Pulling my mouth away from his, making Bartholomew complain, I began to kiss his face, tracing his soft skin. He panted beneath me, cock hard and hips canting.
“Mindy.”
I licked his scabbed chin. It was healing; all of them were. Well, the ones that weren’t hidden by his clothes. Bartholomew had refused my desire to bathe the injures again, so I hadn’t confirmed the healing with my own eyes. I cleaned his chin before moving to his neck, licking and sucking on the delicate skin. One of his hands buried in my hair as his hips rutted into mine. I moaned from the friction on my cock, but it wasn’t enough to distract me from my assault on his neck. I had to leave my mark on him. No one might be here with us, but everyone needed to know this human was mine.
My Flower cried out, fisting my hair to the point of pain while the other clutched at my hip. He ground against me, moaning. I sucked and licked, biting, at his neck, but I did not grind into him. We hadn’t discussed it, but I was perfectly fine with my mate taking his pleasure.
“Yes, Flower,” I said against his neck. My hands went to his hips to help him rub against me. “That’s it. Take what you need.”
“Mindy. Fuck.” A low whine came out of his lips as wet warmth bloomed, and I smirked. My mate was very sensitive, and he clearly enjoyed my touch.
He panted, limp beneath me.
I pulled back, admiring the deep purple mark on his neck as well as the blissed expression on his face. Bartholomew’s eyes were heavy and his muscles relaxed. I kissed him again, and he returned it, movements lazy and sated.
“That was beautiful.” I adored the fact that I brought my mate such satisfaction so easily.
The color returned to his cheeks, and he looked away from me.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Bartholomew took a deep breath. “No. I’m… I’m embarrassed.”
“Why?” I cocked my head. He stayed silent for a few moments, and I didn’t rush him.
Teddy eventually said, “I came so fast.”
“And?”
“You didn’t even touch me.”
“And?”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Why? It’s hot, remember?” That was the right word, wasn’t it?
He smiled, and my soul soared. “You liked it.”
“I do.” I kissed him again. “Can we discuss permissions again now that we are courting?”
“Yes.”
I beamed, and Bartholomew traced my lips. I nipped at his fingers, and he grunted but didn’t pull away. Kissing the digits, I asked, “Can I kiss you?”
“You are.”
“But when can I kiss you and where? Can I bite you? Can I touch your butt? Do you want to fuck? And if you do, what do you like or not like? What touch do you like?” I asked, tail wiggling. “I want to know. No, I need to know.”
His eyes didn’t meet mine, staring at the tent. I waited, tail thrashing. His release was soaking the front of his trousers andmine, and I was still hard. I wanted to have our permissions established so perhaps I could also come, preferably in his mouth, but I wished for a release with my mate, regardless of how.
“You can kiss me,” he told me. “You can bite me. I like it, shockingly. You can touch my butt, but don’t kiss or bite it yet. I… I need more time.” Bartholomew’s cheeks darkened. “The same with sex. I know I’ve… we’ve—” He paused to take a breath. “I’m not ready.”
I kissed his cheek. “That’s fine.”
“You?”
“I want you to kiss and touch me, Flower. I love my hair played with and I love my tail and wings played with. I’m not fond of pain, but I doubt your teeth can do much damage to me, so feel free to bite. I want to get to know you and hear your voice, so please don’t pull away from me.” I nuzzled his cheek. “I want you. Not your body, though I do love it, but you. I want to know you. Please don’t hide or lie to me. Especially tell me if you need something. I need to care for you.”
