Page 54 of Little Mate
Theodore is death personified, and I was born to walk hand in hand with that power.
He’s the physical manifestation of what I am—a sorceress blessed by a god to deal with his children. To take and give life.
“I came here with the intention to end whatever feud you had with my father, be it by death or truce.” If he’s surprised, Theo doesn’t say anything, but his hand begins to run up and down my back in a soothing motion. Calming. “It wasn’t a secret that you wanted me, and I was willing to play along if you let my people live in peace and under your protection. Your intentions weren’t pure, Theodore, but neither were mine.”
“What was your end game, pretty girl?”
“Your death at my hands and the freedom of my kind.”
“Hmmm.” That’s all he gives me, his caresses never ceasing, though. Must count for something, right? Not that I have much time to ponder as he stands us up, holding me tight so I don’t fall. My mate walks us to the edge of the lake and then inside the water, lowering me down so my feet touch the smooth rocks below.
“Please say something.”
“I love you.”
16
GABRIELLA
His words are my undoing.
They obliterate any doubt that he’d be pissed after my confession.
Instead, they fill me with warmth and my chest expands on a sob, the joy of hearing those three little words breaking me into a million pieces at his feet. Because I feel it too. This inexplicable desire to always be near and if he’s happy—the desire to make him laugh and enjoy life with me is overwhelming. My soul cries out to him, my heart now unafraid because he truly won’t reject us.
Theodore won’t meet my eyes tomorrow and decide he doesn’t want me.
“I could never reject you, love. Even if you did manage to kill me, my ghost would just haunt you like a lost puppy.”
“Gods, I love you. I’ve been so scared that after hearing—” He cuts me off with his mouth, stealing my breath as his tongue slips between my eager lips. I’m kissing him just as hard, no soft touches or gentle sweeps when desperation burns from within and overtakes our senses.
I want him. All of him.
“Say it again, Gabriella. Tell me,” my mate demands, his body vibrating as growls build in his chest. The vibrations rub my hard nipples against his pecs, his bare flesh and mine creating the most delicious friction.
“I love you, too.”
“Fuck,” he hisses, head thrown back as a loud snarl curls at his lips. The sound resonates throughout the land, animals scurrying to get away, but I bring his demon back under control when I lick the tip of his teeth. They’re sharp and dangerous while the cool water laps at our feet, a complete contrast to how I feel inside.
I’m burning up. Hot and achy, and it’s more than the other times he’s touched me.
He’s made me crave his touch. Every time we kiss or hold hands—the way he’s always aware of my needs—is beyond sexy to me.
Then, my mind goes to the times his mouth and fingers have made me come, and I clench. My sex pulses in time with my heartbeat because I want more, too.
The mate bond is crazy and works fast, I won’t deny it, but this surpasses what is normal.
I prickle with excitement when he’s near me.
I want to make him happy.
I want to cut my heart out of my chest and present it on a silver platter because it solely beats for him.
Love is a wonderful thing like that. It’s not selfish or self-serving; it grows and morphs, and always with the other person at the forefront. And seeing his smile—the one that is uniquely for me—widen and his eyes shine with wonder when I repeat the words back is the best moment of my life.
“This is my truth, Theodore Astor. I’m irrevocably yours.” His mouth descends on mine again, just as hungry as before, while he reaches down and grabs a cheek in each hand, pulling me tighter against his body.
His pants can’t hide the effect I have on him.