Return and Restore

He laughed. “True enough, though you’re getting better about that. Are you still hungry? I’ve had my fill for the moment, both of food and of sitting here, and I would like to go to our room and be alone with you for a time.”

“I’m ready to go upstairs.” I stood and waited for him to do the same. “I just want to be close to you.”

I didn’t mean the double entendre, but I wasn’t sorry for saying it. Especially when he lowered his voice to a slight growl and said, “Oh? And how close would you like to be, boy?”

That was a trap. If I said I wanted to be naked lying in his arms, or under him, or kneeling in front of him, he might decide to torment me by saying no. Or he might think I only wanted him to fuck me because I wanted to forget everything that had just happened, which still meant he would say no.

I couldn’t answer him anyway. Not while we were still in the dining room, where Soren or one of his guards might overhear us. “Could I defer my answer until we’re in our room, Sire?”

“I think that’s wise.” He stood and gripped my arm. “Move fast.”

Heart racing in a good way, I let him guide me upstairs to the purple bedroom where we would sleep while we were here. And, apparently where we would do other things. I would have to be quiet, of course. There was no point scandalizing our host by getting too loud while my mate fucked me. If he fucked me, because that hadn’t been determined yet, but I sure as hell hoped it would happen.

“I suggest you get on the bed, boy.” Malachi released me and stood, hands on his hips, looking at me with a hunger that made my entire body turn into jelly. “Keep your clothes on for the moment, but get on that bed. Head on pillows so you’re comfortable.”

I scrambled onto the bed and lay the way he’d told me, on my back so I could watch whatever he did next. “If anything you do triggers or bothers me, I’ll tell you.”

He smiled again, this time a predatory smile that would have scared the hell out of me from anyone other than Malachi. “Well done.” He joined me, lying on his side with one arm draped over me. “Every step of the way today, well done. Including your disrespect, as you consider it, toward our host. I typically wouldn’t condone such behavior toward a high-ranked wolf, but in this instance, you did right. And you have changed his mind, which is no easy feat with anyone.”

“I was standing up for you more than for me.” It was always easier to speak up for someone else instead of myself. “He actually listened, though. That shocked me, to be honest. Like, people like him, people who have those opinions, usually don’t just back down.”

“I believe he may have been ready to hear a reason to back down.” He moved a little closer to me. “Enough talk about him. I intended only to praise you, not to derail whatever might be about to occur here. You’re excited.” He nipped my shoulder, and I moaned softly. “As am I. So be fully honest. Are you steady enough for sex after the upheaval downstairs? I’m happy just to hold you.”

“I just need you, Sire.” I was telling the truth. I needed him. Being naked with him, entwined together, would be better than lying here with our clothes on, but right now, I would take what I could get. “I’m steady. I’m willing, if it’s your will.”