Chapter Ten

Juliana

S huffling back and forth inside of Heath’s bedroom, I fiddle with the seam of my pajama pants. When we were at my apartment, Heath demanded I pack a bag. I am not a nightgown type of girl, so I brought several comfortable pants to sleep in and my fuzzy socks. Now, they feel suffocating compared to Heath’s shirt. I would rather be surrounded by something he has worn. The black tank feels too tight, and my skin itches.

I want to find him, but I’m nervous. He grabbed some clothes and told me he would be in the living room. Is he tired? I don’t know how to act. I’ve never felt a pull like this to another man. I feel like something is missing if he’s not near me. I want to ask him to sleep with me. My body wants more than to lie beside him, but my mind is not sure I’m ready.

Fuck it.

I open the door and march down the hallway. The living room door is open, and I don’t stop until I’m over the threshold. I suck in a breath as I see Heath sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace. His chest is bare, and his tattoos shine. His sleep pants are blue and silky.

“Come and sit,” he says, tapping his foot on the chair across from him. He has a way of demanding things so I want to do everything he wants.

“Are you sure you aren’t hypnotizing me?” I ask, walking toward him.

“I’m sure,” he grins, watching me as I sit across from him.

“You don’t have a real fire,” I say. The electric fireplace is bright, and the heat warms my arms.

“No.” His eyes crinkle in the corners. “I didn’t want to deal with the upkeep.”

“I like your friends,” I say, avoiding his stare.

“They are good people. I’m glad you like them.”

“They don’t live here.” I bring up my legs, digging my feet into the cushions.

“No. They have built a community a couple of hours from here. You haven’t even met half of them.” He props his elbows on his knees, cupping his hands in front of his mouth. “I plan to move there.”

“You’re moving?” A knot of fear pulls at my stomach.

“I made plans before we met,” he says, staring at me.

“Oh.” I bit my lip.

“Juliana, I’m trying not to scare you. Can I be honest?”

“Yes.”

“I want you to move with me,” he says, his eyes darkening. “I want you to decide to be my mate and never leave my side.” My stomach eases.

“Tell me how it works,” I say, fingers gripping the armrest. “I want to know everything.”

“I know you are my mate by scent, by intuition, and by my need. Shifters mate for life. I won't let you go once you accept me and my snake. I will bite you and mark you. Humans can’t see the mark, but every shifter can and will know you are mated. Once the mark is in place, the change will begin. I was born a snake, so I can’t describe exactly what it will be like. I do know that it won’t be pleasant. The magic will guide you, but the pain is unavoidable. It will change your body from the inside out. A snake shifter is rare, and you will be one. You will be unconscious through the change as if you are sleeping.

“Several of my friends were human before turning into a shifter. I will set it up if you want to discuss their experience with them. I won’t leave you during the transition. Once you wake, you will be a snake shifter, and it would please both of us if you marked me. Female shifters go into heat when they meet their mates. The heat is nature's way of continuing the species. You will want me to ease you. Your body demands your mate's sperm.” My face heats, and an ache begins. “I will always take care of you.”

“Do you feel the heat?” I ask weakly.

“Yes. I have wanted you desperately since we met. It will only get worse when you are changed.”

“Worse?”

“Or better, depending on your point of view.”

“Will the heat be painful?” I can understand the pain of changing into an animal.

“Only if you ignore it. We won’t ignore it,” he rumbles.

“Will I gain powers like you?”

“Probably,” he says, leaning back. “There are no guarantees. Your senses will be enhanced. You will be stronger, faster, and more agile. Any shifter is difficult to kill. If you are careful, you can live forever.”

“How do you shift?”

“The first time is scary, but you must believe in the magic. Your snake will aid you. Shifting back the first few times will be challenging, but I will help. Most shifters remove their clothes because they would shred them during their shift. The dragons keep them on and don’t lose them. I strip.”

“How often do you shift?” The world is becoming interesting, and I want to explore it.

“Not as often as I would like. My control has slipped. I’m very careful where and how many times I do. I believe I will let my snake out more after we mate. He’s been angry and dangerous. A mate is something we both have been waiting for.”

I can feel the touch of his gaze over my body, and I squirm in my seat.

“He’s not dangerous to me,” I state. It’s odd, but I can see his snake looking out of his eyes, and I don’t sense anything bad.

“All he wants to do is mark you,” he says through gritted teeth. “I’m holding him back.”

“Does it hurt you?” I whisper. The thought of him in pain bothers me.

“Not exactly,” he says.

“Both sides of you want to be close to me.” It’s wild that I feel the same way.

“Yes,” he hisses.

“You said we would have to discuss your preferences before going further.” I can’t make a life-changing decision after barely two days of knowing him. I know how much I want to be near him and crave his touch.

“I’ve already said I like control,” he says, sliding forward in his chair. “I like to instruct and be obeyed. If I tell you to strip, I expect you to do it. I might use something to bind you, blindfold you, or I might purchase toys to use on you.” Tingles spread rapidly over my body. “Perhaps I would instruct you to leave your panties at home and wear a skirt when we leave the house. So in the car, I could use my fingers on you and have easy access. Maybe I would tell you to drop to your knees when we are in a restaurant so you could suck my cock,” he says. I gulp, picturing it. “I am not shy. I will want to fuck you anywhere, anytime. I will always protect you, though. No one except me will ever see your body. I would be creative in public but never show your skin. You need to pick a word you can say that stops everything. I will never ignore it or the word stop. I want your trust to listen to my demands, yet I won’t cross the line that you are uncomfortable with. My goal is your pleasure. Of course, in giving you what you need, I will get what I want. There should be no shame in anything we do. It is a gift, your submission to me. I will protect it and you forever.”

“Do you have a preference on what I call you?” I ask, my skin pricking in anticipation.

“I will always accept mate .” He studies my face.

“What else?”

He’s unsure how his honesty is affecting me. If his nose is as strong as he says, he should be able to smell it.

“Sir,” he whispers, tilting his head.

“Shit,” I breathe. He reached into my deepest fantasies and pulled out everything I had dreamed of. If he can be honest, so can I. “In my life, I have had to make all the decisions. I’ve worked so hard to build a life away from my fucked-up family, but they keep pulling me back. I’m so tired. I told you, I dreamed of being rescued. The man doing the rescuing was like you. Your preferences don’t scare me; they set me free.” The blue of his eyes glows bright. “I am not ready for sex.” He nods.

“Is there anything I could do that you don’t like?”

I lick my lips. “Degrade me in any way. I don’t get off on insults.”

“Thank you for telling me. I would never speak to you in that way.” He grips the sides of his chair and spreads his legs. “You will always be my good girl.”

“What would you do to a bad girl?” I ask impulsively.

He smirks. “I would love to see your ass red. I promise you will like it.”

“Probably,” I murmur. I believe I’ll love anything he will do to me.

“I want your trust, body, and devotion,” he rumbles. “What is your word?”

“Money.” He raises a brow. “The need for money is the theme of my life. Every time my mom calls, I know she will ask for it.”

“Alright. Say it, and I will stop.” He laces his fingers, laying them on his stomach. “I won’t fuck you. I know you aren’t ready, but are you ready for my instruction?”

“Yes,” I reply. His chest rises with a ragged breath. I wait and wonder what he is going to do. He looks at me as if I am what he has always wanted. He makes me feel special, needed, and safe.

“Take your pants off,” he demands. I drop my legs and prepare to stand, and he holds his hand out. “Stay sitting. Lift your hips.” I lean back, he drops his hand, and my fingers struggle to grasp my waistband, too eager to function properly. “Good job,” he says as I push them down my legs. “Place your feet wide on the floor.” I do as he commands and drop my pants in front of the fireplace. “Perfect.” He fills an empty place inside my soul. “Lay your arms on the back of the chair.” When I do, my chest thrusts out, and his gaze travels over my breasts. “Leave them there until I tell you.”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Good, darling,” he says, looking at my legs. I’m grateful I wore my best underwear and shaved my legs earlier. I wanted to be prepared for anything. “You’re stunning.” His gaze flutters over every inch of my body, and I want to beg him to do something. “Impatient.” He smiles, and I stare at his mouth.

“I am,” I say. He wanted honesty. He props his elbow on the armrest and drags his finger across his bottom lip.

“I have been impatient to be inside you since I smelled you,” he drawls, and my heart thuds.

“So this is payback,” I say, my lips twitching.

“Maybe a little,” he says, leaning his cheek on his fingers. “Is your heart racing? Are you wet?”

“You know the answers.”

His smile turns cocky. Usually, I would be self-conscious. With Heath, I don’t have to guess if he likes what he sees. He tells me without having to say a word. I take pleasure in the sight before me, just as he does. It’s going to be difficult not to touch.

One second, Heath is lounging in his chair, and the next, he is kneeling in front of me. He glides his nose from the inside of my knee up to my underwear. I exhale sharply and tip my head back.

“Watch,” he says. I look down at his head and have to grip the chair with my fingers to stop myself from threading them through his hair. “My darling,” he hisses, kissing my thigh, rewarding me for doing as he asks. “Your skin is so soft. I want to mark it in every way.” I gasp when he drags his scruff over it, first one leg and then the other. “You like that.”

“Yes,” I hiss. He sits back slightly, slides his fingers under the sides of my panties, and pulls roughly. They clear my feet, and he throws them over his shoulder.

“Spread,” he demands, his gaze focused between my legs. I slowly stretch wider. “What a pretty pussy. Perfect. I’m going to eat it.”

I gulp. “Please—” I’ve fought the words that want to emerge. He looks at me steadily, giving me the option. He’s not demanding it yet. “Sir.”

“Thank you, darling,” he says roughly, gliding his hands back and forth up my thighs. I hold my breath. One of his hands slides under my tank, between my breasts, and up to my neck, gripping. His other hand cups my hip as his head lowers.

“Oh my god,” I groan as he sucks my clit. My arms tense, and my mouth drops, watching him. His tongue is cold, and the shock causes my body to tremble. I’m already on the verge of coming. Everything about him makes me want to fall over the edge. He pulls his mouth away slightly.

“Delicious,” he rumbles and licks. He adjusts his arm, moving it further around my hips, and pulls. As I scoot forward, he sucks my lips, and my eyes cross. “You smell so fucking good.” The coolness of his mouth warms steadily, and the contrast is fantastic. His hand convulses on my neck, and I push into his possession. “Such a good girl for Sir.”

“Please, Sir,” I beg. His arm is heavy between my breasts. He is holding me precisely where he wants, and I love it. The security of my position draws me deeper under his spell.

“Not yet,” he says, darting his tongue inside me. “Hold on for your Sir.” My toes curl against the hard floor. I want to hold on for him. “So warm.” He licks. “So wet.” He sucks my clit. “So tight.” He slides inside. The pull in my stomach is building higher and higher.

“Heath,” I pant, and my hips thrust.

“No. Stay still. Take what I give you.” He tightens both hands and removes his mouth. “Are you going to be good?”

I meet his eyes. “Yes, Sir.”

“Thank you, darling,” he says and gives me back his talented mouth. Over and over, he uses his tongue to drive me to the edge. I lift a hand but quickly drop it when he eases back. He laughs lightly against me, and I shiver, the vibration adding another layer of pleasure. “You were made for me,” he states, doubling his efforts to make me melt.

“Sir, I can’t,” I whisper. It’s there; it would be so easy to give in. I need to give in. His quiet demand to wait rings in my head. He wants me to wait. I can do it for him. I lose track of how long he explores, but it seems like forever. The ball of need in my stomach grows and grows. I glory in his love. His care and his desire for me.

“Come,” he demands, and the one word releases me from all constraints.

I have never felt such pleasure. Describing it is impossible. My ears ring, and my head falls back, heavy. My toes slide, my feet stretching in the air slightly. He licks one last time and sits on his heels, his hands traveling down my body to rest on my knees. My half-open eyes focus on his wet mouth, and I can’t look away.

“Thank you, Sir,” I whisper. My body feels weightless.

“My pleasure, darling,” he says, and my gaze falls to his pants.

“That looks painful.” He’s extremely hard, the tip peeking out of his waistband. His hand drops to it, and my slowing heartbeat picks up. “Can I help, Sir?” I ask.

“This was about you. Showing you how it could be,” he says but continues to touch himself.

“Please, let me.” I want to make him feel just as good as he made me feel.

“It won’t take much. Eating you, seeing your enjoyment, almost made me come,” he rasps.

“I’m sure.” He slowly gets to his feet.

“Stay just like that,” he instructs and steps between my knees. “What’s your word?”

“Money.” He grips his cock and slides his pants down over it.

“I’m going to come in your mouth,” he states but pauses. “Do you need to say your word?”

“No,” I say firmly. I’m getting worked up again. Satisfaction gleams in his eyes. He leans over me while one of his hands pulls my knee, and I slide further down. He starts to stroke again, his other hand gripping the back of the chair, and I love watching him.

“Open your mouth,” he grits out, and I slowly part my lips. “Fuck.” He moves his hand faster, looking from my open mouth down my body and back. “Fucking, perfect,” he growls and comes. It hits my tongue, lips, and the sides of my mouth. He tips his head back, his hand moving fast as it goes on and on. He’s beautiful.

His actions demonstrate his possession. I have never let anyone come on me. It feels natural with Heath, and I can’t help but want more.

He slowly strokes his cock, staring at my lips. As he pulls back, I close my mouth and swallow. Judging by his expression, it was the right thing to do.

“Stay,” he orders and walks away. I couldn’t move if I wanted to.

I’m lost in the sensations he makes me feel. My life has desensitized me to everything. My emotions have been locked down for years, and he has jump-started them. When was the last time anyone took care of my needs? My emotions? When I’m with him, I don’t think about the animal he holds inside or the world he is a part of. I know I will have to accept every part of him and his life, and how he treats me makes that easy. Can I be a shifter in that world? I want to say yes. Is it as easy as saying the word?

I drop my head to watch him as he re-enters the room. I blink slowly when he grabs my chin and holds up a washcloth. Its warmth feels good as he gently cleans my face.

I fall a little in love.