His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,9

than ever he was able to understand what was needed of him. After a life growing up in the human foster care system, he’d learned to read people’s actions and nonverbal cues. But when it came to Morgan, Kenny’s brain seemed to short-circuit, and he found himself floundering about.

Kenny was no mind reader, and the only way he was going to be able to understand what Morgan needed was to ask the man himself. Kenny moved around Morgan until they were facing each other once more. Kenny cupped Morgan’s face and tilted his head up until two deep brown eyes stared up at him. Kenny wanted to kiss his mate right then and there. He barely held back.

“Tell me what you need,” Kenny said.

Morgan’s lashes fluttered closed, and Kenny thought Morgan wasn’t going to answer. His chest ached, as he wondered what would happen if he couldn’t help his mate? Kenny’s snow leopard growled at the thought. They were fated mates—there had to be something Kenny could do.

“Please,” Kenny whispered.

He wasn’t above begging his mate. He’d do anything to help Morgan.

Morgan’s cheeks flushed a deeper red as he bit down on his kiss-swollen lips. “I—I don’t know.”

Kenny had to pull his eyes from Morgan’s distracting mouth in order to truly understand the words. He couldn’t mean—

“Morgan, look at me,” Kenny said.

It took a minute, but Morgan finally relented, and Kenny was once again looking into beautiful brown eyes. “Love, are you saying you’re a virgin?”

Morgan tried to pull away, but Kenny didn’t let him. Instead he pulled his mate closer to him, wrapping his arms around Morgan.

“I’m sorry,” Morgan said.

Kenny shook his head. “There is nothing to be sorry about.”

Morgan was still tense in Kenny’s embrace. He thought about how to explain to his mate that the fact that he was untouched wasn’t a bad thing. If anything, it made Kenny feel even more possessive of Morgan.

Kenny grabbed one of Morgan’s hands and moved it under his shirt and to his chest, pressing his palm up against Kenny’s heart. Morgan looked up at him, puzzled, and Kenny gave him a warm smile. His heart thudded in his chest as he stared at the one man who would make him whole.

“You are the only one to ever make my heart race and my mind go blank. When I’m around you, I lose all self-awareness. You mean more to me than anything in this world. The fact that no one else has had the pleasure of touching you only makes me all the more determined to show you I’m a worthy mate.”

Morgan reeled back, eyes wide. He shook his head, a small smile curving his lips. “I am the one who needs to prove my worth to you.”

Kenny leaned forward and kissed Morgan. He would do everything in his power to show Morgan he was more than worth it. Even if it meant reminding him every second of every day.

“I love you, Morgan,” Kenny said against his lips.

It wasn’t the first time, but all the same, Morgan’s blood rushed and his chest warmed. He didn’t deserve Kenny—the man was gorgeous, smart, and so kind. Morgan leaned into the kiss, unable to deny the pull to his mate.

“I love you too.” He felt the words deep within. There was no denying the truth even if he was sure fate should have given Kenny someone better.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

Maybe, but could anyone blame him? Probably—everything was always Morgan’s fault, although not once had Kenny ever blamed anything on Morgan. It had been a few months, and still, Kenny hadn’t gotten angry with Morgan once or lashed out at him.

“Morgan,” Kenny called, pulling him from his deep thoughts.

“Hmm?”

Kenny put their foreheads together, his dark brown dreads cocooning them. Morgan closed his eyes. He could stay right there where it was safe in Kenny’s arms forever. Nothing would ever hurt. Silence settled around them. It enveloped Morgan and wrapped around him like a blanket.

How did Kenny do it?

Without words, he made Morgan feel treasured and secure.

Without opening his eyes, Morgan pushed forward and captured Kenny’s lips in a kiss once more. He wasn’t all that experienced, but kissing Kenny was something he was familiar with and could easily do. Big hands tightened and tilted Morgan’s head to the side. He let Kenny take charge. It was so much easier, and he preferred it.

Kenny’s tongue flicked against Morgan’s, and he was helpless to the whimpers that spilled from his mouth. His toes curled as Kenny took him