His Human (The New Neighbors #2) - M.A. Innes Page 0,48

the center of my entire world.” The words were spoken low, almost lovingly, but there was an edge of passion to them.

We might not see sexual desire the same way, but he wanted me more than anything else in his life. I knew that without question.

His next words sent a shiver through me, like he’d turned me inside out. “You will be my obsession.”

Then my wonderful Master pressed the plug against my prostate and freed my erection. Pleasure slammed through me like a wave that threatened to drown me completely. As the initial rush began to subside, Maverick jerked me off and his tentacles teased every inch of my body.

When all I could feel was his limbs around me and the love that seemed to be pouring from him, I let everything fade away and gave myself completely to my Master.

Maverick

Mine.

Out of all the creatures in the universe, I had been given the gift of a bonded mate.

My little human would never understand the gift of his submission and the bonding in general, but I would make sure he never had cause to question my devotion to him or our bond. He would always know how important he was to me and how treasured his submission would be.

It was easy to decide that research into their claiming rituals would be necessary.

Chapter 16

Trip

“When you are not conscious, you are not afraid of being carried up the stairs.” It wasn’t quite what I was expecting to hear when I finally woke up, but I probably should have expected it.

I just grunted and tried to roll over, but he gathered me up in his limbs and arranged me so I was draped down his body.

“That seems to indicate it is simply a fear which has no basis in your physiology.” The earnestness in his voice made it clear where he was heading with the conversation.

“No carrying me up the stairs when I can walk. I don’t care if it’s all in my head.” Regardless of whether he had more than enough limbs to carry both of us safely up the stairs, I didn’t want to be conscious when he did it.

“You were not awake earlier, therefore you could not have walked.” He was going to keep picking at that logic until we were both too old for him to carry either of us up the damned things.

“If I’m unconscious, you can carry me. That’s as far as I’m going to negotiate on that.” I tried to be firm, but his response said I hadn’t quite gotten the tone right.

“There are numerous ways to render a human unconscious without damaging them.” He sounded very pleased with himself. “With my ability to sense your body's responses, it is not as dangerous as I expected.”

Because he was like a walking, talking—

Wait.

Why was he researching ways to knock me out?

Ohhh. I looked up and tried not to sound concerned. “Master, have you been looking up erotic asphyxiation again?”

I had to chuckle when he nodded excitedly. “Your bodies are curiously designed, but that gives me many ways to explore it.”

I couldn’t decide whether he saw me as a bug in a science experiment or if it was something like one of those weird sex studies in an erotic book.

“Does that mean you want to try it?” I wasn’t sure if he was talking about exploring the topic in a research sense or if he meant something more hands-on.

“Yes, at first I was unsure of the safety of restricting your airway to induce euphoria and pleasure, but our senses will make the practice much safer. However, I understand it is something we must discuss before attempting.” He gave my head a pat like we were talking about picking out dinner.

“Your educational sites explained the importance of consent and discussions to make sure we both understand what will happen.” He hugged me tight. “I do not want to induce real fear in you and risk damaging your heart or any systems affected by the change in your hormones.”

It was the funniest way to talk about something sexy that I’d ever heard.

“Yes, we need to talk about it, but I know you wouldn’t hurt me.” I was going to be his bonded mate. He’d do anything to keep me safe…including tracking my vitamin levels and making sure I was safe when I drove. He wasn’t going to go to all that work just to randomly strangle me.

“Is this conversation sufficient? Do we need to list off the ways it will be