering aftereffect of that cursed war that was slowly killing me.”

“But you mated her anyway?”

“How could I not? Even if all we had was a few brief moments of happiness, why not seize them?”

The conversation had moved on to other subjects but the words stayed with him. Perhaps he couldn’t stay with Mary forever, but why not share what they could now?

“And are we mated?” There was that neutral voice again, and she wasn’t looking at him. “Rosie said that’s how it is for some people.”

“Not for an Erythran. I did not give you a mating bite to seal the connection,” he said quietly and her eyes flew up to meet his, shadowed with grey.

“Why not?”

“I told you before that I am not a fit mate. I would not bind you to me.”

“Or bind yourself?”

He wished he could tell her there was nothing he wanted more, but admitting that wouldn’t change anything. He remained silent and she didn’t repeat the question.

They lay in silence until he noticed her stomach rumbling.

“You are hungry,” he said abruptly, rolling to the side of the bed and lifting her into his arms.

He couldn’t make himself a proper mate, but he could take care of her.

“I guess I am,” she agreed, smiling up at him. “But you really don’t have to carry me everywhere.”

“I enjoy it.”

She rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling.

“In that case, how about that bath now?”

He wanted to protest, to urge her not to wash away his scent, but he forced himself to nod.

He settled her on the counter while he started the water, then carried her into the shower. Her small body fit neatly against his, her curves a perfect match to his hard planes. He washed her carefully, but her enthusiastic response distracted him and when he made her come on his hand, the sight of her pleasure almost pushed him over the edge again.

“Now food?” he asked, as he rubbed the towel slowly over her body, but she shook her head.

“I’m not in the mood for grilled cheese right now.”

“I could make something else.”

Her small fingers stroked his cock and he groaned.

“Not now,” she said firmly. “Take me back to bed.”

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