didn’t.” His hands strayed to her hip.
She yawned and began to fade to sleep even as his voice continued to tell her stories of his time in Romania. He scooted back against the headboard, holding onto her as he did so. He leaned back, resting his weight on the bed frame. She nestled against him, resting her head on his chest. He held her hand in his above them. Gently he kissed her palm before his silent laughter drew her attention. His chest vibrated with it. She looked up to see his lips tugged in a perfect ten thousand watt smile. That smile as one she’d never seen on him before. The sight made her heart soar. Content, she drifted to sleep, loving the sound of his voice filling the room and his body against hers.
* * * *
Sidda rolled onto her back. The soft bed was warm with the lingering scents of the night before. She stretched, her back arching off the bed, legs stiff, and muscles screaming. Her neck throbbed, but not with pain. Lust. She smiled as she opened her eyes. Jasper stood next to the bed, wearing a pair of faded blue jeans which hung snug on his hips.
In all the years she’d imagined the morning-after scene, she’d never dreamt of wanting him even more. Even as her body rebelled with the thought of more, her mind and heart wanted to be one with him.
Last night, he’d lost his control over his beast. He’d flipped her over and ridden her hard, to the brink of pleasure and pain. They merged, and only when she came shattering around his cock had she been able to find true pleasure.
Yesterday, she hadn’t gotten a chance to stare at the man he’d become. She’d touched every inch of him yet hadn’t taken the time to savor his body as she wanted to. This morning he stood with the sun coming in the window behind him. His skin held a deep bronzed tint. His well-defined shoulders blocked the sun from her face so she could stare at the muscle-ripped chest. The light played with the dark brown highlights in his hair, making the color richer, warmer. Then his eyes met hers.
“Morning.” He smiled shyly at her, a very un-Jasper characteristic. He was by no means shy, but this morning his eyes showed the vulnerability within.
“Morning. Why aren’t you still in bed?” She reached out to him. The vulnerability that had been peeking out seconds ago vanished. He cocked his head to the side before smiling. In the next instant, he was out of his jeans and in bed beside her.
Sidda nestled to his side, loving his overly warm body. “What were you up to? I thought you’d be in bed with me when I woke up,” she whispered, trying to hide the insecurity rushing within.
“I was out getting breakfast. The cold milk and cereal you brought up here didn’t seem right for our first breakfast together. My mate deserves so much better.”
Oh god, his mate. No words sounded sweeter or felt sweeter. She’d never been emotional or overly affectionate, but those words from his mouth made her eyes fill with tears. She loved him, loved the fact he’d chosen her. Her blood pumped harder, faster.
She smiled, and her cheeks ached from the wideness of the smile. She was happy, genuinely happy for the first time. Everything else faded away. “Jasper,” she cupped his face in her palms, “I love you.”
She pulled him to her. His lips red were swollen from the kissing, biting, and sucking of the night before. They were going to be that way permanently if she had anything to say about it.
“I love you, too, babe. Now come here.”
* * * *
Jasper sensed her soreness, but he couldn’t feel bad for what they’d done. He loved her, and now she was his, the mark on her neck showing it for all to see. The bite on his neck had already healed. The skin was unmarred except for the small line of teeth marks that indented into his skin. Jasper growled when she ran her fingers across his mark.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” He raised his head, hair cascading across his face. She brushed his hair away. “When I first