THE REST OF the day and evening was spent dancing, eating, and making sure their celebration was one for the record books. By the time the reception died down, it was dark. Anticipation, and a little nervousness, crawled through Payton when Brodie announced it was time to head back to the house and loaded Payton into his BMW. Payton gripped the handles as he masterfully sped from the loch, parking in front of the house. He leaned over and kissed her, breaking the kiss far sooner than Payton would have liked.
“Ready?” he asked.
Payton nodded and Brodie moved to climb out of the car, forgetting he still had his seatbelt on. He muttered a curse under his breath and closed his eyes. “Sorry,” he said, unbuckling. “Wait right there.”
She didn’t allow herself to giggle until he was out the door, and then he opened hers and assisted her from the car. Grasping her hand, he led her into the house.
“The rooms are prepared, Your Highness,” Erin said, standing in the foyer. “As is everything else.”
“Thank you,” he said, squeezing Payton’s hand. “We’ll see everyone tomorrow for dinner. Right now, we have pressing plans.”
Payton’s cheeks flamed and she dropped her head in humiliation. “Brodie,” she admonished. “Is that information really necessary?”
“Sorry, love,” he said and tugged her upstairs and into their bedroom.
“Did you pick the dress?” Payton asked as Brodie closed the door.
“No. Fiona did. Don’t you like it?”
Payton shook her head. “It’s perfect. I just wondered how you knew.”
“She filled me in on a few of your dreams.” He stroked her cheek. “You’re stunning in it, love, but I can’t wait to see you out of it.”
“Oh, you’re going to be disappointed, love, since I’m sleeping in it.”
Brodie chuckled. “In that case, I’ll work around it.”
“Thank you for today. And Niall.” She grinned. “That was a lovely surprise.”
“He insisted, and I couldn’t deny him, because then it would be denying you.” Brodie smiled. “He was just lucky he stopped ogling you. I almost beat the shite out of him.”
Payton snorted. “You did not, and he wasn’t ogling me.”
“Perhaps not. I wouldn’t blame him though. I certainly was.” He kissed her then glanced at his watch. “Fifteen minutes until midnight. Do you want to wait?”
“Not on your life.”
He relaxed and smiled. “Good. I’ll help you with your gown and give you a bit of privacy, eh?”
She nodded and turned her back so that Brodie could unbutton her. He kissed the back of her neck. “I’ll leave you now, although, I don’t want to,” he whispered.
“I won’t be long.” She smiled at him over her shoulder. “I’m assuming you want me to wear what I’m wearing underneath, eh?”
His eyes grew dark with desire. “Aye, love. That would be fabulous.”
“That will cut down on time, then.”
“Aye, it will.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Brodie left the room and Payton stepped into her closet and slipped out of her gown. As she hung up the precious garment, her phone buzzed. “Why do you always seem to call when I’m standing in my closet?”
Fiona giggled. “Do I?”
“You do.”
“Well, I wanted to make sure you didn’t have any questions.”
Payton bit her lip. “No, I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
Payton nodded. “Aye, I’m very sure.”
“Okay, we can talk tomorrow, then? We’ll be there for the party.”
“Brodie planned a party?”
“Planned? No. Gave us instructions? Yes.”
Payton laughed. “He’s good at giving orders.”
“That he is.” Fiona giggled.
“Just how many people, Fi?”
“Don’t worry. He knows you, Payton. It won’t be overwhelming.”
“For me or him?”
Fiona chuckled. “He’s not the biggest social butterfly himself, Payton. Trust him.”
Payton smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go. Can’t wait for you to officially be my sister. Just wanted to say that.”
“Thanks, Fi. Me too.”
“Talk to you tomorrow. ’Bye.”
“’Bye.”
Payton headed back to the bedroom, passing the fireplace, and into the bathroom that could only be described as opulent. A giant claw-foot tub sat regally in the middle of the room, while the walk-in shower, built for two, took up one wall and double sinks took up another. A door led to the private room with the toilet and another housed fluffy towels, flannels, and Payton’s favorite beauty products. She didn’t think she’d ever have to shop again.
The tub beckoned, but she knew if she climbed in, she’d spend more time than she wanted to in the water. She carefully removed the pins from her hair and ran a brush through the silky locks. She must ask Marie what she used to get her hair so soft.
She wondered what Brodie was doing right now. One of the things she was looking forward to the most was being able to speak to him privately once they were bound. She smiled. If she knew her mate, he was probably waiting in the bed, naked and ready to go.
A shiver stole up her spine. She applied the pineapple lip gloss she’d retrieved from her makeup bag and pulled her glasses off. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and then made her way back to the bedroom. Peeking around the door, she discovered the lights were low and candles had been lit. Brodie was pouring champagne into glasses sitting on the table by the panoramic windows. She squinted in an effort to get a better look at him, but the room was quite dark, so it took effort.
She was able to make out the lines of his body and knew he wore the silk, grey pajama bottoms she’d bought him. She could imagine them hanging from his hips and knew his chest was bare. Payton took a minute to stare at her mate. Even slightly out of focus, he was magnificent.
“Are you coming out of there, love, or are you going to ogle me all night?” he asked.
Payton bit her lip, the taste of pineapple dancing across her tongue. “I haven’t decided.”
He faced her and let out a quiet whistle. “Wow.”
She stepped further into the room and covered her chest with her arms, suddenly self-conscious.
“Don’t do that, love,” Brodie said as he set the bottle down and approached her. “You are magnificent. Lord, I knew you would be, but this is better than I imagined.”
“Oh. Are you sure?” she asked as she forced her arms to her sides.
“Baby, yes.” He searched her face as he ran his fingers through her hair. “You’re the most beautiful woman on the planet.”
She raised an eyebrow. “But not the universe?”
He cocked his head. “I don’t know. I haven’t met all the women in the universe, and haven’t had the chance to meet any aliens, so therefore, I don’t know how beautiful they are.”
Payton chuckled.
“Do you want your glasses?”
She shook her head. “If I get a headache, you can take it away for me.”
He smiled. “True.”
The clock above the fireplace started its countdown to midnight and Payton stared up at Brodie. “What if I don’t feel anything?”
“Don’t say that, sweetheart.” He kissed her palm. “I don’t know what we’ll do. But we’ll figure it out.”
She nodded and kept her focus on him. As the countdown ended with the twelfth chime, she closed her eyes, the charge crawling through her body almost too much to handle. She gripped his arms for stability and took several deep breaths.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “Aye. I just get what you’ve been dealing with for ten years now.”
Brodie grimaced. “I’m sorry, love.”
The absolute, unwavering knowledge that Brodie was her mate filled her mind, body, and soul. The thought of not being with him caused panic and she dropped her head onto his chest and took several deep breaths in order to calm her fear. She felt as though her heart was literally reaching for his, her heartbeat slowing to match his. His arms wrapped around her, his assurance comforting, and she finally relaxed.
She frowned up at him. “How did it not drive you mad?”
He smiled. “You don’t think it didn’t?”
“Did you feel like this the whole time?”
“Whenever I was anywhere near you,” he admitted. “And moments when someone spoke your name, and whenever I saw your photo, and—”
“Brodie,” she whispered. “That’s the real reason you left.”
More of a statement than a question, but Brodie nodded. “Aye. I know it was selfish, love, but I was sure I’d scare you if I stayed. You weren’t ready for this.”
“You’re right. I’m so sorry, Brodie. If I’d had any idea what this was like for you, I would have been much nicer to you.”
“Just to be clear, love, yer sure I’m yer mate, then?” he asked, his accent heavier than normal. Payton found it endearing.
“Aye,” she whispered. “Without a doubt.”
“Because I’m going to bind you now, and after that, I’ll never let you go,” he said.
“Quit yer yabberin’, and do it already.”
He smiled. “Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.” (I give you everything I am, all I want to be and all I can be. I’m yours forever. Our bond will never be broken. My love is absolute.)
“Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið,” she repeated. “Ég er þín að eilífu Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.”
“Together,” he instructed.
“Ég gef þér allt sem ég er, allt sem ég vil vera og allt sem ég get verið. Ég er þinn að eilífu. Eining okkar mun aldrei bresta. Ást mín er alger.”
Brodie caught her as her legs gave way, carrying her to the bed.
Brodie settled Payton gently on the bed, kissing her gently as he tore the lace of her panties to get them off. He drew a nipple into his mouth and slid a hand between her legs, thumbing her clit as he pushed a finger inside of her.
“Brodie,” she breathed out.
“Spread your legs, love.”
She dropped her knees so he could have better access and he slid another finger inside of her, gently biting down on her nipple. She mewed, her breath coming in pants as he sped up his hand between her legs.
“Are you all right, love?”
“Aye. More, Brodie.”
His hand slipped out of her and Payton whimpered, but his mouth replaced his thumb and his fingers slid back inside of her.
As Brodie continued his assault on her pussy, Payton felt as though she were somewhere else… but fully in the moment—emotions, sensations, and desire swamping her. As her orgasm ripped through her, she cried out and Brodie slid into her. “Yes!” she moaned.
“I’m going to go slow, love. Let you get used to me.”
She nodded, but every move he made was sensational, so she didn’t want him to stop. Brodie grabbed one of her thighs and hitched it up higher, burying himself further into her and Payton arched against him. When he started to move, Payton thought she might lose her mind… in the best of ways.
“I’m good, Brodie.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You aren’t. You won’t.” She stroked his cheek. “I trust you.”
He kissed her and his tongue swept against hers again as he surged in, faster and faster. He slid out partially and then back in slowly. “You sure?”
She arched her hips, drawing him further in. “Yes,” she breathed out.
Guiding her hands above her head, Brodie held them there with one hand, sliding his other to her breast. As he rolled her nipple between his fingers, he continued to kiss her as he buried himself deeper and deeper into her.
Payton cried out his name as she came, trying to drag her hands from their prison to touch him, but he held firm and didn’t release her until he came inside of her.
She held her emotions in check until the very end. When the bonding was complete and she was wholly Brodie’s, she allowed herself to break.
Brodie settled her against his chest and stroked her back. “Shh, baby. I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”
“No. I just wasn’t expecting… so much… I don’t know how to describe it.”
“I know, love. It’s okay. I feel it too.”
She glanced up at him and widened her eyes.
“What?” he asked.
“I can see you.” She sat up, uncaring that she was naked. “I can see you perfectly.”
He sat up as well. “You can?”
She nodded and climbed off the bed, rushing into the bathroom. She found her glasses where she’d left them and slid them on. The room was a blur. She removed them again and set them on the counter, leaning forward to study her face. She looked different somehow. She felt beautiful.
That’s because you are, he said.
Payton stalled for a second, relishing the feeling of hearing Brodie in her mind. She closed her eyes with a sigh.
Come back to bed, Payton.
Now? she replied.
Aye, love. Or I’ll come get you.
She grinned. Come and get me.
Payton couldn’t stop the quiet squeal when Brodie stormed into the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground. “I’m going to love this new ability,” he said.
“Me too.” She giggled. “You’ll be able to talk dirty to me and no one will be the wiser.”
“Or you’ll be able to talk dirty to me,” he pointed out. “Of course, we’ll have to work on your blushing for it to work, love.”
“What? I don’t blush.”
He laughed. “Oh, really?”
Want me to prove it? she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. I can’t wait to spread your legs and taste every inch of your pussy until you drip with—
“Brodie!” she groaned, covering her face with her hands.
Brodie grinned. “We’ll work on that.”
She shook her head and ran her hands up his chest. “Let’s skip the dirty talk and just go back to the action.”
He kissed her. “I can make that happen.”