Linked By Fate

Chapter 7

It has been radio silence on my end since he made that statement yesterday. Once we reached the cabin, I went to the room that I normally used. I still had clothes in the closet from when we visited during the summer, so I did not have to go home to pack first. After packing a basket of fruit, along with a few bottles of water to store in the mini fridge in my room, I locked myself inside. Having a full bathroom as well, I did not have to go out for anything other than to take my medicine. Riley insisted on keeping it in the medicine box that was stored in the kitchen.

He has tried to get me to come out or to speak to him, but I haven't. Right now he is outside chopping wood to store in the shed. It's getting cooler at night, so he's making sure we have enough wood. The flexing of his muscles as he swings the ax up and then down, I can't help but be mesmerized by it.

Since it was revealed that we were fated mates, things that I'd normally glance at in passing have grabbed hold of my attention, refusing to let go. A prime example is Riley's overall physique. Yeah, I know that he's good-looking and muscular, but I've never really taken in the details of his body. The dude has a freaking twelve pack. What the heck? His sweatpants sit low on his hips, so I can see the v-shape of his lower abdomen as it disappears beneath the waist of his pants. Warmth courses through me.

Sensing my eyes on him, he stops in mid-swing to look up at me from my spot next to the window. I miss his voice, his scent, his warmth, but I just can't bring myself to go to him or to let him near me right now. The dejected look on his face makes my eyes water like they have been since waking up in the hospital yesterday. The pleading in his eyes is hard to miss. He's calling out to me, waiting for me to answer.

Backing away from the window, I leaned against the wall to gather myself and to also get my pheromones under control. It's time to make a decision about our relationship and what I'm going to do. It hurts to keep going on like this. He's my fated mate, for crying out loud. My best friend. The pull of the mate bond has gotten stronger and unbearable to fight any longer.

Rushing towards the door, I unlocked it, running towards the stairs. As I reached the bottom, dashing to the back door, I flung it open, causing it to bang against the wall. Riley looked up for the cause of the commotion. It was as if everything moved in slow motion. I took off down the steps in his direction. He dropped the ax to the ground, running towards me. Now I know that Riley is built, but it shocked me when he picked me up as I flung my arms around his neck. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I stared into his eyes for a brief moment, then slammed my lips on top of his.

Something snapped when our tongues touched each other. An electric current bubbled from my core as I tasted Riley on my tongue. His pheromones oozed from his pores, making me dizzy with need. My gums ached as my canines began to extend. The need to mark him as my screams inside my head. A moan escapes me when Riley squeezes my butt with his warm hands. Deepening the kiss even more, I could feel myself losing control.

Being the alpha that he is, Riley suddenly pulled back from the kiss, put a stop to things before we got out of control in the backyard of the cabin. Our foreheads rested together as we both fought to get our breathing under control again. He smelt so good, so sweet, that it was hard for me.

"Ri, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I whispered breathlessly as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Shhh, it's alright sweetheart. Don't cry. I can't handle seeing you cry. What's done is done. We can't change it, but can only move forward from here. Let's go inside and talk." Riley said as he carried me inside with my face buried in his neck.

His scent is intoxicating. The urge to lick him pushes at me and I answer the call, earning a groan for him. His scent grew even stronger. The rate of his breathing had quickened again. Strong fingers dig harder into my butt, causing me to gasp as fluid gushes out of me, wetting my panties and pants. I'm a quivering mess by the time we reach the stairs.

With each step he took, our bodies rubbed against one another. The friction is enough to make my n*****s harder than they already were. Their sensitivity is beyond anything I've ever felt. Each sensation travels straight down to my wet and throbbing core.

I'm flooded with Riley's scent as we enter his bedroom. Kicking the door closed with his foot, Riley moves to deposit me on his bed. A whimper comes from me as he steps away from me. WTF? I don't whimper.

"It's alright, sweetheart," Riley says gently as he stares down at me.

Letting my eyes roam his bodily unshamefully, I lick my lips when my eyes land on his hard-on. More fluid gushes out of me. My tail sways back and forth with excitement as my ears twitch. Riley has learned that these are telling signs of extreme happiness for me.

Grabbing his hard member, Riley licks his lips. His eyes are hooded with desire. I've never seen him look so sexy before. Not breaking eye contact, I pulled my shirt up over my head. Those cognac-colored eyes of his followed my every movement. As I reach behind me to unhook my bra, he visibly takes in a deep breath. Letting the bra expose my bare chest, I watch as fire begins to burn within his eyes. His sweatpants seem to grow even bigger in the front to the point where I wonder if he will fit inside of me without tearing me open.

"Cooper, are you sure about this? I need you to be sure, because once I touch you, I will not be able to stop. If we do this, I will mate with you and claim you. We will be bound forever. Are you sure?" His eyes boar into me, stealing my breath for a moment.

Standing from the bed, I pulled off the pajama pants and boxer briefs I was wearing. In all my naked glory, I watched as he ate me up with his eyes the way I craved for him to do with that rock-hard body of his. "Please Riley, make me yours. Mate and claim me. Ease this burning inside of me. I can't stand it anymore. There is no more strength in me to continue fighting the need to have you buried deep inside of me.

"You have no idea how it feels to hear you say those words to me, how much it turns me on." Closing the distance between us, he kisses me with a hunger that makes my mind go blank. "I will be as gentle as I can, sweetheart. Hold on because I'm about to show you what being my mate will mean for you."

"Oh Fates, help me!"