Chapter 8

Kael

The drive back to Mateo's estate passed in relative silence save for the occasional soft sigh or rustle of clothing as we shifted positions. Exhaustion weighed like a massive boulder upon my shoulders, both physical and emotional, yet I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes lest I miss some vital clue regarding the man seated beside me.

Mateo kept one hand resting high up on my thigh, thumb tracing idle patterns over the sensitive skin while the other gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity. Tension radiated off him in palpable waves, muscles coiled tight beneath his tailored slacks.

Part of me wanted to reach out, to offer some word or gesture of comfort even though I barely understood the depth of emotions swirling between us. But another part remained wary, unsure whether any platitudes spoken now could truly bridge the chasm opened wide by recent events.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Mateo glanced over, green eyes glinting in the dim glow from the dashboard. His expression softened for a short moment, calloused fingertips brushing lightly along my jawline this time.

"It will be alright,"he murmured, voice roughened by fatigue and something else I dared not name aloud."We're almost home."

Home. The word resonated deep within my chest, stirring up feelings I wasn't ready to examine too closely. This opulent manor may not have been where either of us originated, but we both couldn't imagine ourselves living anywhere else.

Nodding with tight lips, I leaned into his touch, accepting the small measure of solace offered. For now, it would have to suffice until we could unpack all that transpired fully later in private.

Upon crossing the threshold moments later, I expected Mateo to steer me directly upstairs toward the master suite without preamble. Instead, he surprised me by guiding me instead into the lavish living room, gesturing for me to take a seat on the plush sofa.

"Wait here,"he instructed, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before striding towards the bar tucked against one wall."I'll fix us drinks and then we can talk."

He said we were going to talk as if discussing the elephant in the room wouldn't dredge up painful memories best left buried for the time being. Still, I knew avoidance tactics wouldn't solve anything in the long run. If this relationship stood any chance of surviving, we needed to address the proverbial elephant head-on.

Settling onto the cushions with a weary groan, I accepted the tumbler of amber liquid pressed into my hand, sniffing cautiously at the pungent aroma wafting upwards. Whiskey, maybe? Whatever its composition, the burn as it slid down my throat promised welcome oblivion.

Mateo settled beside me, draping one arm across the back of the couch behind my shoulders. Up close like this, I could detect the faint tang of gunpowder clinging to his skin. My stomach churned at the reminder. I thought he wasn't going to do what he did, but he did. He'd changed his mind right at the last minute.

"You don't have to say anything,"he began, swirling the contents of his own glass."But I need you to understand why I did what I did earlier..."

And so he launched into an explanation, voice low and fervent as he recounted the strategic calculations leading to the officer's demise. How leaving witnesses alive posed unacceptable risks to Nightshade Wolves operations and those under their protection. How swift violence was often necessary to maintain control and deter future interference.

Through it all, I listened with the utmost attention, sipping steadily from my drink as I struggled to reconcile the ruthless cartel leader with the tender lover who held me close just hours prior. Was there no end to the darkness he inhabited?

When he finally fell silent, gaze boring into mine, I set aside my empty glass and reached for his hands, lacing our fingers together.

"I'm trying,"I admitted as my voice hurt me, throat constricting around the lump lodged therein."Trying to accept this part of your life without losing sight of the man underneath."

His brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his handsome features."What do you mean?"

Biting my lip, I debated how best to articulate the jumble of thoughts and emotions roiling inside me. In the end, I decided blunt honesty was the only way forward.

"The mate bond,"I clarified, searching his face."Even knowing what I know now... I still want this thing between us. Want YOU."There, I'd said it plainly enough. No more hedging or pretense.

Something unreadable flashed through his eyes before he surged forward, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss that stole the very breath from my lungs. Tongues tangled as he plundered the depths of my mouth, staking claim after claim until I was dizzy with need.

Only when oxygen became a necessity did he break away, pupils blown wide with lust. Without breaking eye contact, he rose fluidly to his feet, tugging me up alongside him.

"Come,"he commanded, leading me towards the stairs."Let me reward you."

My heart raced in anticipation as he guided me into the bedroom, shutting the door behind us with a resounding click.

Mateo started by removing his suit jacket, letting it fall to the floor with barely a glance. Next went his tie, yanked loose and thrown onto the growing pile without ceremony. Shirt buttons popped open one by one beneath my impatient fingers, revealing the sculpted expanse of his torso underneath. I helped him shrug off the garment, leaving him bare-chested save for the thin fabric of his undershirt which clung to every muscle definition. My hands lingered there, tracing the lines of his abdomen, feeling the heat emanating from his skin.

He reached for my shirt next, pulling it up and over my head in one fluid motion. It joined his scattered clothes on the floor. My pants were next, unbuttoned and pushed down along with my boxers, stepping out of them when they pooled at my ankles. I stood naked before him now, vulnerable but unafraid.

Mateo took his time undressing, savoring the reveal of each inch of exposed skin. He unbuckled his belt, letting it drop to the ground with a jangle. Then came his slacks, sliding down lean hips and long legs, pooling at his feet. Stepping out of them, he stood tall and proud, wearing only black boxer briefs that hugged his impressive bulge. I swallowed hard, anticipation coursing through me.

Reaching behind him, he hooked his thumbs into the elastic band and pulled down, revealing more of his firm buttocks with each passing second. Finally, they slipped past his knees and fell to the ground, leaving him completely nude.

We stared at each other, taking in every detail, committing this moment to memory.

Cool air kissed heated skin as he walked me backward towards the bed, strong hands mapping every dip and curve. By the time the backs of my knees hit the mattress's edge, I was trembling with pent-up longing, aching to feel him move inside me in the most primal sense.

"Please,"I whimpered, reaching for him with grasping hands."Need you..."

In response, he pushed me gently onto my back, covering my body with his larger frame. Leaning down, he laved attention upon my neck and collarbone, teeth grazing lightly over the sensitive skin. Goosebumps pebbled in the wake of his movements even as heat pooled molten-hot in my core.

"Shh,"he murmured against my throat, one hand drifting lower to palm my straining erection."Patience, mi amor. Let me take care of you."

He worked me slowly, alternating between firm strokes and teasing caresses designed to drive me out of my mind with wanting. Just when I thought I might combust from sheer frustration alone, slick fingers circled my entrance, probing insistently.

"Yes!"I cried out, hips bucking up into the contact."Inside, please!"

A deep chuckle rumbled through his chest as he breached me with one finger, then two, scissoring them apart to stretch delicate tissues. All the while, he continued stroking my cock in time with each thrust, twisting his wrist just right to brush over that magic spot within.

Pressure built rapidly at the base of my spine, balls drawing tight as pleasure coiled ever tighter. Distantly, I heard myself babbling, pleading for release even as I fought to hold off the inevitable.

"Not yet,"Mateo growled, withdrawing just as I teetered on the precipice."Not until I'm buried deep where I belong."

Before I could protest, he shifted positions, settling his hips snugly between my spread thighs. The broad head of his shaft nudged at my fluttering hole, demanding entry.

With a sharp snap of his hips, he sheathed himself inside me in one smooth stroke, stretching me around his thick length. A guttural moan tore from my throat at the exquisite sensation of fullness bordering on pain.

"That's it,"he panted, starting up a deep, driving rhythm."Take what you need from me."

Lost to sensation, I wrapped my legs around his waist, heels digging into the small of his back as I met him thrust for thrust. The obscene sound of sweat-slicked skin slapping together filled the room, punctuated by grunts and moans spilling freely from both our lips.

All of a sudden, he changed angle, hitting that special place inside me that made stars explode behind my eyelids. At the same time, his thumb swiped over my weeping slit, gathering the copious pre-come leaking from the tip.

"Yes, yes, yesss!"I keened, inner muscles clamping down hard around his pistoning cock."Don't stop, don't stop!"

Mateo groaned low in his throat, hips snapping forward with renewed urgency. His free hand found mine above my head, twining our fingers together as if anchoring us both against the maelstrom threatening to sweep us under.

"Gonna knot you,"he rasped, voice strained with impending release."Fill this sweet ass up 'til it takes."

The filthy promise sent a bolt of white-hot lust straight to my groin, pushing me hurtling towards completion despite having not touched my cock since this started.

"Please,"I begged, clenching down hard around his throbbing length."Want your knot, want your cum. Make me yours!"

With a feral roar, he slammed home one final time before stilling balls-deep inside me. Scalding seed flooded my channel as his knot began to swell, locking us together.

Distantly, I registered the scrape of teeth across my skin followed swiftly by the sting of fangs sinking deep. Pleasure bordered on agony as my own orgasm crashed over me like a big wave, vision whiting out for a moment.

When awareness returned, I found myself cradled against Mateo's heaving chest, his softening member still nestled snugly within my stretched hole. He stroked damp hair back from my sweaty brow, green eyes glinting with sated satisfaction.

"You did so well, mi amor,"he praised, pressing a kiss to my forehead."Took me so perfectly."

I hummed drowsily, too blissed-out to form coherent words. Snuggling deeper into his embrace, I let exhaustion claim me.

Tomorrow would bring new worries and difficult conversations about roles and expectations moving forward. But tonight... tonight belonged solely to us, safe in the circle of each other's arms.

As sleep tugged me under, I whispered the only thing that mattered:

"I love you."