Page 46 of Furever Bound
"The mating bond," she said simply, meeting his gaze with certainty that proved the evening's success had strengthened rather than complicated their commitment to each other. "I want to belong to you completely, Maddox. Tonight, before Elena's federal pressure creates new complications."
The way she looked at him when she said it, with trust and desire and absolute determination, made him realize that protecting his mate meant more than defending her from outside threats—it meant claiming her so completely that no force on earth could separate them again.
35
SERA
The warmth of Maddox's bedroom felt like sanctuary as Sera settled against the headboard, watching him feed the fireplace that would keep them comfortable through the November night. The stress of federal confrontation and supernatural communication had finally caught up with her, but underneath the exhaustion was a bone-deep certainty that she wanted to complete their bond before any other crisis could interfere.
The firelight cast dancing shadows across his broad shoulders as he moved, highlighting the defined muscles of his back and the way his dark hair caught golden highlights. When he turned back to her, his piercing blue eyes held a hunger that made her eager with anticipation.
"You're sure about this?" Maddox asked, settling beside her. His large frame made the bed dip, and she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. "Completing the mate bond isn't something that can be undone if you change your mind later."
"I'm not going to change my mind," she said, reaching for his hand with fingers that trembled slightly from anticipation rather than uncertainty. "Maddox, I've spent years in relationshipsthat felt conditional, connections that could be severed the moment they became inconvenient. I want permanent. I want unbreakable. I want you."
The raw honesty in her voice seemed to break the last of his careful control, and when he kissed her, it carried desperation and reverence in equal measure. His lips were firm and demanding against hers, his tongue sliding into her mouth to claim her thoroughly.
"The marking," he said against her mouth. "Once I mark you, the bond becomes irreversible."
"And you'll be mine in exactly the same ways," she replied, meeting his possessive intensity with claiming desire of her own. Her hands found the hem of his thermal shirt, needing to feel his skin against hers. "Show me, Maddox. Show me what belonging really means."
He caught her wrists gently, bringing them to his lips to press kisses against her racing pulse. "First, let me worship you properly," he murmured, his eyes dark with promise. "Let me show you how precious you are to me."
He guided her back against the pillows with reverent attention, his hands mapping the curves of her body with touch that felt like worship. The firelight played across his features, highlighting the silver in his dark hair and the depth of emotion in his piercing blue eyes.
"I love you," he said simply, the words carrying weight that transformed them from casual endearment to solemn vow. "Everything you are, everything you're becoming, everything we're building together."
"I love you too," she replied, the words tasting more natural than anything else she has ever said. She knew it long before she said it and hadn’t even realized it.
When he began removing her clothes with careful deliberation, each revealed inch of skin felt like territory beingclaimed rather than simple physical intimacy. His touch carried supernatural awareness that seemed to resonate with her developing psychic abilities.
He pulled her sweater over her head slowly, his gaze drinking in the sight of her in the firelight. Her strawberry blonde hair spilled across the dark pillows like liquid gold, and her hazel eyes held flecks of green that seemed to glow with desire.
"Beautiful," he murmured against her throat, his teeth grazing skin that seemed to burn wherever he touched. "Perfect. Mine."
The possessive endearment should have triggered her independent instincts, but instead it felt like exactly what she'd been unconsciously craving—someone who wanted her completely enough to claim her permanently, someone whose protective instincts made possession feel like gift rather than constraint.
"Yours," she agreed, arching into his touch as his hands explored with increasing confidence. "Completely yours."
He unhooked her bra with practiced ease, his breath catching as her breasts were revealed to his hungry gaze. The cool air made her nipples peak, and when he lowered his head to take one into his mouth, she cried out at the sensation.
"I love the sounds you make," he said against her skin, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peak before moving to give the other the same attention. "Tell me what you want, Sera."
"I want you," she gasped, her hands tangling in his dark hair. "All of you. I want to feel your cock inside me when you mark me."
Her bold words made him growl low in his throat, a sound that was more wolf than human. He made quick work of the rest of their clothes, his movements urgent but still careful of her comfort.
When they were both naked, he took a moment to simply look at her spread out beneath him. Her body was perfection in the firelight—all graceful curves and soft skin. Her pussy was already glistening with arousal, and the sight made his cock throb with need.
"You're so fucking beautiful," he said roughly, his hands skimming down her sides to settle on her hips. "I could look at you forever and never get tired of the sight."
"Then touch me," she challenged, her eyes sparkling with mischief despite the desire darkening them. "Make me yours in every way."
He didn't need to be asked twice. His hands explored every inch of her body with thorough attention, learning what made her gasp and what made her moan. When his fingers found her wet heat, she arched off the bed with a cry of pleasure.
"So wet for me already," he murmured appreciatively, sliding one finger inside her tight warmth. "Your pussy is perfect, Sera. So hot and tight around my fingers."
"More," she begged, her hips rocking against his hand. "Please, Maddox, I need more."
