“Yes,” she whispered, caressing his cheek. “I need you, Magic. But more than that. I want you, this. All the hard work that comes with it. I want everything.”
He swallowed, and she could see the relief sweep over him, painting him in a new light.
“You sure?” he rasped. “Because after this, there’s no going back. We can never take this back. Be sure, my female.”
She kissed him hard on the lips, sealing her promise to be his forever.
“Finish this,” she said.
With a determined growl, he stalked with her to the bed.
Chapter Twelve
Magic slid Josie down his body until her feet touched the floor. Her bared to him from the waist down was the most erotic sight he’d seen. He considered taking her like that, but no. He wanted access to all of her. Including those delicious nipples he’d wanted to lick for so long.
He lifted her shirt over her head. There was no going slow. He couldn’t. Not now. He needed this finished so he could breathe normal. The idea of her carrying another male’s young still raked him raw on the inside. His panther wouldn’t be happy until he’d filled her. With his seed, with his young, it didn’t matter as long as she was fully and undoubtedly his.
She stood before him in only her bra, and his gaze ate her up for the split second before his fingers managed to work the latch open. Her breasts sprung free, giving him the most perfect view of tight, rosy nipples and soft supple flesh.
“Josie,” he husked. “Goddamn it, you’re beautiful.”
She moaned loud as he palmed one and put his mouth on the other, sucking and nuzzling and drawing her scent as deep as was possible. He sucked her nipple between his lips, playing and teasing at the hard bud until her hands gripped his hair in desperation.
“Someday I’ll make you come from just sucking these beautiful nipples,” he murmured, forcing himself away. “In fact, we’ll see just how many different ways I can make you come. I’ll know your body like it’s my own. Better even.”
Her eyes flashed gold and he could sense how strong her cat had become. She had the same cougar Mandi had, but this cat wasn’t weak and shriveled. It was strong, like its human, and growing stronger.
The idea that his mate was tough shit made his cock even harder.
Ripping his shirt over his head, he tossed it away, and then unbuckled his belt. His gaze never left his mate, her flashing cat eyes. Sliding his pants down, his erection bobbed free, and he had a moment of pause.
Not doubt. Not the fear that had crippled him for so long. Just… a moment, where everything came to a pinpoint clarity.
Choose her, or don’t. But if you do, make it forever.
This was it. He was choosing to be faithful to one woman for the rest of his life. He was choosing to collar his animal with hers in a way that meant something. In a way that would ensure the two of them thrived, the clan thrived, and anyone who came after them thrived. By choosing her, he was changing his generation. Breaking the traditions they’d thought were laws of nature.
This was how he saved his people from his past mistakes. By showing them a better way, not by forcing them to remain alone all their years.
But there was something he had to know first.
“What would you do, Josie, if I cheated on you? Huh? What if I couldn’t stop my cat and I took another female to bed? What if I did to her what I’m doing to you now? What would you do?”
She looked mortified. Angry even, her mouth opening and closing without words.
“Answer me,” he demanded.
Her face glinted steel.
“I’d wait til you were sleeping and cut your fucking balls off. Then I’d hang them on the door of the bitch you fucked.” She smirked, ruefully. “It wouldn’t happen twice, I guarantee you that.”
Magic jerked his head back in surprise. That was not what he’d expected her to say. She wasn’t Mandi. She wasn’t a cat who was taught putting up with straying was necessary. She was a turned human who’d fight back, fight for her man.
His breath raked in and out of his chest. Talk of cutting off balls had done nothing to shrivel his erection. In fact, it was exactly what he’d needed to hear from her. He needed a female strong enough to call him on shit. Tough enough to face the challenge of being his mate.
“I want to fuck you so hard right now.”
She narrowed her eyes, her wet tongue slipping along her bottom lip. “Do it,” she challenged. “But you better understand that there won’t be any others for you. Not while you’re with me.”
There wouldn’t be. Ever. Even if they didn’t make it ‘til death. Even if she grew flighty and left him. He’d never take another female. She’d done him in. Changed him. Done what Doc said, and loved him enough to make him let go. She owned him as good as if he’d been collared and tamed.