Page 40 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)
Gruff didn’t bother parking in the garage when they got home, stopping in front of the house instead.
In short order, he was out of the truck and almost dragging Dustin up the porch steps.
He’d made a decision back at the restaurant and nothing short of a nuclear explosion would prevent him from acting on it.
His bear wasn’t shy about egging him on either, having waited for months to make Dustin their own.
Dustin could tell his man wasn’t merely eager to get him horizontal.
No, this went beyond sex to a much deeper need, and he trembled with anticipation.
He had a general idea of what to expect, having spoken to Levi McCoy in some detail about his experience with Knox.
Things were about to change between them, sealing their future and wiping away any smidgen of doubt or hesitation.
If it took a bit of manhandling to get there, he was all for it.
Baxter met them in the entryway with some friendly chatter as he always did, but Gruff paid him no mind. With a firm grip on Dustin’s hand, he headed straight for the primary bedroom and paused before crossing the threshold, huffing yet determined.
“You’re mine! My mate!”
Dustin was fully prepared to speak the words Gruff needed to hear.
“Claim me and mark me, Gruff. You’re mine and I’ll never leave you!”
Gruff pulled Dustin into the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind them.
Eager growls filled the air while the pair stripped down, clothes tossed every which way in their hurry to get naked.
Gruff finished first and reached over to tug Dustin’s underwear to the floor before carrying him to the bed.
Impatience nearly toppled the lamp as Gruff yanked open the nightstand drawer for lube and towels.
Dropping them on the mattress, he scooted over to reposition Dustin on his stomach—pale, plump ass on display.
Gruff’s beefy hands spread the hairless cheeks, exposing the man’s twitching hole.
The overwhelming need to get inside the precious human meant that this first coupling might be a little rushed, but he refused to hurt his beloved.
A generous amount of lube on one finger gradually became four, even as Gruff reached under to toy with Dustin’s hard cock.
His careful preparations were finally rewarded with a sexy moan.
“Yes! Take me, Gruff. I need you.”
Dustin’s plea went straight to Gruff’s heart while his overeager bear urged him to claim our mate!
Gently turning Dustin over, he slicked up his dick with a couple of quick tugs, and lifted the man’s perfect, sexy legs to his shoulders.
Gruff tapped on the relaxed pucker with his meaty glans and pushed in slowly, watching Dustin’s face for any sign of discomfort.
There was only a smile, followed by a nod, letting him know he was ready for more.
Gruff leaned down to kiss the man, inching his way inside a little more with every smooch until he couldn’t go any further.
“Mmmm… you feel so good. Move for me, love.”
Gruff complied, almost pulling out, only to slide back into Dustin’s soft, tight heat.
The slow, sensuous pace gave way to steady thrusts as Gruff used one hand on his mate’s cock and the other on his sensitive nipples.
With a quickly rising orgasm, Gruff pulled his hands away when his fingertips began to tingle.
The plain, flat nails shifted into short, black claws, prompting Gruff to position his right hand on Dustin’s left hip.
They were both moaning messes, lost in one another as their muscles tensed for climax.
A few more energetic thrusts was all it took, and Gruff came with a roar.
While his seed filled Dustin’s passage, he swiped sharp claws across the man’s buttock, hip, and thigh, leaving an arc of crimson marks.
Dustin cried out in pain and pleasure; a mix of dopamine and endorphins flooding his system.
Gruff sucked in a deep breath as the mystical connection with Dustin socketed into place, permanently linking them together.
The sweet human was now and forever HIS MATE!
There was no fear, only rejoicing, and mild concern for the beautiful man’s wounds.
The smell of fresh blood overwhelmed the scent of Dustin’s cum, and Gruff pulled out so he could tend to his mate.
For better access, he turned Dustin on his right side, tucked a pillow under his head, and dabbed lightly at the seeping scratches with a fresh towel.
It wasn’t long before the pain became impossible to ignore.
“Ow! That hurt more than I thought it would, but I’m yours now, right?”
Though the angle was awkward, Gruff peppered his mouth with tender kisses while holding the towel in place.
“Yes, you’re mine and I’m yours. Don’t move for a minute while I get a few things.”
Dustin complied, and Gruff soon returned with a wet washcloth, tape, gauze pads, and ointment.
He leaned down to kiss around the wounded flesh, admiring his handiwork, and then dabbed the area carefully to wipe away the drying blood.
Next, the scratches were treated with ointment, covered with the pads, and secured with strips of tape.
To hold it all together, Gruff snatched Dustin’s tighty whities off the floor and helped slip them on.
Lastly, Gruff brought his mate some pain meds and a glass of water before making him comfortable without putting pressure on his wounds.
Purring softly, Gruff settled in next to Dustin and pulled the covers up over them.
“How do you feel, Dusty? Do you need anything?”
Dustin pulled him in for kisses before answering.
“I feel pretty damn good! My mate took care of me and I don’t need a thing. What about you, though? I’ll bet you’re hungry after all that claiming.”
Gruff’s stomach growled at the suggestion. He was hungry, but he didn’t want to leave his mate all alone to deal with it. Dustin had an idea which might do the trick.
“Why don’t we set up a video call? I promise to stay right here while you’re gone, but you’ll be able to hear and see me from the kitchen. I wouldn’t mind a slice of Orchard Bread and a glass of milk if you don’t mind.”
Gruff’s bear hated the idea, but his human half figured it was the only solution available.
Besides, his mate had asked him for food, and he wouldn’t deny the man anything he could provide.
They set up the call and Gruff hurried out to the kitchen, watching the screen to make sure his mate stayed right where he’d left him.
He leaned his phone against the toaster so he could easily see Dustin while he loaded a tray with snacks and drinks.
Though he returned in record time, the separation was still stressful, and Gruff kissed his mate like he’d been gone for days instead of minutes.
They shut down their phones, put the tray within easy reach, and nibbled and smooched while Gruff purred contentedly.
Curious about the mating bond, Dustin asked Gruff what he could tell him about it. He pondered a bit before sharing.
“I don’t know if I can describe it, Mate.
Shifters know when the bond forms or is broken by death, but where it comes from or how it actually works is a mystery.
Right now, it feels like there’s a part of you living inside me.
Some have described it as being connected by ropes that stretch thinner the farther apart they are.
If we’re close enough, I’d be able to find you and know what you’re feeling.
I can’t read your mind or anything, but you’ll always draw me like a magnet. ”
Like most humans, Dustin had no idea the bond was so strong or versatile, and wondered what else it could do.
“Incredible! I guess that explains why it’s hard for you to let me out of your sight for a while. I’ll try not to make it any worse, but you know I have to go back to work on Friday.”
The thought of separation caused Gruff to start huffing, and Dustin calmed him with kisses.
“Don’t worry, love. It only lasts for a couple of weeks. We’ll get through it together, I promise.”
############
Shortly after midnight
Dustin awakened wrapped tightly in Gruff’s arms and legs, as if he were afraid his newly minted mate would escape unnoticed.
In all honesty, he probably was. Despite recent progress, Gruff’s awful family history worked against him—awakening deep-seated fears of being abandoned someday.
He’d done his best to reassure the man that he was in this for life, but the next two weeks would be especially difficult for Gruff and his bear.
Dustin was determined not to upset his wonderful mate if he could help it, though he’d already been warned about ultra-clingy behavior and staying in Gruff’s line of sight.
Unfortunately, when nature called, one had limited time to answer.
Dustin tried loosening the man’s grip, but it only prompted Gruff to pull him closer. Okay… maybe words would do it instead.
“Gruff… wake up, love. I have to go to the bathroom.”
The contented shifter simply growled, moving a hand from Dustin’s stomach to his groin. Obviously, he needed a different tactic, and Dustin raised his voice with words sure to get his man’s attention.
“I’ll be right back.”
That did it. Gruff had to let go of his mate to sit up in the bed, allowing Dustin to scramble to his feet.
“What? Where are you going?”
“Bathroom. Gotta go right now! ”