Connor

Can she heal me? She already had as far as I was concerned. This was the first time in six months where I felt I had something to look forward to or even a reason to live. She was my sun and all I could do was orbit around her. I’m not sure how I was so lucky to be given such an accepting mate. Part of me had started hoping that I wouldn’t find my mate at all. The fear of rejection was so strong it made my stomach hurt sometimes. But now, this amazing girl, a healer no less, is telling me she never even considered rejecting me. I felt my heart expand and warm. I was practically in love with her already.

While she was gone with her brother, just thinking about her made my heart speed up and a smile flash on my face. She smelled like sweet strawberries and gentle vanilla. Her hair was long and soft, and I could imagine running my fingers through it every day. Her body was small and tight, perfect to pick up and throw down on my bed. I could tell she was shorter than me by the way she felt in my arms, a sweet little thing that could have me on my knees in no time at all. I would do anything to know what she looked like, see the color of her eyes, the sway of her hips.

“Yes, sweetheart you can heal me.”

I felt her hands lay over my eyes, and I closed them. I placed my hands on her hips, as I was still sitting on my bed and I felt a warmth travel through my face. A few moments later she removed her hands and I slowly opened my eyes. I could still only see dark. I heard Hope let out a defeated sigh and I rubbed my hands along her hips, letting her know it was ok.

“We need to mark each other.” I heard a sharp intake of breath from the corner where I knew Kade was sitting. It didn’t take long for him to speak up.

“You need to be sure about this, Hope. Marking is forever.” Hope let out a frustrated groan and turned in my arms to face her brother.

“Yeah, Kade I know marking is forever. That’s kind of the freaking point. I already told you I’m not changing my mind. It’s up to Connor now if he wants to do it.” Her voice got smaller at the end and I realized even with all of her confidence, all of that entertaining sass, there was still a part of her that was worried about rejection. As far as I could tell, I was getting the far better end of the deal out of this whole situation.

“Of course, I want to mark you, Hope. I just want to do it for the right reasons. Not just because you think you can save my sight, but because you want to be together.” I lifted my hand and felt her face until I could cup her cheek in my hand and ran my thumb along her bottom lip. I felt her quiver in my hands and heard her heartbeat speed up.

“We’d be doing it for the right reasons.” She barely whispered and I smiled.

“I’m going to give you two some privacy. Be careful with my sister, O’Leary.” I nodded in Kade’s direction and heard him close the door behind him.

“Can I kiss you, Connor?” She whispered again, almost like she was scared of the answer. I felt my body stiffen and a blush creep up on my face.

“I have to be honest with you, sweetheart. I’ve never kissed anyone before.” She audibly gasped.

“Really?” I chuckled a little at her obvious surprise.

“Yeah, I was saving myself for my mate. I know it’s a bit old fashioned, but I just figured why bother with anyone else when I knew the perfect girl was out there for me somewhere.”

“I’m the same way. I’ve never even held a boys’ hand. I want you to be my first, last and only.” She ran her fingers through my hair. I smiled wide as I pulled her closer to me by her waist.

“Kiss me then.”

She lowered her face and gently pushed her lips against mine. She stayed still for a beat, allowing us to get used to each other. Her lips were pillow soft and she tasted sweet, like candy. I pushed my lips harder against hers and she threaded her fingers into my hair. I felt my fingers dig into her hips of their own accord and fought to loosen my grip, so I didn’t hurt her. I ran my tongue along her bottom lip and sucked on it gently, eliciting a sexy growl from her. She parted her lips and allowed me to explore her mouth with my tongue, causing me to groan in response. She pulled away and started trailing kisses across my jaw and down my neck. She pulled my shirt over my head and continued her assault on my shoulder. She sucked and nibbled until she found the spot that caused tingles to erupt throughout my body and me to groan.

“That’s the spot, huh baby?”

“God, Hope you’re gonna be the death of me.”

She giggled, something that sounded like a wind chime on a glorious summer afternoon. I heard her canines unsheathe from her mouth and felt a blinding pain through my shoulder. It lasted only a moment before pure ecstasy erupted through my entire body. Wave after wave of pleasure coursed through me. All I could do was close my eyes and hold on to Hope for dear life. Much too soon the feeling faded, and I could feel Hope licking the wound she had just made.

“Your turn mo stóirín.” I said as I smiled up at her.

“What does that mean?”

“My little treasure. In Irish.”

“You’re Irish?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m surprised the O’Leary didn’t give it away.” She giggled and hugged my neck.

“That’ true. Ok my turn.”

I felt a rustle of fabric as she pulled her shirt over her head. She moved to straddle me so I could reach her neck and gave me a gentle peck on the lips. I followed the same path she had, kissing her jaw and neck. I nibbled along her shoulder until I felt her tense against me and gasp. I let my canines come forward and bit down hard. I wanted her mark to be large and deep, the mark of an Alpha male to make sure every other wolf knew to stay clear of my girl. I let my canines linger in her shoulder to prolong the pleasure she felt, since I now knew how good it was and I felt a warmth on my shoulders, under where her hands were. I pulled away to lick her wound and, as I opened my eyes, I felt a blinding pain.

“Ah!” I cried out, closing them quickly again.

“What is it, baby?” Hope sounded concerned.

“My eyes!” She gasped and took my face in her hands.

“Hold on, Connor.” I felt her get off my lap and heard the familiar sound of the curtains closing. She was quickly back on my lap and took my face in her hands once more.

“Open your eyes, baby.” She whispered.

I did as she asked, slowly lifting one eyelid and then the other. The room was darker now, but slowly everything came in to focus. My heart was pounding out of my chest as I took in the details in front of me. Hope was blurry at first, but my eyesight quickly sharpened, and I could take in her face. Her cheekbones were high with a slight blush on her cheeks, button nose, dark brown hair and finally a pair of crystal blue eyes, the same color as I remember the ocean being.

“Your eyes are so…. Green.” She whispered. I looked at her again and she had tears in her eyes.

“You are so beautiful, mo stóirín.” I leaned forward to press my lips against hers again. I felt the wetness from her tears and pulled away to wipe them from her face with my thumbs.

“I can’t believe it worked, Connor. I’m so happy.” She leaned forward with her arms around my neck and rested her head on my chest.

“You’re my angel, Hope. I’d be dead without you. I promise I will protect you with every ounce of my being.” She smiled up at me and the sight was so beautiful it nearly gave me a heart attack.

“I’m sure you want to tell everyone, but can we just sit here like this for a while?” She asked me, her eyes large and pleading. It was then that I realized she didn’t have shirt on. The only covering she had was a white bra with pink polka dots. I found the shirt I had been wearing and put it over her head before pulling her onto my bed and resting her head on my chest.

“Yes, but now that I can see you’ll need to stay covered up, sweetheart.” She giggled and nestled into my side, where she was meant to be.