Page 89 of The Bones of the Cursed

Her orgasm consumes her. She throws her head back, shuddering. I grasp her chin forcing her gaze back to me.

“Eyes on me.” I pump into her two more times before release finds me and I spill everything I have inside her. The shimmerygold tether slowly sinks into each of our chests.

We are mated.

I release her legs, slowly pulling out. The sight of my come dripping down her thighs is enough to send arousal shooting through my body, as if I didn’t just come harder than I ever have before in my entire life.

I watch in fascination as she sucks Kailu back into her mouth, his body taut with pleasure. Kailu grunts and thrusts a few more times before he finishes down her throat.

Standing, I quickly head to the bathroom to get a wet cloth to clean her. When I return, she’s little more than a limp rag, the fingers of one hand laced with Kailu’s while he combs her hair. His eyes flick to mine, moving down my body as I stride towards them. His eyes on my body sends pleasure thrumming through me again.

I lean down to clean up Alanis. “Are you awake?” I joke, pinching her side. She giggles and the sound makes my heart pound.

“I can’t feel my legs.”

“I intend to keep you freshly-fucked as much as possible.”

I lean in, kissing her softly. Her free hand gently explores my face.

“Malakai…”

“What is it? Was I too rough?” Worry gnaws at me.

She gives me a reassuring smile. “No, it was perfect.”

Relief courses through my body. “What, then?”

Her fingers twine through the hair on the nape of my neck. “I love you.” Then she tilts her head back toward Kailu, whose gaze has flicked to the door, as if he’s contemplating making a run for it. I reach out, pushing his hair back from his face as Alanis whispers, “Kailu,” to get him to look at her.

My best friend’s eyes look guarded as they meet mine, just for a moment, a vulnerability I haven’t seen since my sister brokehis heart evident on his face. I know he worries what will happen if there is no mating bond, but doesn’t he know that she will love him just as deeply if there isn’t one? At last, he looks down at her, audibly swallowing.

“I love you, Kailu.”

The breath sounds punched out of him, though I know only I’m able to hear how hard his heart pounds. “I love you, too, Alanis. I think I started falling for you the second I heard your sass.” And when he kisses her, I know I’m not alone in feeling relief.

Tears fall down her face as she turns to me, glowing with happiness. Our lips meet, unhurried and full of love.

“I love you, Alanis. Even if none of us were bonded, this is still where I would choose to be.”

She smiles, and at some point the three of us migrate up the bed, Kailu and I on either side of her beneath the covers. It’s not long, though, before she grinds against me, as if noticing that I am more than ready for round two. I glance at Kailu, the desire etched across his face. He wants her but is scared to take her without the mating bond.

“Kailu,” I whisper and catch his eyes when he looks up at me.

“I can’t,” he whispers on shaky breaths. “What if we aren’t mates? What if I’m wrong?”

- KAILU -

I want her desperately, but I’m not sure I can handle having her if I can’t keep her. Alanis turns her eyes towards me, love radiating behind her gaze. Her soft fingers brush over my stubble.

“We won’t do anything you don’t want,” she says. “I want you no matter what may happen, Kailu. You are a part of me. Iunderstand your fear; I have it, too.”

I brush her sweaty hair from her face and place a soft kiss on her forehead. “I just want to be sure. I don’t think I would survive having you, only to have to give you up.”

Malakai reaches out, placing a hand over mine. “You wouldn’t have to. Neither of us want that.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “If she’s not my mate and we do this, what happens down the line if I find my mate?”

Alanis’s eyes shutter. Malakai tenses.

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