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But he should have predicted Neri would explore him further and not hold back.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and slid forward until her scorching heat brushed against his cock, drawing a long, low moan from deep inside his chest.

“Nothing has ever felt as good as you pressed against me.”

As if his words egged her on, she rolled her hips, pressing and rubbing against his clothed cock, making him jump in his rough polyester tactical pants as a fierce rush of pleasure passed through him.

“Hunter!”

He brought their mouths together, each devouring the other, until she tensed in his arms. He scented her orgasm before she ripped her mouth away from his, throwing her head back and screaming his name.

Hunter soon followed as her hips continued to move back and forth as her orgasm overwhelmed her. He clutched her close, bringing his face to press against her neck near her collarbone, and for a fleeting moment, he wanted to mark her as his. He clamped his mouth shut but continued to inhale against the soft skin of her neck, scenting his mate.

Until he learned what would happen to her, he couldn’t mark her as his. Yet.

“Is it too forward of me to ask you if I could stay with you tonight?”

Neri chuckled. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight now I’ve found you. Or you’ve found me.”

Hunter hugged her close and savored her sigh. He pulled back and gazed at her when she cleared her throat, obviously a nervous gesture.

“Why don’t you shower? Just drop your clothes outside the door and I’ll wash them before I take one myself.”

“I guess we’re not at the walk around naked in front of each other stage,” he teased.

Neri blushed and Hunter loved the stain spreading on her cheeks. He brushed a kiss against her lips.

“I was kidding. There’s no rush and no pressure.”

He stood and set her on her feet before he kissed the tip of her nose. She smiled at him and he forced his eyes away from his mate. He turned toward the hallway and headed toward the bathroom. Before he crossed the threshold, he pulled his tee over his head and dropped it on the ground.

“Holy shit,” Neri whispered.

Hunter turned around, unable to stop himself, and caught her gaze before he gave her a small wink. His actions caused the blush that erupted on her cheeks.

“You can touch me anytime, even if you want to experiment. I promise I won’t do anything you don’t want to do. So when you’re ready, we’ll explore the physical side to our relationship.”

Neri smiled. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For giving me hope for the first time in my life, knowing I won’t be alone for the rest of my existence.”

“Trust me. It’s the same way for me, angel.”

He heard Neri’s breathing rush out in a huff at his endearment. To protect her from the desire rushing through him, he stepped into the room and with one last smile, shut the door and blocked her from his view. He took a few minutes to calm his body, his need, before he shucked the rest of his clothes and deposited them outside without flashing more skin.

Hunter started the shower and stepped under the hot spray, relaxing as the water sluiced over his already heated skin.

He found his mate.

His smile widened. He’d never, not once since his transition, pictured a mate or wondered whether he would find her. The odds were against him.

Until now, he hadn’t realized there was a warmth that pulsed beneath his skin and that part yearned for his mate. He’d found her and the pulsing had calmed into a contentment he’d never felt before. And he would protect her with all he was and everything he had.

With that last thought rattling around his mind, he hurried through his shower because his destiny was right outside the door.