Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

man."
    Rhys remembered how Von had touched him, what he was just about to do to Sin, how he intended to make him his. So he cupped Sin's face, and told him seriously, "I wouldn't have let him… violate you like that."
    Sin nodded. "I knew you'd stop him." Sin slid his hand over Rhys' and gave it a squeeze. "You're a lion shifter?"
    Rhys swallowed thickly and nodded. And then he told him everything. He told him how as an agent with TradeCap, he'd been all over the universes, seen places he only dreamed of, but, he'd also seen the worst of the worst when it came to illegal traders and traffickers. Rhys told Sin how he'd been so busy working, he'd never sought a lover. He'd heard other shifters talk of mates and destined partners, but never dreamed he'd find his one .
    The one.
    "But I did," Rhys whispered, with his hand still on Sin's face. "I found you. From the minute I saw you, I knew I had to save you. But when I touched you, that first time, and looked into your eyes…"
    Sin nodded. "I know."
    "You felt it too?"
    "Of course," Sin said with a shy smile. "I don't remember much… of the beginning…" Sin's voice trailed off, as his mind drifted back to when he was first captured. He shook his head, as if to clear the visions from his mind. "But I remember you. I remember your scent. Thinking it was… familiar."
    "Familiar?"
    Sin smiled. "I think my body knew. I think somewhere in my mind knew."
    "Knew what?"
    "Knew I could trust you. Knew you would help me, save me," Sin answered. Then he added softly, "I think my body knew you were my mate before I did."
    Rhys grinned and laughed happily at this acknowledgment, and Sin smiled beautifully, shyly. Sin took Rhys' hand and softly kissed the soft skin in the palm. "I've never known attraction or love," he said. "I spent years looking in my city, on my planet. My brothers all found their mates, and friends…" Sin looked at Rhys and smiled. "But not me."
    "Until now," Rhys amended with a smile.
    Sin nodded. "Until now."
    Rhys wanted to kiss him. He wanted it so bad, to feel Sin's lips on his, to taste his mouth. "I can't believe you're here with me. I can't believe I can touch you," Rhys said, tightening his arm around him. But he had one more question to ask. "Can I ask you a question?"
    "Anything."
    "Is what Von said true?" Rhys asked quietly.
    Sin's brow pinched. "About what?"
    "That the Dychiiop mate for life?"
    Sin smiled, relieved and nodded shyly. "And the act of completion?" Sin asked quietly.
    "Completion?" Rhys asked, a little confused. Then he realized what Sin meant. "Oh. Consummation?"
    Keeping his eyes low, Sin nodded.
    Rhys lifted his chin so he looked at him and asked him, "If soul mates copulate, or mate, if they make love , they're bound to one another for life? Is that true?"
    Sin nodded, and after a long moment, he answered, "Yes."
    Rhys smiled again and marveled at the beauty of this creature, this man, in his arms. He looked at him, taking in his face, committing every detail to memory. His dark, almond-shaped eyes, his beautiful skin, his full lips. His perfect, full lips. And Rhys couldn't stand it a second longer.
    "Can I kiss you?"
    Sin's eyes widened, but he nodded quickly. "Yes."
    So Rhys did kiss him. Soft and sweet, gentle and chaste, he pressed his lips to Sin's, let them linger, breathing him in. It was a perfect first kiss.
    And then his hand held his face, and Rhys used his lips to softly open Sin's mouth. And their open lips lingered, not urgent, but languid and lovely. And then Rhys slowly flicked his tongue along Sin's bottom lip.
    Sin moaned.
    From just a kiss.
    Rhys pulled their bodies closer, feeling all of Sin against him, and he deepened the kiss. He covered Sin's mouth with his own, tasting his mouth, tasting him . His hands held Sin's face tighter, closer, their tongues touching, caressing, his desire taking over.
    He wanted him. He wanted to feel him underneath him, he wanted to be inside him.
    But it was too soon, and Sin had been through too much. They both had.
    Rhys pulled Sin's bottom lip in between his own, before pulling away, trying to slow their pace. Sin's eyes opened lazily, hazily, and Rhys chuckled at him.
    Sin licked his lips. "More?"
    Rhys chuckled again and pecked his lips to Sin's. "Patience. We have all the time in the universe."
    Needing to put some distance between them, Rhys rolled off the cot. "I'd better check the flight log," he said, quickly leaving the small room and walking out to the