Page 90 of Examining the Bond

“I do need you,” I choke. “I need you so bad it hurts, Skylar, but why would you want to be with someone like me?” My words are rushed and desperate, but I need to get them all out before I explode. “That shit will keep happening; I’ll keep losing control. I’ll… I’ll…”

“That's where I was wrong,” she says softly, brushing her lips feather-soft over my cheek, along my jaw. “You were right. I wanted to observe you like some kind of experiment, but I wasn't thinking aboutyou, Riann. Despite everything I know about designations—fuck, I’ve studied them for years—I wanted to listen and understand and give you space so badly, but that wasn’t what you needed.”

I can't control the tears anymore, and my voice quivers. “I love you, Skylar. I love you so much, and it came out in the ugliest way possible. I can't believe I… I don't…” I give way to the hurt that’s been welling up inside me. “I don't ever want to do that to you again.”

“There's a way I can help with that, isn't there?” Her fingers follow the line of my shoulder, brushing over my collarbone.

I suck in a breath, my eyes widening. “W-what are you talking about?”

She pauses for a beat, her eyes locked with mine. “My bite, preciosa. If you can find it in you to forgive me for being a dense asshole, I’ll give it to you.”

The air vanishes from around me, and it feels like the floor has been jerked out from beneath my feet.

Did she…

Is she saying that…

“You want to c-claim me?” I stammer, my blood running hotter with every word that spills from my lips. A swell of smoky pine blooms in the air, so thick I can almost taste it. “What happened to waiting? To being rational? To more tests and research?”

“You happened, preciosa. You left and my entire world shattered.” A growl rumbles beneath her voice. “I realized that none of that matters, not when I feel this way about you. Fuck the research, fuck waiting.” Her jaw ticks, her throat bobbing with a swallow. “Nothing matters if I don’t have you.”

A beat of silence passes while I try to get my bearings. Skylar's scent choking me, coupled with the assault of emotions ravaging my mind, has me feeling light-headed.

I want to lie down.

No, not that. I want to crawl into my nest with her while we hold each other, wrapped in my mountain of cozy blankets.

“Are you sure?” I ask timidly.

She nods. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

My heart stutters at the thought of her leaning down, of her sinking her teeth into my neck until the bond takes hold. I might shatter apart with nerves. The thought of belonging to her, of proudly wearing her mark, has a needy whine tearing up my throat, and she smiles.

“Let me be your alpha, Riann,” she says, pumping more of her intoxicating scent into the air. “Let me take care of you and give you everything you could ever need. Let me mark you and make you mine forever.”

It’s the easiest yes of my life.

“Right now?” I ask, my breath hitching.

Her eyes dart around the room before sliding back to lock with mine. “As romantic as an old classroom is, I’m a little old-fashioned. I’d like it to be somewhere familiar, somewhere I can kiss you and fuck you nonstop to celebrate.”

“You can do all that right here,” I tease, gesturing to the pile of desks next to us. “Or… I can take you back to my nest.”

Skylar's eyes light up with a hungry fire that has slick pooling between my thighs.

Nest it is, then.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

SKYLAR

The second Riann opens the door to her bedroom, I snatch her into my arms and refuse to let go. I've been holding back since she took my hand at the mixer, and I can’t keep my distance anymore. The feel of her against me, her head on my chest as my heart plays happily against my ribs, is better than I could have imagined.

The air around us is electric. Or maybe it’s my body buzzing in anticipation of what’s about to happen. We still have to discuss the bite—I'd never forgive myself if we went into this with Riann still having doubts—but I’m ready to give her everything. All of me.

My mark. My life. My soul.

I just need to know that she’s one hundred percent certain this is what she wants.