"Close," she whispered. She thought he would pick up the pace and send her out of control but he didn't. He continued a slow and steady grind, keeping her orgasm just out of reach. She pulled his body close, her fingers digging deep into his back. "Please," she begged. He stopped and gently kissed her on the lips. When he plunged deep inside her, he exposed his throat. She struck, sinking her fangs deep into his throat. Her feeding broke his control, and he snapped his hips repeatedly, driving her into the mattress. She was as deep inside him as she could get, and he was as deep inside her as he could get. His yelled out her name in a hoarse voice over her head, and she felt as if her body simply exploded.
No one could experience that much pleasure and live. Every drop of sweat merged them together, every drop of blood fused their hearts, and every wave of pleasure mixed and mingled their souls together. The core of their beings rose up out of their bodies like a mist. There was no Kari without a piece of Declan, and there was no Declan without a piece of Kari. There was now a new Kari and Declan. The new soul divided in half and returned to their bodies. When she licked the holes on his neck closed, he slumped to one side.
She never knew mating could be like this. She was no longer just Kari, she would never be just Kari again. She couldn't help it; she burst into tears.
Concerned, Declan immediately sat up in bed. "What did I do? Did I hurt you?"
She shook her head and covered her hand eyes with her hands. "No, it was perfect. I will never be alone again," she whispered.
"Of course not." He pulled her close. "Get some rest, we can lay here until dinner."
They dozed together for a couple hours before Kari woke and turned on her side. She ran a hand up and down his chest, from his collarbone to his abs, enjoying the freedom to touch him. "Can I bring up something without you getting angry?" She didn't to spoil the afterglow of their mating.
He stirred and opened his eyes. "You can tell me anything. I doubt you could do anything to make me angry."
She snorted. "Do not make that bet."
He kissed the top of the head. "Go on," he urged.
"The thing is, growing up, I always wanted somewhere to call my own, with the furniture I had picked out, the kitchen set up the way I wanted, and the colors I liked. When my business was finally doing well and I had enough money, I bought my condo. It was this old brick building in the first town where I truly felt welcomed and where I met my adopted brother. It sort of became home for me. I visited and lived in other cities, but I always seemed to end up back there. So when it came time to settle my business, that's where I wanted to stay. It is just this small town, in the middle of nowhere, but it is home. I do not know how I can give that up."
"Do you want to move there?" he asked.
She sat up. "You would do that for me?"
"You're my mate; I would do anything for you. But you must have realized by now that you're needed here."
"So are you."
"Your happiness will always come first. Besides, Warrick just got disowned so I could see them living with us in your super condo."
She laughed then stopped. "Is he going to be okay?"
"Look who is now worried about Warrick?" he teased.
"He is just so...so..." she couldn't find the right word.
"Gentle?" he prompted.
"Yes. He is gentle. I feel like I have to take care of him." She gasped. "Oh gods, how can a man that size be my little brother?"
Declan laughed. "I know how you feel. Warrick is as old as most of us. But despite his size, a lot of guys find themselves watching out for him. It's not that he's naïve or innocent. It's his gentleness that makes us want to shield him so he doesn't lose it." His face darkened. "We have never seen him lose control like he did today with Andre. I know a lot of warriors who are going to be pissed that Warrick was pushed that far."
"What are we going to do about my condo? Do you think Warrick would move to be with Avery?"
"I'm pretty sure Warrick would walk through fire to be with Avery. As for your condo, let me see what I can do. There's not much I wouldn't do for you either." He sighed. "It must be nice to have a sibling that worries so much about you."
Kari turned her head. "You are kidding, right? Rex adores you."
Declan winced. "It's just hard trying to walk in those shoes. He casts such a large shadow."
"Then why try? You have Declan shoes, and he has Rex shoes. The only thing that man wants is for you to be happy, so cut him some slack."
"Since when are you team Rex?"
"Because he also loves the man I love." She heard his quick inhale at her declaration.