They’d won! Together, they’d forced the king to change the laws and forbid forced matings. They hadn’t celebrated much, but the royal siblings had stayed all afternoon and now, well into the night, they still chatted with Gerome, their mother, and each other.
D didn’t celebrate with them. He’d taken over the thankless job of keeping watch over the king until word got out. So far, nothing had happened. Their coven Elders knew about the new changes, and Gerome had called a couple of other covens to give them the news while the king sat on the side and shook his head.
He’d probably need a couple of months to accept the changes, but he’d get there. Backing out was nearly impossible now, so he’d have to accept it.
Luis turned to his mate, who still held a huge smile on his face. Gerome’s gentle strength appeared today, and for the first time, Luis had seen him as a true leader. He didn’t back down when his father addressed him, he didn’t waver, and he’d led them to a glorious victory.
When the time came, he’d make a great king, and Luis would stand proudly by his side as an equal, not just a second-hand mate.
Gerome caught his gaze and stepped over, taking him in his arms. “Happy, my love?”
Luis nodded. “Of course. It went much better than I imagined it would.”
“Yes, that it did. And in recognition of the recent developments, I want to do something. I vowed to myself that I’d wait until the laws fell, but now is the time.” Gerome paused.
Bewildered, Luis looked at his mate. What did he have planned?
Gerome reached into his pocket, and then, in front of his whole family, he dropped to his knee and held Luis’ hand in his. Luis’ breath hitched, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Gerome, whose face glowed scarlet red. He was the crown prince. He shouldn’t be kneeling, especially not in front of him.
“You’re everything and more I could’ve ever wished for. I’m so thankful you gave me the chance to get to know and love you. Our mating was against our will, but this here is something I very much wanted. I promised myself I’d do everything possible so that you could walk away as a free man if you wanted to. You didn’t. Instead, you promised to stand beside me and fight for equality. As my partner, I very much hope you’ll want this as much as I do, so I ask you here, in front of my family, Luis, will you marry me?”
He puled his hand from the pocket and held up a small box. With a swift movement, he opened it to reveal a sparkling ring.
Luis teared up. His throat closed, and he had to swallow twice before he could force his voice to work. “Of course, I want to marry you.” He sank to his knees in front of Gerome and pulled him tightly against his body. He trembled, and his voice wavered, as he answered, “I would love nothing more.”
Soft lips caressed his neck as they knelt in silence, hugging each other tightly. The trembling subsided after a while, and Luis looked up to search Gerome’s eyes. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“It means even more to me. You’re everything I could possibly want. Through you, I can be the person I want to be—a better person.”
“You made it easy to fall in love with you. Anyone else would have taken what was rightfully theirs.”
“Thank you.” Gerome hugged him tightly again, then retrieved the ring from the box. Shiny and silvery, it took Luis’ breath away. He couldn’t speak but took the ring with shaking fingers. Before he could put it on though, Gerome covered his hand with his fingers and carefully took the ring. Luis extended his left hand, and Gerome slipped the ring on his ring finger. “I hope it fits. I had to guess your size when I ordered it.”
His throat still closed, Luis finally whispered, “It fits perfectly.” He stared at the ring. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you.” Gerome smiled, and Luis leaned forward to press a kiss to his lips.
They stood, Gerome first as he helped Luis to his feet. The whole family applauded, and every single one of Gerome’s siblings as well as his future mother-in-law hugged him and Gerome tightly. They seemed to be genuinely happy with their recent relationship development.
Luis’ grin didn’t leave him for a second. The happiness flooding him wouldn’t lessen for a while. Because he could leave if he wanted to, he wasn’t required to stay with his mate any longer. If he decided to, he could get a job and a life far away from the coven.
Gerome had asked to marry him, and he’d waited until Luis was free to go before asking. In Luis’ mind, his acceptance only showed how much he loved Gerome.
No law hanging over them made the whole moment even sweeter. He’d been able to make the decision based on what his heart told him.
He pulled Gerome into a heated kiss. Now they needed Gerome’s family to leave so they could have their own private celebration. Besides, Luis had planned something special to celebrate their victory. Gerome’s proposal would make it even better.
****
With Eleonora and Melinda in the guest bedroom and the rest of the family on their way back to the hotel, they were finally alone. Barely waiting until the door closed behind them, Luis pulled his man into a heated kiss.
He pressed close to Gerome’s body, aiming to feel as much as possible of his mate. “Bed, now,” he murmured between kisses and gropes.
Other than catch his hand, his lover didn’t say anything as he pulled him to the master bedroom and closed the door forcefully behind them.
“Strip,” Luis softly ordered before he pulled his own shirt over his head.
With deft movements, Gerome stripped until naked and leaving Luis to gawk. Damn, he couldn’t get enough of his mate, and he’d probably never get tired of seeing him nude.
“What are you waiting for?” Gerome interrupted his thoughts, and Luis hurried to strip and followed him under the covers.
They kissed again, their hands roaming freely over sensitive skin until Luis murmured, “I want you to fuck me while you bite me. Drink from me, please.”
Gerome leaned back and stared at him. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“I don’t. I want it. Please.”
“I can’t. Not yet. I could get you pregnant, and I while I’d love to have kids with you one day, I don’t think we should—”
Luis silenced him with a kiss. He hadn’t given that idea much thought, but why should they wait? They were getting married, they were in love, and they’d changed the world today. Having a baby would only be the icing on the cake.
When he released Gerome, he opened his eyes and pinned him with his gaze. “I want to. I want it. Kids. Everything. I’d love to have a family with you.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think you have—”
Luis buried his face in Gerome’s neck. “Stop it. I know that I don’t have to. I want to. I’d really love for you to make love to me, bite me, and try to get me pregnant.”
“You have no idea what you’re doing to me.” Tears glistened in Gerome’s eyes. He wouldn’t cry now, would he?
“Hey, come on. Everything is good.” Luis softly held Gerome’s head.
“I know. Sorry. I didn’t mean to... you caught me off guard.” He blinked rapidly, and then kissed Luis again before he could say anything else.
“Thank you. I will never be able to thank you enough for these gifts.”
“Stop thanking me and get back to kissing me,” joked Luis as he pushed his hands down to cup his ass cheeks, pressing his groin against him at the same time. His mate’s cock waited for him—hard and ready.
Their tongues met in yet another hot kiss while Gerome’s fingers trailed south to Luis’ ass. Gerome kissed him softly and then scooted down to nibble his skin. He carefully peppered every inch of skin with kisses and small bites until Luis couldn’t breathe properly. His fingers clenched the bedding while Gerome his lips played with Luis’ nipples, teasing them until they ached so sweetly. But Gerome didn’t stop. Luis pushed up with his hips, trying to get some friction on his cock—anything to ease the ache.
“Slowly, my love. I won’t rush our first time.”
Slowly. Why would he want to take things slowly when his man was about to make love to him? Seriously?
Without further warning, Gerome sucked Luis’ cock into his mouth, robbing him of all coherent thoughts. “Fuuuck...” Luis’ fingers clenched into Gerome’s hair while his mate hummed quietly, the vibrations adding to the sensations.
He wouldn’t last.
Luis raised his knees to allow Gerome easy access to the spot he really wanted him to be, and his lover granted his wish. Slender fingers trailed down his balls and over to his hole. Yeah, there. Right there.
Luis closed his eyes, but he heard Gerome rummaging in the nightstand, then the fingers, slick with cool lube, were back. Instead of pressing in, though, Gerome just caressed the sensitive skin but never breached his body. Goddammit! He wasn’t a virgin, and he needed this!
Gerome twirled his tongue over the head of Luis’ cock and made him groan loudly. Taking his sweet time, Gerome got him ready. His fingers caressed Luis’ sensitive skin, carefully making sure to tease him until he couldn’t focus on anything else. It’d been more than a year since he’d last been fucked, so relaxing his muscles took some time.
With Gerome’s tongue on his cock and his fingers in his ass, Luis couldn’t stop himself from groaning and moaning loudly. Heat flooded through him, and he clenched the bedsheets in his fingers. Normally, he’d be all for getting his partner ready, but he couldn’t reach— “Can you get up and turn around?” he forced out. “Please?” Gerome looked up and their gazes met. “Kneel over me. I want to suck you while you play.”
The smile he received warmed him from the inside out. “Hell, yes.” Gerome hurried to do as Luis wanted, and a moment later, his hard cock hung in reach of Luis’ lips.
Gerome didn’t waste any time and put his lips over Luis’ hard cock again at the same time his fingers went back to driving him out of his mind. By now, his muscles didn’t need any further relaxing, but Luis wouldn’t stop his mate for anything. The talented fingers drove him higher and higher with lust.
Luis traced the heavy balls and the hard cock dangling in front of him and smiled at the moan that suddenly surrounded his hard shaft. Yeah, now he was giving his mate pleasure as well.
Slowly, he trailed the tip of his tongue over the tip, tasting the precum. Mmm... it had just the right saltiness and sweetness he loved. The rhythm of Gerome’s fingers at his ass faltered, and a low moan echoed through the room. Luis closed his eyes at the vibrations around his cock. Fuck. If this was his reward for merely licking Gerome’s cock... he took it completely into his mouth.
Oh, God! Gerome hummed, and Luis barely managed to stop himself from pushing up into the wet heat. Shit, this would end way sooner than he wanted. The triple stimulation of Gerome’s cock in his mouth, his fingers at Luis’ ass, and his cock in Gerome’s mouth... he needed to stop, or he’d be finished before he had his man where he really wanted him.
He sucked Gerome deep, unwilling to let go, despite his looming orgasm. Soft skin covered the hard length, and Luis traced the head with his tongue before sucking him deep once more. As Gerome’s movements became more and more erratic, Luis never stopped humming and groaning. Panting, he released Gerome. “Come on and turn around, or this will be over in a couple of minutes.”
Gerome released his cock. “Might be better, yes. I’m close as well. You have a great mouth, my love.”
Still kneeling over him, Gerome turned around carefully and captured Luis’ gaze. With slow movements, he scooted between Luis’ parted legs. Eyes still locked, he leaned over and guided his cock with his hand. “You okay?” Gerome asked, and as Luis nodded, his mate carefully pushed in. Luis held his breath and waited until Gerome slipped inside. He groaned at the sensation of the hard shaft stretching him. His mate slowly pushed in, his eyes on Luis until all coherent thoughts left him.
Gerome leaned over and took his lips in a kiss while Luis closed his eyes and welcomed him, his mouth opening to meet his mate’s tongue instantly. When Gerome raised himself on one elbow, his free hand traced Luis’ chest as their tongues danced.
Without breaking their kiss, Gerome thrust forward gently, and Luis, holding him as close as possible, clutched his man’s shoulders.
Gerome buried his face in Luis’ neck and murmured, “I love you so much. I can’t even tell you how much. You’re mine. Forever. I won’t ever let you go.”
Luis smiled and tightened his arms around Gerome. “I love you, too. And I’m perfectly fine with never letting go again.”
“That’s good.” Gerome kissed him again and pushed his hips forward. “That’s more than good. I can’t tell you how good,” he whispered, his pace picking up.
Luis groaned, and his fingers dug into Gerome’s shoulder. Without breaking eye contact, he tilted his head to the side, exposing his neck. Gerome’s gaze traveled to the revealed skin. Luis closed his eyes and bent his head even more. A low growl sounded through the room. A few weeks ago, Luis would’ve been terrified, but now, a wave of lust raced through him.
“You have no idea what you’re doing, right?” Gerome’s voice deepened and his words slurred a tad—his fangs had dropped.
“Come on. I know you want to. Bite me. Make me yours in all ways possible.”
Gerome’s growls increased. “Fuck. Don’t tempt me. I can only control myself to a degree. And you’re offering too much here.”
Confused, Luis turned his head back. Couldn’t Gerome just do it? They were in the middle of having sex. Did they need to discuss this now? “Why? I thought we agreed that you’d bite me?”
“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. Your smell tempts me, and I love your soft skin. Your whole body beckons me. What if I can’t stop myself?”
Luis reached up and tilted Gerome’s head up so he could look at him again. “You’re one of the gentlest men I know. If I need you to stop, I know you will. Please. Give it to me. Show me. Take this from me. I trust you.”
Gerome stared at him for a second and then nodded. “I’ll try, although you seem to have no idea how sexy you are.”
Luis didn’t answer, only bent his head back and closed his eyes again. Instead of a bite, though, soft lips traced his jaw and throat while his mate fucked him slowly.
His breath came in harsh pants as Gerome took his sweet time kissing and nibbling on his neck without breaking the skin. Heat pooled in his stomach. He didn’t have much longer. Gerome’s pace picked up, his thrusts increasing in speed and force. Oh God, yes. Ready to help a bit, Luis sneaked a hand between their bodies when a sharp pain—for a fraction of a second—stopped him. Before he could process what happened, warmth flooded him, and he came, the orgasm ripping through him.
His head left the pillow, and his fingers hurt from digging into Gerome’s shoulder and hip. He couldn’t breathe. It lasted a few seconds longer before Gerome licked over the bite and buried his face in Luis’ shoulder. He lay there, panting, not saying a word as he pushed Luis into the mattress with his weight.
They froze in silence while Luis bathed in the afterglow of the sensational orgasm. If a bite from Gerome brought him this kind of pleasure, and he had a say, his man would be biting him quite often.