Page 124 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

I sighed as I lay on top of my mate, grinning what I was sure was a silly smile. I couldn’t help it—I was mated, and my mate was the sexiest man I’d ever seen.

“You’re just as hot, sweetheart,” Calum said.

“Huh?”

“You said I was the sexiest man you’d ever seen. I appreciate that. But you’re just as hot. Your tight little body is going to be so much fun, you have no idea.”

I raised my head enough to look at my mate. “I didn’t say anything.”

Calum raised an eyebrow. “No?”

I shook my head. With a gentle hand, he pushed my head back down onto his chest, and I sighed. This was absolutely the best way to spend the day.

“How often do you think we can do this?” I asked.

Calum’s chest started vibrating, and seconds later, I heard his laughter. I raised my head again and glared at my mate.

“Don’t be like that. I might be old, but I’m not incapable of keeping you extremely satisfied. We can do this multiple times a day if you wish.”

I pushed up a little more, crossing my arms on Calum’s chest and resting my chin on them so I could look at my mate. “Well, unless you’re at work.”

Calum shook his head. “That is something we need to discuss.”

That worried me. “What’s wrong?” I raised my head, but Calum shook his and pressed mine back down.

“Relax. Enjoy this time together. We just claimed each other, sweetheart.”

“Yes, but you mentioned needing to talk about things. That makes me worry.”

Calum sighed. “Don’t. There is nothing wrong. I was only thinking about taking some time off.” Calum raised his hand and ran it through my hair. “Would you like for me to be home all the time? We could spend our days together, not just our evenings and nights. I’d be here all the time to help you with the children. Would you be upset about that?”

Was he kidding? “Why would that disappoint me in any way?” I thought about what he was saying though. “But what about your job? Can you just take time off like that?”

“I can. I’ve been working for a very long time. Even after I purchase this house for us, it’s not going to put a dent in my funds. We won’t have to work if we don’t want to. I’d like to spend several years with you and our children. We could travel with them. Explore the world together.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds wonderful. Can we really do that?”

Calum nodded. “The first place I want to take you is back to Egypt. I want to show you the river and the seas. You need to see the pyramids and the Sphinx.”

“I read about those in that book there in the hotel. That sounds like a good trip.” I laid my head down on my arms and closed my eyes. “Where else should we go?”

“Anywhere you want. We’ll explore all of the places, experience all of the different cultures together.”

That seriously sounded amazing, and I couldn’t wait. I wanted to do all of that. I wanted to read about places in books and then plan a trip with Calum, exploring them together.

I moved my arms, letting them fall to the sides, and rested my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating, and it relaxed me even more than I already was.

“Asher?”

“Hmm?” I asked, somewhat sleepy all of a sudden.

“Why does my bite on my shoulder tingle? It’s not painful, but it’s tingling and throbbing. Is it like a warlock’s claiming mark?”

I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I know that your claiming bite will pulse and tingle with my aura. The sensation will increase when I become aroused, when I’m scared or excited. It’ll probably pulse and feel a bit angry when I’m upset. I’m not really sure how else to explain it.”

“That works perfectly.” Calum’s arms tightened around me briefly, and I smiled against his chest. “Are you warm enough?”

I was. “Yes. Did you need a blanket?” The fire was giving off more than enough heat, and although we were on the floor, it wasn’t exactly cold down here.