8: The Mate Bond

8

BRANDON

I had been told what the mate bond was supposed to feel like.

Over the years, I’d heard the stories—how it was instant, undeniable. How it would settle deep in my bones, consuming me with a need so intense it would be impossible to ignore.

But that wasn’t how it felt with Amari.

Sure, she was stunning, confident, and graceful. Exactly the kind of girl an Alpha Prince was expected to be with. And when I looked at her, there was attraction, definitely. But there was also something missing.

Something I couldn’t quite place. Something that made what I felt for her quite shallow.

I had brought it up with my father once, and he dismissed it immediately, saying I was overthinking it, and that the connection would deepen with time. That I just had to give it a chance.

Even now, with Amari pressed against me in the empty locker room, her lips moving insistently against mine, something inside me just wasn’t clicking.

The kiss was undeniably hot, all teeth and tongue. Amari was one of the hottest girls I've ever made out with and it felt right in that regard but she wasn't just a random girl, she was my mate. Making out with her shouldn't feel like making out with every other girl.

But maybe my father was right. Maybe it was just nerves, or the pressure of expectation pressing down on me.

Amari’s hands slid over my chest, fingers curling around the fabric of my shirt as she pulled me closer. I let her, focusing on the warmth of her body against mine, and the softness of her lips. My body was already warming up to her touch like it would if I was making out with any girl I found attractive.

Suddenly I felt the cool metal of my belt shift under her touch and the sound of the clasp coming undone.

My hands shot down instinctively, catching her wrists before she could go any further.

“Amari,” I murmured against her lips, pulling back just enough to look at her.

She blinked up at me, her dark eyes hazy with expectation, and her breath coming a little heavier than before.

“What?” she asked, confused.

I exhaled, loosening my grip on her wrists but still holding them in place.

“I don't think we should be doing this yet,” I said, keeping my voice steady. I wanted to. God! If she wasn't my mate, she would already be pressed against the wall and screaming from being fucked.

Amari stared at me like I had just spoken in a language she didn’t understand.

“We’re mates, we have all the time in the world to make love and fuck around. We should get to know each other first.”

“What? Wait,” she chuckled, “You can't be serious. ”

“Why not?”

“I mean,” she tucked in an errant strand of hair, “you’re an Alpha and a prince at that. You guys are insatiable when it comes to sex so telling me you want us to wait is shocking. Or wait, am I not hot enough for you? Maybe this is just because you're not attracted to me.”

“Of course, I'm attracted to you,” and I was, really. I was attracted to her like I'd be attracted to an insanely not girl like that. It just wasn't deeper than that even though I wanted it to be since we were mates, “you're one of the most gorgeous girls I've ever made and I'm not saying that because you're my mate.-

-but I've never been a fan of casual sex. You're nothing like those girls I've fucked in the past, you're my mate. I want what we'll build to be special, to be deep, and heartfelt. Rushing into sex when we have all the time in the world to do that is just… That's not something I want for us.”

“Wow,” Amari chuckled and looked away from me. She tucked an errant strand of hair away again and I noticed her hand trembled a little, “I didn't see that coming. I mean, I've been with alpha heirs before and… Oh my God!” she covered her mouth with her palm, “I'm talking too much. I don't want you to think of me that way.”

“No, please,” I'm not old-fashioned. I grabbed her hand to show her that it was really okay, “I've had multiple sex partners before. It'd be weird if you haven't been with anyone.”

“Good!” she smiled, glanced briefly at our interlocked hands before looking up at me again, “So multiple sex partners, hmm? Is there anyone in the picture now? It'd be weird if you're not a release from somewhere.”

Would be getting it from jerking off to the thoughts of Ivy.

Hated that thought. Hated that I was still thinking about that wrench here.

“Called the last one off shortly after I met you. It felt like cheating: sleeping with someone else when I already found my mate.”

That wiped the teasing right off her face. Her expression shifted, as something softer settled in her features.

“You… ended things just because of me?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

I nodded, “Yeah.”

She just looked at me softly for a second. Then removed her hand from mine to touch the elm of my trouser, her fingers trailing gently down my arm, her touch slower, more deliberate than before.

“Well, I think you deserve a reward for that.”

Before I could process what was happening, Amari sank to her knees in front of me. My eyes locked with hers, and without breaking eye contact, she unbuckled my belt, zipped down my pants, and pulled them down.

As they slid down my thighs, my cock sprang free, already eager for her touch. Her eyes flicked down, taking in the sight of my erection, and I saw a flash of satisfaction in her expression. She ran her tongue over her full lips, her eyes never leaving mine.

I groaned, my hands instinctively moving to her shoulders, but I stopped myself from pushing her away. Amari was on her knees, ready to pleasure me. I couldn't deny myself this moment. Hopefully, with this, I'd be able to get goddamn Ivy out of my head.

After tying her hair up in a ponytail, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the tip of my cock, her lips barely grazing the sensitive head. I shuddered, my body tensing as a jolt of pleasure shot through me.

"Relax, Bran, lemme make you feel good." she purred.

I watched as she wrapped her full lips around the head of my cock, taking me into her warm, wet mouth. With her eyes still locked on mine.

Fuck…

Her lips began sliding effortlessly up and down my length. She used her hands to stroke the base, her fingers gently caressing my balls, driving me wild with pleasure.

I could feel her tongue swirling around the underside of my shaft, teasing the sensitive skin, and I had to grip the edge of the locker to steady myself.

"Fuck, Amari," I groaned, my hips involuntarily thrusting forward with force, seeking more of her hot mouth.

She pulled back, her lips glistening with my pre-cum, and smiled up at me. Then, without warning, she plunged her mouth back down, taking me deeper than before.

The sensation was incredible. Amari's mouth was hot and tight around my cock, her tongue working in perfect harmony with her lips. She sucked and bobbed her head, her hands gripping my thighs, holding me in place as she pleasured me. I could feel my orgasm building, my balls tightening with each stroke of her mouth.

"Oh god, I'm close," I panted, my hands now buried in her hair, guiding her rhythm.

Amari moaned around my shaft, the vibrations intensifying my pleasure. She increased her pace, her mouth working feverishly, determined to bring me to the edge.

And before I knew it, I exploded with a force that took me by surprise. My hips bucked uncontrollably as I emptied myself into her mouth, my cock throbbing as it pulsed. Amari swallowed eagerly, her eyes never leaving mine, as if she wanted to savor every drop.

My orgasm subsided, and I slumped against the lockers. Amari slowly rose to her feet, a satisfied smile on her face. She licked her lips, and I could see a glistening trail of my cum on her chin.

"That was... incredible," I managed to say, my voice hoarse and raw.

Amari’s grin deepened and when she spoke, her tone was triumphant.

"So, are we still not doing anything sexual?”