He hadn’t destroyed her, and for that, he was thankful.
“Hey, I got dinner ready,” Mabel said, coming to a stop.
Lucas didn’t close the book. “My dad told you about this.”
“I knew about it before he told me,” she said. “I didn’t know what it was, but he filled in the blanks.”
“You must think I’m some kind of pussy?”
“No, not at all. I think you’re a strong man.” She took a deep breath, coming to sit beside him. “Leaving like I did, it wasn’t nice of me.”
“Mabel, you don’t have to feel guilty.”
“But I do. Look what I did.” She reached out, taking his hand. “I was so angry.”
“You were angry when you found out I was your mate?”
“Yes. What did you think when you knew it was me?”
Lucas frowned. “You won’t believe me.”
She rested her head against his shoulder. “Try me.”
“I was happy.”
“Oh.”
“I’d found my mate. The woman who was supposed to be mine. There was no way I wasn’t going to be happy.” He chuckled. “Men and women go through years if not decades before they find the one. I’d been so freaking lucky because my one was right here, in front of me.” He took her hand, locking their fingers together. “Even when I realized it was you, I didn’t care. If anything, I was so angry with myself for hurting you. It was an instant regret and, at that moment, every single bad thing I said to you was going off on repeat inside my head. I couldn’t control it, but I didn’t hate that it was you. Far from it.” He chanced a look at her saw tears in her eyes. “I don’t mean to make you cry.”
“These are happy tears.”
“They are?”
“I’ve got a lot to be happy about, don’t I?” She licked her lips, and he felt her hand tighten around him.
“I couldn’t bear to let you leave without giving this a chance.” He gritted his teeth and then turned toward her. “But I’ve decided, if you really can’t stand the thought of being with me, we can end this.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I don’t want you to hate me or to regret the rest of your life. I love you too much to hurt you even more.” He stroked some of her hair back off her cheek. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time.”
She captured his hand and pressed kisses to the inside of his wrist. “No, I don’t want to go, Lucas. I want to stay with you. I don’t need the rest of the year to make my decision. I’ve fallen in love with you. The person you are now isn’t the guy you were back then. I love you, and I do want to be mated to you and spend the rest of my life with you.”
Lucas cupped her face and slammed his lips down on hers.
She moaned his name and he swallowed it down. His cock went instantly hard as he pressed her against the bed, moving between her already spread thighs. The dress she wore rode up, and he was able to press against her.
Mabel whimpered and he tugged her hands up above her head as he moved down to cup her pussy.
She was soaking wet.
“Tell me again?”
“I love you?”
“Yes, and more,” he said.
“I want you, Lucas. I want to be mated with you. I love you more than anything.” She flicked her tongue across his neck, and he closed his eyes, basking in the touch. There was no one else he wanted more than her. All he could think about was her. She was everything to him and so much more. She drove him crazy with need. “Become my mate. I want you. Take me.”
She nipped at the flesh of his neck, and he couldn’t resist. Plunging two fingers inside her wet cunt, he pressed his thumb against her clit, stroking back and forth. Her cries filled the air as he fucked her pussy, but it wasn’t enough.
After releasing her, he moved down to bury his face between her thighs, taking her clit into his mouth and sucking it.
Mabel thrashed beneath him as he used his teeth to create some more pressure but not too much. Gliding his tongue down her slit, he circled her entrance and thrust inside. The scent and taste of her exploded on his senses. He couldn’t get enough.
Drawing her to the peak of her pleasure, he was tempted to leave her hanging, but instead, he craved her release. Sending her over the edge into orgasm, he waited, watching her milk every single last drop before he slid between her thighs.
Running his cock against her pussy, he nudged her clit, watching her as she cried out. He loved to see her lose control. He gripped his cock and placed the tip at her entrance. As he slammed deep inside, they both moaned. She was so tight and still feeling the aftershocks of her release.