Mating Fever(36)

I slipped one cuff on my right wrist, but didn’t look away from her dark gaze, didn’t miss the way she swallowed. The cuff sealed about my wrist, tightened. “I claim you with my heart, my mind and my body. I give you my protection and I guarantee your pleasure.”

Her eyes widened and flared with dark heat at the last. Taking my second cuff from her, I put it about my other wrist. Lifting my arms, I looked down at my cuffs, at the family markings. I was the last one. The last of a long line of warriors to wear this design. Hopefully, one day, Megan would give me children. A family. If not, I’d have her. She’d be mine, and that would be more than enough, more than I’d ever thought I could have. “I’m yours, Megan. I’m yours.”

My beast stilled within me, pleased I’d spoken from my heart and locked the cuffs around my wrists. The weight calmed me, a promise and assurance that I had a mate, a female to worship and care for—a reason to hold on. We were halfway there. I just had to put the cuffs on Megan, have her accept me. Us.

She was gripping the metal so her knuckles turned white, but offered no resistance when I took her cuffs from her, opened one of them.

For the first time, I felt vulnerable. I was an Atlan. Powerful. Strong. Dangerous. Yet Megan Simmons could destroy me in the next few seconds. I might be able to live through almost anything, but I knew just the word “no” from her lips would kill me.

“These cuffs are the Atlan proof that you are mine. I know the brides processing protocol gives you thirty days to decide whether or not to accept me, Megan. But you know me. You know all of me, the good and the bad. We’ve fought each other, and fought together on the battlefield. I have no secrets left.” She’d seen me at my worst. I’d collapsed at her feet in that cave, weak and injured. I’d taken her body while in beast mode, barely able to speak for wanting her. Holding onto my control by a thread. We’d argued and we’d kissed. We’d survived the blue Hive aberration on Latiri 4 and years of service in the Coalition Fleet. We’d both laid our lives on the line for the Coalition worlds. We’d fought and hurt and killed. And now, we’d have this. Heat. Desire. Respect. Peace. A home. If she’d have me.

“Are you sure, Nyko? Because two days ago I would have sworn you didn’t even like me.” Her eyes were dark, wide and round with uncertainty. And I never wanted to see that look on her face again.

With a growl, I lowered my head to her throat, licking my way up to her ear. “You drive me crazy, female. From the very first day I saw you on this ship, my beast prowled to the surface any time you were near. You made each moment a constant battle for control. I’ve watched you, admired you, lusted after you for a long time. You’re mine. Somehow, I always knew you were mine.”

Her hands came up and she buried them in my hair, tugging hard, pulling my head up away from her neck to look her in the eye. “You want me? You’re sure? I’m bossy and arrogant. I hate bullshit and I don’t take orders well. I don’t cook or clean or know any lullabies. I’m pretty sure I’ll teach my daughters to fight, not dance or paint or play piano. I’m not like other women, Nyko. I’m not. And I can’t change for you. I won’t change. You can try to take me to Atlan and put me in a fancy dress and I can play pretend. I might be able to pull it off for a day, or a party, but that won’t be me.”

“I know, mate. I’m counting on it.” I kissed her on the mouth, taking my time, making sure she knew exactly how much I wanted her. “I don’t want quiet or meek, woman. I want you. Will you do me the honor of accepting my claim? Will you be mine?”





Chapter Eleven

Nyko



Will you be mine?

I felt as if the air had left my lungs as I waited for her response. Seconds dragged like hours as she licked those lips, glanced at the cuffs, then at me, searched my eyes for something. Truth? Honesty? Desire? Whatever she wanted, it was there. I knew it was there, because something raw and powerful pulsed through my entire being. I was sure any fool could see it, and Megan was no fool.

“Yes, Nyko.”

Her voice was clear, no hesitation. Thank the gods, because my cock was about to explode.

I smiled, then opened one cuff and put it about her slender wrist. My fingers shook from the impact of the moment, my beast preening as I watched the cuff seal. The other went on easily and sealed as soon as the two edges touched. The pale silver base a striking contrast to her lovely dark skin.

“Mine.” It wasn’t the beast this time, but me, the Atlan warrior, the male, who said the one word.