Page 166 of Alpha Mates

“And there he is,” I shoot back, grinning. “My Jewels is back.”

His eyes glow, seeming more white than blue as they sweep over me. He suddenly turns and pushes to his knees. The blanket slips from around his shoulders, pooling around his naked thighs, and it’s concerning how such a simple thing can make my mouth so dry.

“You look too good in my clothes,” I whisper, eyes raking down his body. He shifts on his knees, but doesn’t try to cover himself. “You look good in everything.” My hands find his waist, drawing him closer, and he laughs nervously.

“Thanks?” he replies as heat races to the tips of his ears.

I can hear his heart pounding as hard as mine. I wonder if he’s nervous too—if he wants this too, but doesn’t know how to say it. More than that, I wonder if he feels what burns in my heart stronger than anything else.

Lip curling between his teeth, Julian slides his hands up my arms, drawing himself up until his body is pressed to mine.

His eyes search mine, and I try to lay myself bare.

“This isn’t anything like I thought it would be.”You. This bond. The heat. Being here. Being with you.“The heat is supposed to intensify everything, especially the urge to touch. Right now, I want to touch you, and kiss you, and never let you go.” I whisper as I tuck his unruly hair behind his ear.

Julian shivers, but his eyes never leave mine.

“I feel all that,” I go on, “but watching you light up at that movie? That made me happier than every time we’ve given in to the heat.

“This whole weekend, seeing you happy …” I shake my head as a smile tugs at my lips. “I’ve wanted that a million times more than I’ve wanted your body.”

His eyes fill, crystal irises shining. Before the tears can slip free, he closes what’s left of the space between us and presses his lips to mine. His arms lock around my neck, pulling me in so that we’re close enough for our souls to shudder against each other.

I feel the tears against my cheeks as he kisses me. And it’s not desperate, it’s just … everything.

“I want to,” he whispers, sniffing as he pulls back.

I forget to breathe. “Want to what?” I ask, because I need him to be sure.

“I want to complete the mating bond,” he says with a smile so real, it makes my heart skip its next beat. “Right now. I want … I wantyou, Aiden.”

For a moment, I can’t move. I just stare at him, at that soft smile meant for me, and I pray to Goddess this isn’t a dream.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my voice hoarse.

“More than I’ll ever be.” His eyes hold mine. “Make love to me, Aiden.”

I lift him off the couch, and when his lips find mine again, it’s explosive. He takes me with tongue and teeth, without pause or hesitation.

His long legs wrap around my waist, and I gather him in my arms until every inch of him is pressed against me. It feels like everything I’ve ever needed.

I walk us towards the bedroom and don’t stop until my legs butt against the bed. I climb on with Julian still holding onto me, following his weight as he drags me down to the mattress.

I sink on top of him, arms braced beside him as he tilts his head, deepening the kiss. His moan tangles with mine, fingers sinking into my hair to pull me closer for more.

I give him more. I give himeverything.

Our hearts hammer so hard, I feel each thump of his against my chest. But they’re in sync, like we’re already mated, our souls already tied.

It’s raw and dizzying, and all it does is fuel the deep-rooted hunger to make it our reality.

Julian breaks from me first, but his lips are quick to find my skin instead. He mouths my jaw, then my throat, until his lips trail over the spot aching for his mark.

He sucks hard enough that I hiss as stars burst in front of my eyes, and then he kisses the sensitive perimeter of it in a silent claim.

I groan as he moves lower, ghosting his teasing lips over my chest before returning to my mouth. His lips seal over mine, tasting and prodding until he sucks my bottom lip between his and then parts them to delve deeper.

Shuddering over him, I run a hand up his shirt against his warm skin, and he hums at the touch. I touch Jewels reverently at first, as if this is my first time feeling his body, but when he arches into me, I palm his chest harder, my nails biting into his skin until he gasps against my mouth.