She cried out in ecstasy as he lapped up her sweetness.
"Please!" she cried.
He sat back on his knees. "Please, what?"
He was curious. Would she say sir, master? What would she choose for the next part of their game?
"Please, my mate!" she wailed.
Ari felt something inside of him snap at her begging. She had called out to him as her mate!
He reached down and lined up his cock with her opening and plunged deep.
"Yes!"
"Mine, my mate!" he growled. No one would take her from him. Her beauty and strength belonged to him alone.
Over and over again, he thrust and thrust deep. He would leave no inch of her untouched.
Within, he felt his lion pacing restlessly. It was past time to make her his. Leaning down, he covered her body with his and pulled her up so that her back was flush against his chest. He eyed her neck before sinking his canines into her tender flesh.
"Ari!" Brie screamed his name as she shuddered under him.
His lip nicked his canine as he threw his head back. He and his lion roared in unison. Her unshakeable strength wrapped around his heart. He could feel her surrounding his lion and his soul, soothing them both.
He thrust a final time before filling her with his seed. Neither wanted children just yet, but his lion demanded they claim her in this way, and he agreed. He wanted to be inside her every way possible.
Breathing heavily, he reached down and gently tilted her head back to look up at him. Her eyes were unfocused, and she smiled softly.
He kissed her. The flavors of her sweetness and their mixed blood created a heady combination. When he pulled back, he could tell she was on the verge of sleep.
"I love you, Brie. I always will," he promised. Her answering exhale was long, as if she was finally able to relax after years of struggle.
&n
bsp; He carefully pulled from her body and shuddered at the painful pleasure it caused after such an intense experience. On wobbly legs, he made it to the bathroom and returned with a warm wash cloth. He gently cleaned his mate then felt around the bed. They had lucked out. Her being on all fours had kept the mess to a minimum.
He aimed and threw the cloth at the bathroom door. He'd pick it up in the morning. Right now, all he wanted was to sleep with his mate.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Brie stretched and felt tiny aches that reminded her of the night before. She vaguely remembered Ari kissing her forehead and saying something about checking in with the men earlier this morning. She had grunted, then gone back to sleep. He had thoroughly worn her out. Blinking drowsily, she took inventory of her body. Never before had sex been so hot and fulfilling. In the moment, it had felt liberating handing over control, but now she was nervous that he would think less of her. It seemed like he was changing everything, and her world was topsy turvy.
She rolled over until she lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. Ari was a part of her now; she could feel him in her soul. She was equal parts happy that she had found someone so perfect for her and terrified at how much he meant to her.
Both of their professions were dangerous ones, and she knew there was a real possibility that she could lose him. She swung her legs over and climbed out of bed. She quickly freshened up then looked around for her clothes. She slipped on the soft, pink robe that Leo had left her the night before and opened the door to Ari's quarters.
Hanging outside the door on a rolling clothing rack was her uniform. It had been laundered and pressed to perfection.
"I freaking love having a squire," she whispered to herself and grabbed the clothes. Once inside, she got dressed, took her weapon out of the safe Ari had shown her, and headed downstairs. Following her nose, she found Ari's parents sitting at the small table in a sunny parlor.
"Good morning," she said in greeting. Jedrek stood and motioned to the empty chair.
Catherine smirked. "Don't you mean good afternoon?"
Brie reached for her phone. Sure enough, it was after eleven. "Why didn't anyone wake me?"
Leo walked up behind her and got her seated, pushing her chair in. "Would you prefer a late breakfast or an early lunch?" he asked.