12. Connor

12

Connor

“ H ey, sleepyhead. Do you want breakfast?” Bryce nibbled my neck, and I squirmed, happy little butterflies fluttering in my belly.

“If you keep doing that, it won’t be food I want for breakfast.” I arched my neck to allow him easier access.

“Well, I can definitely offer my body to you first.” Bryce licked my claiming mark. “I can’t seem to get enough of you, either.”

Turning my head, I met Bryce’s lips tenderly with mine—at least at first. As our mouths explored and remained locked in a passionate kiss, I shifted my body so that our chests were flush and our hardened cocks could glide against one another. Already naked, bare skin against bare skin, we were caught up in our desire.

It had been two days since our movie and dinner date, and we had hardly left the bed except to grab water and snacks from downstairs, feed Ren, and take a shower together. It was like my body craved him after being denied his cock for all this time. Our bodies knew one another’s rhythm and fit perfectly, moving together in an intimate dance. I lost track of how many orgasms I could have with my mate, everything blurring into one magical and horny weekend.

If mating is like this, what will a full-blown heat be like?

“Fuck, baby,” Bryce groaned into my mouth, as my hands explored the globes of his ass. “That feels good, but I want to be deep inside you.”

“Then do it.”

With a sexy growl that sent a shiver of anticipation through my body, Bryce shifted us so that I was on my back, legs spread, and he was on top. Sliding a finger along my waiting entrance, Bryce took my slick and covered his cock with it before thrusting into my hole. “I love how you’re ready for me, and I need to slide right in.”

“And I love how you fill me.” I rolled my hips, and he struck that special spot inside my omega channel that had me gasping for breath. “So fucking good.”

Soon we were reaching a mutual climax, my body still somehow able to produce cum even though I was half expecting to run out with how many times he had made me come during the weekend. Once the knot went down and he had finished cleaning us up, Bryce lay back in bed, spooning me, and gently kissed my neck. “I love you, Connor.”

Snuggling back into him and closing my eyes, sleep began to pull me under. “I love you too.”

Bryce

It was Sunday night, and I didn’t want to leave Connor’s side, but I had to pack up my things and tell my parents I was okay and moving in with my mate. Detangling from Connor’s sleeping embrace, I kissed his forehead. “Hey, baby. I will go over to my parents for a bit, tell them the good news, and grab my bags. Do you want to come with me?”

“Do you think they will think I’m rude if I stay here and sleep?” Connor buried himself deeper in the little nest of pillows he had on the bed, and it made me want to crawl back inside the bed and cuddle him for the rest of the night. Luckily, I could do that when I got back.

“I think they will understand.” I kissed his shoulder and stood up. As soon as I vacated the spot, Ren jumped up onto the bed and curled up next to Connor’s stomach. “Maybe we can go over there next weekend for dinner and celebrate our mating?”

“Mm-hmm.” Connor nodded without lifting his head up from its cushioned position. His hand lazily stroked the cat, who was now purring. “I’ll bake something for them. I have a tin of cookies in the pantry. Take them to your parents. The top layer is peanut butter, your papa’s favorite. And the bottom layer is a chocolate chip for your father.”

My heart melted at the idea that my mate remembered my parents’ favorite cookies after all these years, and I closed my eyes, saying a quick and quiet thank you to Fate for their gift of a mate.

“Okay, I’ll grab the tin before I leave. Call me if you need anything.” Walking toward the door, I remembered at the last minute that I might want to put clothes on first.

Connor let out a giggle. “I was wondering how long it would take you to remember clothes are needed for decency’s sake when going to visit your parents.”

“Ha.” I shook my head and grabbed my jeans from the chair in the corner where I had laid them the day before. “One day, you will do something, and I will laugh at you; just wait.”

“I hope you can wait a long time.” Connor rolled over and threw a wink at me. “I never forget to put on clothes before leaving the house.”

“No, but there will be something. And when the time comes, I’ll be waiting.”

“Whatever helps you deal with the embarrassment.”

Dressed, I walked to the door. “Love you. I’ll be back.”

“I know.” Connor’s lips tilted up, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Love you too, always.”

Closing the door, I finished the phrase we said when we were younger. “And forever.”

Driving over to my parents’ house, I tried to figure out the best way to tell them the good news. They probably already figured it out when I didn’t come home Friday night, but I would only get to drop this sort of news on them once, and I wanted to make it memorable. Too bad I sucked at figuring out things like that.

For all of my worrying on the ride over, though, my first words when I found my parents sitting at the kitchen table were simple. “Surprise, I’m mated.”

I guess that will have to do.

“We figured that when you didn’t show up for dinner yesterday.” My dad stood up and enveloped me in a tight hug. “That would be one of the only things that would make you miss Papa’s lasagna night.”

“Oh man, that’s right.” I gave my papa a hug and joined them at the table. “Do you have leftovers?”

“Of course.” Papa got up and grabbed three containers from the fridge. “One of these is for you right now if you want. And the other two are for you to take home and share with Connor.

“Thanks, Papa.” I tapped the top of the cookie tin I had brought with me. These are from Connor. He was really tired but wanted me to bring these cookies for you. He made them especially for you two.”

“Oh, he’s the sweetest.” Papa put my plate in the microwave and sat back down, opening the cookie container. “Peanut butter?”

“And chocolate on the bottom layer.” I smiled at my father. “He remembered both of your favorites.”

“I always loved that kid.” My father snagged a cookie from the tin.

“And maybe we can both come over for family dinner next Friday?” I stood and grabbed a glass of water. “Maybe a little celebration of our mating, just the four of us?”

“That’s perfect.” Papa grabbed a second cookie. “Although I will miss you being here, I’m excited for you and need you to understand I expect at least one family dinner a month with all three of us.”

“I think we can do that,” I said. Grabbing my food from the microwave once it beeped, I sat down. “Perhaps even more often, but I need to discuss it with Connor first.”

“Of course you do.” My father patted my back. “Now, have you heard anything more about that strange mist from the market the other night?”

“Oh, I forgot to call you.” I swallowed my first bite of lasagna and sighed. “This is amazing, Papa.”

“Tell us what?” My father prodded.

“I saw it again Friday night while Connor and I were leaving Mama Vee’s. Bruno and Hector are investigating, but we don’t have any leads. It doesn’t seem to follow us, though, and, so far, there haven’t been any attempts to harm me. Just that foreboding.”

“Well, the protection spells you have on you would keep you from harm.” Papa closed the cookie tin and pushed it away. “I don’t like you so uncomfortable in your hometown.”

“I have faith in Bruno and Hector.” I finished my lasagna and water. “They will solve it soon or call in reinforcements if needed.”

“It’s probably a crazy fan looking for information on whether the rumors of your return to the ice are true.” Papa pointed to the newspaper beside my father’s arm on the table. “Every week, they print some new theory on what you are doing and when you will be back in the game. Either that or guessing you will take over your team manager’s job. All the other news must be boring because it’s about you or some other celebrity vacationing in Valleywood lately.”

“That’s good, though.” My father patted my papa’s hand. “It’s better than crime sprees and natural disaster warnings.”

“That’s true.” I stood and put my dishes in the sink. “I better get my stuff packed up and head back to Connor. Thanks for dinner. I love you guys.”

“We love you too, Bryce.” My father stood and hugged me.

“Do you need any help?” Papa wrapped me in his arms and swayed back and forth like he always had since I was little.

“Nah. I got it.” I kissed Papa on the top of his head and let him go. “I will let Connor know about dinner next week. And that you loved his cookies.”

“Please do.” Papa went back to the sink and started cleaning the dishes.

My father walked upstairs with me to my childhood bedroom. “Let me know if you need any help. I’ll be catching up on my cop shows.”

“I will. Thanks.”

I entered my room as my father continued down the hall into his room. I didn’t have much to bring to Connor’s, so completing it shouldn’t have taken long. When I came to Valleywood, I had already gotten rid of most of my things from before. Traveling with the team, I didn’t collect a lot of belongings throughout the years. All of that was about to change.

I couldn’t wait.