Page 28 of Dermot

Dermot rolled his eyes. He couldn’t tell if his mate wasn’t taking this seriously or if it really didn’t matter to him. Dermot didn’t want to do anything that would make Bastien feel like he had no choice but to be with him. It was what Parrish had done to Celeste. “The bond between us matters, but not more than what we want,” he explained slowly. “If you don’t want to be with me, I don’t want you to feel forced to because of the bond. I don’t know how we’d manage it if we decided to go our separate ways, but I’m sure we could figure things out.”

Bastien huffed. “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t want to leave? I do want to be with you, bond or no bond.” He cocked his head. “Well, I don’t know if I would want to be with you without the bond, mostly because I’m pretty sure you would’ve strangled me eventually if you didn’t feel drawn to me, but I do now. Whether it’s because of the bond or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re my mate, and I want you. I want to sleep with you. I want to live with you. I want to bond with you, even though now probably isn’t the right moment to do so because I’m emotional and worried about my sister. Celeste is going to be pissed that I decided to do this without consulting her first, but she’ll also be happy for us as soon as she’s back. I know we’ll get her back. We would even if we didn’t bond, but with you by my side, I can do anything.”

That was putting a lot of faith in Dermot, and he hoped that Bastien wouldn’t regret it. It was clear that nothing he could say would change Bastien’s mind, though. Bastien was clear. He wanted Dermot, and since Dermot wanted him, why should they wait?

He leaned closer. He didn’t dare take the last step, but luckily, he didn’t have to. Bastien’s eyes lit up as soon as he realized what Dermot was doing, and he pressed forward, too. When their lips met, Dermot knew he’d made the right choice. Unlike Celeste, he would never regret giving himself to his mate. How could he? Bastien was nothing like Parrish, and even more than that, this felt right. It felt like it was supposed to happen.

It was.

* * * *

BASTIEN HAD KISSED plenty of people in his life, but nothing had prepared him for kissing his mate.

It was the bond. It made everything feel more, and how could it not? It felt like the press of Dermot’s lips reverberated through Bastien’s entire body, and it made him want to pull Dermot closer and never let go. He’d felt the pull of the bond from the beginning, but he’d been patient. He’d given Dermot time and space, and he didn’t regret it because it had brought them here.

Dermot kissed him carefully at first, as if he was waiting for Bastien to change his mind. Bastien understood why, considering everything, but that fear went both ways. What if Dermot decided he couldn’t trust Bastien after all?

Bastien had trusted his mate from the beginning. It was the situation he hadn’t trusted, and it was still messy and complicated. None of it was gone. Celeste was still out there, and Parrish was still a problem.

But it felt like, maybe, everything would be all right.

“You’re thinking too much,” Dermot murmured against Bastien’s lips.

“You’re one to talk,” Bastien said.

Dermot laughed softly. Maybe they were both overthinking things.

Bastien reached up to cup Dermot’s face in both hands, using the hold to tilt it, and kissed him again. Dermot made a soft sound against his lips and his hands found Bastien’s waist, pulling him closer, and Bastien went willingly. He’d been wanting this for days, hell, since the first moment he’d looked into Dermot’s narrowed, suspicious eyes and thought, oh.

They found their way to the bedroom, stumbling down a short hallway, and Bastien had never been so glad that the houses in the village were small in size and that this one was on one level. The bedroom was simple, but it felt very Dermot. It smelled like him, and Bastien thought he could be very happy here.

He already was, even after everything.

Dermot was watching him with those careful eyes of his, but Bastien was starting to get to know him. There was want there, but there was also the shadow of uncertainty under it. Bastien leaned in and pressed his lips to Dermot’s jaw, his cheek, then to the corner of his mouth.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said quietly. “I promise. And I promise that no matter what, I won’t abandon you. You’re my mate, Dermot. That means something to me.”

Dermot breathed out, and some of the tension left his shoulders. “I know,” he said, even though it was clear he was still working on believing it.

Bastien could live with that. He had time to show Dermot, especially once they’d have Celeste back.

“I want you to bite me,” Dermot said, startling Bastien.

“Are you sure?” Bastien needed to be before he threw Dermot on the mattress and did just that.

Dermot’s nod was sure. “Yes. I don’t want to wait. There’s no reason to.”

That was all the permission Bastien needed.

Maybe he should have moved more slowly since this was their first time and their bonding, but Dermot didn’t try to stop him or slow him down when Bastien pulled his clothes off, so Bastien didn’t. He got naked in record time, then turned his attention to Dermot because he wanted him naked, too.

Dermot was grinning when Bastien grabbed him. He helped Bastien rid him of his shirt, then his loose pants, and laughed when Bastien grabbed him by the thighs and hauled him onto the bed. He squeezed Bastien’s shoulders before landing on his back and letting go. As soon as Dermot was still, Bastien slid his underwear down his legs, then hurried to do the same to his own, leaving both of them naked.

Finally.

Bastien lowered himself on top of Dermot, who welcomed him with open arms. Bastien pressed his lips against Dermot’s pulse, just under his jaw. He wasn’t claiming him yet, but he would. He swiped his tongue over the skin before scraping it with his teeth. Dermot arched beneath him, a broken sound escaping him as his hips rolled up. Bastien felt slightly dizzy, but he also wanted more.

Bastien pressed down with his teeth. Dermot didn’t stop him or push him away. Instead, he tilted his head as if giving Bastien more space, and Bastien decided that was precisely what he wanted. He didn’t attempt to override his instincts and instead bit down, groaning when warm, coppery liquid dripped into his mouth. He sealed his mouth over the small wound and sucked.