[A/N - Wait to play the song🌹]

"God damn, you're so worth it. God damn, you belong. Suddenly lost in the way that you love me like the blackbird loves the night. Kiss me like your lips could save my life. Light like your love could start a fire. Make me feel the reason I'm alive."
~Anson Seabra, 'Stay With Me'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

I hug Ryland tightly as we cry together. Him; tears of relief that the cursed collar is gone. Me; tears of happiness that my mate can finally live the life he deserves.

Turning my head into his neck, I press soft kisses along the skin that was previously hidden from me by the collar. Ryland shivers in my arms, arching his neck to give me more access to roam. A growl rumbles deep in my chest as I gladly take his offering, allowing my tongue to flick out along his creamy skin.

A moan slips out of Ryland's mouth when I run my tongue from his neck to his jawline, leaving hot kisses along the defined pane. My touches switch from ones of innocent comfort, to something much more heated. The reminder that he's no longer being held back by his collar nearly causes my self-control to snap, and I tightly grip his hips.

"L-Landon," Ryland stammers breathlessly, pressing his hands against my shoulders. "I-I need..."

"Tell me what you need, baby," I growl, nipping at his delectable throat. "Whatever you want, you can have it."

"Shower," he finishes, effectively making me freeze my ministrations and look up at him. "Before we go any further, I-I need to shower."

I tilt my head to the side. "We showered this morning."

"I know, but I need to... clean," Ryland mumbles, his face turning bright red from embarrassment. I smile, leaning forward to kiss his cheek.

"Don't be embarrassed, Ry," I tell him gently. "I had to do it when I was with Easton. Do you know how?"

He nods shyly. "I think so."

"Do you have everything you need? If not, I packed some supplies in my bag."

"You did?"

"Well, yeah," I say with a shrug. "We hadn't decided how we were going to do this until yesterday, so I came prepared for anything."

The grateful smile that spreads across Ryland's face makes my heart flutter. "Thank you. I'll try not to take too long!"

Ryland jogs up to the cabin, closing the door behind him. I sigh contentedly, tilting my head upwards to gaze at the moon.

'I can't believe this is finally happening!' Leo squeals excitedly. 'I'm going to meet my mate! My River!'

'Thank you,' I whisper to him, and I sense Leo pause.

'For what?'

'Ryland wasn't the only one who had to wait for me. You also had to wait until I was ready before getting this chance to meet your mate. You two are the most selfless beings alive, and I'm beyond lucky to have both of you.'

'Landon...' Leo sniffles over-dramatically. 'I'm so happy you finally appreciate what a bad bitch I am.'

I swear to goddess, if I could, I would trip Leo and laugh as he face plants.

'I'm done talking to you,' I snap, getting ready to raise a mental barrier so Ryland and I can have our privacy.

'Wait!' Leo frantically shouts. 'Um... could you maybe not shut me out?'

'Pervert.'

'No! Well, maybe a little. But mostly, I want to be there the moment you mark Ryland, and River is returned to him. Please don't make me miss that moment,' he pleads, and I soften. 'You can block me out for all the stuff leading up to that, just let me be there when River comes back.'

'Absolutely,' I agree, and Leo dances with glee. 'I'll lift the barrier right before I mark him.'

'Thank you,' he sighs in relief.

"Landon?" I hear Ryland shout from inside the cabin.

'Have fun,' Leo sing suggestively before fading away into my mind, and I put the barrier in place to make sure he's not peeking. Inhaling a deep breath to settle my nerves, I walk quickly to the cabin. The front door creaks open, and I peer around to find the living room and kitchen empty. The scent of honey and vanilla mixed with soap reaches my nostrils, creating an invisible candy trail upstairs.

The closer I get to our bedroom, the stronger Ryland's scent becomes. There's an undeniable aroma of arousal mixing in with his sweet scent, making my erection spring to life.

[A/N - Play the song 🌹]

I push open the door to find my beautiful mate sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. His dark hair is still damp from his shower, causing beads of water to drip onto the lean muscles of his chest and stomach. His honey eyes lock on mine, swirling with nerves and lust.

"Landon," Ryland purrs, slightly parting his knees. I growl, pushing him down onto the bed as I hover over him. A surprised gasp leaves Ryland's lips as he stares up at me with dark golden eyes; his tongue darting out along his bottom lip.

In an instant, I cover his mouth with mine, making us both groan lowly. I'll never get used to how sugary sweet his lips are; how his taste is the single most addicting thing I've ever experienced. Our lips move together in a heated dance of love and desire. Ryland grabs my shirt in his fists, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. I lower my body completely onto him, pressing my erection fully against his pelvis. Ryland mewls, wrapping his legs around my waist and causing his towel to slide open.

I pull back, breathing heavily as I take in the sight before me. My mate looks heavenly on the bed, staring up at me with heavy-lidded eyes and plump lips swollen from my kisses. His legs are on either side of my hips, spreading him open for me. The towel falls away, exposing his smooth erection that's already leaking against his stomach. I swipe my thumb over the slick head of his cock, making him whimper as I lick his essence off my thumb. As expected, his precum is as sweet as everything else about him. My cock pluses with the desire to bury myself deep in him.

"I want you," I practically moan, pressing our foreheads together.

"Take me," Ryland pleads, rocking his hips upwards. "I'm yours."

I groan at that, sitting up to quickly discard my clothing. I kneel between Ryland's legs, completely naked as I gaze at him with dark eyes. Ryland's length pulses under my stare, and he reaches up to trace the lines of my abdomen. It takes an impressive amount of self-control on my part to stay still as Ryland explores my body. His hand travels lower and I catch him by the wrist, raising his hand and nipping at his fingertips.

"Tonight, I'm going to worship every inch of your body, just like you deserve," I promise, brushing my lips against his fingertips. "Will you let me do that for you?"

"Please," Ryland whimpers a moan, his eyes shining. Lifting his leg up to my shoulder, I keep my eyes locked with his as I press my lips to his ankle. Goosebumps arise on Ryland's skin as my lips trail further up his leg until I suckle at the area right above his knee.

His fingers tangle in my hair as I move to his thigh, licking and biting every inch. Small purple bruises are already forming on his pale skin; an abstract artwork painted with my lips and led by my desire to worship him.

Ryland watches me with watery eyes as he bites down on his quivering bottom lip. I raise my head from his thigh, brows furrowed in concern.

"Honeybee, what is it?" I coo, reaching over to wipe his face when the tears begin to fall.

"I..." he cuts himself off with a sniffle, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "I love you so much."

I smile tenderly at him, kissing the tip of his nose. "I love you too, baby. So much."

Ryland cups my face, pulling me down to him. "Kiss me," he whispers, and I am more than happy to oblige. Wrapping my arms around him, I lift Ryland into my lap so that he's straddling me. Our cocks rub together, making me groan when Ryland starts to grind forward. Grasping both of our erections in my hand, I pump us together as Ryland continues to rock his hips forward.

"Landon, fuck," Ryland whines, wrapping his arms around my neck and pressing his forehead to mine.

"It's okay, baby. I got you," I soothe, speeding up my hand.

"L-Landon," he whimpers, red eyes fluttering open. If he was still wearing his collar, we would have to stop right here to prevent him from getting worked up and shocked. Since the collar is gone, I'm not stopping even if the cabin starts to crumble around us.

"You've got this, love," I encourage him, releasing my own erection from my grasp so that I can focus solely on him.

I watch as he bites his lip, trying to keep River back as he chases his high. I pump him faster, brushing my thumb over his leaking tip and relishing in the melodic cries he releases.

"Shit, I-I'm close," Ryland warns with a curse. I press my lips against his ear, tracing the outer shell there with my tongue.

"Cum," I growl, and Ryland's back arches in my arms.

"Landon!!" He throws his head back as cum shoots from his cock, coating my hand while some drops fall on my stomach. His body trembles violently as his orgasm prolongs, finally releasing freely. I whisper soothing words as he comes down from his high, pressing soft kisses to his cheeks and jaw.

"Breathe, honeybee," I instruct softly, holding my trembling mate tightly. The shaking in his body gradually ceases as he takes slow breaths, calming himself down. The red in his eyes dims back to brown, and I smile proudly. "You did so good, baby."

"I need more," Ryland says, wrapping his hand around my cock. "I can't wait anymore, please."

I press a chaste kiss to his lips before sliding him off my lap. "Get on your hands and knees. That should be the most comfortable."

As Ryland gets into position, I scramble for my bag and pull out the lube and condoms. When I turn back to my mate, a sharp intake of breath fills my lungs. With his elbows in the bed and back arched, Ryland's round ass makes my mouth water with unfathomable need. My brain short-circuits for a moment, unable to comprehend how someone can be so goddamn sexy. The way his back arches causes his ass to spread, giving me a perfect view of his pink hole. I'm stuck in a trance as I squirt the lube on my fingers and press the pad of my thumb to his entrance.

"Ngh!" Ryland moans as my thumb circles his tight ring of muscles, spreading the lube around to soften the area. I push one finger in, keeping my movements slow as his walls clench around me.

"Relax, babe," I instruct gently, rubbing his side with my free hand. Ryland takes a few deep breaths before his walls relax, allowing my finger to slide in and out.

"Feels weird," Ryland murmurs, the side of his head pressed into the mattress.

"I know," I chuckle. "Give it time, I promise it'll start to feel better." When I add a second finger, Ryland winces but remembers to take deep breathes to help him through it. I push my fingers in to the knuckle before curling them, causing Ryland to gasp a moan.

"Holy sh— ahh! Please, do that again!" Ryland begs, pushing his hips back and making me smile. I curl my fingers again, tapping the spot that I now know to be his prostate.

My mate melts on the bed in front of me, moaning beautifully as I worship that bundle of nerves. Once he's relaxed enough, I add a third finger to finish prepping him for me. My cock aches as I watch him mewl and beg for more, and I withdraw my fingers. Ryland whines as his hole clenches around air, silently begging to be filled again.

I roll the condom on and apply an ample amount of lube before positioning my tip at his entrance. Ryland squirms and pushes his ass back towards me, but I firmly grip his hips to keep him in place.

"Landon, please," Ryland begs wantonly. "Please, fuck me."

"I'm going to go slow until I mark you," I let him know. "Until my mark is on your shoulder and River is under control, I'm going to make love to you slowly."

"You don't hav—"

"Then," I interrupt him, pushing my tip past his tight ring of muscles and making him choke out a moan. "I'm going to fuck you the way you deserve to be fucked."

~~~

I wouldn't be me, if I didn't tease you all with a smexy cliffhanger

AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! I'm so excited akfnskfkskd but the rest needs to be from Ryland's POV

Thoughts??

Q: Early bird or night owl?
[night owl]

See you sooonnn!
-Gumbie