Chapter 15

Zoe

Luxor carried me home.

In fact, from the moment he'd pulled me into his arms on the deck of the boat, he hadn't stopped touching me. I was the one who had to unlock the front door of the house, because he wasn't putting me down.

He walked us both, still dripping, into the hall bathroom, and only then did he gently lower me to my feet.

My hands rested on his forearms, and we stood close enough that I had to tip my head back to stare up at him. His eyes were dark, but I could still read the uncertainty in them. Why? Now that he knew the truth, what was he worried about?

Finally, he exhaled, and his chin dipped. When he released me, I had the impression he was fighting the urge to gather me closer instead. He moved around me, and I turned to keep him in my sight as he opened the shower door and turned on the hot water.

Without speaking, he helped me undress. It was like we didn't need words, just understood one another.

My sodden clothes went into a pile by the laundry basket for me to treat and see if they were salvageable. I climbed into the shower and sighed in relief as the warm water surrounded me, soaking into my bones.

A thorough soaking in salt water hadn't been in my plans for today—I would've worn a bathing cap had I known what was coming—so washing my hair took some attention.

And through it all, Lux watched me. He crossed his arms, propped his butt against the counter, and watched me bathe myself in a completely unsexy manner.

Like, okay, sexy times in the shower can be fabulous, right? But there are also times when a girl just needs to get clean. And after the adventure we had today? This was one of those times.

The way he watched me wasn't sexy. It was more thoughtful…as if he was afraid that if he let me out of his sight, I'd disappear. Maybe it was one of those Mate things.

I knew he was also soaked and cold. His black hair hung in clumps around his ears and was plastered to his forehead. His gray t-shirt was practically translucent, and his feet were bare, thanks to him sacrificing his boots to keep us afloat. I thought about how hard he'd kicked to save our lives, and I thought about his story of being born "broken".

Pushing my hair out of the way, I stepped out of the stream of water and cracked the door open. "Lux," I murmured, reaching out my hand. "Come here."

He didn't hesitate.

Merely stripped his shirt over his head, then reached for the waistband of his pants. His movements were slow, almost mechanical, and when he stepped into the shower with me, I had to shiver at how cold his skin was.

I washed him.

Not in a sexy way, but because I wanted to take care of him. To take care of him the way he'd always taken care of me— cooking for me, worrying about me…diving into a fucking river to save my stupid ass.

And through it all, he watched me, saying nothing.

I couldn't reach his hair, so I handed him the shampoo, and he did it himself. I wondered what he was thinking. I wondered if he was doubting.

When we were both clean, I wrapped my arms around his middle and pressed myself flush against him.

Against my stomach, his cock twitched, then began to grow.

I glanced up at him and raised a brow in amusement, and he shrugged a little sheepishly.

"Sorry," he murmured. "Boobs."

"Yes, I know how it is," I deadpanned. "Boobs."

His lips twitched, and he leaned down to brush a kiss across my forehead. Again, not sexy, just sort of…sweet.

It was what I needed, but I was beginning to dread asking him what he was thinking.

Lux was the one to reach around and turn off the water, then help me out of the shower. He was the one to towel me off oh-so-gently, before wrapping me in a fluffy bath blanket and nudging me toward my bedroom to change.

It wasn't even dinnertime yet, but I changed into my winter PJs. They were pink silk, and I loved the way they felt on my skin. Although we'd only just gotten the A.C. back on, I felt like I needed to be cozy tonight.

Lux was waiting for me when I opened the door, his hair still wet. Looked like he was thinking the same as me; he wore a pair of gray sweatpants and a blue Henley shirt bunched up around his forearms.

He looked delicious.

Again, without speaking, he took my hand and nudged me toward the living room. He sat down on the couch and tugged me into his lap.

Big green forearms wrapped around me, and I hummed in contentment as I rested my cheek on his shoulder.

What are you thinking about?

Thank you for saving me.

Are you regretting being my Mate?

All the things I wanted to say to him, but none seemed right. So instead I asked, "How are you feeling?" That seemed safe.

His answer was immediate: "Right."

"Hmm?" I lifted my head. "Right?"

He was staring down at me. "Right," he repeated in a murmur. "This feels right."

There was something in his eyes. "But?" I prompted.

Lux blinked, and I saw something in his gaze scuttle off and hide.

So I placed my hand on his cheek. "You're worried about the future, aren't you?"

"Of course I am!" The words were wrenched out of him, loud and sudden, as if he'd been holding them in for hours. "Zoe, we're Mated! We belong together."

Oh, my heart. "And we'll be together, babe," I murmured, stroking my thumb along his jaw. "I promise."

His hand clasped over mine, pressing it against his skin. "We're moving. Don't argue. I'm going to put this house on the market as soon as you finish your mils degree, and we're going to move to wherever you can find a job—"

I silenced him with a little kiss, but I could feel the worry coming from him. Still, my lips twitched at his inability to remember the acronym MLS.

"I love Eastshore almost as much as I love you." I twisted my hand until I could twine my fingers through his. "I don't want to leave it."

"And I don't want you to give up your dream for me."

I was already shaking my head, looking for the words to tell him Giza and Sakkara and Karnak and Cairo are your family, you doof, and I'm not going to take you from them …when the doorbell rang.

We both jumped. But to be fair, I don't think I'd ever actually heard the doorbell ring.

Turned out it was less a ding-dong noise, and more of an aaah-ooooga .

I raised my brow at him, and Lux grinned a little sheepishly. "I didn't bother to install a new ring tone."

"Doorbell, babe," I corrected absent-mindedly, climbing off his lap. "Your cellphone has ringtones. In the olden days, we used to pay for and download special ringtones for different people."

He snorted under his breath as he padded for the front door. "And now you don't answer your cell phone no matter who calls. I've seen you hide the thing to avoid talking to whoever it is."

I was following, curious to see who was visiting. "That's because I have caller ID, and I don't want to speak to them if I don't know who they are. If it's important, they can text."

"Yeah," Lux was saying over his shoulder as he reached for the doorknob, "but if you don't know—"

I interrupted him with a squeal when I saw who was standing on the front porch.

Yes, okay, rude , I know, but I think I'm justified. Mrs. Albee was standing there, and in her arms, Seamus had very clearly been washed, dried, and was wearing a bow tie.

A bowtie .

Squealing wasn't optional.

"Seamus," I squealed (see? I told you), reaching for him.

The adorable little pup barked in what I imagined was complete joy and launched himself from Mrs. Albee's arms. I grabbed him and buried my nose in his fur as he tried to enthusiastically lick me to death.

"Baby, look at how handsome you are!" My words were muffled, but he didn't seem to care. "Who's my handsome little guy? You are!"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," laughed Mrs. Albee. "I know you both must be shaken, but if I could steal a few moments of your time?"

I stepped back while Lux invited her in. "Want anything to drink? I've been practicing the hot chocolate recipe Zoe likes so much."

"No, thank you." The older woman followed him to the living room as I shuffled along behind, cooing to the adorable pile of floof in my arms. "I won't take too much of your time."

We all sat, but I'll admit that's too polite of a word for the move I made, which was more of a collapse as I bumped my knees against the couch and fell over. Lux was grinning when he settled beside me and dropped a hand to my knee.

"What can we help you with, Mrs. Albee?"

"Please, dear, call me Anna." She nodded to me. "And that's one of the reasons I've come."

I managed to push the puppy away from his tongue attack on my nostril by flipping him over on his back on my thighs and tickling his belly. "Seamus?"

"Would you like him?"

I stared at the older woman for a moment, then glanced at Lux, then back at her. "Like…forever?" The idea sent a shot of excitement through me. "But you said he was going to be adopted at the October fair with his brother. You said you thought he'd bring a lot of money for the shelter."

"I did." Anna smiled. "But today, I watched you jump into a raging river to save him."

Lux squeezed my knee. "And whenever you went under, whenever I couldn't find you…" I watched him shudder slightly. "I just had to look for Seamus because he never left your side. Or your head, I guess."

My gaze dropped to the pup in my lap. "I guess he was a stronger swimmer than I was, huh?"

Lux shuddered again. "I don't want to think about that right now. Or ever again. Starting next week, I'm teaching you to swim."

Anna spoke up again. "My point is, dears, that you're both quite devoted to little Seamus, and he seems to like you very much." She smiled at the way the puppy wriggled happily under my pets. "I thought, since you were roommates, you two might consider—"

I was the one to interrupt her. "We're more than roommates, Anna."

The older woman smiled softly, glancing between us. "Yes, I rather hoped that was the case."

"Mrs. Albee—" Lux began, but she made a flicking motion with her hand.

"You're a good boy, Luxor, and I'm glad you're staying in Eastshore."

It was his turn to glance at me, a little helplessly. I could tell he wanted to object, to tell her he couldn't stay in Eastshore, not if I was going to be leaving…but I didn't want to leave. So I lifted the dog to my shoulder, cuddling him softly, and leaned my shoulder against Lux's arm.

"What do you think, hon?" I asked. "Can we keep Seamus?"

At the sound of his name, the puppy woofed softly, and Lux's lips twitched.

"I think that'd be a good idea. Not sure I could peel the two of you apart now."

"Good!" Anna nodded. "I'll take him back with me tonight to the shelter and give you a chance to prepare to bring him home. And that brings me to my second reason for coming." She took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "I've decided to retire."

"What?" Lux blurted, and I shot upright, eyes round, not daring to hope.

The older woman nodded. "These last few days…Oh dear, how to explain?" She blew out a breath, fingers gripped in her lap. "I was grateful for your help in the library, my dear," she said to me, "because not once did I think about those books. The library is my job , but it's no longer my passion. These last few days, when disaster struck, my only thought was for the shelter and my dogs. They're mine in a way the books aren't."

I was wide-eyed, not understanding. "Library books belong to everyone."

"That's kinda the point," Lux added.

Anna's knuckles were white now, and I realized the importance of this conversation. Not just to her, but to me as well.

I slowly sat forward. "Anna, you're saying your heart isn't in this job anymore?"

"I'm saying…" She slumped back against her chair but held my gaze. "I've already requested I cut my hours to ten each week, and they hire a new librarian. I've told the county to hire you , my dear."

My lips formed the word me? but I couldn't make myself say it out loud.

Lux, on the other hand, whooped loudly enough to startle Seamus, who barked in response.

"Zo, did you hear that?" Suddenly, his arms were around me and the dog both. "You're going to be a librarian! Right here in Eastshore!"

"I…I…" I leaned into his hold, but my wide-eyed gaze was on the woman across the room. "Certainly there are other librarians who want this job? I'll have to interview…"

Anna was nodding. "And as the outgoing head librarian, my opinion will have plenty of weight, dear. I've seen the love and care you've put into that library in recent days, and you were just volunteering! You're full of such wonderful ideas, and you care ."

"She does love books, Mrs. Albee!"

"I know, Luxor. I think Zoe is quite wonderful, and I can see you think that too."

His eyes were shining when he turned to me, the huge grin on his lips showing off every single tooth. "She's more than wonderful."

My heart melted. "I love you."

Lux leaned forward and kissed me. A real kiss this time, not the soft, gentle kisses he'd been giving me since we got home.

It felt right .

Eventually, though, the dog began to squirm, and I became aware of Anna's loud humming. As I pulled away, it was to see her staring at the ceiling from the corner of my eyes. I grinned, and Lux matched it.

"What do you say, Zo? Wanna stay here in Eastshore with me?"

I held his gaze and poured all the truth into my voice when I said, " Always ."

"Well!" Anna slapped her thighs, then pushed herself to her feet. "I think this is my cue to take poor Seamus and leave."

I could see the smirk she was trying to hide, as well as the sparkle behind her glasses.

When she bent down to lift the pup from my arms, I couldn't seem to make myself stand politely. Lux seemed content to hold me, and I was definitely happy right where I was.

"Don't worry about us," the older woman said, straightening with a wriggly Seamus clutched to her chest. "We'll see ourselves out. You two are distracted."

"Thanks, Mrs. Albee," murmured Lux, his gaze locked on me. "I need to take my Mate to bed."

His eyes flashed green.

Dimly, I was aware of the front door opening and closing, and the sound of Anna cooing to Seamus. I knew that the addition of the puppy to our household was going to cause quite the disruption, but it sounded like a lot of things would be changing soon.

And I couldn't focus on any of it, because Luxor was carrying me into his bedroom. Our bedroom.

"Remember," he murmured, gaze locked with mine—which hello? Should have meant he bumped into the doorframe and coffee table, but he managed not to, "you're sleeping with me. Forever."

"I was just thinking the same thing," I breathed, wondering if this Mate bond meant we could read each other's thoughts.

"No." He grinned. "I can just guess what you're thinking by the expression on your face."

I smacked him on the shoulder, breaking the romantic breathlessly-locking-eyes thing we had going on. Laughing, he tossed me onto his bed, and I had to admit, this was more like the Lux I knew and loved.

Loved .

Yep, I loved the big goofball. I loved the way he made my world brighter. I loved the way he cared . I loved the way he saw the universe with all the wide-eyed wonder of someone who'd been given a new lease on life.

I wanted that energy in my soul, and Lux made me a better person.

So I lifted my arms to him. "Come here, babe."

"No," he said sternly, waggling a finger at me. "I've been looking forward to this all day, and I'm not going to let you boss me around."

I burst into laughter, and he was grinning as he reached for my PJ bottoms. When he yanked them down my legs, my laughter turned to a squeak, then more chuckles.

But he lowered himself to his knees beside the mattress and grabbed my ankles. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to the inside of one of my calves, and my laughter died to a sigh.

Oh Lord in Heaven, this male's tongue could make me shiver!

Lux kissed his way up one of my legs until he reached my inner thigh, then switched his attention to the other leg. His touches were mere grazes, each one making me shudder in anticipation of the next brush.

And his tusks?

Oh hell, his tusks .

I loved the way they felt, cool and hard, when he used them with his lips. They felt so different that I realized I was holding my breath, trying to guess the next place they would caress me.

Yep, I was a bundle of nerves, squirming against the mattress, my fingers digging into the comforter.

And then his lips reached my upper thighs, and he didn't have to shift much to move between one leg and the other. Instinctively, I squeezed my legs together, forcing him to move to the front of my thighs instead of in between them.

But Lux merely rumbled a laugh against my skin and licked me.

He licked me through my white cotton panties, licked me across my mound.

His tongue was wide and ridged, and I felt it all the way up my spine.

With another shiver, my legs fell open, and then his mouth was there, lapping at me.

It was like my panties weren't even there.

You should've worn silk. Black silk .

But I hadn't. I'd put on something comfortable after the day I'd had, and I hadn't been thinking of him licking them off me . But that's what my Mate was trying to do, and I was here for it .

"Lux!" I gasped, my hands going to his head, fingers curling through his hair. "Oh, God, Lux ."

My panties were soaked now, partly from him and yes, a bigger part from me . The breathless anticipation and teasing from a moment ago had turned into something far more visceral. I needed him now.

His nose was buried against my curls, his hands holding my thighs in those big, callused fingers of his. And against the wet cotton, he murmured, "You don't love these undies, do you?"

I think I managed to utter a strangled "No," but I couldn't be certain.

And then I wasn't thinking at all because his tusks caught on the cotton, and he jerked his head back. It took a fraction of a second of panic before I realized he'd done it on purpose.

He just ripped my panties off with his tusks.

Oh my freaking God.

Then his tongue was on me— really on me. My legs opened wider, although I couldn't tell you if it was me that did it, or him. I felt his tongue press against my folds, and a noise came from my lips I'd never heard before, even as my hand scrambled to pull the remains of my panties up my waist and out of his way.

"So wet," he murmured against me. "Gods, you taste so good, Zoe."

"Mate," I managed to gasp. "It's because…"

Lux lifted his head from me, and I looked down my body to see him staring at me with an intensity I hadn't seen before. His eyes were green again, his mouth was ringed with my juices, and he was staring at me as if I was the best thing in the world.

"Mate," he repeated softly. "Does that change the way you taste?" His tongue darted out across his lips, then flicked against his tusk in an innocently sexy way.

The hand that was still wrapped through his hair tugged slightly, even as I arched my back, trying to offer my pelvis again. "No, but it changes the way you think I taste."

He hummed thoughtfully and lowered his mouth to me again, thank fuck. When he swiped those ridges across my cleft, we both groaned.

But I hadn't realized how close I was. Maybe it was something about the Mate bond or whatever—I'd have to research more. All I knew was that his tongue flicked against my clitoris, and I gasped, bucking beneath him.

His tongue snaked inside me, his tusks scraping at either side of my lips in the most fascinating tease I could imagine…and then Lux stretched his mouth forward. While the tip of his ridiculously long tongue was still inside me , his upper lip closed over my clit, and he sucked.

I exploded.

Right then and there, I came, bucking so hard I think he jostled loose for a moment before he reattached himself.

I couldn't be certain, because I was too busy keening, eyes closed, back arched, fingers curling tightly through his hair. I couldn't even breathe.

The pleasure arced through me in waves as my inner muscles spasmed around him, and I could feel him humming.

Yes please.

By the time I came down from that orgasm, Lux had moved up my body. He was still fully dressed, and I was still wearing my buttoned-up silk top and my ruined panties around my waist.

He gathered me in his arms and tucked me against him, under his chin.

I felt as if each nerve ending in my body was humming, primed, ready…when it should have been relaxing. My fingertips stroked his forearm, and I could feel his heart beating against my cheek.

"I love you," he finally whispered.

I pulled back to glare up at him. "That's my line, in situations like this."

The dear male looked genuinely confused. "What do you mean?"

"Lux, you just ate me out like a champion cunnilinguist. I didn't know you could even do that with your lips. I'm supposed to tell you I love you ."

His grin was a little lopsided. "I won't object."

So I obliged him. "I love you," I whispered, squirming out of his hold so I could stretch up and kiss his chin. "I love you." A kiss on his jaw. "I love you," I whispered, just before I claimed his lips.

I tasted myself.

And Lux.

And something… more .

We were something more, something remarkable, and I could taste it, smell it, touch it, feel it. Down in my very soul.

The kiss turned slow and sensual, our hands skimming over each other, exploring. The rest of our clothing disappeared in a slow dance, whispered teasing turning into smiles and moans.

By the time we were ready, my core thrummed in need again, and his cock… Well, no one was going to doubt he was ready for me.

Lux held my hips as he rolled onto his back, taking me with him. Following his lead, I straddled his belly, planted my hands on his chest, and inched back until the tip of his cock rested at my entrance.

"Ready?" I breathed.

He didn't answer but was staring at me with that look of intensity again, as if I was his purpose for existing.

When I sank down atop his cock, he exhaled.

And I, as always, burst with pleasure.

"Lux!" I gasped as wave after wave of my orgasm crashed over me. I arched my back and squeezed my thighs together, loving this little quirk of orc biology, even as his hands rose to cup my breasts.

I hadn't realized I'd begun to move while my orgasm milked him, but by the time I came back to the present, I was rocking atop him, and he was murmuring encouragement.

"That's my good girl," he crooned, as he rolled my nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, his claws lightly scraping my sensitive skin. "Taking what you need from me. Gods, you are beautiful when you ride my cock."

Was it possible to be wetter than I already was? Because his words? Totally sploosh -inducing.

Our movements became more frantic. I planted my weight against his chest, sitting forward on my knees, so he could plunge upward into me. Lux kept up a steady stream of murmured compliments and groaning pleas, and I did my best to just hang on, gasping at the way stars seemed to explode behind my eyes.

"Zoe!" he gasped, as I felt him pulsing with readiness when he paused. "Yes?"

I knew what he was asking.

Smiling dazedly, I bent down. "Yes," I breathed, moments before I claimed his lips.

I felt him explode. Felt his hot cum flood my core. Felt him practically vibrating with his release.

And to my surprise, it triggered my third orgasm.

Look, I've read my share of romance novels. I know all the analogies. Soaring, exploding, rockets, fireworks, mixing our very essences, et cetera, et cetera .

My point is, it was a really, really good orgasm, okay?

And after, I lay on his chest, listening to his breathing as our bits slowly drying together. As his cock softened, I felt more and more of us . His hands rested against my back, as if holding me against him was the most vital thing he could be doing.

And after a while, the cool air began to tickle my bare skin.

I lifted my head just slightly.

"What are you thinking?" he rumbled.

I grinned. "That maybe we set the air conditioning too low just because we were excited to have it again."

"Guilty. I was tired of humidity." Lux shifted until one arm was behind his head and he could look down on me. "But that's not all you were thinking, is it?"

"No." When I shifted, his cock slid from me entirely, but we both ignored it. I stacked my fists on his chest and rested my chin on them. "I was thinking that I was the luckiest Mate in the whole world."

He snorted, even as his fingertips stroked my back. "Impossible. I'm the luckiest Mate in the world, just to have found you. You gotta understand, Zo…my people had long ago given up hopes of finding Mates. And then to discover you were here the whole time, living right under my nose…"

"I was living with you, you big goof," I corrected. "Roommates."

Lux waggled his thick eyebrows comically. "Roommates with benefits. Best idea ever."

I snorted. " Mates ."

His arm tightened around me. "Mates."

I loved the awe in his voice as he said that word, and I realized I wanted to know more about his past. "Will you tell me about your childhood?" I asked. "What you told me this morning—" Had it only been this morning, outside the library? "I want to hear it all."

"Yep." With a grunt, Lux levered himself up far enough to press a kiss to my forehead, then kept going, rolling me off him. "But first…"

"Hey!" I yelped. "What are you doing?"

He sat upright, scooping me into his arms. "But first, I have to bathe my Mate. She smells like my cum."

"I happen to like smelling like you!" I squealed, even as he tossed me over his shoulder. "I just bathed!"

He smacked my behind. "And now you'll bathe again. Do you have any idea how difficult it was to watch you shower—touching yourself—and not offer to help?" He strode toward the garden tub. "And while we're in there, I'm going to make you smell like me all over again."

Well, how was a gal to argue with a plan like that?

I had a Mate, I had a home, and now, I had a future right here on Eastshore Isle. Yep, I was right where I needed to be!