HellCat: Guardian Of The Gate
by wizardtho
Chapter 7:
After my shower, I decided to get back to work unpacking the boxes from Charlie's. I filled my time with unpacking the ones I could lift. I organized and hung my clothing/shoes/accessories in my closet, folded and put away my tees and underthings, then found places in the house for my pictures. When I got to my boxes of books, they were too heavy for me to lift myself. That’s when I realised that it had been about two hours since I had heard anything from Peter.
A subconscious part of me had been feeling a little tug as the afternoon went on, but now that I was thinking about him actively, I noticed that my whole body seemed to almost be able to pinpoint him. I was afraid that he'd left... that I took too long figuring things out...but I could feel that he was just inside the treeline somehow. To test it, I walked out onto the balcony from the library, where I could hear faint pounding sounds. That made me feel better; I knew I'd talk to him as soon as he came back to the house.
I curled up on my bed with the doors open so I could hear the thump-thump of him working. I must have fallen asleep to the thought of his rich red eyes, because I was suddenly seeing several very different sets of red eyes.
Something was wrong... very wrong.
A beautiful raven-haired female was battling a fierce werewolf, along with several vampires, so I was shocked that she seemed to be holding her own. At least at first, until a flash of blonde streaked past my vision, followed by several animals that looked like no dog I had ever seen before. Their fur wasn't fur, but seemed to be almost scales, and they were much more agile than normal dogs. They also had fierce red eyes, matching the scales around their heads. They ripped at, bit into, and whipped their tails at the enemy, seeming to be almost at the dark-haired female's command, but then the blonde streak dealt a horrible blow to her, before both he and the werewolf ripped her to shreds. I screamed out in my head, my chest aching as if I were her, then heard the mournful howls of the not-quite-dogs before they dissipated into black smoke.
I woke in my bed to a broken sounding whisper next to my ear. Slowly my eyes opened to see that Peter had his head laid next to mine as he held my hand with closed eyes. "Please... I promise I'll do anythin' ya want, if ya just come back to me. I'll even drink from animals, no matter how nasty that shit is... just please don't leave me alone. I don't know what's wrong, just that somethin' is. Ya've been sleepin' too long, but I don't know how to wake ya. Is it because of how long I was workin' before I heard ya scream? If so, I didn't know ya couldn't handle us bein' apart like two vampire mates could. I was just tryin' to give ya time to think. I wanted ya to be able to tell me when ya were ready... for ya to know ya wanted me before I explained about mates, so you knew it was always your choice. I'm so sorry I failed ya, Isabella. Please, whatever’s goin' on right now, just please don't leave me alone."
Mates? Was that what I felt when we first touched? When our eyes locked and I never wanted to look away?
It felt right... better than right, even. It felt like I should have always known, yet on some level, I did kind of know. I brushed my free hand through his silky locks, choking out hoarsely, "Shh... I'm here, and I'm alright."
It sounded like my voice was filled with pain, causing me to remember my dream in vivid clarity... no, I definitely was not alright. His breath hitched as he looked up at me with venom-filled eyes, so I cupped his cheek as I continued, "Come lay with me, please. I need to feel you close. You can explain about us being mates after I recoup from whatever the hell just happened."
He nodded silently, kicked off his boots, then carefully crawled under the throw blanket next to me. I rolled to face him, wedging my top leg between both of his. Wrapping my top arm around his back to clutch at his shirt between his shoulder blades, I buried my head into his chest. He whispered into my hair as he wrapped his arm around me to stroke my spine, "Rest now, My Little Mate. I'll be right here when ya wake." I was too weak and confused to do anything but snuggle further into him, my eyes closing before I could make a sound.
When I woke again, I noticed that I was laying on his chest, with him leaning back against the headboard and my legs straddling his hips. I still felt a bit weak, but my voice sounded slightly less hoarse and pained as I whispered, "How long have I been sleeping on you?"
He didn't stop his attention to my spine, but whispered, "It's been almost 24 hours since I first found ya asleep. How do ya feel?"
I shook my head, "Confused... still a bit weak. It's a little better than it was, but I'm still out of it from the dreams. My whole body aches."
I felt him nod into my shoulder as he kissed it, then he whispered, "I know, Sweets... I can feel inside me that somethin's not quite the same. Ya said dreams, though. Ya didn't pass out, or feel pain before you slept?"
I raised a brow at what he was saying, so he offered, "When a vampire finds his true mate several things happen that wouldn't with anyone else. At first touch, there's a warm tingle that flows through both of them... when their eyes lock, both souls recognise their other half, then a bond is started between 'em. When the bond is still new and formin', the find they can't stay away from each other for more than four hours. The longer they're away from each other, the more they ache to be reunited. If they don't reconnect in time, the ache will turn to pain. With two mated vampires, it would have taken 'em around a full day to get to the point ya seemed to be at when I found ya. I didn't know if it would be different with ya bein' human, Isabella, so I was worried it was my fault. Ya were screamin' in your sleep, Sugar, but my presence barely helped. I didn't know if it was because of us bein’ parted too long, but couldn't take the chance of bein' wrong, so I waited."
He inhaled my scent deeply, then whispered, "Our bodies instinctively know when we find our mates, and try to give them what’s needed. Our mouths produce venom most of the time, but with our mates, we can mark 'em and heal 'em without venom. When we mark, we bite in an easily visible area, so other vampires will know that you're taken… that you’re not to be touched. Then the mark is healed with our healin' saliva, which contains a mixture of healin' properties and our scents. The bite doesn't hurt, and is made at the height of claimin'... or love-makin'. When our mates are injured, the saliva's used to heal them by lickin' the wound, or the affected area. I've only heard of one other time when mates were separated too long, when I was in the south. The healin' for that is a bit different. It would involve me coatin' your entire body in my saliva, along with claimin' and markin' ya. I'm not tellin' ya this to take advantage of ya. I'm not expectin' ya to want me after I failed ya, but ya wanted me to explain."
I shook my head, "Peter, you said yourself... you didn't know if it would be different for us. You were trying to do what I asked. I can't fault you for that. I don't even know if it is, because as crazy as it sounds, I think my dreams are the cause of me feeling like this. I was unpacking -thinking. When I got to the book boxes and still hadn't seen you, I worried. I thought maybe I took too long to think through things, that you got tired of waiting. I could feel you, though. I could practically pinpoint your location, then when I stepped outside, I could hear you hammering. I knew you were close, so I calmed. I was waiting for you to get back so I could talk to you. I must have fallen asleep while waiting, though, and my dreams were really scary."
He nodded, holding me closer as he choked out, "I heard ya cryin' out for me, which made my chest flare in pain. I knew I had to get to ya. Then ya screamed right as I hit the tree line. Ya scared the bejesus outta me, Isabella. I didn't know what to do, other than listen to my instincts, but we never got to talk things out. There was no way I was gonna try to heal ya without your permission, since it's such an intimate act between mates. I wasn't even sure that's what was wrong."
I lifted my head enough to kiss over his heart, then laid my cheek against it while whispering, “It was different, where I was in my dream. The first thing I saw was a bunch of glowing red eyes in the dark. Then I saw a raven-haired female fighting a vicious werewolf, along with several vampires. She was doing well, but then I saw the red eyes again, chasing after a blonde streak. They were dogs, but not true dogs... it's hard to explain. They didn't have fur, but scales that changed color... from a grayish-black to a blackish red. The blonde blur then suddenly found an opening, while the not-dogs were ripping and clawing at the other vampires. He and the werewolf tore the female to shreds… blood everywhere… screaming… pain, so much pain."
I choked out the last bit, causing Peter to hold me tighter while hushing me. I shook my head, then said in a pain-filled voice, “I felt like it was me they ripped open, Peter. I felt her pain... felt her die. The sound of the not-dogs mournful howls... it cut into me, like they were mourning a great loss. I think she was their master. Right at the end of the first dream, before I woke and spoke to you the first time... I think I recognised the blonde flash, then the not-dogs dissipated into black smoke. The werewolf and the blonde had already gone by the time the howling stopped.”
Peter shook his head, "It doesn't all make sense to me, Sugar, I'm sorry. I wish my meter would pipe in right about now, but I'm gettin' nothin' so far. Was your other dream the same?”
I shook my head, “Not exactly, but it was sort of a continuation, I guess. I saw the werewolf and blonde again, confirming it was who I thought. They were trying to make their way somewhere. I don't know where, but it didn't give me a good feeling at all. The not-quite-dogs were howling, keening in mourning. I didn't see them, but I got the feeling they were close... real close. They made me feel safer. I don't know, but I do know that whatever happened, it knocked me sideways. I'm scared that a dream could make me feel like this, Peter.”
He tipped my chin up, searching my eyes. “Tell me what to do, Isabella... I'll do anythin'. I told ya before this happened... yesterday at the truck. I want ya, Sugar. I want ya to want me, too. I thought a lot while I was workin' yesterday afternoon, and I want all of it with ya. I want ya beside me, not just for now, but centuries from now."
He held me just a little bit tighter. When he continued, it felt like he was pouring his soul into his words. "I wanna go places with ya that we've never seen, just to watch your face light up at things we discover together. I wanna curl up together on the couch or in the study, so we can read to each other. I wanna hear your voice as it weaves through the words on the page. I wanna know your thoughts and views on things, because ya have a beautiful and brilliant mind, plus I love how sassy ya can be. I long to care for ya, to take ya huntin' to sate your thirst. I wanna watch ya stalk your prey, no matter which way ya choose, because watchin' your mate hunt is a sensual experience. Yes, I wanna make love to ya. I thought of a million different ways while we were out yesterday, because the scent of your arousal called to me like a Siren. I wanna make sweet love to ya, but I also wanna take ya in the heat of desire against whatever flat surface is closest. I wanna see the pleasure in your eyes, hear ya moan my name. I want all of ya, Isabella, every single part."
I laid there quietly thinking everything he said over, for quite some time. When I finally spoke, it was the barest whisper of hope, "You really want all of that... with me? For eternity?"
He hummed, nodding as he kissed my forehead, "All that and so much more, My Sweet Mate."
After a few more minutes of me not feeling like I could get close enough to him, I tentatively slid my hands up under his shirt at his sides, almost immediately feeling some of the tenseness leave both of us. It still wasn't enough, though, so I whispered after another few minutes, "Need more. Peter... I need to be closer, please."
He carefully sat up as he cradled me to him, then said, "I'm gonna let go of ya for only a second, so I can get my shirt over my head." I nodded, but before I could register the movement, I felt myself being cradled to his cool chest again. We both sighed at the contact.
The contact was better, but it still wasn't enough. Everything in me was practically begging for more, so after a short while, I slid my hands around my back to clasp my hands in his. I brought them to the hem of my shirt, whispering, "Please," as I closed his fingers around the fabric.
He let out a soft hum of acceptance, then placed his hands under my shirt, just above my jeans on my bare skin. As he slowly lifted the shirt up a few inches, he whispered, "Can I try somethin' first?" I nodded, then he whispered, "Look at me, please, Beautiful." When I did, he slowly closed the distance between us, brushing his lips against mine.
My hands automatically adjusted to tangle into his silky hair, eliciting a moan from him as his lips brushed mine again. The sound vibrated through me with how close we were, my breathing hitched in response, my fingers tightening a bit in his hair as I crushed my front to his. He needed no further invitation, instantly taking my mouth in a passionate kiss. I was addicted to his taste, and by the time the kiss slowed to a stop, I was breathless with desire for him.
He shuddered out a breath as our foreheads connected, then whispered, "I've wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on ya."
I chuckled breathlessly, then said, "Well, I definitely wouldn't mind you kissing me any time you felt like it."
He hummed, flexing his hands on my ribs a bit as he said, "Best idea ever, My Sweet. How do ya feel?"
I nodded, knowing what he was asking, "A little less tense; my chest doesn't hurt as much. I'm nowhere near where I was before my dreams, though."
He nodded, then kissed my lips lightly before whispering, "Do ya still want me to continue?"
He swirled his thumbs along my front ribs to get his point across, my eyes fluttering in response as I moaned, "Christ, yes... I need to feel you against me... to feel your touch."
Peter continued lifting my shirt, ghosting his palms ever-so-slowly over the sides of my lace bra, making me unconsciously arch further into his touch as I gasped softly. My eyes were still closed, with me biting my lip to stifle my moan, then I heard him let out a long breath as he let me feel his touch more fully. It was short to last, though, because soon he finished removing my shirt completely.
My eyes open to find his when I heard his breath hitch, then he tenderly traced the line where the lace cup met my breast while whispering, "I didn't let myself really look before. I knew if I did, I’d never have been able to walk away. Now that I am, the reality is far more enticin' than the fantasy. You're exquisite, Isabella."
I blushed a bit, traced my fingers along the definition lines of his abs as I remembered watching him in the kitchen, then kissed his shoulder as I said, "In the kitchen was the first time I really let myself notice you. Once I did, I couldn't help but take in everything I could see. My imagination took over quickly, thinking up some very naughty things. All because I could see your ab muscles tense and flex under your shirt."
His breath whooshed out, then he inhaled slowly as he ghosted his lips from the edge of my shoulder to my bra strap. When he reached it, he nipped the elastic lightly while saying, "Your sweet arousal filled the whole kitchen. All that was just from watchin’ me?"
I nodded as I swirled my tongue over a raised bit of flesh at the juncture of his neck, then let my breath fan over the spot as I said, "Uh-huh, and the naughty images my mind conjured up of us. That's why I hurried to say we needed to get going. I was about ten seconds from jumping you, right there in the kitchen."
Peter moaned, then nipped my bra strap again before trailing kisses up to my ear, whispering, "You're the leader here, Kitten. I don't wanna go further than you're comfortable with, only to end up pushin' ya away."
I shook my head, "I don't think you ever could, Peter... and we're still not close enough. I'm getting chilly with no fire going, though, so will you start one and come back to me?"
He smiled, pulled me into a tender kiss, then flipped us so I was lying against the pillows, with him nestled between my spread legs. I gasped, arching with a moan at the contact, then Peter said in a husky voice, "God, that's sexy. Hold that thought, Little Temptress, and let me get the fire goin'."
He placed open-mouthed kisses down the center of my body, then swirled his tongue in my navel, eliciting a whimper from me.
With a smirk, he trailed his nose from there to my jean-covered core, then inhaled deeply before growling, "Sweet fuckin’ hell, I wanna taste ya on my tongue." My arousal shot sky-high at the sexy sound. With a moan and a nip to the seam of my jeans, he backed down off the end of the bed.
As I watched Peter build the fire, I realised several things. My short time with Peter had felt more meaningful than most of my time with Edward had. I felt deep down that Peter was sincere when he told me he wanted me for eternity. I could actually picture us doing all of those things together. I wanted him for more than just a sexual release before I knew about the mate thing. I also realised that it was too late to shield my heart, because I was already falling in love with him. The scary part was, I didn't want to shield it. I wanted Peter to know it was his to love and protect, like I wanted to do with his heart.
That's when Peter chose to stand and walk back toward the bed. I stopped him with an index finger in the air, whispering, "Too many clothes. Lose the jeans, please?"
He coughed slightly, then mumbled just loud enough for me to hear, "I'm... umm... not wearin' anythin' under 'em, Sugar."
I moaned at the thought of him going commando all the time, then said with a smirk, "Good, that'll make it even then, since you'll hopefully be removing the rest of mine when you're done. I told you, Peter, I want to feel your body against mine... I want to feel your touch." He nodded with a slight smile, then popped the button on his jeans.
My eyes stared at the popped open button for only a second before they caught sight of his prominent length straining against the fabric. When he slid his zipper down and slowly let his jeans drop, my arousal spiked again at the glorious sight of him. There were many spots on him that were glimmering slightly in the light of the fire. I instinctively knew that each one was a battle scar. They didn't freak me out, though, only made me desire him more.
As I looked at each spot in turn, I wanted to take away the pain of each bite and tear, to bathe them with my tongue. I wanted to kiss each one, let him know how proud I was that he survived that hell. Oddly enough, I wanted to bite him... to make my own mark on his skin... one that would make him mine, that he would wear proudly.
Peter stood for my appraisal casually. When I crooked my finger at him, I hummed, "Come here, My Mate. You're too damn sexy to be that far away."
He chuckled softly, then stalked up the bed to hover over me, whispering against my lips, "You think I'm sexy? They don't bother you?"
I shook my head, then said as I cupped his cheek, "I was just thinking that they made me desire you more. They show me that my mate is strong, that he can hold his own. They are proof that he will make a good protector against my danger magnet. I was also thinking about how I wanted to kiss and lick each mark... how I wanted to make my own mark on you."
Peter grinned widely, then kissed all over my face as he said, "Ya mean it? Ya really... wanna? Do ya know what... that means? Ya had... an epiphany... didn’t ya, My Sweet Mate?"
I giggled with a nod, then flicked my tongue against his lips before catching his gaze, saying, "I'm yours, and you're mine. I already feel so much for you. I'm more than alright with what's happening. I'm a little scared because this is new territory, but I don't want to keep my body or heart from you. I want you to care for and love them, as I want to do with yours. I want you, Peter, and I fully accept our bond."
He immediately captured me in a toe-curling passionate kiss, yet the passion didn't stop when our lips parted.
After my shower, I decided to get back to work unpacking the boxes from Charlie's. I filled my time with unpacking the ones I could lift. I organized and hung my clothing/shoes/accessories in my closet, folded and put away my tees and underthings, then found places in the house for my pictures. When I got to my boxes of books, they were too heavy for me to lift myself. That’s when I realised that it had been about two hours since I had heard anything from Peter.
A subconscious part of me had been feeling a little tug as the afternoon went on, but now that I was thinking about him actively, I noticed that my whole body seemed to almost be able to pinpoint him. I was afraid that he'd left... that I took too long figuring things out...but I could feel that he was just inside the treeline somehow. To test it, I walked out onto the balcony from the library, where I could hear faint pounding sounds. That made me feel better; I knew I'd talk to him as soon as he came back to the house.
I curled up on my bed with the doors open so I could hear the thump-thump of him working. I must have fallen asleep to the thought of his rich red eyes, because I was suddenly seeing several very different sets of red eyes.
Something was wrong... very wrong.
A beautiful raven-haired female was battling a fierce werewolf, along with several vampires, so I was shocked that she seemed to be holding her own. At least at first, until a flash of blonde streaked past my vision, followed by several animals that looked like no dog I had ever seen before. Their fur wasn't fur, but seemed to be almost scales, and they were much more agile than normal dogs. They also had fierce red eyes, matching the scales around their heads. They ripped at, bit into, and whipped their tails at the enemy, seeming to be almost at the dark-haired female's command, but then the blonde streak dealt a horrible blow to her, before both he and the werewolf ripped her to shreds. I screamed out in my head, my chest aching as if I were her, then heard the mournful howls of the not-quite-dogs before they dissipated into black smoke.
I woke in my bed to a broken sounding whisper next to my ear. Slowly my eyes opened to see that Peter had his head laid next to mine as he held my hand with closed eyes. "Please... I promise I'll do anythin' ya want, if ya just come back to me. I'll even drink from animals, no matter how nasty that shit is... just please don't leave me alone. I don't know what's wrong, just that somethin' is. Ya've been sleepin' too long, but I don't know how to wake ya. Is it because of how long I was workin' before I heard ya scream? If so, I didn't know ya couldn't handle us bein' apart like two vampire mates could. I was just tryin' to give ya time to think. I wanted ya to be able to tell me when ya were ready... for ya to know ya wanted me before I explained about mates, so you knew it was always your choice. I'm so sorry I failed ya, Isabella. Please, whatever’s goin' on right now, just please don't leave me alone."
Mates? Was that what I felt when we first touched? When our eyes locked and I never wanted to look away?
It felt right... better than right, even. It felt like I should have always known, yet on some level, I did kind of know. I brushed my free hand through his silky locks, choking out hoarsely, "Shh... I'm here, and I'm alright."
It sounded like my voice was filled with pain, causing me to remember my dream in vivid clarity... no, I definitely was not alright. His breath hitched as he looked up at me with venom-filled eyes, so I cupped his cheek as I continued, "Come lay with me, please. I need to feel you close. You can explain about us being mates after I recoup from whatever the hell just happened."
He nodded silently, kicked off his boots, then carefully crawled under the throw blanket next to me. I rolled to face him, wedging my top leg between both of his. Wrapping my top arm around his back to clutch at his shirt between his shoulder blades, I buried my head into his chest. He whispered into my hair as he wrapped his arm around me to stroke my spine, "Rest now, My Little Mate. I'll be right here when ya wake." I was too weak and confused to do anything but snuggle further into him, my eyes closing before I could make a sound.
When I woke again, I noticed that I was laying on his chest, with him leaning back against the headboard and my legs straddling his hips. I still felt a bit weak, but my voice sounded slightly less hoarse and pained as I whispered, "How long have I been sleeping on you?"
He didn't stop his attention to my spine, but whispered, "It's been almost 24 hours since I first found ya asleep. How do ya feel?"
I shook my head, "Confused... still a bit weak. It's a little better than it was, but I'm still out of it from the dreams. My whole body aches."
I felt him nod into my shoulder as he kissed it, then he whispered, "I know, Sweets... I can feel inside me that somethin's not quite the same. Ya said dreams, though. Ya didn't pass out, or feel pain before you slept?"
I raised a brow at what he was saying, so he offered, "When a vampire finds his true mate several things happen that wouldn't with anyone else. At first touch, there's a warm tingle that flows through both of them... when their eyes lock, both souls recognise their other half, then a bond is started between 'em. When the bond is still new and formin', the find they can't stay away from each other for more than four hours. The longer they're away from each other, the more they ache to be reunited. If they don't reconnect in time, the ache will turn to pain. With two mated vampires, it would have taken 'em around a full day to get to the point ya seemed to be at when I found ya. I didn't know if it would be different with ya bein' human, Isabella, so I was worried it was my fault. Ya were screamin' in your sleep, Sugar, but my presence barely helped. I didn't know if it was because of us bein’ parted too long, but couldn't take the chance of bein' wrong, so I waited."
He inhaled my scent deeply, then whispered, "Our bodies instinctively know when we find our mates, and try to give them what’s needed. Our mouths produce venom most of the time, but with our mates, we can mark 'em and heal 'em without venom. When we mark, we bite in an easily visible area, so other vampires will know that you're taken… that you’re not to be touched. Then the mark is healed with our healin' saliva, which contains a mixture of healin' properties and our scents. The bite doesn't hurt, and is made at the height of claimin'... or love-makin'. When our mates are injured, the saliva's used to heal them by lickin' the wound, or the affected area. I've only heard of one other time when mates were separated too long, when I was in the south. The healin' for that is a bit different. It would involve me coatin' your entire body in my saliva, along with claimin' and markin' ya. I'm not tellin' ya this to take advantage of ya. I'm not expectin' ya to want me after I failed ya, but ya wanted me to explain."
I shook my head, "Peter, you said yourself... you didn't know if it would be different for us. You were trying to do what I asked. I can't fault you for that. I don't even know if it is, because as crazy as it sounds, I think my dreams are the cause of me feeling like this. I was unpacking -thinking. When I got to the book boxes and still hadn't seen you, I worried. I thought maybe I took too long to think through things, that you got tired of waiting. I could feel you, though. I could practically pinpoint your location, then when I stepped outside, I could hear you hammering. I knew you were close, so I calmed. I was waiting for you to get back so I could talk to you. I must have fallen asleep while waiting, though, and my dreams were really scary."
He nodded, holding me closer as he choked out, "I heard ya cryin' out for me, which made my chest flare in pain. I knew I had to get to ya. Then ya screamed right as I hit the tree line. Ya scared the bejesus outta me, Isabella. I didn't know what to do, other than listen to my instincts, but we never got to talk things out. There was no way I was gonna try to heal ya without your permission, since it's such an intimate act between mates. I wasn't even sure that's what was wrong."
I lifted my head enough to kiss over his heart, then laid my cheek against it while whispering, “It was different, where I was in my dream. The first thing I saw was a bunch of glowing red eyes in the dark. Then I saw a raven-haired female fighting a vicious werewolf, along with several vampires. She was doing well, but then I saw the red eyes again, chasing after a blonde streak. They were dogs, but not true dogs... it's hard to explain. They didn't have fur, but scales that changed color... from a grayish-black to a blackish red. The blonde blur then suddenly found an opening, while the not-dogs were ripping and clawing at the other vampires. He and the werewolf tore the female to shreds… blood everywhere… screaming… pain, so much pain."
I choked out the last bit, causing Peter to hold me tighter while hushing me. I shook my head, then said in a pain-filled voice, “I felt like it was me they ripped open, Peter. I felt her pain... felt her die. The sound of the not-dogs mournful howls... it cut into me, like they were mourning a great loss. I think she was their master. Right at the end of the first dream, before I woke and spoke to you the first time... I think I recognised the blonde flash, then the not-dogs dissipated into black smoke. The werewolf and the blonde had already gone by the time the howling stopped.”
Peter shook his head, "It doesn't all make sense to me, Sugar, I'm sorry. I wish my meter would pipe in right about now, but I'm gettin' nothin' so far. Was your other dream the same?”
I shook my head, “Not exactly, but it was sort of a continuation, I guess. I saw the werewolf and blonde again, confirming it was who I thought. They were trying to make their way somewhere. I don't know where, but it didn't give me a good feeling at all. The not-quite-dogs were howling, keening in mourning. I didn't see them, but I got the feeling they were close... real close. They made me feel safer. I don't know, but I do know that whatever happened, it knocked me sideways. I'm scared that a dream could make me feel like this, Peter.”
He tipped my chin up, searching my eyes. “Tell me what to do, Isabella... I'll do anythin'. I told ya before this happened... yesterday at the truck. I want ya, Sugar. I want ya to want me, too. I thought a lot while I was workin' yesterday afternoon, and I want all of it with ya. I want ya beside me, not just for now, but centuries from now."
He held me just a little bit tighter. When he continued, it felt like he was pouring his soul into his words. "I wanna go places with ya that we've never seen, just to watch your face light up at things we discover together. I wanna curl up together on the couch or in the study, so we can read to each other. I wanna hear your voice as it weaves through the words on the page. I wanna know your thoughts and views on things, because ya have a beautiful and brilliant mind, plus I love how sassy ya can be. I long to care for ya, to take ya huntin' to sate your thirst. I wanna watch ya stalk your prey, no matter which way ya choose, because watchin' your mate hunt is a sensual experience. Yes, I wanna make love to ya. I thought of a million different ways while we were out yesterday, because the scent of your arousal called to me like a Siren. I wanna make sweet love to ya, but I also wanna take ya in the heat of desire against whatever flat surface is closest. I wanna see the pleasure in your eyes, hear ya moan my name. I want all of ya, Isabella, every single part."
I laid there quietly thinking everything he said over, for quite some time. When I finally spoke, it was the barest whisper of hope, "You really want all of that... with me? For eternity?"
He hummed, nodding as he kissed my forehead, "All that and so much more, My Sweet Mate."
After a few more minutes of me not feeling like I could get close enough to him, I tentatively slid my hands up under his shirt at his sides, almost immediately feeling some of the tenseness leave both of us. It still wasn't enough, though, so I whispered after another few minutes, "Need more. Peter... I need to be closer, please."
He carefully sat up as he cradled me to him, then said, "I'm gonna let go of ya for only a second, so I can get my shirt over my head." I nodded, but before I could register the movement, I felt myself being cradled to his cool chest again. We both sighed at the contact.
The contact was better, but it still wasn't enough. Everything in me was practically begging for more, so after a short while, I slid my hands around my back to clasp my hands in his. I brought them to the hem of my shirt, whispering, "Please," as I closed his fingers around the fabric.
He let out a soft hum of acceptance, then placed his hands under my shirt, just above my jeans on my bare skin. As he slowly lifted the shirt up a few inches, he whispered, "Can I try somethin' first?" I nodded, then he whispered, "Look at me, please, Beautiful." When I did, he slowly closed the distance between us, brushing his lips against mine.
My hands automatically adjusted to tangle into his silky hair, eliciting a moan from him as his lips brushed mine again. The sound vibrated through me with how close we were, my breathing hitched in response, my fingers tightening a bit in his hair as I crushed my front to his. He needed no further invitation, instantly taking my mouth in a passionate kiss. I was addicted to his taste, and by the time the kiss slowed to a stop, I was breathless with desire for him.
He shuddered out a breath as our foreheads connected, then whispered, "I've wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on ya."
I chuckled breathlessly, then said, "Well, I definitely wouldn't mind you kissing me any time you felt like it."
He hummed, flexing his hands on my ribs a bit as he said, "Best idea ever, My Sweet. How do ya feel?"
I nodded, knowing what he was asking, "A little less tense; my chest doesn't hurt as much. I'm nowhere near where I was before my dreams, though."
He nodded, then kissed my lips lightly before whispering, "Do ya still want me to continue?"
He swirled his thumbs along my front ribs to get his point across, my eyes fluttering in response as I moaned, "Christ, yes... I need to feel you against me... to feel your touch."
Peter continued lifting my shirt, ghosting his palms ever-so-slowly over the sides of my lace bra, making me unconsciously arch further into his touch as I gasped softly. My eyes were still closed, with me biting my lip to stifle my moan, then I heard him let out a long breath as he let me feel his touch more fully. It was short to last, though, because soon he finished removing my shirt completely.
My eyes open to find his when I heard his breath hitch, then he tenderly traced the line where the lace cup met my breast while whispering, "I didn't let myself really look before. I knew if I did, I’d never have been able to walk away. Now that I am, the reality is far more enticin' than the fantasy. You're exquisite, Isabella."
I blushed a bit, traced my fingers along the definition lines of his abs as I remembered watching him in the kitchen, then kissed his shoulder as I said, "In the kitchen was the first time I really let myself notice you. Once I did, I couldn't help but take in everything I could see. My imagination took over quickly, thinking up some very naughty things. All because I could see your ab muscles tense and flex under your shirt."
His breath whooshed out, then he inhaled slowly as he ghosted his lips from the edge of my shoulder to my bra strap. When he reached it, he nipped the elastic lightly while saying, "Your sweet arousal filled the whole kitchen. All that was just from watchin’ me?"
I nodded as I swirled my tongue over a raised bit of flesh at the juncture of his neck, then let my breath fan over the spot as I said, "Uh-huh, and the naughty images my mind conjured up of us. That's why I hurried to say we needed to get going. I was about ten seconds from jumping you, right there in the kitchen."
Peter moaned, then nipped my bra strap again before trailing kisses up to my ear, whispering, "You're the leader here, Kitten. I don't wanna go further than you're comfortable with, only to end up pushin' ya away."
I shook my head, "I don't think you ever could, Peter... and we're still not close enough. I'm getting chilly with no fire going, though, so will you start one and come back to me?"
He smiled, pulled me into a tender kiss, then flipped us so I was lying against the pillows, with him nestled between my spread legs. I gasped, arching with a moan at the contact, then Peter said in a husky voice, "God, that's sexy. Hold that thought, Little Temptress, and let me get the fire goin'."
He placed open-mouthed kisses down the center of my body, then swirled his tongue in my navel, eliciting a whimper from me.
With a smirk, he trailed his nose from there to my jean-covered core, then inhaled deeply before growling, "Sweet fuckin’ hell, I wanna taste ya on my tongue." My arousal shot sky-high at the sexy sound. With a moan and a nip to the seam of my jeans, he backed down off the end of the bed.
As I watched Peter build the fire, I realised several things. My short time with Peter had felt more meaningful than most of my time with Edward had. I felt deep down that Peter was sincere when he told me he wanted me for eternity. I could actually picture us doing all of those things together. I wanted him for more than just a sexual release before I knew about the mate thing. I also realised that it was too late to shield my heart, because I was already falling in love with him. The scary part was, I didn't want to shield it. I wanted Peter to know it was his to love and protect, like I wanted to do with his heart.
That's when Peter chose to stand and walk back toward the bed. I stopped him with an index finger in the air, whispering, "Too many clothes. Lose the jeans, please?"
He coughed slightly, then mumbled just loud enough for me to hear, "I'm... umm... not wearin' anythin' under 'em, Sugar."
I moaned at the thought of him going commando all the time, then said with a smirk, "Good, that'll make it even then, since you'll hopefully be removing the rest of mine when you're done. I told you, Peter, I want to feel your body against mine... I want to feel your touch." He nodded with a slight smile, then popped the button on his jeans.
My eyes stared at the popped open button for only a second before they caught sight of his prominent length straining against the fabric. When he slid his zipper down and slowly let his jeans drop, my arousal spiked again at the glorious sight of him. There were many spots on him that were glimmering slightly in the light of the fire. I instinctively knew that each one was a battle scar. They didn't freak me out, though, only made me desire him more.
As I looked at each spot in turn, I wanted to take away the pain of each bite and tear, to bathe them with my tongue. I wanted to kiss each one, let him know how proud I was that he survived that hell. Oddly enough, I wanted to bite him... to make my own mark on his skin... one that would make him mine, that he would wear proudly.
Peter stood for my appraisal casually. When I crooked my finger at him, I hummed, "Come here, My Mate. You're too damn sexy to be that far away."
He chuckled softly, then stalked up the bed to hover over me, whispering against my lips, "You think I'm sexy? They don't bother you?"
I shook my head, then said as I cupped his cheek, "I was just thinking that they made me desire you more. They show me that my mate is strong, that he can hold his own. They are proof that he will make a good protector against my danger magnet. I was also thinking about how I wanted to kiss and lick each mark... how I wanted to make my own mark on you."
Peter grinned widely, then kissed all over my face as he said, "Ya mean it? Ya really... wanna? Do ya know what... that means? Ya had... an epiphany... didn’t ya, My Sweet Mate?"
I giggled with a nod, then flicked my tongue against his lips before catching his gaze, saying, "I'm yours, and you're mine. I already feel so much for you. I'm more than alright with what's happening. I'm a little scared because this is new territory, but I don't want to keep my body or heart from you. I want you to care for and love them, as I want to do with yours. I want you, Peter, and I fully accept our bond."
He immediately captured me in a toe-curling passionate kiss, yet the passion didn't stop when our lips parted.