The word echoed in my mind louder than anything else Jace had said. Mate. Did he call me his mate?
My body froze, and my mind raced to process his words. A surge of conflicting emotions—fear, confusion, and an undeniable thrill—coursed through me. Could he have meant it, or was it a slip? I opened my mouth to ask, but Jace didn’t give me the chance.
His lips found the sensitive spot on my neck again, and my body betrayed me, arching into his touch. I wanted answers, but the pleasure he gave me made it hard to form coherent thoughts, let alone speak.
“Jace…” I managed to whisper, but my voice was shaky and uncertain.
“Hm?” he hummed against my skin, the vibrations sending tingles down my spine.
“You… you called me your mate,” I said softly, my words almost drowned out by my heart pound
