by J. S. Scott
He rose to his knees between her legs, lightly tracing the mark on her hip. “Beautiful. So beautiful on you, Regan,” he choked out in a raw declaration as he turned out his arm and matched the identical markings.
Regan didn’t know his native language, but his words were lyrical and sweet. The warmth from their matched marks spread quickly through her body, consuming her with the intensity of her need and desire for Liam to fill her. As he finished his pledge, her back arched as the mating heat took control. She wrapped her legs around his waist, trying to pull him down into her, needing his cock to fill her empty channel.
Their eyes met and Regan knew her eyes mirrored his, exposing the raw need to join. “Fuck me, Liam.”
He reached for her, flipping her body over, dissolving the restraints before he rolled her to her stomach. “Need to fill you deep, so deep that you know who you belong to,” Liam grunted as his arm came around her waist like a vise, supporting her shaking, fiery body.
He spread her legs wide, leaving her open to him, his to take. He barely paused at the tight entrance as he buried his cock into her wet channel. They groaned together, relieved to be joined. Regan pushed her ass back, wanting every inch even though she was already completely filled. There was no pain, just the intense, tight pressure of his cock opening and stretching her, binding them together.
“Mine!” Liam rumbled as he grasped her hips, keeping her steady. He pulled almost all of the way out and slammed into her again. Regan gasped at the forcefulness of his repeated strokes, his body claiming her, owning her. Her arms and head dropped into the pillow, leaving her ass in the air as Liam’s strokes became needier, faster, deeper. Regan dug her fingers into the pillow as her body rocked back into his reflexively, needing his rough claiming.
Liam’s body came down to blanket hers and his hands slid to her shoulders to keep her from sliding into the headboard from the pistoning of his hips. Regan shuddered as he lifted her hair, moving it to her other shoulder, his tongue licking the side of her neck in hungry swirls.
“Mine forever, my love,” Liam whispered softly as his fangs slid into the side of her neck with a slight pinch, unleashing a huge burst of erotic heat that spread through her body, making her moan as he pulled her head back and fed from her life blood.
Regan shattered, gulping for air as she felt the invisible bonds reach from his body to hers, securing their souls tightly together in ties that could never be broken. Tears flowed from her eyes as her orgasm and the binding made every emotion float close to the surface.
I love you, Liam.
Unable to speak, her mind called out to him.
“As I love you, my precious mate,” he answered aloud in a low voice as he pulled his cock from her and rolled her onto her back.
He pulled her legs around his waist and entered her swiftly again, as though he was unable to be outside of her tight heat. Regan tightened her legs around him and he lowered his massive body over hers. Their bodies were both slick with sweat and her nipples abraded against his powerful chest as he took her mouth, his tongue mating hers to the same rhythm as his pounding cock.
Liam’s breath was hard and heavy as he broke his mouth away and buried his hands in her hair, looking deep into her eyes as he continued to fill her over and over, his hips pumping urgently. Regan could see forever in his fierce gaze as tiny fangs erupted from her gums.
Hunger seized her and she wrapped her arms around his neck to draw him to her. He came willingly and eagerly, offering the side of his neck, which she nuzzled, breathing in his male scent. Her man. Her mate.
Her tiny razor-sharp teeth cut into his skin like it was butter and she drank of his essence. He tasted hot, succulent and wild. Regan could feel him shudder and he groaned, “Yes, Regan. Take from me. Oh, fuck, it feels good.”
She knew he was feeling the same sensations that she had felt and she sensed the unseen threads emanate from her body to entwine his soul with hers.
Bonded.
Regan closed the tiny punctures and threw her head back as Liam lost control, pounding into her with a carnal lust, triggering a climax that tore through her body like a violent thunderstorm.
Her spasms gripped Liam’s cock and he threw his head back, letting out a low, feral cry as he buried himself deep in a powerful release that made his body shudder.
He rolled to his side, dragging her up against him in a fierce, possessive hold as they rocked together, trying to recover from the explosive joining.
Regan lifted her head a little and gently stroked the small mark on Liam’s neck. It was tiny and barely noticeable, but she knew if she had a magnifier she would see a miniature version of their mating mark. To the naked eye it looked like a little birthmark.
“It will never disappear?” Liam questioned softly.
Realizing her mate had picked up her thoughts, Regan replied. “Nope. Always there.”
Liam gave a satisfied nod. “Good. I like the thought that every man will see my mark and know you belong to me.”
“Caveman,” she sighed softly, although she was secretly pleased that he would also have her tiny mark on his neck to signify that he was hers.
“Does it bother you that I’m going to be a little possessive?” he asked thoughtfully as he stroked her hair.
A little? Regan choked back a laugh. “No.” It made her feel cherished. “As long as you don’t get a club and drag me by my hair to your cave,” she teased him softly.
“Mmmm…,” he hummed quietly, as though considering the idea.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned him sternly before adding, “You wouldn’t need it. I’d go with you quite willingly. You’re quite the stud,” she teased him lightly as she stroked her hands over his body.
“Be careful what you start, my love,” he warned with mock severity. “You’re going to be sore.”
“Already am. So we might as well go for it,” she laughed lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a gentle kiss, barely able to process the fact that Liam was actually hers. Forever.
“I love you, Regan. I’m not sure what I ever did to deserve such a mate. You’re my best friend and the love of my life. I always knew you were special, right from the start. It may seem strange, but I loved you even before we fired the mating instinct,” Liam mused, letting out a long, contented sigh. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
“You gave your life to your people without a single complaint, Liam. You’re almost unnatural in your dedication. You deserved to take one thing that you wanted for yourself.”
“You’re the only thing I ever truly coveted.”
God, how could she not love him when he said things like that? “I guess it will save you my nagging about you feeding every day. Is it so bad feeding from me?” she asked curiously.
He pulled back and gave her a wicked grin. “Sweetheart, I can promise you that I’d be more than happy to devour you daily. Maybe several times a day.”
“Are we talking about blood here?” she gave him a dubious look as she asked.
Liam shrugged. “Blood…once. The other times I get to fed on your irresistible body. And feel free to taste me any time you like.”
“I don’t have to feed very often. Daric said maybe once a week to satisfy the vampire part of me,” Regan answered as she snuggled against his warm body, both tired and exhilarated.
“More often would be better,” he answered, smiling against her hair.
“Hmmm…we’ll see,” she answered lethargically, her adrenaline waning, exhaustion taking over.
“Tired, my love?”
“A little,” she answered with a yawn.
“Sleep, Regan. From now on I will always have you by my side.”
“Thank you. For mating with me,” she murmured as she slipped quietly into slumber.
Liam’s lips turned up into a smile as he watched her slip into a post-mating slumber. “As if I did you a favor? Now you have to put up with me for eternity.”
He shook his head slightly as he finally closed his eyes and started to drift, fatigue taking over his body.
He pulled Regan against him, skin to skin, not even bothering to question the miracle he had been granted. For the first time in his life, he would know what it was like to not be lonely, to have the woman of his heart with him forever.
How had he ever managed to become such a lucky bastard?
Liam joined his mate in sleep with a smile on his lips and his mate clasped protectively in his arms.
Epilogue
Two weeks later, Regan sighed softly as she looked around Nathan’s living room, satisfied that every member of her vampire family was protected. And they were her family now. All of her ties with the mage had been severed completely, but she didn’t regret it. It was actually a relief to be the person she wanted to be and not live in fear of her emotions being exposed.
She had chosen a Celtic cross symbol for protection; the same ancient symbol hung around the neck of every male and their mates in her family. Although the actual meaning of the symbol was a little murky, Regan had always loved the design. She had spelled and fastened each one personally around each recipient’s neck and no amount of force could ever remove them. Regan was the only one with the power to remove the symbol of protection and that would never happen.
Regan reached up a finger and traced her own symbol that she had fashioned for herself. It was exactly the same as the ones she had made for Sasha, Callie and Brianna; a smaller, more delicate version of those she had made for the males.
Regan had wanted to give one to Daric, but the prince had gracefully refused, stating that it wouldn’t work on him, though he offered no further explanation.
Rory and Liam stood together across the room, their faces beaming with so much joy that Regan’s heart stuttered as she watched them. They smiled as if they shared secrets, secrets that should have always been shared between twins.
Regan took a sip of champagne and her lips formed a smile as Nathan and Ethan joined Rory and Liam, emitting roars of laughter and much back-slapping for their newly mated brother.
“It a real Kodak moment, isn’t it?” Callie stated softly, as all four of the female mates watched their partners with obvious affection.
“If only we had a camera?” Sasha said mournfully.
“I don’t think we’ll need it.” Brianna popped her comment in lightly.
Regan had to agree. She was hopeful that this was the way it would be forever. “I think the brothers will truly be brothers now,” Regan nodded absently, her eyes unable to leave her mate.
“I’m just sorry for all of the pain you suffered, Regan,” Callie murmured quietly, sadly.
Regan shifted her gaze from her mate and looked at the women, all of whom she now considered sisters. “Don’t be. As I keep reminding Liam, it was one night of my life. I will have so many others that are filled with happiness that it just doesn’t matter. I know any one of you would have done the same for your mate. I would do it all over again if the end result was having Liam as my mate. I’d walk through fire for him.”
“As he would for you, my love.” Regan shivered as strong, masculine arms slid around her from behind, wrapping her in Liam’s protective embrace. His mouth beside her ear, he whispered quietly in a voice meant only for her, “Are you ready to go home? I’m not sure I can continue to see you in that fuck-me dress without stripping it from your body and tasting every inch of your skin.”
Regan’s pulse elevated as she saw images of Liam doing just that in her mind. “Stop that, Liam!” She turned in his arms and smacked him on the shoulder for projecting his erotic images into her head. “This is our mating party. Behave.”
He put an innocent expression on his face as he answered, “I’ve been a model mate all night and I’ve helped my brothers consume all of the food and drink.” He shot her a wicked glance, one that she had a hard time not responding to. “Now I want to devour my mate.”
“Get a room, you two,” Nathan boomed as he pulled Sasha against him.
All four men had joined them and had their mates firmly at their sides.
Regan pulled Liam’s head down and whispered seductively in his ear. “I got a beautiful mating gift from my sister and sister-in-laws.”
“Where is it?” Liam asked curiously.
“Underneath this fuck-me dress.” Regan flashed him an image of herself that she had seen in the mirror before pulling her dress on this evening. The sexy lingerie was sinful and Regan had loved it.
“Christ, Regan,” Liam strangled out as he received the images. “If I had known that, we never would have left the house.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t tell. It was a little…surprise.”
Liam’s eyes were dark and dangerous as he pulled back and his gaze swept down her body, undressing her with his eyes as though he could see beneath the black silk dress that hugged her curves and showed plenty of cleavage. His breathing was ragged as he leaned forward, his mouth against her ear. “You’ll pay for this torture later, my beloved mate,” he growled.
Ah…her caveman was here. “I’m counting on it,” she answered softly, shivering with anticipation.
Knowing her time was limited; Regan pulled away from Liam and hugged each one of his brothers and their mates, thanking them for the lovely mating party. “Where’s Daric?” Regan looked around curiously, wanting to bid the prince farewell.
“He had to go, but he told me to tell you that it’s been delightful and he hopes to see you again soon,” Liam grumbled, obviously not happy that his prince appeared besotted with his mate.
“He’s so awesome,” Sasha sighed as she grasped Nathan’s hand.
“He is our prince. He is not awesome,” Nathan muttered.
Regan laughed lightly as she looked at Liam, Rory and Ethan who were all nodding approvingly at their brother’s statement.
Oh Lord…every one of the Hale brothers obviously had a little bit of caveman in him!
Ethan and Brianna faded away, followed by Rory and Callie. Nathan and Brianna looked like they were more than ready for bed. Or a couch. Or a chair. Or any other surface for that matter.
Regan wrapped her arms around Liam’s neck and placed her head on his shoulder. “I’m ready, Liam.”
“Damn good thing, because I was ready hours ago.” Liam gave an exaggerated sigh and wrapped his arms lovingly around Regan’s waist.
“Then take me home, caveman,” Regan requested in a sultry voice.
“As fast as I can drag you to my dark little cave, my love,” Liam agreed in a naughty voice that had Regan laughing as the happy couple faded out of sight.
~ The End~
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Epilogue