Corrus sat at the dining room table at their base, enjoying a "thank you dinner" that Jamie had prepared with Emily's help. At first, Corrus insisted that she didn't need to thank the team because they were family. Jamie just smiled at him and said that was precisely why she wanted to thank them. Far too many people took their families for granted.

Ethan sat beside Veilios, much to Penum's chagrin, and carried on an animated conversation with him. Earlier in the evening, Corrus had helped to set the table, and Penum made a joke about him having a ball and chain. Ethan had quickly picked up on the term, asking what it meant. It was then decided that Veilios would keep Ethan entertained while the adults chatted. Much to Corrus' appreciation, Veilios didn't mind.

Despite Penum's jealousy, Corrus was happy that Ethan had a fantastic male role model in his life. Corrus didn't want to take that place. He merely wanted the responsibility and, hopefully, love that would come from raising Ethan. He and Jamie had decided to wait a little longer before telling him that Corrus would be his stepfather and even longer to tell him he was a half-breed.

Corrus cleared his throat several times, trying to get Veilios' attention. When he did, he cocked his head, gesturing toward Ethan. Veilios smiled.

"How would you like to have a sleepover?" he asked the young boy.

Ethan turned excitedly to Jamie. "Can I, Mom?"

"Of course you can." Jamie's voice was steady, but a faint blush graced her cheeks. Corrus patted her thigh beneath the table to comfort her. It was more than obvious why they wanted Veilios to watch Ethan for the night, but Corrus couldn't find any other emotion within him other than pure joy.

He kissed Jamie on the cheek. "I'll be back soon," he whispered, before getting up and leaving the house.

While Jamie had insisted that she didn't want them to get a hotel room "just for one night," Corrus still felt the need to make the night special. He'd already decorated their bedroom with flower petals and grouped at least a hundred candles in the corners for a soft lighting effect. Now all he had to do was light them, then come back for Jamie.

Once he stepped out onto the road, he heard Penum call for him as he followed.

"Hey." Penum's eyes darted all over the place.

Corrus stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Hey."

Penum was acting shy, and he couldn't understand why. After Ethan asked to sit next to Veilios, he'd complained for about five minutes. After that, he was quiet for the rest of the night.

Sometimes, Penum needed that time to himself because memories of losing his parents, who he’d been close to, ran into his mind. The loss of a loved one could be funny that way. One could go months without thinking of them, then, all of a sudden, their face flashes before you, and you're drawn into memory lane.

Penum shuffled his feet and folded his arms. "I want you to know I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. I'm not sure I'm not going to flip out one day, but if I do, I know you can hold me down."

Penum grinned, the joke having had its desired effect. "Then you'll finally understand why several Gleonite soldiers dream about me."

"No one dreams about you." Corrus rolled his eyes. "They're usually dead by then."

"Good point." Penum locked gazes with Corrus and the amount of emotion he felt hit Corrus like a rock. "You've been more than a cousin to me. You've been a brother. We've had a lot of difficult years, and I know I've taken a long time to mature."

Penum took a deep breath, and Corrus put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey. I know I complain sometimes, but I don't mind your antics."

"Just let me finish." Penum nodded to himself, then looked at Corrus once more. "I know how much you've given me, and I know that I've not always given it back. To be honest, it wasn't in me. I'm working on that, by the way," Penum said with a smirk.

Corrus smiled. "And I see that every day."

"The point is that I'm happy you have someone to give you all the things you've given for years without expecting anything back. Jamie's a keeper. Ethan is, too. And I'm happy that you're going to get all that you deserve."

Penum rushed the last words, then turned and ran back into the house. Corrus shook his head. He wished that more people got to see this softer side of Penum. He'd viewed it enough times over the years to understand that, most of the time, his brashness was an act to distract himself from all he'd lost.

You deserve happiness, too, Corrus said mentally to Penum.

Yeah, yeah, he responded. Just don't mess up your mating night. There's no coming back from that.

Corrus laughed and walked on to the house.

* * *

Once Corrus left the table, Jamie felt her palms begin to sweat. The moment of truth was closer than ever. She had new black lace underwear on, but she didn't feel its magical effects working. What if Corrus was disgusted by her stretch marks?

Jamie squeezed her eyes shut and told herself there was no point in thinking self-defeating thoughts. Corrus knew she had had a child, and she was pretty sure that female shifters’ bodies got affected just the same.

Emily squeezed her hand beside her. "It's going to be amazing," she whispered.

"I hope so."

"Corrus is a gentleman. He's not going to do or say anything that will make you uncomfortable."

Jamie nodded, then jumped when a pair of hands settled onto her shoulders. Turning around, she looked up and saw Corrus smiling down at her.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

The slight waver in his tone told her that he was excited about the night ahead. Jamie smiled and stood up when he pulled her chair back.

"I'm ready," she said, and she meant it. Over the last twenty-four hours, she'd focused on the fact that she was about to have sex for the first time in a long time, worrying about her skills.

What she had forgotten was that she wasn't about to have sex. She was about to make love to Corrus, her mate. Seeing him gaze gently down at her made her heart soar.

Jamie turned to Ethan and smiled. "Honey, we're off. Make sure you go to bed on time."

"Okay." Ethan turned back to Veilios, unaffected by their impending departure.

"Don't let him stay up late." Jamie wagged a finger in warning. Veilios might have been the object of Ethan's obsession at that moment, but the reverse was true. He doted on the boy, but managed to keep from catering to his every whim.

"I will," Veilios said, with a twinkle in his eye. "Have a good night."

Everyone else at the table wished them the same, and, by the time Jamie walked out hand in hand with Corrus, her face was as red as a tomato.

"God! That was embarrassing."

Corrus chuckled. "I hate to say it, but you're going to have to get used to it."

Jamie groaned and hid her face against his arm. "Don't say that."

"It's true. Who do you think our babysitters are going to be?"

Jamie sighed. "Maybe we could hire one?"

"I'm sorry but we can't. That would compromise our security."

Jamie's eyes widened. "I forgot about that."

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it. No one has said anything rude, have they?"

Jamie smiled at Corrus' attempt to make her feel better. "No, they haven't. In fact, they've all been sweet about everything."

"And that's how they'll continue if they know what's good for them," he scowled.

Jamie laughed. "I like your tough-guy act."

Corrus raised an eyebrow. "I'll remember that. I'll be sure to pull it out one day for a role-play situation."

"Oh, my god! You're crazy!"

"Crazy about you." Corrus kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. That will be years down the line. With all this chemistry we have, I figure we have until then to enjoy regular, steamy sex."

Jamie swallowed thickly as she followed Corrus into their house and then into their bedroom. When she walked in, all of Corrus' effort in making the night special brought tears to her eyes. Red petals covered the floor in a rough heart shape, and the candles were arranged in a similar pattern, with the love-heart’s tip in the corner.

"When did you do all this?" Jamie whispered.

"While you were cooking. I take it you like it?"

Jamie nodded, then turned to Corrus and gave him a slow kiss. What was meant to be a show of thanks quickly turned into something a lot more passionate as they pressed together.

Corrus slid his tongue along her lower lip, and Jamie gave him access to her mouth, moaning at the skill with which he did so. While she'd only had a few lovers, she could tell that Corrus was a step above the rest.

She wondered if it was due to copious amounts of experience or just his studious personality? Jamie shook her head mentally. It didn't matter. He was hers, and would be for the rest of her life.

Jamie pressed closer to Corrus, pushing her inhibitions aside. His hands slid down her body, covering her bottom as he pulled her even closer. Something hard pressed against her thigh and Jamie smiled into the kiss. His obvious arousal was all the assurance she needed that she was turning him on as much as he was her.

Corrus pulled away and looked at Jamie, his eyes darkening with desire. "Can we lie down?"

Jamie licked her lips and nodded. Corrus pulled out his hair tie and let his hair fall. Butterflies spun in her belly as she watched him pull his shirt off, displaying his god-like body. Then she mentally drooled as he pulled his jeans off, leaving little to her imagination. Corrus' manhood was well proportioned according to his size, and Jamie briefly wondered if she'd be able to take him after so many years of celibacy.

Corrus turned a heated gaze to Jamie, and her hands shook as she pulled her top off, then quickly shucked her jeans, wrapping an arm around her middle to protect herself from his hungry gaze.

"Your beauty is intoxicating." Corrus pulled her hand away from her middle, bringing it up to his lips. "And I'm going to show you just how much your body affects me."

Jamie allowed Corrus to lead her to the bed where she laid down in the center. He crawled atop her with a look of reverence on his face as he let his hands run all over her body, giving her goosebumps in places she'd never had them. He lowered his head and kissed her lips, then her neck, and worked his way down her body.

Corrus slipped a finger under the hem of her underwear and looked up at Jamie in question. She lifted her hips in an answer, and he smiled as he pulled her underwear off. With the most intimate part of her revealed, Jamie undid her front-clasp lace bra and bared herself to Corrus.

His hands slid up her body and cupped her full breasts. "You're perfect, Jamie. Everything about you is," he mumbled, transfixed by his kneading. Jamie arched her back and moaned. The lingerie wasn't necessary. Corrus wanted her for her, as evidenced by the way he kissed each stretch mark across her belly before placing a kiss just above her mons.

Corrus groaned, dipping his head between her thighs, blowing a stream of cool air over her center where she longed to be touched. Jamie's bud throbbed, and he flicked his tongue over it, around and around, driving her crazy as she lifted her hips, begging for more, in contradiction to her head, which shook.

No man had ever taken such care in giving her pleasure, and Jamie doubted her ability to hold off orgasm for much longer. She cried out softly into the empty room as he nipped her delicate bud and moved her feet further apart to give him better access.

Corrus slid his left hand between her thighs, guiding a single finger into her sex, while his tongue continued to stroke her button. Jamie pressed her feet flat on the bed, making it easier for her to rock up into his face as he thrust into her at a quick pace, all while lapping her sex.

Jamie whimpered as the tension in her body grew. She dragged her fingers through his hair, holding his head forcefully to the mark as her orgasm drew near.

Arching her back once more, Jamie thrust her hips up once more, crying out as her climax hit her hard. Her breath caught and her belly clenched as the waves of pleasure carried her weightlessly for a good ten seconds. Joy like she'd never known crept to every inch of her being, and tears slipped down her cheeks as the beauty of the moment, of Corrus' putting her needs first, overwhelmed her.

As her body came down, Corrus kissed her inner thighs before moving up her body to kiss her stomach, suck each nipple briefly, then kiss her full on the mouth.

"That was amazing," Corrus said. "Not only do you look great, but you taste great, too."

Jamie laughed breathily. "I don't know if I can ever top that."

"You don't have to." Corrus pushed back wayward strands of hair from her face before stroking her cheeks. "Doing that gave me more pleasure than it did you."

Jamie rolled her eyes. "Now you're laying it on too thick."

"I'm not." Corrus took her right hand and placed it on his hard length. "Does that feel like I'm lying?"

Jamie shook her head, and Corrus smiled. He pulled his underwear off, then hovered over her again. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes," Jamie answered, her voice firm. Corrus had done more than was necessary to make her body as ready to receive him as it ever would be. She didn't want to hold back any part of her.

Corrus lowered his head and kissed her slowly. His mouth was hot, moving against hers, and he groaned when Jamie sucked on his tongue. Corrus inched down the bed, settling between Jamie's legs. She drew her knees up, opening herself to him. Corrus looked at her, asking for permission for the last time, then pressed into her when she nodded.

Jamie drew a sharp breath when Corrus inched forward, stretching and filling her like never before. Her inner walls ached, and a pleasant throbbing pulse started in her lower half. Corrus lowered his head and took a breast into his mouth, grazing her nipple with his teeth before flicking over the sensitive peak.

All Jamie could do in the midst of his sensual onslaught was wrap her hands around his neck, pulling him to her, letting him know that she never wanted him to stop. Jamie whimpered as he ground his body into hers, making each nerve ending on her body light on fire. She rocked against him, determined to make him feel as good as he was making her feel.

Corrus changed tactics, giving her short, sharp thrusts that had her throwing her head back and crying out at full volume. Jamie was glad they had the house to themselves. She was unable to stop her natural reaction to Corrus' frantic pace.

He moved in and out, taking Jamie to the brink once more. Then, just before she exploded, he thrust into her for the last time and groaned as he came, filling her with his essence. Seconds later, Jamie followed him into bliss.

Jamie wrapped her legs around Corrus and held him as he settled fully onto her, no doubt sated from his efforts. She stroked his back and laughed to herself.

"How did I ever think that you would be anything other than perfect in bed, too?"

Corrus kissed her shoulder, then gently pulled out of her, settling beside her. "It's because we're mates. Nothing has ever felt that real or, dare I say magical, to me. God, Jamie. The way you moved drove me crazy."

"Was it that good for you, too?"

Corrus raised an eyebrow. "I'm an elite warrior, struggling to catch his breath. That should tell you how awesome that was for me."

"I'm glad to hear that." Jamie kissed Corrus chastely and let him pull her to him as he lay on his back. She closed her eyes and thought of all the bad that had brought them together, and, for the first time, she realized that she would be willing to go through it all again, just to arrive at this same moment.

Corrus had saved her and Ethan, then given them the kind of life they had always wanted. Jamie was no longer the friendless, struggling single mom she had been. She was someone who had a lot of love in her life and a bright future ahead of her, and that was all because of Corrus.

"You did all of that and more for me," Corrus said.

Jamie's eyes flew open, and she stared up at him. "Did you just read my mind?"

Corrus smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. Your thoughts are practically knocking on the door of my mind. Loudly. I couldn't help but read them."

"That is so beautiful," Jamie said, settling down on his chest. "I only wish I could read your mind."

Corrus took her hand in his and squeezed. "You won't have to. From now on, I'm going to be completely transparent with you. That's a promise."

Jamie sighed as sleep began to overtake her. "All I need is for you to keep going down on me," she teased.

Corrus chuckled and stroked her hair. "That can be arranged. Sleep, my love."

Jamie did, dreaming of long hot nights between the sheets with Corrus and warm days spent with her family and friends.