neck to his face and cup his cheek. He has a day’s worth of facial hair. The stubble is coarse under my palm but so welcome. It’s real. I’m touching Camden. He’s mine. Fate put him on this earth for me and now I have to do everything to show him how much it means to me. How much he has come to fill my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to plug the holes both my parents left in it when they died, but Cam can help me find the brightness of each day again.
“Fate, Cam.” My voice shakes like the rest of my body. Everything I’ve ever wanted is in front of me and I’m so afraid I’m going to mess it up.
Cam’s hand covers mine on his cheek. “I will love and welcome whatever you want to do to me. I vow to you, Whit, you never have to be afraid when you’re with me. I will always keep you safe.”
I want to ask about my heart. Yes, we’re fated but we’re not bonded yet. There’s nothing holding us together besides this very tenuous tether. So thin and fragile. Anyone could come along and break it.
Cam’s thoughts float to me, causing me to close my eyes at the onslaught of doubt flowing through him. I always do such a good job not listening to anything he thinks. To let him have those thoughts to himself. What he’s feeling must be so strong to project to me like they are in this moment.
I’m not alone with my fears. Cam has them, too, but in a different way. He’s afraid he’ll never be good enough for me. He would never hurt me intentionally. How much he cares about me nearly knocks me to my knees. No, it’s not love. We’re not there yet. But it’s more than friendship. It’s more than he’s ever felt for anyone else.
“Guard your thoughts, Camden. I can hear everything you’re thinking.”
“What if I want you to? I’m so tired of hiding.”
“Then give me everything. I’m here for whatever you need.”
“I never thought—” He chokes up on the last word. Emotion shines bright in his eyes. “I never entertained the thought of having a mate until we became closer. My life was always about Caiden. I spent so long looking for him and then I found the pack, or rather, they found me. They showed me the support I needed, especially the team. And now you. You’re more than I could have ever hoped for. I’ll spend every day proving I can be everything for you.”
Gripping Cam by the nape again, I tug on him to get him to really look at me. This time my voice is solid and strong. “I don’t want you to prove anything. You’re already who I want. Don’t change. Not for me and not for anyone else.”
With bravado I don’t feel, I pull Cam’s mouth to mine and kiss him hard. He moans against me. His arms wrap around my back to pull me flush against him. Our bare skin touches from our stomachs up. Everything inside me lights up like it’s the Fourth of July. And Cam… Well, Cam kisses with all the finesse I wish I had. He chases after my lips, coaxing my mouth open with a flick of his tongue. Then he’s devouring me. Licking inside my mouth, tasting me, while I hold on for dear life. I’ve never been as wholly owned as I am in this moment.
“Fate, Whit,” Cam breathes when we finally break apart.
I pant like I’ve run a marathon. “Was that okay?” I curse myself the moment the words leave my lips. What a way to sound completely inexperienced. I am, but I don’t need to put it out there like that.
Cam’s hands come up to cup my cheeks. “Okay?” He smiles. “It was perfect, Whit. I’ve never been kissed like that. I’ve never felt so, so…”
“Claimed?” I guess.
“Yes!” His smile is dazzling. This ray of light I didn’t realize I craved until it was in front of me. And I do crave him. Not just his smile or his body but every single part of him. There’s nothing about Camden Raines that has ever made me want to turn and walk away from him. He was made for me.
Someone knocks on my door. I have the sudden urge to blast magic at whoever’s on the other side to get them to leave Cam and me alone. That’s not