Page 62 of Something Worth Keeping
Cillian’s hands came up to frame Julian’s face automatically. “You wereinjured protecting me. Everything I am is supposed to protectyou.”
“And you did. You eliminated the threat.” Julian leaned into Cillian’s touch. “But now the threat is gone, and you’re still operating in crisis mode. The shadows need reassurance that I’m here. That I’m safe. That I’myours.”
The possessive emphasis on that last word sent heat through Cillian’s veins.
“You are mine.” The words came out darker, edged with the void. “My beacon. My mate.”
“Then act like it.” Julian’s fingers traced the edge of Cillian’s jaw. “Touch me. Not like I’m fragile. Not like I’ll break. Touch me like you did before Vane, when you weren’t afraid of your own instincts.”
Cillian’s control was like putty in Julian’s hands. His shadows floodedforward, wrapping around Julian’s thighs and chest and throat in their efforts to touch him everywhere. Julian’s breath caught, and his pupils dilated.
“This isn’t about sex,” Cillian managed.
“No. It’s about our bond.” Julian’s voice deepened, but his gaze remained steady. “Silas explained the biological mechanics. When a mated guardian experiences severe protective trauma, the bond requires...reinforcement. Physical reconnection. It’s not optional - it’s a necessity for both our physiological states to recalibrate.”
“You’re using clinical terminology to ask me to fuck you.”
“I’m using accurate terminology to explain that physical intimacy would settle our bond, reassure your shadows, and help me feel more connected to you again. If it makes you feel better,you can use your shadows to hold me steady and keep my shoulder still.” Julian’s hands slid down Cillian’s chest. “Unless you prefer continuing this week-long spiral of anxiety and hovering.”
Cillian pulled Julian into a kiss that was more desperation than technique. Julian made a satisfied sound and opened immediately, meeting Cillian’s intensity with his own precise focus. The shadows wound tighter, lifting Julian off his feet, and Julian wrapped his legs around Cillian’s waist without hesitation.
“Bed,” Julian said against Cillian’s mouth. “And if I feel you’re being overly careful when I know the shadows will protect my shoulder, I’m going to be very irritated.”
“You were shot.”
“A week ago. The wound is healing. Silas cleared me for normal physicalactivity three days ago.” Julian bit Cillian’s lower lip. “I have detailed documentation if you need evidence.”
Cillian carried Julian to the bed, shadows already tugging at their clothes. “You asked Silas about sexual activity?”
“I asked Silas about physiological limitations following bullet wound recovery in the context of an active mate bond.” Julian’s sweater disappeared, pulled away by tendrils that were getting more aggressive. “He provided a seventeen-minute explanation of accelerated healing and bonded physiology before concluding that intimate contact would actually expedite my recovery.”
“Of course, you got a seventeen-minute medical lecture.”
“I took notes.” Julian’s hands were working at Cillian’s belt. “Would you like to see them?”
“Later.” Cillian stripped Julian’s jeans away and spread him across the dark sheets. The shadows immediately wrapped around Julian’s wrists and ankles - not restraining hard, but present. Extra shadows curled around his shoulder, keeping it secure against the bed. “Right now I need…”
“Me. You need me.” Julian arched into the touch, his body already responding. “So take me. Properly. The way you’ve been holding back all week.”
Cillian’s remaining restraint shattered. His shadows stripped away his own clothes and wound around Julian’s body, mapping every inch of skin. Julian gasped when tendrils brushed his inner thighs, spreading him open.
“I’m going to be careful,” Cillian said, even as his shadows betrayed him by tightening around Julian’s ribs.
“You’re going to be thorough.” Julian’s eyes were dark, his breathing already uneven. “That difference is important.”
Cillian leaned down and kissed the healing scar on Julian’s shoulder. Then he bit down on the junction of Julian’s neck and shoulder, hard enough to leave marks. Julian’s back arched off the bed.
“Yes. Like that.”
The shadows were everywhere now, stroking, teasing, claiming him all over again. Cillian traced his hands down Julian’s chest, cataloging the accelerated heartbeat and flushed skin. When he wrapped his fingers around Julian’s cock, Julian made a sound that went straight to Cillian’s primal brain.
“More,” Julian demanded. “Stop treating me like I’m breakable.”
Cillian’s shadows wound around Julian’s length alongside his hand, the dual sensation making Julian curse. “You are breakable. You’re human.”
“I’myourhuman. Your beacon. Your mate.” Julian’s hips rolled into the touch. “And I need you to stop overthinking and start -fuck…”
Cillian had sent a tendril lower, teasing at Julian’s entrance while his hand and shadows worked Julian’s cock. The combination seemed to shut down Julian’s analytical brain completely, which Cillian found deeply satisfying.
