But nothing was the same. Because she finally felt whole. A piece of her she hadn’t even known was missing was back now, and with it brought a sense of completeness. Rightness. And the entire universe was back to the way it always should have been.
It was too strong of a feeling to be her imagination. It wasn’t just a result of sex – she hadn’t felt like this any of the other times. She couldn’t even say that she was feeling him in some kind of supernatural way. This was only about herself.
Shewas more complete.Shewas changed on some basic, untouchable level.Heruniverse was finally spinning the right way.
Except, it wasn’t just her. Because on the other end of this bond, Tanin was feeling the same way. They were in this together. Joined together permanently.
Biting her lip, Garnet had to fight to keep her watery eyes from spilling over. She wasn’t sad. Not at all. The feelings rushing towards her were more like relief. The jubilation of finally feeling like everything was exactly the way it was always meant to be.
It was the closest she’d ever come to feeling like she could sense a higher power. Because how else could she describe the way fate led her to this male? How else could she describe the perfection of this feeling of being bonded to him?
Tanin’s arms closed around her. Holding her tight as he pet her head. He knew she needed her after sex cuddles – now, more than ever. And he was generous with them.
Because he was her mate, so of course he’d understand what she needed. What she wanted. And, naturally, he’d want to give it to her.
“Tanin,” she breathed, snuggling deeper into his chest. “I think I love you.”
To her surprise, he chuckled.
She frowned, glaring up at him. That wasn’t the reaction she wanted. But he was grinning back down at her.
“Try again,” he ordered.
“I said, I think I love you. Ow! Hey!”
He swatted her ass. Smirking. That annoying brow popped up on one side. She couldn’t even get away from him as she glared through narrowed eyes.
“Almost. Try again.”
“I said,” she hissed, “I think-Ow!”
He wasn’t hitting her hard, but that sharp little smack was deliberate and purposeful. A tiny punishment for a wrong she didn’t understand.
“One more chance,” he said. “You what?”
“I…” She started, but then cut herself off, glaring. What was she saying wrong? He was giving her no clues, but she was clearly saying something…
Oh.
Calming down, leaning back against him, she said just, “I love you.”
He stroked his hand over her ass, right where he swatted her. Soothing away anything that might have remained of the sting.
“That’s a good girl,” he praised. “Say it again. All soft and sweet how I like.”
The rush of joy she felt when he told her she was good made her smile, burning away the last remains of irritation as she repeated herself – all soft and sweet how he apparently liked. “I love you, Tanin.”
“I think I love you too.”
“Ah!” She smacked his chest as he laughed. The bouncing making his barbs pull inside her ever so slightly. It didn’t trigger the discomfort, but she was aware of their hardened points digging into the soft flesh of her pussy. And she loved it. “Say it again. The right way!”
He pushed his fingers through her hair, grabbing her by the back of the head, and pulled her down as he lifted his head. Pressing his forehead against hers, he breathed softly – all deep and rumbly the way that she obviously liked-
“I love you, Garnet.”
Her smile spread as she relaxed back against him. Going soft as he chuckled, wrapping his arms back around her. Holding her tight.
“I liked your dance,” she said, her longest finger tap, tap, tapping against his chest just so she could see the little fireworks in his skin burst as she did so.
