Page 10 of Gavin
She licked her lips. She was never going to be able to hide anything from him. That was obvious. “Do you, uh…” She took a deep breath. “Do you feel the same things I feel?”
His brow furrowed. “You mean the bond, Little one?”
“Yes.”
“I suspect what I feel is even more intense than what you’re experiencing because I was at least aware it would happen. I’m less in shock than you.” He cupped her face and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Molly…” His voice was reverent, endearing. “You are my world. From the moment I stepped into that ceremonial room, nothing else will ever matter to me as much as you do.”
Her breath hitched.
He smiled. “Baby girl, I mean that. You’re the prettiest Little I’ve ever set eyes on. Your dark silky hair is mesmerizing. Your eyes are so blue I’m lost in them. Your skin is soft and creamy. I want to bury my nose in your neck and inhale your scent forever.”
He had said all of that while they’d still been in the ceremonial room, but it was reaffirming to hear it again. It calmed her nerves.
“Ask me your next question, Baby girl,” he encouraged.
“My mother said…”
He rubbed her back. “I bet your mother gave you a lot of advice. I’m glad she didn’t send you off to your mate with no information. I’m sure she told you everything she knew about matings among shifters in the valley. The problem is she couldn’t share what she didn’t know. I don’t want you to think she withheld information. It sounds like she did a good job of preparing you, but there was only so much she could say.”
Molly nodded.
“Go on, Little one. Talk to me.”
“She said I would be expected to, uh, consummate our relationship as soon as possible.” She pursed her lips.
“Ah. Well, here’s the thing. When shifters in the valley mate, they already know each other. They choose their mates. They spend time courting. Hopefully they’re very much in love and eager to consummate as soon as their ceremony is over. But ourmating is different. We’ve never met each other. It wouldn’t be fair for me to strip you out of your clothes and pressure you to accept me into your body so quickly.”
“Oh.” He was so kind. It endeared her to him more by the minute.
“Don’t confuse the fact that I haven’t tossed you onto my bed with some sort of reluctance to do so, Little one. I’m anxious to fully claim you in every way. But I’m not an asshole. I want you to crave that connection with every ounce of your being before we take that step. It doesn’t concern me at all. Neither of us will be able to hold out for long. The more time we spend together, the longer we breathe the same air, touch each other, look at each other, scent each other… No one can ignore that pull for very long.”
She nodded. “I feel that,” she admitted. “Thank you for explaining.” She shivered.
“Are you chilly?”
“I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Let’s go back inside. We can eat dinner and get to know each other better.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.” Nothing about this day was as she’d expected, but everything about it was better than she could have anticipated.
Chapter Four
Molly was such a delight.
Gavin couldn’t take his eyes off her for more than a few seconds at a time. After carrying her inside, he settled her in the highchair where he intended to feed her as often as reasonably possible.
She giggled and rolled her eyes as he fastened a strap around her middle. “I’m not sure I understand this custom. You don’t seriously think I might fall off of a chair, do you?”
He chuckled, trying to decide if he should give her a taste of what submission felt like. Now seemed like as good a time as any.
Dominance among males in the valley was the norm. Females submitted to their mates in most households. It was a natural tendency among wolf shifters. However, nothing she’d witnessed could have prepared her for the level of submission he would expect from her.
It wasn’t simply a matter of convincing her to adhere to some odd antiquated societal norms. Not even close. It was Fated and would fall into place with no effort.
But Molly couldn’t grasp it yet. He cupped her chin, tipping her head back so she was looking him in the eyes. Damn she wasperfect. Yeah, he was going to give her a taste of what deeper submission felt like.
He released her chin, lifted one of her delicate hands, and kissed her fingertips.