12. Nitro

12

NITRO

Hearing those words from Tommy's mouth sent me into overdrive. It felt like I was waiting to hear them forever.

Still, I had to ask him again, because there was no going back once we started down this path.

"Tommy," I said, looking into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation.

I continued, “Are you sure? Because once we go down this road, there are no breaks. I need to be certain you're ready for everything that comes with being my mate."

Tommy gazed up at me. I expected to see panic or sudden regret in his eyes, but there was only certainty.

"I'm sure," he said and I had nothing more to say.

I let my body do the talking. I kissed and explored every inch of him, showing him how precious he was to me.

Tommy moaned when I closed my fingers over his shaft and stroked him until he was close to the edge.

I didn’t let him come, not yet.

I hefted his legs over my shoulders, then slipped one, then two digits inside his asshole.

Tommy panted as I widened him for access.

Omegas were self-lubricating and I found him ready for me. Smiling to myself, I extracted my fingers and aligned my dick to his entrance.

I was hard as a steel pipe at that point.

“One more kiss,” Tommy begged and of course, I couldn’t help but comply.

I plundered his mouth and entered him at the same time.

Tommy gasped as I pulled away. I made my way inside him carefully, until I was balls deep.

“You okay?” I asked. Tommy nodded, unable to answer.

“The hard part is over. It’s time to make you feel good,” I said, starting with a slow rhythm.

In a matter of moments, I reduced us both to panting and needy animals. Tommy started to meet me for every thrust.

“Faster, Nitro. Please,” Tommy begged.

That last word undid me. I picked up the pace, switched up the angle of my thrust.

My next push made Tommy arch his back. He whimpered and I knew I found his sweet spot.

I kept aiming for that special place over and over again until Tommy dug his nails into my shoulders.

He came, painting my abdomen and stomach with his jizz. Hearing him climax triggered my own.

A few pumps later, the pressure inside me unravelled and I filled him with my seed.

After, I collapsed next to him on the forest floor.

Tommy instinctively curled up next to me and I automatically wrapped my arms around him.

I pressed a kiss to his mouth, then another to his neck.

The spot between his shoulder and neck to be exact, the special place where I would eventually put my mate mark.

“I want you to bite me, Nitro but I need to know something first,” Tommy said.

I gave Tommy an incredulous look, wondering if he fully comprehended what he was asking for.

My inner grizzly reassured me that he did. When Tommy made a decision, he stuck by it.

"Ask," I said, sensing what he wanted to know.

Spike's advice echoed in my mind—honesty was the foundation of a strong bond.

"I just want no secrets between us. You know all of mine," Tommy said, his eyes earnest.

"I understand," I replied, preparing myself for the question I had avoided sharing.

"What really happened between you, Gin, and Benji?" he asked, his voice calm yet filled with curiosity.

I took a deep breath, acknowledging that if Tommy was to be my mate, he deserved to know all sides of me, even the darker ones.

"After I found them together, I went insane with jealousy and let my anger get the better of me," I admitted, holding Tommy's gaze. "I nearly killed Benji."

The memories were still vivid—the confusion, the red pulpy mess that used to be my best friend, Gin screaming in the background, calling me a monster.

"Did you?" Tommy asked, his tone devoid of judgment or fear.

"Did I what?" I asked, momentarily distracted.

"End up killing him?" Tommy clarified.

"No, Benji lived," I replied.

"Then you don't have to feel guilty about anything. He deserved that beating," Tommy said matter-of-factly.

I looked at my mate, surprised by his pragmatic response. Tommy seemed certain that I'd done the right thing.

Why was I expecting him to turn away after hearing my darkest secret?

Tommy had stared darkness in the face and spat right back at it.

Unable to stop myself, I leaned in and kissed him.

"You're something, you know that?" I said afterward, still marveling at Tommy's acceptance and understanding.

He flashed me an amazing smile that lit up his face completely. I was one lucky bear.

Spike once mentioned how he was envious of Tommy and me.

He had every right to be, because finding my true mate was a once in a lifetime opportunity, one I intend to take advantage of.

"I'm going to spend the rest of my life making you happy," I thought, feeling slightly giddy.

"Now make me really yours, Nitro," Tommy said, and I realized he wasn't kidding about wanting to be together.

Tommy looked completely serious, and so was I. I knew without a doubt that I intended to spend the rest of my life with him.

It was now or never. Some things just couldn’t wait.

So I pulled him close and closed my mouth over the side of his neck. Tommy didn’t pull away or tense up, he simply relaxed.

I bit down hard, until my fangs hit bone. Tommy let out a soft cry but that was all.

My grizzly reached for his inner magpie, eager to forge an unbreakable bond.

I pulled away and it was Tommy’s turn to leave his mark on me.

He bit me on the exact same spot on my neck. The mating bond rose between us, silvery threads that tethered his life line to mine.

“It’s done,” I said, smiling. “I hope you don’t regret this.”

Tommy smiled back. “I won’t.”

I knocked on Spike's bedroom door, the sound muffled by the solid wood.

A low curse emanated from within, followed by the shuffling of feet. I exchanged a glance with Tommy, who stood beside me in the hallway.

This was the moment. The final opportunity for Tommy to rethink his decision. The morning had started on a positive note for me.

I had woken up in an excellent mood, greeted by the sight of Tommy sprawled in my sheets, and my mate mark gracing his neck.

Tommy even made me a hearty breakfast. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Tommy had suggested we visit Spike before heading off to work.

I supposed I wasn't as unexpected as I initially thought. Tommy was also similarly worried about Spike.

Back in the present, Tommy gave me an encouraging smile, as if assuring me that we were doing the right thing.

I hesitated, my hand lingering on the doorknob, contemplating the decision ahead.

With a resigned sigh, I turned the knob, pushing the door open and stepping into Spike's room.

The atmosphere inside was heavy and his room was a complete mess. Spike, caught off guard by our entrance, shot us a furtive look.

"Morning, Nitro," Spike grumbled, his voice laced with annoyance.

I surveyed his disheveled appearance and the bandages covering the upper half of his body.

"You should be back in bed," I said sternly.

Spike sniffed the air, his gaze landing on Tommy, who stood nearby, holding take-out bags.

Despite his grumpy and battered state, Spike immediately brightened up when he saw my mate.

"I smell my favorite waffles and bacon from Lucille's," Spike said, his eyes lighting up as he eyed the food hungrily.

Tommy, always the enabler, only laughed and set the bags of food down on the small table next to Spike's bed.

Spike, in turn, obediently sat back in bed, eagerly awaiting his favorite meal like an impatient child on Christmas morning.

I rolled my eyes, a mixture of exasperation and affection washing over me.

How come Spike never listened to me when I gave him orders?

It was as if my authority evaporated the moment food entered the picture.

I couldn't help but shake my head at the sight of him, wounded but still too stubborn for his own good.

"Leave Nitro and marry me, Tommy," Spike said, his mouth stuffed with waffles.

I shot him a sidelong glance, ready to growl in warning and take offense, but the absurdity of the situation made me pause.

There he was, attempting a proposal with his mouth full of waffles. Was he even chewing?

"I'm more good-looking,” Spike reminded him.

Tommy, ever the good sport, continued helping Spike cut his bacon into tiny, manageable pieces.

"Too late for that," Tommy replied with a mischievous smile that set my heart ablaze.

Spike, undeterred by the rejection, quirked an eyebrow.

"Why's that?” Spike asked between bites.

Tommy glanced my way before answering. Then he lifted the collar of his shirt, revealing the mate mark proudly.

Spike's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. Then, in typical Spike fashion, he turned to me.

"When did that happen?" he asked, genuine surprise coloring his words.

"Yesterday," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of smug satisfaction that I didn't bother hiding.

In this moment, I relished the triumph, and I didn't care if it showed.

Spike feigned offense, setting his fork down.

"I'm your best friend. I should be the first to know about such things," he complained.

"Well, one thing led to the next, and besides, you needed rest. You're the first to know about the news, by the way," I said, offering Spike a small smile.

"Nitro, Dylan just texted me. He and Whizz are having breakfast downstairs. Can I go see them?" Tommy asked, glancing up from his cellphone. I nodded in response.

"Sure, you don't need to ask me permission for things like that," I gently reminded him.

Tommy flushed slightly at the reminder but nodded nonetheless. He approached me shyly, then leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek.

"It's great seeing you, Spike. Get well soon," Tommy said to Spike before turning and leaving the room.

I watched him go, a warmth spreading through me at his simple display of affection.

Tommy had a way of making even the simplest moments special.

Turning back to Spike, I noted a flicker of something in his eyes – a mix of envy and longing.

I wanted to tell him his turn would come eventually, but I didn’t want to give him false hope.

"Tommy's doing good, isn't he?" Spike asked me, breaking the silence that had settled in the room.

"I remember you worrying weeks earlier about how you're worried he wasn't ready to be on his own in Moon Burrow," he added.

"He's not alone. Tommy always had me," I reminded him, glancing at Spike.

"That's not what I meant," Spike said, his tone more serious.

"Yeah, I get what you mean," I acknowledged. "Tommy's come really far from being Hick’s captive.”

"That reminds me, Venom paid me a visit earlier this morning," Spike said.

Ah, that certainly explained Spike's surly mood when Tommy and I arrived.

"What did the big boss want?" I asked, curious about the unexpected visit.

"He came to remind me, us, about our apology visit to Olaf and his pack. A date's been set. Next Friday," Spike disclosed.

The reminder hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation. I just wanted this whole Olaf affair to be over.

I nodded, then looked him over again.

"I can go by myself and settle the score," I offered.

Spike adamantly shook his head.

"No way, this was my fault. I'll fix it. My body will be right as rain by next Friday,” Spike said.

"It's a date then," I said, injecting a hint of humor into the conversation.

"Yeah, it's a date," Spike replied glumly.