(August 2021) READER SHOUT OUT: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for the very, very generous gifts you gave in July. I am always a little embarrassed when readers give extra on top of paying for my content. I am truly humbled. I want to say a special thank you to these readers whose generosity made my jaw drop: PBMamaRae, MoonGoddess21, DaoistPrvZp, Jak_BeQuick, S_courge, April_Jo_Perez, Stacey Moncrief3242

*****

GAHRYE

Touching her was a world of starlight and shivering sensation on his skin. Looking at her, skin blushed and mouth open, eyes closed and lashes fluttering, hearing her call his name and feeling her grip on him tighten… feeling her clench around him as her desire grew…

He wanted to weep.

He'd seen this in Elia and Reth and envied it—the heat between two people that meant more than simple release. The need that drove them together, not just because their bodies demanded indulgence, but because their hearts yearned for it.

Gahrye had mated before, many times. Sometimes it was fun. Sometimes just awkward. But it had never been like this.

He ached for her—yearned to show her something with his body that could not be communicated in another way. He wanted to devour her, take her within himself and hold her away from the world so it could never hurt her.

What was happening to him?

Her kiss was frantic, desperate, demanding and he returned it in kind. Then he pulled her against him at the same time he thrust, and she cried out. Still hanging onto his neck, she let her head drop back, mouth open, as tiny sighs and groans broke from her throat in time with their lovemaking.

Lovemaking.

That was what this was, he realized. That was what was different.

This was not a meeting of bodies to sate an appetite. This was a meeting of souls expressed in the flesh.

"Creator's Light,

" he gasped against her throat. He couldn't resist any longer, he had to touch her legs.

Dragging both hands down her back, he grasped her ass first and pulled her against him, then, when she was gasping, cupped his hands at her thighs and pulled up, urging her to wrap her legs around him. Her beautiful legs—strong muscles lined her thighs and the round swell of her calves sliding around to hold him close where they were joined made him want to come.

"Kalle… Kalle…

" he couldn't find words that meant enough, except to say her name.

"I love you, Gahrye,

" she whispered, her voice high and thin.

"Only you.

"

He groaned and opened his mouth at her throat, marveling at the trust she showed in him to let him graze his teeth there, awed when her skin prickled with goosebumps and she clenched around him again so he had to slow down, or risk finishing this far too quickly.

When he gripped her back and stopped moving, panting, she raised her head to meet his eyes.

"Are you okay?

" she whispered, stroking his hair.

"I only want to make this last,

" he grinned and kissed her, but the way she rolled into him at that was not going to help.

With a groan he broke the kiss and opened his eyes, staring at her, searching her for any deceit or hesitation.

But there was none.

Her eyes, her scent, her body… it was all open to him. Waiting for him. She wanted him and she did not hold herself back.

He shook his head.

"What is it?

" she asked with a flash of fear in her eyes.

He frowned immediately.

"I'm sorry I have made you feel that I would run, Kalle. I'm sorry you worry that I might abandon you suddenly. I know I did that. I have done that. I've been… fighting. Because I'm terrified of what will happen the day I have to return to Anima. But do not fear me any more. I am yours,

" he said simply, swallowing a pinch in his throat.

"I could not run now if I wanted to… and I do not wish to. That's the problem. I will only want to be with you from this moment on. My mate. My wife.

" He stroked her hair back and she closed her eyes to enjoy it more fully.

He'd meant to say more. To give her more. But seeing her that way, the pleasure on her face, he could not wait.

With a groan, he held her tightly, rolling them both over until he was braced on his elbows and nestled between her thighs. She'd given a little shriek and opened her eyes when he moved so suddenly, but they sparkled, and when she laughed it made her tighten around him.

Gahrye groaned again.

"I cannot wait, mate.

" His voice was husky and tortured.

"That's okay—oh!

" she gasped when he arched his back and thrust into her, a shuddering moan breaking from his throat when she clenched.

"Kalle, promise me…

"

"Anything.

"

"Promise me,

" he rasped.

"Anything, Gahrye. Anything.

" Her hand slapped to his back and her fingers dug in as she gripped and pulled with him until they both began to tense.

Bracing himself on his hands at either side of her head, he arched his lower back to pull into her and thrust. Hard. Her mouth dropped open.

"Never,

" he rasped, and thrust again.

"Stop.

" Thrust.

"Loving me.

"

"I won't! Oh, Gahrye! I won't!

"

With a long, puttering groan he gave the mating call, and let himself off his tether, pounding into her, but eyes open to watch her, breasts bouncing, mouth open, keening, her both writhing beneath his, until she was crying his name and grabbing for him, pleading.

His climax threatened, but she hadn't reached hers, but she was close. So close.

Sliding one hand beneath her lower back, he lifted her up at the same moment he thrust and she gave a strangled cry, her eyes rolling back, lashes fluttering and her body danced with his as she clenched around him in waves of pleasure.

Once, twice, three times and his own orgasm hit him at the base of his spine and he moaned the mating call over and over, his soul crying for hers, as she gasped his name. Until finally he slumped, spent, over her, taking his weight on his elbows and cupping his ahdns over her head.

If he could have hidden her from the world, from everyone and everything, he would have. If he could have stolen her away, taken her somewhere safe and locked the door, he would have.

He would break his vows for her.

He would die for her.

Whatever it took, he could not let her go.