Kyndel smiled at Royce as Rayne took the plate the big man had piled high with food for them. “Thank you, Royce, I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until I smelled the food,” she thought for a second. “I just realized I haven’t eaten in almost twenty-four hours,”
Rayne immediately felt horrible, how had he not thought of feeding her? All he had been able to think about was getting between her thighs. What a shitty mate he was turning out to be, didn’t even think about making sure the single most important person in his life was nourished. Well, that was never going to happen again. He would see to all her needs. She would want for absolutely nothing ever again. He planned to be the best mate ever. He steered her over to another fallen log the parks department had made into a makeshift bench.
After they were comfortably seated, he lifted a piece of meat to her lips. He would make sure she got her fill, whatever it took. She would never be hungry as long as he drew breath. Kyndel tried to take the meat from his fingers but he quickly moved his hand, placing the food against her lips. She moved her head back, “Rayne, I’m capable of feeding myself.”
“I’m sure you are, but I’ll feed you to make sure you get your fill.”
“Rayne, that’s not necessary,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “What’s really going on here?”
He let out a long suffering sigh and placed the piece of meat back on the plate, “Mo chroí, it’s my responsibility to take care of you, to make sure you have everything you want and need. I was so concerned with making love to you that I neglected to realize you were hungry. I can command men and fight hordes of hunters but the first time I’m supposed to care for my mate, I let her go hungry.”
He threw his shoulders back, trying to hide the feelings of absolute failure that he was experiencing for the first time in his life. The affection and acceptance he saw in Kyndel’s hypnotic gaze served as a balm against the unfamiliar feelings. Then she placed her hands on either side of his face, “Rayne, I’m quite capable of taking care of myself. You heard me tell Royce I hadn’t even realized I was hungry until I smelled the food cooking.”
His Kyndel even placed her finger tips over his lips to stop him from interrupting to continue calming him. “And as far as I’m aware, we were both quite concerned with making love. I don’t recall asking you to stop and feed me at any time.”
She smiled a smile that he hoped to see on her lips every day for the rest of their lives. “I’m a very independent woman, Rayne. I’ve been taking care of myself for quite a while now. I have absolutely loved everything we’ve done together. I would not trade one second of being with you for the best cheeseburger in the world and that’s seriously saying something because I LOVE a good cheeseburger.” His saucy mate winked at him causing him to chuckle, “Besides, I could stand to shed at least twenty pounds.”
The smile slid from his lips as he removed her hand from his mouth and held it in his lap while her other still cupped his cheek. He leaned into her hand and looked directly into her eyes so there was no mistaking his intent. “You will not lose one ounce. You are absolutely stunning just as you are. Your curves are beautiful. You are soft in all the places a woman should be soft. Your body makes me think of long days and nights spent exploring every curve. You provide a haven for me, mind, body and soul,” he took the hand he was holding, placed it flat over his heart and covered it with his.
“You have an inner strength that staggers me and so perfectly complements your beautiful exterior. It’s one of the hundreds of reasons I can’t stop thanking the Universe for making you, just for me,” he closed his eyes when the emotions threatened to overwhelm him, “You, m’anamchara, have captured me completely. I will never leave your side.”
When he opened his eyes it was just in time to see a single tear slide down her cheek. He turned slightly, needing to hold his Kyndel but not wanting to cover her in their dinner. He set the plate on the log beside him and lifted her into his lap tucking her head under his chin. “Why are you crying, mo chroi?”
Instead of answering his question she asked one of her own, “What are you calling me now? I don’t remember hearing you call me that before.”
His mate was inquisitive. She would keep him on his toes, for sure. “M’anamchara is my soul mate and Mo chroi means ‘my heart’ because that, my beautiful Kyndel, is exactly what you are.”
He watched her slow her breathing as she tried to control her emotions. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears that he continued to pray were not from sadness but from the same overwhelming feelings he was having. She placed her hand back over his heart and patted lightly. “You have quite a way with words, Commander.” Her smile was pure sunshine. “They are happy tears, Rayne, only happy tears.”