by Shea Balik
Like a balloon suddenly being released into the air, hope rose within Harper, making him feel lighter than he had been in years. In that moment, he was sure he could conquer anything so long as he had Kirill by his side.
He grabbed one of Kirill’s hands and tugged. “Come on. I have everything set up in the bedroom.” He was bouncing as he walked, well ran. He was just too excited to maintain any semblance of calm.
He might have lost his way for a while there, but this was the culmination of all his dreams come true. He, Harper Lazo, was about to be mated. And not to just any man. But to Kirill Hunt, the most amazing man on this earth. Not even in his fantasies had he ever imagined a man as strong, kind, and caring as Kirill, not to mention sexy.
He couldn’t forget that Kirill flipped all of Harper’s switches. Every single one. Tall – check. Muscles – check, check. Eyes he could get lost in – check. A smile that made the butterflies in his stomach beat madly – double check.
As he pushed the door open, the knots in his stomach returned. Would Kirill run screaming when he saw what Harper had done? Gods, he prayed not. It would really suck to have gotten this far to lose his mate for good.
Bracing himself for what he would see, Harper turned to watch Kirill’s reaction. Blue eyes were wide, but instead of the revulsion he’d expected, all Harper saw was desire. Raw, unmasked lust, staring right back at him.
His mouth went dry. His hands were suddenly damp and sweaty. He tried to talk but no words would come out as his nerves returned, slamming into him like a freight train.
Kirill must have sensed his unease because he took over. Slowly, so as not to overwhelm Harper, his mate lifted his shirt, revealing six-pack abs and more muscle than Harper had seen in his entire life on one person.
His dry mouth was no longer a problem as saliva started to form. Desperate for a taste, he found his feet moving even though he couldn’t remember commanding them. Licking his lips as he got closer, he heard Kirill moan.
“Damn, petal. You make it hard to stay still.” Kirill’s voice was thick, almost guttural.
Harper’s gaze flicked from his mate’s expansive chest to his firm lips, on up to those blue eyes Harper loved so much. The little oxygen he’d been able to drag into his lungs was gone in a whoosh as he stared at the need in Kirill’s eyes. Where there was normally crystal clear blue was now a flame that burned Harper to the core with desire.
Mesmerized, he drew even closer, the heat from Kirill’s body scorching him. The need to touch was more than Harper could stand. Reaching out, he placed his hand on Kirill’s chest. The muscles under his fingertips jumped at the connection.
Electricity flowed between them, igniting a firestorm that Harper was sure would consume them both. As if his body had a will of its own, Harper leaned forward and licked over one nipple.
Kirill let out a long, drawn out moan. “Maybe we should tie me to that bed.” Kirill’s voice was tight as if he were straining to keep himself under control.
Harper smiled against his skin. “Okay,” he said, but licked over that nipple once more before stepping back. “But first, you need to take off those pants.” He licked his lips in anticipation.
Before Abdiel turned him over to the guards to be raped, Harper had always been a bit of a size queen. He’d seen Kirill naked out in those woods. There was no comparison. His mate was the biggest he’d ever laid eyes on, which was why he’d spent time stretching himself earlier.
Far too quickly, Kirill kicked off his shoes and stripped his pants off. As a shifter, Kirill didn’t wear underwear. It was just one more piece of clothing that got ruined if he had to shift quickly. Harper didn’t have that issue since he was a mouse shifter. No matter what clothing he wore, they didn’t get shredded when he went into his much smaller form. His biggest problem was getting trapped within the clothing when he shifted.
Just as he remembered, Kirill’s impressive cock jutted out proudly from a nest of curls. Harper had to wipe his mouth when he felt drool leak from the corners. All he wanted was to kneel and worship his mate, but before he could, Kirill climbed onto the mattress and stretched his arms up above his head to where Harper and his friends had attached the ropes to the wall.
He wasn’t entirely sure they would hold someone of Kirill’s strength but it had held all of them tugging on it. The thing was, seeing Kirill’s massive body lying there next to the ropes made them appear pathetically weak. Kirill’s large form looked like only massive chains would keep him down and even that wouldn’t be enough if he really wanted out.
“Hey, petal. If this is too much, we can stop. Whatever you need, we’ll do.” It wasn’t until he heard Kirill trying to soothe him that Harper realized he had started shaking.
If he didn’t finish this, Harper would never forgive himself. He was letting his unfounded fears control him. Kirill wouldn’t hurt him. He needed to believe that.
Smiling down at his mate, Harper reached for the first rope and tied it around Kirill’s wrist. When he was done, Harper kissed his palm in a silent thank you for what Kirill was doing for him. It touched him deeply that his mate was willing to be so vulnerable for Harper. It made doing the same a little easier.
Once he had both hands tied, Harper’s anticipation started to rise once more as he stared down at his mate’s naked body. It was chiseled perfection. Even the few scars his mate had seemed perfect.
Climbing up on the bed so he could kneel next to Kirill, Harper didn’t bother to resist the urge to touch. First, he traced the lines of his mate’s abs, then he moved up over his broad chest, making sure to tweak each of his nipples.
A smile formed on his lips when Kirill arched up into his touch. Knowing he affected his mate like that gave his ego a much-needed boost. Emboldened, he found himself leaning over and following the path his hands had made with his mouth.
“Fuck, petal, that feels so good,” Kirill groaned out. His arms strained against the ropes as he pushed into Harper’s questing lips.
Harper’s eyes went to the creaking ropes, his breath catching for a moment before releasing when he saw them hold. That last smidgen of fear evaporated and Harper let himself dive into the sensations of loving his mate.
Reversing direction, Harper licked and nibbled his way down Kirill’s body to the prize he’d been dreaming of. Kirill’s breathing hitched as he drew even with his mate’s impressive cock. The muscles under his lips jerked and twitched in anticipation of where Harper was headed.
He smiled against his mate’s warm skin, loving that he affected this brave, tough man so strongly. Teasing, he lifted his head slightly to breathe on the head of Kirill’s cock.
“Fuck,” Kirill cursed on a whoosh of air. “Don’t tease, petal. I’m too on edge to take much more.”
But Harper wasn’t done. Darting out his tongue, he licked the very tip, lapping up the bead of fluid that had collected there. Sweet and salty flavors burst across his taste buds, lighting them up in anticipation of more. Not about to deny himself, Harper took another swipe before putting the head in his mouth.
“Harper,” Kirill shouted, his hips thrusting forward so several more inches slid into Harper’s mouth.
He didn’t mind. By the time he was done, he planned on having the entire length deep in his throat.
CHAPTER 21
There was no way Kirill was going to be able to take much more before his polar bear took over. He was barely hanging on to his sanity as his mate worshiped his body, especially with his mate lapping at his cock like it was his favorite treat. Kirill was sure he’d died and gone to heaven, for nothing on this earth had ever felt so good as Harper’s mouth.
But he wanted more than just a blowjob, no matter how amazing it was. “Harper, please. I’m not going to be able to hold off much longer.”
But instead of pulling away, his mate looked up at him and winked at him, before sliding even more of his length into that talented mouth. The sucking Harper provided was exquisite and Kirill knew he wasn’t going to
be able to wait. Harper was just too damn good at what he was doing.
Soft hands cupped his balls and Kirill’s body lurched into the touch, forcing more of his prick into Harper’s mouth. He couldn’t help it. The tiny bit of brain power he had left was solely focused on not breaking through the weak rope Harper had tied around his wrists. If Kirill wasn’t careful, he’d not only snap the rope, he’d end up ripping the bolts that attached it to the wall right out.
But if he wanted this to end with his cock buried in his mate’s tight ass, which he did, Kirill couldn’t let either of those things happen. It was killing him to remain as still as possible when all he wanted to do was grab Harper, flip him over and drive himself as deep into his mate’s body as possible.
“Petal,” he roared as he felt his dick slide into Harper’s throat and those lovely muscles swallow around him giving him the most intense pleasure of his life.
His balls churned painfully as they unloaded their contents. His mouth opened, but no sound came out as he shot stream after stream of cum into Harper’s mouth. Endorphins zipped through him, but instead of leaving him exhausted they amped up his libido, leaving him still hard as a rock.
Harper came off his dick with a naughty slurp and Kirill thought he was going to lose his fucking mind. The ropes creaked and he felt them giving. Breathing hard through his nose he tried to reign his lust back a notch before he ruined things.
It was harder than he thought, but somehow, he managed to stop himself from ripping the ropes right out the wall, which was a good thing because when he was able to focus again it was to find Harper standing next to the bed stripping his clothes off.
Kirill nearly swallowed his tongue at the beautiful sight. He wanted nothing more than to taste all that creamy skin, but he knew, for now, he’d have to wait. This was Harper’s show and he wasn’t about to disappoint his mate, not when it meant his own dreams of finally completely their bond were going to come true.
Then Harper was there kneeling next to him once more. In one hand, he held a tube of lube. The nerves were there in those sweet brown eyes again. “Hey,” he managed to croak out, his throat too thick with emotion to sound better. “If you need to stop, just say the word.”
Harper shook his head. “No. I want to do this. It’s just…” his voice trailed off as his gaze went to where Kirill’s hands were bound. “I’m scared I’ll freak out in the middle.”
“Then we’ll stop,” Kirill assured him. That was a no-brainer. No matter how far they made it Kirill knew when it came to his mate, he’d still be able to stop if it meant Harper’s well-being.
His mate nodded, his dark hair flopping over his forehead endearingly. It made him seem so innocent even after everything he’d been through. Kirill wished with all his heart he could go back in time and undo all that happened to his mate, but all he could do was offer his support and love in the here and now. He just prayed it would be enough.
He heard a snick as Harper opened the cap of the lube. He stared as his mate poured some onto his fingers. His eyes nearly bugged out when Harper gave him a wicked smile and turned around to show him that pert ass he stared at whenever he got the chance.
A groan ripped from his throat as Harper pushed two fingers into that tight pucker. His breathing turned into more of a pant as he watched those fingers slide in and out several times before a third was added.
His cock started leaking like a faucet as he imagined replacing those digits with his dick, stretching Harper wide. Damn, if he wasn’t careful he was going to blow before they got to the main event. Even though he had remained hard after coming once, Kirill wasn’t so sure he could manage that twice.
Then Harper added his pinkie and Kirill had to fist his hands, digging his nails into his palms to keep himself in check. His control was shredded and Kirill didn’t think he could stop himself from taking what he wanted.
But before he had to test that theory, Harper spun back around and grabbed ahold of Kirill’s dick, slicking it up with the lube. Then his mate was there, straddling his erection. Their gazes locked as Harper sank down, impaling himself on Kirill’s cock.
Tight, wet heat engulfed him. It was too much and not enough all at the same time. Kirill lost his remaining sanity as his mate rode him. Harper’s muscles rippled around Kirill’s prick, squeezing him perfectly.
Kirill’s head thrashed on the pillow below as he struggled to keep his hands where they were even though the ropes no longer held him. He may not have been able to stop himself from ripping through his bonds but he wasn’t about to terrify Harper by taking over.
If his mate needed to be in control, then by damn, Kirill would make that happen even if he was losing his damned mind in the process.
Hands pressed onto his chest as Harper used the leverage to speed up his motions. Just when he didn’t think anything could feel better, Harper leaned over and sank his teeth into Kirill’s neck.
Tiny explosions went off in his head. He heard a roar shake the house but Kirill was too lost to care who had made the sound as he leaned up and bit his mate. The connection that had already been there, solidified further. Emotions of fear, hope, and love flowed from Harper into Kirill’s heart.
No longer in control, Kirill gripped Harper’s hips and thrust up into his mate as deep as he could. His mate pulled his teeth from Kirill’s neck, crying out as the space between them filled with his cum.
Harper’s ass clamped down on Kirill’s cock, ripping his seed from his body. Releasing his mate’s neck, Kirill roared once more as he filled Harper’s channel.
His mate collapsed on top of Kirill’s chest and he wrapped his arms around his little mate. Content, Kirill let himself drift to sleep, happy in the knowledge that no matter what bumps there were ahead of them, they’d navigate around them, together.
EPILOGUE
“Kirill,” Harper yelled as he rushed into the house. His cheeks were flushed red and his brown eyes sparkled with happiness.
It was a look Kirill was proud to say he saw more and more on his mate. It had been a week since they completed their mating and with each day Kirill got to see more of Harper’s true personality shine.
Even now, instead of sitting next to him at the kitchen table, Harper plopped down right on his lap, just like he belonged. “The ghost talked to us.” Harper scrunched up his nose. “Well, not exactly talked but he was gesturing for us to follow him. We got all the way to the end of the buildings by the old hay and feed when it collapsed and scared the ghost off.”
Kirill’s heart went into his stomach when he heard his mate was so close to a building that had collapsed. “You aren’t hurt, are you?” he asked even as he started running his hands over his mate to check for himself.
Harper rolled those pretty brown eyes. “No. We weren’t that close. The ghost just got spooked from the loud noise.”
Kirill chuckled. “Isn’t the ghost supposed to be the one who spooks people?”
Harper slapped Kirill’s chest. “Not funny, mister.”
What did he know? Kirill had thought it hilarious. Still. His mate was home and in his lap. Kirill couldn’t complain. Instead of looking for injuries, Kirill used his hands to bring his mate closer. “I think it’s great that the ghost is trying to communicate with you. Just promise me you’ll stay safe.” Kirill nuzzled Harper’s neck, licking, and nipping at all that warm skin to his ear. “I wouldn’t want you injured,” he murmured before sucking Harper’s lobe into his mouth.
“Uhm,” Harper moaned. “You know, I have another hour before I’m due at the diner to help Jari with the dinner rush.”
The diner had opened just three days ago but already it was a huge success. Edrick agreed to foot the bill for all the food while the rest of the town was being built as thanks for the hard work everyone put in. All the men loved Jari’s cooking, but it was Harper’s pastries that everyone raved about the most.
“Oh, really?” Kirill smiled against his mate’s skin. “Do you have any ideas on how we can
fill the time?” Kirill had plenty of suggestions but he kept them to himself, instead choosing to let his mate decide.
The next thing he knew, Harper hopped off his lap and started stripping off his shirt. “Don’t just sit there, unzip those pants and get that fat cock out so I can ride it.”
Kirill didn’t need to be told twice. He did exactly as his mate ordered, his dick already hard and getting harder with each inch of his mate’s skin revealed. When Harper was naked, he strode to one of the kitchen drawers and produced a tube of lube. One of Kirill’s eyebrows went up in surprise.
Harper flashed him a smile. “I believe in being prepared.” Then he sauntered back toward Kirill, his hips swaying provocatively.
“Damn, petal,” Kirill groaned as he wrapped a hand around his aching cock and stroked it. “You make me need.”
Harper’s gaze dropped to Kirill’s hand. His tongue darted out to lick his lush lips as if he were already imagining tasting Kirill. It was so erotic, Kirill had to squeeze his prick hard to stop from coming.
In the week since they officially mated, they’d had sex often, but always with Harper riding him. Kirill no longer had to be tied up, but his mate still wasn’t ready to try other positions, which was fine with Kirill. The sight of Harper riding him was sexy as hell.
The snick of the cap being opened had Kirill’s lust-addled brain alert once more. He wasn’t about to miss the show his mate always provided when opening himself up for Kirill. When Harper poured a dollop of the slick fluid on Kirill’s fingers instead of his own, Kirill just stared dumbly at his hand as if unsure what to do.
Then Harper climbed back onto Kirill’s lap and leaned forward until their foreheads touched. “I want you to open me up this time,” he whispered. The tremor of nerves was easily heard, but determination shone brightly in his brown eyes.
Kirill didn’t ask if Harper was sure, for he could see his mate wasn’t. Harper wavered between stark fear and resolve to not let the past control him any longer. He admired his mate for his bravery.
