Page 22 of Knot My Boss

“Do you want to come and sit by the fire?” I ask, once again, changing the subject out of dangerous territory.

Darby guns the rest of her second beer, popping the third one open. Alcohol affects paranormals differently than humans. To get a buzz or drunk, we have to drink a considerable quantity, unless it is made with an extremely high alcohol content.

Taking a seat on the couch, my eyes track Darby’s movements as she walks past me toward the built-in bookshelves flanking both sides of the fireplace. Among the collection are some rare first editions of classics, includingHuckleberry Finn,The Great Gatsby, andThe Scarlet Letter, among others.

“I could suggest a few newer stories to add to your eclectic collection,” Darby says, looking over her shoulder at me. It’s the first time she has made any suggestion involving us, and a shiver runs through my body.

Stepping away from the books, she moves toward me, flopping down onto the couch. Turning to face me, I freeze in place as our knees touch. I’m afraid to move, unsure if she realizes what is happening.

“So,” she says, drawing my eyes to meet hers. “What are you?”

My mouth opens and closes, unsure how to respond to her brazenness.

“I know, I know,” she says, taking a large pull from her beer bottle. “It’s not socially polite to ask, but you know. I’m your mate.” Darby sing-songs the last part, dropping her voice an octave to mimic me.

“Bear,” I blurt, my voice rough and harsh as my bear fights for control.

“Are we talking grizzly bear, black bear…what?”

“Brown,” I answer.

“Makes sense, I guess,” Darby volleys, pointing to the top of my head. “How are your cousins blonde then?” she ponders, her gaze becoming unfocused.

Saying nothing, I raise an eyebrow in response. Her hair is colored with streaks of bright pink—surely she already knows the answer to that.

“How does this work then?” Darby asks, dropping her head back on the top of the couch cushion as her head turns in my direction. My bear sits up as she gains his full attention.

“How doeswhatwork?” I volley, wanting to clarify what she is speaking about.

“You know,” Darby says, waving her hand back and forth between us. “The mating thing.”

Her disrespect for something so sacred has me cringing. Mentally chastising myself, I chant that she is human and just doesn’t know, trying to suppress my anger.

“The mating thing, as you so eloquently put it, is sacred among paranormals.” I clench my teeth, unable to stop my reaction.“While I understand that you don’t comprehend that fact, I am doing my best to push that aside,” I say condescendingly, unable to help myself.

“Look,” Darby says, sighing heavily. “I have seen how Kyle and Dayton are together. It’s more than just face value. I get it—something you need to understand, first and foremost. I have never had any intention of getting married.” Darby holds a hand up to silence me as my mouth opens to speak. “You freaked me the fuck out with your gifts and I am still angry at that. As far as mating, I will keep an open mind, but don’t get your hopes up.”

I can’t help the disappointment that fills me from her words. My bear falls backward on his ass, hanging his head in defeat.

“I do need to ask something, though,” Darby says, pausing as if choosing her words carefully. “What about sex?”

“What about it?” I volley, confused by her question.

“Can we have it?”

“Yeah,” I say, dragging out the word.

Opening my mouth to continue speaking, Darby doesn’t give me the chance before she pounces. Her lips smash against mine as she takes advantage of my confusion, thrusting her tongue into my mouth. All coherent thought leaves me as all of the blood in my body rushes to my cock.

Wrapping my hands into her hair, I take control of the kiss, moving her head to an angle that gives me better access to her mouth. A moan escapes her as Darby moves to straddle my waist. Having no shirt on, she has unfettered access to my torso. Raking her short nails along my chest, a growl rumbles in my chest.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” Darby mutters as she pulls away from my lips, trailing kisses along my jawline, down my neck and further down my body.

Reaching between us, she frees my cock, squeezing me tightly as her hand moves up and down. Darby pauses, causing my eyesto fly open. When did they close? She pushes off me, causing my brows to furrow momentarily. Rising to her full height, Darby begins to pull clothing off, tossing the pieces haphazardly around the living room. My dick is painfully hard as more and more of her creamy flesh comes into view.

My fingers itch to touch her. When Darby gets to her bra and panties, my bear lets out a loud rumble of approval, causing her to smirk. Slowing her movements down, reaching a hand behind her back, Darby unhooks her bra, letting the straps fall off her shoulders before letting the whole thing drop to the floor. Watching her tits bounce has me salivating, wanting to suckle her nipples into hard buds.

Continuing the striptease, Darby slips two fingers, one on each side, between the thin cotton material and her flesh. Inching the fabric inch by inch, she bends in half, keeping her pussy out of sight. I force myself to stay in place, letting her control the pace, but it’s difficult. After stepping out of her underwear, Darby stands upright, tossing her panties at my face. A growl of approval comes from my bear as I hold them to my nose, inhaling deeply.

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