Page 27

I wake up to warmth. Every day now.

And it’s not just the sunlight peeking through the curtains, but the heavy, solid Doug-shaped warmth wrapped tightly around me.

His arm is draped across my waist, his face buried against my neck like he has zero intention of letting me out of this bed anytime soon.

Not that I mind.

A soft, secret smile tugs at my lips as I shift slightly, my whole body aching in the best possible ways.

I’m pretty sure my thighs are still trembling, and honestly?

I’m still stunned anyone can feel this good.

Doug is such a passionate lover. Considerate. Intense.

He just gets me.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice thick and rough in that sleep-deepened way that sends ridiculous little shivers through me.

“Mmm.” I stretch slowly, my body still deliciously sensitive as I feel every sore, used inch of me.

“You’re too chipper for someone who wrecked me half the night.”

Doug chuckles low, and it vibrates against my back in the most distracting way.

“No regrets though, right?”

I laugh softly, biting my lip as I turn just enough to meet his wicked, smug grin.

“None. Though I might need food before you get any more ideas.”

He kisses my shoulder and nips lightly.

“Fine. But only because I don’t want my mate passing out before we even get started.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m grinning.

God, he’s impossible.

But he’s mine.

All mine.

As he slips out of bed and tugs on a pair of gray sweats, and wow, yes, I ogle him the entire time , I pull the sheet tighter around me and let myself just be in the moment.

Happy .

I feel so happy.

Loved.

Claimed.

The thought makes my chest ache, but in that full-to-bursting kind of way.

Doug returns a little while later, balancing a tray with eggs, toast, bacon, and two coffees like the world’s hottest room service delivery.

“You trying to wife me up with food?” I tease as he climbs back into bed beside me.

“Babe,” he says seriously, “you’re already wifed up. You just don’t have the fancy title yet.”

I flush so hard I almost burn the sheets.

But I take the coffee anyway, because priorities.

We eat mostly in comfortable silence, except for the occasional lazy kiss and Doug’s wandering hands that can’t seem to not be touching me.

At one point, he starts stroking my thigh under the sheet, fingers inching higher until I nearly choke on my toast.

“Doug,” I gasp, glaring at him as he just smirks. “I said food first.”

“I’m feeding you me next,” he says, totally unrepentant.

I roll my eyes and shove him lightly, but he only laughs, grabbing my hand and threading our fingers together.

“You’re clingy this morning,” I point out, though my voice is soft and teasing, not annoyed.

“Forever privilege,” he says with a lazy smile. “Mate rights. Get used to it.”

I should argue.

But honestly?

I love it.

Love how much he touches me.

Love the way his eyes soften when he looks at me like I hung the moon.

Love how safe and wanted I feel tangled up in him.

“You really can’t keep your hands off me, can you?”

“Nope,” he says simply, kissing my knuckles. “Not now. Not ever.”

And maybe I should be used to how intense and overwhelming Doug can be, but his words still melt me right into the mattress.

I sigh dramatically and tease, “You probably want me to have your puppies too, huh?”

It’s supposed to be a joke.

Light. Silly.

Except. Doug freezes.

Then his eyes glow gold with heat so fast I swear the room tilts.

His entire body goes tense and predatory, and oh, oh no.

“Sunshine,” he says slowly, his voice a deep growl of pure, dirty intent.

“You shouldn’t say shit like that unless you want to spend the rest of the day stuck right here while I make that happen.”

My entire face goes up in flames.

“Doug!”

But he’s already moving, tossing the tray aside and hauling me onto his lap, his lips brushing my ear as his cock presses hard and thick against me.

“Later,” he promises, his voice molten. “Right now, I just want to hold you.”

I melt instantly, curling into his lap as his arms tighten and his lips press soft, worshipful kisses to my temple, my cheek, my mouth.

He hums low, content and possessive, as I settle against him.

“I’m never letting you go,” he whispers against my lips, voice thick with love and forever.

“Good,” I whisper back, smiling so wide my cheeks ache. “Because I’m never letting you go, either.”

We stay like that, tangled and lazy and utterly ours, while the sun climbs higher and the matebond between us thrums softly like a heartbeat.

Forever isn’t scary anymore.

It’s right here.

Naked, clingy, a little wild.

And perfect.