⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆☽Ⓛ❈Ⓒ☾⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Tilly waits in the car for us. I go with Joab to his dorm and sit on his bed whilst he packs his things. He tells his superior that he will be staying with me for a week, quoting a mate emergency.

Amazingly, that's a valued excuse and he is granted leave. He takes my hand and squeezes it. We walk hand-in-hand back to the car.

Tilly makes him sit in the back, but I sit in the back with him. He holds my hand all of the way, running his thumb back and forth on my knuckles in a soothing way.

He makes an effort with Tilly in the car, attempting to get to know her. She gives him short, one-word replies at first and I don't chastise her. I get why she's mad. I'm still mad, too.

He's right when he says he needs to make this up to me. Honestly though, I don't think he will mess up again. Now that I've seen his scars, the worst part for him is over. His biggest fear; his mate rejecting him over his scars, has been conquered.

We can move forward now.

About half-way through the journey, he starts to crack Tilly. By the time she pulls up in front of my parents' house, she's on speaking terms with him.

I thank my friend and wave her off. My parents are in when I arrive home. I introduce them to Joab. They're a little surprised by his mask, but he quickly explains that he was attacked and they don't question it.

They're going out for dinner, thank Goddess. I was meant to go with them, but obviously, I have other plans now.

I get Joab settled in the spare room. I'm not sure if I'll be letting him sleep in my bed yet. He still has some grovelling to do.

As the start of his grovelling, he offers to cook dinner for me. We go to the local supermarket and walk around like a loved up couple, holding hands and putting things in the trolley.

He asks what I'd like and agrees to make my favourite; chicken fettuccine Alfredo.

When we get home, I sit in the kitchen and watch him get to work. He talks to me whilst he cooks, asking more questions about my life and stuff. I chat away, happily snacking on the grated cheese he has left out for me.

My stomach is rumbling like mad when he serves up for us both. He hands me a steaming bowl, heaped with chicken and pasta. He hasn't held back on the sauce; I like that in a man.

We sit together on the outdoor patio, enjoying the star-littered sky and evening air. The pasta is incredible, much better than I've ever made it.

For dessert, we got a pyramid of profiteroles. We share them together, dipping the cream-filled choux pastry in melted chocolate. It's heaven.

When we finish that, Joab asks me whether he can take me upstairs and give me the second part of his grovelling. I have an idea of what he means and I'm more than willing.

We shove everything in the dishwasher and go up to my room. Once there, my mate takes his time stripping me of my clothes. I stand still as he removes them layer by layer, kissing the skin he exposes with each piece.

I let him worship me with his mouth and hands. When I'm naked, he lays me down on the bed and situates himself between my thighs. His tongue is hot and wet against my lower lips. I spread my thighs wide and tangle my fingers in his hair.

I rock against his tongue. He circles my clit, producing just the right amount of friction. The pleasure builds quickly -too quickly. I know it's going to be immense.

My body tenses up as I brace myself for the orgasm. It hits in a sudden wave that has me arching my back off of the bed. I cry out and slap my hand over my mouth to drown out my moans.

It's unbelievable, the euphoria that fills me. I'm breathing heavily when I come down from the high. Joab rubs his hands up and down my thighs, comforting me. It's soothing.

He waits until my breathing has returned to normal and then his mouth returns to my core. A jolt of pleasure runs through me the second his tongue makes contact with my clit again. He flicks the tip of his tongue back and forth relentlessly.

The sensation is maddening. My eyes practically roll back in my head as my second orgasm hits. I tremble on the bed, shaking with unadulterated pleasure.

He does this another two times, giving me four orgasms in total. I'm begging for him to stop and give me a break by the end. My body is covered with a thin sheen and all of my muscles are twitching randomly with aftershocks.

Despite being deeply sated, I feel empty without him inside me.

'Joab,' I moan his name. 'Please, I want you.'

He looks up at me from between my legs. His eyes meet mine and he shakes his head.

'I haven't earned you yet,' he states. 'I need to prove myself.'

'You have,' I pant. 'Please, I need you inside me.'

He shakes his head again and I cry out in frustration. I sit up and grab his shoulders. I practically rip the t-shirt from his body. He caves and lets me take it off him. The knot of his mask is knocked and he quickly fixes it.

'Take it off, please,' I ask him gently. 'You don't have to, but I'd love to see your whole face.'

He hesitates for a moment. I think he isn't going to do it, but he inhales deeply and unties the knot. He removes the fabric mask from his eyes, revealing his scars to me. I lean forwards and kiss him, showing him how much they don't bother me.

He pushes me back and I sprawl across the bed, watching him undress. It's a treat in itself, looking at his body.

'You're so handsome,' I tell him quietly.

It's amazing, the reaction he has to my compliment. His shoulders straighten and his confidence returns.

'Thank you, my love,' he murmurs. 'I'm glad that you approve.'

He comes back to the bed and I get to my knees. I reach for him and he lets me grasp his cock. Remembering from last time, I hold him firmly whilst moving my hand up and down. His eyes briefly close as he savours the feeling.

'This is supposed to be about you,' he says tightly, obviously holding himself back.

He doesn't understand that giving him pleasure gives me pleasure. I get off watching him enjoy this. This is a treat to me.

'I like touching you,' I whisper, keeping my eyes focussed on his cock.

It fascinates me so much. I really need to take the time to study it in greater detail sometime.

'Please, Annika,' he protests, gently pushing my hand away. 'Let me focus on you. I need to make this up to you.'

I concede and let him have his way, literally. I lay back on the pillow and get comfortable. Joab gets between my legs and grasps my ankles. He lifts them up and spreads them. I hold them in the air whilst he lines his cock up with my entrance.

He enters me slowly in small thrusts. It's not as uncomfortable as the first time. Within a few seconds, he has filled me completely. He places my ankles over his shoulders and slides in even deeper.

It feels so good at this angle, with my pelvis lifted off of the bed. I grip the bedsheets and relax. He starts thrusting, slow at first. Gradually, he picks up speed.

The pleasure increases with his pace. His face is sexy and full of concentration. I know he is focussing solely on me. He reaches down and rubs my clit, giving me double stimulation.

I'm sensitive from my previous orgasms and it doesn't take much. I clamp around his cock and ride out another orgasm. They're shorter than the others, but equally as intense.

Joab doesn't stop. He grits his teeth and holds off his own pleasure, keeping his attention entirely on me.

After the third orgasm during sex, I gasp his name.

'You can come,' I tell him breathily. 'Please. I want you to.'

Only with my permission, does he finally release his control over himself. He stops restraining himself and finally releases inside me.

I hold him close to me, feeling his body shudder with aftershocks. He drops his head and presses his forehead to mine. Our warm breaths mingle in each other's faces.

If he wants to keep making up for his mistake like this, I certainly don't have a problem with it.

'I'm so sorry,' he whispers. 'I promise, I will keep making it up to you. I'm not going anywhere, Annika.'

I tighten my arms around him.

'I'm not going anywhere either, Joab.'

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆✥⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆