Page 80 of This Mate Thing

"Okay.We'll work from there."

I nod because I don't know what else to say.

He holds me.Several minutes go by without either of us saying a word or making an effort to clean up.There is a warm buzz in my chest.The more I think about it, the more I can feel it.

"I'll go get something to clean up with."Boris untangles himself and gets out of bed.The moment he's not touching me, I can feel a pull in my chest.When he leaves the room, I almost call him back.I don't want him away from me.

The bond.

Oh my God, is this what he's been feeling all along?I rub my chest, breathing out a sigh of relief when he reappears in the doorway.

"Babe?"He gives me a worried look.

"I don't like it when you leave the room."

The smile taking over his face puts the sun to shame."I know."He crawls over me on the bed, a warm washcloth in his hand.Gently, he wipes away the evidence of our lovemaking while I stare at him in wonder.

"This is what you've felt all along?"

He nods.

"And I threw rocks at you."

He grins."The rocks I can forgive.Not my brightest moment to run toward my mate in wolf form."He's quiet, and my mind spins.

"But not me telling you to leave my house and not come back?You can't forgive me for saying--"

He kisses me."Of course, I can.You've done nothing wrong, Simon.I've shoved a world of supernaturals on you, pushed for things you weren't ready to give.There is nothing to forgive.You reacted like any sane person would, plus you had to think about what was best for Ira."

I look into his eyes."You called him your son today."

Boris shrugs."He's your kid, which makes him my kid."

I don't know if it's that simple, but I'm too tired to analyze it right now."I think it pleased him."

Boris kisses me."If I ever overstep, tell me."

I nod, then I yawn.Boris throws the washcloth on the hamper and gathers me into his arms."Is your alarm set?"

"Yeah."

"Good."

* * * *

Chapter 35

Boris

When an alarm goes off in the dark, I growl and crawl over Simon to get to the phone on the bedside table.He grunts and flails, but I silence the phone and gather him in my arms.

He smells so fucking good, I want to rub myself all over him.And I can.I tug at the cover, so there is nothing between us, then I pull him to me, in under me.

He moans, but he's sleeping.He's soft and warm, and I want to fuck him awake.I glance at the bedside table.The lube is an arm's length away.

I gently grind against him, my cock already hard and throbbing at the thought of sinking into him.

Then another alarm goes off, and I swallow a snarl.What the fuck?Didn't I turn it off?