Free Merrily Mated (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 3) by P. Jameson

had her gasping as their bond grew even stronger. Did he feel it? That magical connection that linked them together as a pair? It felt like finally coming home after a long trip. Falling into your own bed and knowing you were exactly where you were meant to be. It felt like a necessary anchor when your ship is tossed in a storm. It was so vital she couldn’t imagine going back to not feeling it.
    Goddamn it, she needed him so badly. Her human. Her male, with his adoring eyes and constant concern for her. Could her cougar see how much they needed him?
    Yes , the cat purred.
    “Ryan,” she moaned, needing more, wanting to touch him but unable to move.
    “Shh. I won’t stop.” His voice was broken, pained in a way she couldn’t understand with the pleasure she felt through the bond. “I won’t stop. Don’t ask me to. Just… don’t,” he ground out, keeping that steady rhythm that had her climbing closer and closer to orgasm.
    Her teeth closed down on his hard chest, careful not to break through the barrier of his shirt. She just needed to do something to him, to let him know how powerful this felt. He hissed, and increased the pressure between her legs. Two more thrusts and she’d fly over the edge.
    “Come for me, Layna,” he rumbled in her ear.
    Make that one more thrust.
    With his desperate words, she was done for. Her body locked up, muscles spasming as her release rocked her core. Tears of relief painted her lashes once again. Her moans were muffled as his grip on her scalp tightened.
    Something fierce and primal came over her as his fingers gentled, bringing her down from the blissful peak. Her male, satisfying her, giving her pleasure as if he’d waited a lifetime for this moment… it was enough to solidify any decision she’d made in the woods.
    They were meant to be, and she would fight for them. If Ryan couldn’t keep fighting, then she would. She’d be the fierce defender of their love. Make up for all the pain she’d caused him. Make up for all the times she’d chosen her clan over her strong and able human.
    Her precious human.
    She’d never give him up.
    Never.

Chapter Seven
     
    Ryan struggled to catch his breath, but having enough air to keep his mind from bailing felt like a lofty goal. As far out of reach as Layna had been for all this time. An impossibility.
    She wasn’t so far out of reach now.
    He pushed inside her once again, slow and gentle, imagining it was his cock instead of his fingers. Imagining she let him take her like a real mate. Imagining she truly wanted him like that and not because of the drugs or the need to heal.
    It felt like a dream, yet he knew he was awake.
    A familiar ache bloomed in his chest.
    Her words, her declaration. It was bittersweet. A poison for his soul because he’d needed to hear them for so long yet he knew they weren’t true. They were drug-induced. What was real was the goodbye kiss underneath the mistletoe. Or the way she kept him at a friendly distance day in and day out. That was the truth of them. Their reality.
    She’d never let him touch her like this if she wasn’t so in need of the bond that would heal her. And it was growing. He could feel it, this connection to her that was more beautiful than any sunset. It was everything he’d ever wanted from her. Security. Assurance that she was his. A chance to prove himself. To show her how good he could love her. How devoted he’d be.
    The bond was all that, wrapped up in one powerful fated emotion.
    So he wouldn’t feel bad about what he’d just done to her. He couldn’t. He was caring for his woman the only way he knew how, giving her what she needed to get better. He’d never regret that. Not even when she broke him for good. Because that’s what this bond was doing to him. Ruining him for any other woman. Promising him a lonely future. Because after this… and maybe it’d always been this way… there’d be no room in his heart for anyone but his cougar.
    Trembling, he kissed