Mate (Bride, #2)

by Ali Hazelwood

“It hurts,” I sigh. “Does it?” He kisses my cheek. “Are you too full? Or too empty?” “I want more.” I try to take it, too, thrusting my pelvis upward. Koen stops me so easily, it’s embarrassing. “Hey,” he says, soothing. “I want to fuck you really, really bad. You know that, right?” I nod. “Good. I can’t rush this, killer, because if you become sore or hurt or God fucking forbid, torn, you’re not going to get a couple of days to recover. Once your Heat starts in earnest, you’re going to want me inside you, whether it’s painful or not. So I’m going to move slowly. And I need you to do what I say. Okay?” Another, more subdued nod. A “My good girl” brushed against my jaw helps his finger sink deep enough that he can slowly, relentlessly work another one inside, tucked next to the first. I clench around him hard enough to make him grunt. The stretch burns so nicely, I cannot help but squirm. My fingernails dig into his arm, his wrist, searching for purchase, a counterpoint. My hips won’t stay still, my entire body twitches, I still need more, but I’m being good. I’m doing what he says.