Page 86 of Zirkov

His tongue found her again, licking her, cleaning her… loving her. Everywhere but her back. He left his cum there.

Marked.

She’d heard of males who marked their mates, their sholanis. “Am I yours, Zirkov?” she whispered as he wrapped his shirt around her and lifted her in his arms.

“I don’t know how we could be together, Magdalena, but I will find a way…”

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

ZIRKOV

Zirkov watched Maggie sleeping in his bed, looking so peaceful and perfect on his pillow, under his sheets. He’d carried her five miles to his house, avoiding buses and any contact with other humans along the way. She hadn’t said anything about how he’d taken her in a bombed-out building during the day with people passing by, but her cheeks darkened three shades as they’d left with only his shirt wrapped around her naked torso.

Minutes later, his exhausted female had fallen asleep in his arms. He’d make a terrible sholan. He hadn’t been thinking about her when he’d taken her, or when he’d marked her. How would he explain everything he’d done if she asked? He’d marked her on instinct. His father had told him many times marking his heartmate would seal the bond between them.

Except there could be no bond with Maggie. A true bond only formed with a heartmate. The gods had already decided his destiny; he’d never have a heartmate.

Maggie’s eyes fluttered open. “Why are you standing there?”

“My apologies. I was checking in on you and my focus wandered.”

“Thinking of me?” she said, waggling her brows.

Always.“Thinking about home.”

“Oh.” Her smile disappeared for a brief second before returning. “Anything interesting?”

Getting more involved in each other’s lives served no purpose. This was not a relationship they could continue. But he would not walk away from her.

“I’m heading out to meet Konnitch. Can I trust that you will remain here, where you’re safe?”

“What time is it?”

“Four p.m.”

“I slept the afternoon away. I guess great sex will do that to a person.” Her eyes raked down his body. “Okay, maybe to a human. You don’t look the least bit tired.”

“I’m not. I had a full night’s sleep. I carried you home yesterday afternoon. You’ve been sleeping ever since.”

A flash of confusion crossed her face before she lifted the sheet and realized she was naked. “Crap. I’m a mess.” Her head slammed back to the pillow. “I can’t believe my first time with you was in a pile of rubble, outdoors where everyone could hear. Quite romantic.”

He wrapped the top of the sheet around his fingers and drew it down her naked body. Yes, she was dirty, but that didn’t detract from her beauty. He’d take her again now, if she didn’t look so upset.

“Your first time with me was in your bed, your sofa, and your kitchen.”

She yanked the sheet up to cover herself. “I don’t think I’ll ever remember our firsts together. I have to accept that. You have to accept this can never happen again. ”

“I don’t understand.”

“I can’t keep doing this. I have feelings for you, but you’ve already told me you’ll never get involved with me. I need more than sex.”

“And you think I don’t?”

She scrunched her eyes. “I’m not sure what you need.”

I need you.

“You suffer from the side effects of a drug you took. It disrupts the normal way you’d find your mate, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t another way. You’re not one to give up, to be told he can’t do something. Your sholani is out there, Z. You can find her, even if you must use another method.”

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