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At last, he ran his fingers under the waistline of her panties. With his other hand, he drew slow circles on her lower stomach, teasing her with his touch. Tingles rushed through her, and the achiness in her core mounted. Her pussy kept clenching, her breasts felt heavy, and her nipples tightened.

She wanted him.

She didn’t just want him to touch her… she wanted him to claim her.

She truly wanted to belong to him.

Forever.

Even if the idea of forever was more than a little scary.

Finally, he pulled her panties down. She lifted her hips to assist as he drew the undergarment down her legs. Her pulse skittered as more heat quaked through her. He was still rubbing slow circles on her stomach, but he kept going lower and lower until he moved that hand between her thighs.

Then he stiffened and immediately withdrew his hand.

Before she could ask what was wrong, he pulled her close and started running his fingers through her hair. The caring look he gave her helped chase away her worries.

She’d been certain he was about to touch her pussy again, yet he’d stopped at the very last second.

But he wasn’t rejecting her.

At least she didn’t think he was. He was still holding her close and staring at her as though he were falling in love with her.

Her heart lifted at the thought.

Love. Was such a thing possible?

Could a lonely human woman with a restless heart find love with a fierce Vaxxlian warrior who was covered in scars and sometimes looked as though he were remembering some tragedy? More than once, as she’d stared at him, she’d thought he looked a million miles away.

And his scars… she didn’t yet know how he’d gotten them.

Yes, he was a Vaxxlian warrior and there was a chance he’d gotten them during battle, but she sensed there was another story behind the haunted look in his eyes. A truth that echoed darkness. Something that might even scare her.

He cupped her face, stroking her chin with his thumbs, as he remained beside her on the bed, their legs tangled together. She placed a hand on his chest and was surprised by how hot he was to the touch. Did Vaxxlians have a higher body temperature than humans? Before she could ask or make a comment about this difference between them, he cleared his throat and parted his lips, preparing to speak. She couldn’t explain how she knew, but somehow, deep down, she sensed that he had something important to say.

“Before we go any further, my darling mate,” he said as he held her gaze, “we must repeat the mating vows of my people.”

The mating vows. Of course.

Of course!

That was why he’d paused their intimate activities. Not because he didn’t want her. But because he wished for them to repeat the mating vows that would bind them together for all time.

For all time…

“Okay,” she whispered, her throat suddenly burning. “I’m ready. Please… tell me what to say.”

“Repeat after me, sweet Holly.” He nuzzled his nose against hers briefly before pulling back and meeting her eyes. “I, Errik, give you, Holly, my soul, my body, and my heart.” He gave her an encouraging look.

Oh. What beautiful vows. She drew in a deep breath.

“I, Holly, give you, Errik, my soul, my body, and my heart.”

His eyes flashed with approval, and he nuzzled her nose again.

“Upon this mating, I am yours, and you are mine. May the Star God bless our union,” he said, a note of finality in his voice… perhaps even a note of victory.

Because if she finished repeating the vows and allowed him to claim her, they would be joined forever. As mates.