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Zed froze at Addison's words. Swallowing tightly, he sat back on his heels. His erection had waned, her demand having the same effect on him as a bucket of iced water was. She couldn't be serious.

"Addie." His tone held a warning.

Frowning, Addison raised herself on her elbows. What was wrong with him? That's what he wanted.

"Zed?"
"You don't know what you're asking."

A flare of annoyance surged up inside of Addison. What was it with people in her life thinking they knew what was best for her? Honestly, she was getting tired of it. Be that as it may she knew that Zed's intentions weren't the same as her mother or Warner's and instead of going off on him, Addison took a deep breath.

"Is there something you forgot to mention?" She asked calmly.
"What?"
"Is there something you failed to tell me?"
"I don't understand."

Addison sighed and sat back, bringing her legs to her chest.

"Alright, we've covered potentials, scenting, mates, making choices, mating bites and apparently the fact that your dick is suddenly bigger. Anything else we need to talk about?"

Zed gaped at her.

"I… what…"
"If there's nothing else to talk about, then I do know what I'm asking."
"Addie… Remember when I said that this wasn't something we do impulsively?"
"It's not impulsive." She snapped.
"Addie, you were freaking about it not 10 minutes ago."
"I was worried," she admitted, "but I'm not anymore."
"Why's that?" Zed huffed.

Addison's expression softened. She wasn't worried anymore, but he was, she realized. Worried that she wasn't taking this seriously or that she would change her mind again.

"You."

She took in his furrowed brow and tilted head, the perfect depiction of confusion. She scooted closer to him feeling vulnerable, clad in only her lacy underwear.

"Ever since we met, you always made it about me. You always let me choose."
"Addie…" Zed trailed off.

Addison waited a beat but when he didn't go on, she did.

"Coffee, fake dating, kissing, sex. It was my choice. Time and time again, you made sure I knew that, knew that you stop if I only said the word. I freaked out because I stupidly thought that you'd want to mate right away, that I… we didn't get a choice."
"You do."
"I know. Just like I know that it's something you want, but that you'd never take the decision away from me. You'd really be okay with us never mating, wouldn't you?."
"Well, yeah…"

Zed shuddered at the thought of strong-arming her into agreeing to the bite. She was his mate. He'd do anything for her and that started with giving her a choice… without trying to convince her or wear her down.

"But that's not what you want?"
"No," he croaked. Clearing his throat, he kept going. "Of course I want you as my mate. I want everyone to know that you're mine, that you chose me."

He winced at how possessive he sounded. It was the truth though. He wanted the universe to hear how the perfect Addison Wells had picked him, Zed Necrodopolis, a zombie over anyone else.

"It doesn't have to be now, Addie. Someday is good enough for me."
"My whole life was spent having other people decide for me, Zed. I'm know what I'm asking. I love you. I don't want anyone else. How could I?"
"But you're perfect," Zed marveled, "and I'm just me."
"You are perfect to me. Isn't that what matters?"
"What about my zombie… he could –"
"If the next words out of your mouth are hurt you, I will scream. We both know that's untrue… He hasn't hurt me before. Zed, he's what makes you, you. I love all of you. How can I not love him too?"

Addison bit the inside of her cheek, faltering before she spoke her next words.

"It's kinda of hot, anyway."
"Addison! Is me zombying out turning you on?" Zed teased with a smirk.

The girl turned beet red, the blush spreading down her chest. She pinched her lips together, not trusting her voice, but nodding in agreement. All of Zed was elated of course, but his zombie… That part of him was preening and purring. There had been signs and she was always okay with him bleeding out, but… To know that she wanted it, it made his head spin.

"I thought it might," he confessed, "your reaction to growling and dirty talk kinda gave it away."

Addison whimpered and made a face, but she didn't try to hide from him. It was his fault anyway. She had never enjoyed it with Warner.

"Shut it." She burned bright red still, but she found the nerve to ask. "Does that mean you'll do it?"

The question sobered Zed up, reminding him of what they'd been talking about. How could she distract him like that?

"It's a big step, Addison."
"And? What if I was a zombie too? Would you be so hesitant?"

Zed flinched and Addison stopped breathing. She didn't need him to tell her, the answer was written all over his face. If she were a zombie, they would never have had this conversation. If she were a zombie, it would probably be a done deal by now. For the first time in her life, she regretted being human.

"It'd be different."
"Right," sarcasm was dripping from her voice.
"Would you get married?"
"What? What has that got to do with anything?"
"It's the closest thing in human culture. Look, mated pairs are valued just as much as married couples, Addie. Maybe more. In zombie culture, mating is considered marriage; but marriage isn't the same thing as mating. You can divorce but you can't un-mate."
"Zed –"
"My dad is still mourning my mom after more than 10 years, Addie. It's an integral part of being a zombie. We all know that there's no one else after we take a mate. So I'm asking again would you get married?"
"I would. I would marry you in a heartbeat. Hell, we can go apply for a marriage license at the courthouse later today. There won't be anyone else but you."

It was Zed's turn to have trouble breathing. She was absolutely sincere. She meant every syllable. He did the only thing he could think of; he kissed her. Hard, passionate and possessive. Addison didn't seem to mind; she kissed back and gave just as good as she was taking. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Zed laid them back down.

As with every other time they had done this, Addison felt tiny under his larger frame, but she also felt inexplicably safe. She sighed in their kiss, before reluctantly breaking it.

"Zed."

His name was a question on her lips. He wanted so much to give in, but he didn't know if it would happen. According to everyone he knew, mating was supposed to be instinctive. There was no instruction manual and let's say that he'd never wanted to hear about his parents' sex life. But he would know what to do when it happened, wouldn't he? He stared at Addison's hopeful expression. Knowing the same one must have graced his own features sent a sharp pain through his heart. Hell, it might not even work, what with the fact that Addison was human. Different biology and all. What if it never happened?

"Let's just see how it goes, okay? I won't force it, but I won't stop it, either."

Addison nodded emphatically.

"I need you to say it." He wouldn't cross that line.
"I'm good with that. I just want you." Addison answered honestly.

Her statement made Zed's blood boil and he felt his erection swell. He leaned in to kiss Addison again, rocking his hips to connect her soft stomach against his aching member. The contact sent an electric shock through her spine, and she moaned softly. She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything, she needed him, really. Her hands came up, clutching at his shoulders for a bit before seeking any part of his body she could reach. She felt exhilarated. She was his and he was hers; they belonged to one another. Anybody saying different could go and take a hike.

Zed left her lips and trailed fleeting kisses up the slope of her jaw. Reaching her pulse point, Zed deliberately stopped his movements, his lips against her heartbeat. Addison stilled in turn. Concealing a smirk against her neck, Zed sucked hard. Addison's body arched into his with a long and raspy moan. She sneaked a hand between their body and closed her lithe fingers around his firm yet velvety cock. With every suction and lick on her neck, she moved her grip along his shaft. A faint press of teeth caused her heartbeat to speed up wildly. He was gentle with her, too gentle, as if he were afraid she would break. Releasing his dick, she used her hand to steady herself when she pushed closer to him. Placing her lips on the shell of his ear, she spoke quietly.

"It's okay, Zed. You're not going to hurt me."
"A… Addie!" He groaned; his voice rough from his attempt to stay in control.
"I trust you," she cajoled.
"Addiska."

Zed pulled his head up and breathed in sharply. Addison raked her fingers through his hair. She could see his air-tight control was fizzing out; she almost had him where she wanted. She meant what she had said, she loved all of him. The last thing she wanted was for him to always hold back. She could take a little rough.

"You can let go." Zed's eyes were dark. "My zombie."

Something in Zed finally gave in. He made a low and playful growl that had Addison shivering.

There he was.

He was zombied out alright, giving off this dangerous feeling she'd grown accustomed to. Addison didn't bother looking at his Z-Band. There was no doubt in her mind the device would be glowing it's typical stable-green. It was designed to go off at the littlest hint of change, her dad had taught her that. Yet, it had sent a warning exactly once in her presence. Addison briefly wondered if the reason it wasn't going off was because they were mates. She would need to ask him.

She peered into his eyes and found the exact same thing she invariably found, love. No sign of a brainless monster; this was her Zed, simply a little more zombie than he usually looked. She didn't have to fake her cheerfulness when she spoke.

"Hey you!"
"Addiska." He drew in a heavy breath. "Still good?" There was a sharpness to his pronunciation, a hint of his zombie tongue accent.
"Very good."

She sealed her promise with a kiss which he eagerly returned. They broke for air, and he wasted no time in returning to the pulse point in her jaw. There was no more hesitation as he bit and suckled on the tender skin, turning it a darkish red. Zed pulled back to admire his handiwork. It was not the first time he'd left a love bite behind, but it was the first that was in such a visible spot; marking Addison as taken for all to see.

He experimentally pressed on the bruise, basking in pride at the way Addison shuddered under him. He made his way down, starting by the column of her neck where he left a second hickey by her collarbone. From there, he pressed a kiss between her breasts. The sensation was enticing, and she arched her back, pressing her chest against Zed's face. He peppered the pliant skin with kisses, purposedly avoiding her erected nipples.

"Ze-ed…" She whined.

The zombie smiled and complied with her request. He twirled his tongue around one sensitive tip. Addison's mouth fell open, but no sound came out. Disappointing. It just wouldn't do. Zed gave one last caress to her right breast before his hand slipped lower, slipping past the waistband of her panties, and reaching for her scorching center. As his fingers grazed her glistening nub, he bit carefully on the nipple in his mouth.

The mix of pain and pleasure overwhelmed Addison and she cried out. Her hands flew to the back of Zed's head, her fingers tangling in his hair. She didn't pull him off, content to withstand the assault. Eventually, Zed moved his mouth to her other breast, lavishing it in the same attentions. Between her legs, his fingers were slowly and teasingly coaxing her to another orgasm, moving intently between her slick folds and her clit.

Addison was climbing towards her peak when Zed ceased all contact. A sob escaped her, her hips bucking up. Zed chuckled but shushed her apologetically. Nipping and licking at her stomach, he continued his descent. With careful movements as to not tear the fabric, he slid the lace off her body. He could think of a few scenarios in which these panties would be welcomed. Zed settled back on the bed, in between her thighs. As slippery as Addison was at the moment, he knew she wasn't ready for him, not yet.

He lowered his head, inhaling Addison's undiluted scent. She smelled divine. He knew she tasted scrumptious. Succumbing to his own urges, he lapped at her juices. Addison mewled and her hands fisted the comforter beneath her. It didn't take long to push her over the edge. She erupted on his tongue, but to his regret, he pulled away. If he sucked her dry, it would get them nowhere.

Addison's head was spinning. Her body was tinkling as she came back down. Part of her wished she hadn't cum so fast, Zed's tongue on her was heavenly. Just as she gained back control of her breathing, she felt him thumb at her core. She produced a high keening noise. She couldn't go again, could she?

"Ze-ed." She was breathless.
"It's okay, Addiska." He assured her. "I have to make sure you're ready enough."

Addison felt her mouth water. He'd been long and thick before, but how would he feel stretching her open now. She shivered with lust. A rush of wetness covered Zed's fingers causing him to groan. Addison captured his lips, trying to push him over to be the one on top, to get a preview of how much he'd grown. She was met with a wall of muscle, stubbornly not moving. His strength only lit sparks in her belly.

"Not fair," she complained, "I want a taste too."

Zed barely kept it together, but he did. She was going to kill him. He told her so in a growl.

Addison blushed, but pride filled her. She was reminded if their first fumbles together. She'd been surprised at how she'd affected. She could always get a taste in the morning, or rather later today. He owed her though, and she knew exactly what she wanted. Thankfully, it seemed that he had the same plan. His index was circling around her entrance.

"Yes."

Two of his fingers entered her, thrusting steadily in and out of her. Zed added a third one and curled them, hitting that sweet spot inside of her. A jolt of pleasure ran through her, giving her a spasm.

"Please." Addison begged.

Zed purred in answer. The feral part of him puffed his chest with pride. His mate was begging for him.

"Zed. Come on, I need you inside me," she pleaded again.

Like he had said before, he couldn't deny the woman in his bed anything. Still, precautions were needed. Zombied out or not, Zed was still in control; he pulled away to reach for his wallet.

"What are you doing?" Addison was frowning.
"Just grabbing a condom. Not going anywhere," he promised, his gravely voice, catching on the g's with the familiar inflections of zombie tongue.
"Oh!"

She'd forgotten all about that. It was so unlike her. She had always insisted with Warner. Safe sex was good, she told herself; but she was also ready to fucking marry the man, her heart protested.

"I'm on the pill," she blurted, "and I'm clean."

Zed stopped mid-movement and turned back to study her. Pink dusted her cheeks, and she was biting her lip nervously.

"I'm clean too. Are you sure?"

She nodded and he crawled back to her. Grabbing her by the hips, he rolled them around, making Addison giggle. He hoisted her up, kicking back the comforter until he could lay her in the softest most expensive sheets he ever encountered. Their mouths met in a frenzy, both yearning for what came next.

Zed finally positioned himself between her legs. She wanted this, but she couldn't help but tense when she felt the blunt head of his cock at her entrance. Zed paused. Something was wrong. Feeling the urgency, his zombie receded.

"Addie?"
"It's nothing. Just keep going."
"It's okay if you changed your mind, Addison."

Zed tried to move off of Addison, but she wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her feet together to stop him.

"I haven't, I swear. I… I never… It was more for Warner, okay!" Addison hissed.

Zed softened, both his expression and his shaft, before he brushed hair from her face. He really should have punched the guy earlier. Addison had told him that Warner had been her only partner. How could he have dated someone as perfect as her and not given her everything? Not shown her how good sex could be? On the other hand, Zed supposed Warner's loss was his gain. He was the first – and only, if he had any say about it – man to see her in the throws of passion, to feel her body shaking with pleasure.

"We don't have to. There's more to sex than just that." Zed suggested.
"NO!"

Addison's cheeks turned bright pink at her outburst. Embarrassed by the situation, she covered her eyes with one hand.

"No. I want to. It's better with you, all of it." she admitted, "But you're, you know… big. Argh! I feel like a stupid virgin all over again."

Zed bit his tongue. For zombie's sake, she was clueless about how she sounded. The worst part was the sincerity in Every. Single. Word. Not once realizing she was hitting every kinky thought a young zombie could have. The zombie part of his brain was smug. Of course he was bigger and better in bed. They were made for each other; he would make sure to satisfy her needs.

Zed grasped the hand covering her face and slowly brought it down their bodies. Her slim fingers encircle his semi-flaccid erection on their own. He watched as Addison frowned.

"This only works if we're both into it, okay?"

Addison nodded shakily but her hand started pumping his shaft in confident smooth motions. Zed moaned, letting his head fall in the crook of her neck. He mouthed at the skin beneath him, happy little sighs stirring something inside of Addison.

Eventually, Zed caught Addison wrist. Locking her eyes on his despite her shyness, Addison spread her legs wider. He settled back against her, promising to stop the second she asked. She agreed, the word quiet but strong. Her left hand curled around his neck, her right one gripping tightly the Z-band on his wrist. The faint buzzing was comforting. She took a long breath and nodded. Slowly, Zed guided the head of his cock through her slick folds.

He almost lost it then and there, blowing his load inside of Addison without any restrain. An animalistic part of his brain wanted to just let go and plow right into her, but neither Zed nor his zombie agreed with that option. Addison was their mate and she mattered more than their own desires.

"Okay?" He managed to ask through his clenched jaw.
"Weird but no pain."

Zed nearly wept with joy at her answer, at being allowed this. He pushed himself in another inch, but Addison's whimper slowed his movement.

"Addie?"
"Can you wait?"
"Not really, but I can pull out. Fuck Addie… you're so tight, it's almost too much. Either I pull out or I go all in." Zed panted his answer, trying not to explode inside her.

Neither sounded good to her, but he was putting the ball in her court. Zed would respect her wishes; of that she was certain. Addison took in the blissed-out expression he was trying to hide from her. She wanted to give him this. Bracing for the pain and discomfort she had come to associate with sex, she closed her eyes and signaled for him to keep going.

Zed nodded tightly and sunk himself into Addison. Her heat was welcoming and snug around him, and he could barely endure it. His eyes rolled back. He hadn't lie; she was tight, tighter than anyone he'd taken before. Humans' naturally elevated body temperature and the vice-grip on his cock all but stripped him of reason. Nevertheless, he stilled once she was filled, panting hotly against her ear.

Discomfort came, but Addison relaxed when she realized she wasn't feeling any pain. A beat passed and she also realized Zed had come to a full stop above her. Why? She'd told him yes.

"Zed?" She opened her eyes to question him.
"I'm good. Just letting you adjust. Let me know when I can start moving."

Tears welled up in her eyes forcing her to shut them before they made Zed worry about her. She hadn't thought he'd stop once he was seated in her, but then he had made it clear that he needed her to enjoy it too. Maybe sex wasn't so bad. Breathing slowly, Addison found that her discomfort had disappeared. She wiggled her hips experimentally.

Addison and Zed moaned in unison.

"Move!"

Her voice was shaky, still recovering from the sparks that had just lit up in her stomach but the order was crystal clear.

Zed was more than happy to oblige. He pulled out slowly, listening for any hiss or whimper from Addison. None came. Tension had bled out of her, leaving her splayed and open under him. Once he was almost out all the way, he snapped his hips forwards and filled her in one long thrust.

Addison squeezed Zed's hand, her eyes went round, and her mouth formed a little surprised O.

"Again. Please do that again."

Zed repeated the motion a few times. Pulling out painstakingly slow begore thrusting back in at full speed. With every thrust, Addison's back arched off the bed. Her hands reached for his shoulder and back, her nails digging into his skin.

"Z… Ze-ed!"
"Good?"
"Ye-ah."
"More?"
"Plea – "

The rest of the word died on her lips as she cried out.

"There, oh god. Please." Addison begged.

Zed chuckled. Looked like he'd found the right angle. He kept his rhythm nice and slow, hitting her sweet spot with deadly accuracy until Addison was reduced to moans and sobs. Balancing all his weight on one hand, the second traveled down her body, stopping on its way to pinch a perky nipple until it reached its goal. A simple touch was all it took to push her off the cliff. A litany of Zed's name tumbled out of her lips as she cummed. Her body was on fire, and she couldn't tell up from down as her head hit the pillow.

It was torture as much as it was satisfying for Zed. To see Addison come undone under him, for him and because of him, it fulfilled a very primal part of his zombie. Nevertheless he hadn't been ready for the physical part of it, the way her body pulsed around his cock erratically. He clenched his jaw, letting his zombie bleed trough to distract himself. He barely kept it together, sighing in relief when Addison unclenched under him, spent. Now that her grip on him had loosened, he moved slightly back. Her limbs slipped from their embrace, a single arm staying put around his neck. They both panted harshly, though for distinctly opposite reasons. Still halfway inside Addison, Zed wanted nothing more than to chase after his own release, but not like that.

"Addiska?" He called when she still hadn't reacted.

Addison blinked rapidly as she readjusted to reality. Okay, maybe people were unto something with the whole sex thing. Her limbs were sore, yet when he said her name, her first instinct was to loop her legs around him, drawing part of him back into her sheath. She breathed out a pleased gasp at the sensation of the engorged head against her sensitive walls. She would never have imagined how enticing, how sensuous it would be to be filled by his full, hardened, length.

The thought finally snapped her back. No matter how incredible her orgasms had been so far, she recognized he had yet to have the chance to cum. She looked up at him. Her zombie. She caressed the back of his neck tenderly. A content purr radiated from Zed's chest. He was exceptional, no doubt about it. She fixed her gaze on his own and used her feet to bring him closer, impaling herself on his manhood. A snarl left his lips as he plunged deeper. Addison moaned, savouring his length and girth. Her fingers followed the dark veins running from his eyes.

Zed nuzzled at Addison's nose, his arms trembling with the exertion of staying immobile. She stretched to plant a series of kisses on his neck.

"My zombie," she whispered lovingly.
"My Addiska,"
" Yeah, I'm yours."

Zed nipped playfully at her neck, his pelvis languidly rocking back and forth. He was delicate. Too delicate.

"It's okay. I can take it."

A warning grunt was her only answer.

"Come on, Zed. How about you show me what this zombie can do?" she urged him on, palming at his bulging biceps.
"Addiska – Addie?"
"Yes, I'm sure," she consented.

It was like she had flipped a switch. With a growl he pulled out of her; Addison whined at the sudden emptiness. It didn't last long. He lifted her hips up, dragging a pillow underneath her. He centered himself with her slit and shoved his way in without missing a beat. Addison screamed in ecstasy. Zed set a punishing rhythm, one that had Addison moaning wantonly.

She tried to muffle her sounds by hiding against his shoulder, biting at the skin with every brush again that addictive spot of hers. Zed wouldn't let her though; he pulled her head back, a fierce look in his eyes.

"Zo!"
"No?" she repeated dumbfound.
"I want to hear you."

His admission was punctuated by a forceful thrust, making her howl again. Addison didn't find it in herself to blush, not when Zed smirked cockily and captured her lips in a searing kiss. He freed her lips to focus on her chest. His brutal pacing resumed, splitting her open and there was nothing she could do but take it and enjoy the ride. The bed squeaked, clearly not used to an insatiable hunger like Zed's.

"Ze-ed!" Addison panted. She needed to tell him now, before she chickened out.

The man grunted, sweat beading at his hairline and rolling down his temples. He never looked so handsome before, she thought.

"Zed," she insisted. He finally looked at her. "Gar-gargiza."

It was not a growl that came out of Zed, but a roar. They talked about it, but neither of them had actually said the words for the first time. Repeating the words over and over by her ear, his hand found Addison's clit while his hips pistoned towards his own release. When Addison reached her peak, Zed was ready this time, not that he fought it. He let the spasms of her orgasm milk him.

Instincts took over. He bit down at the junction of her neck, breaking the skin. Pain erupted in Addison's brain; the sting prompting her to sink her teeth into the nearest available skin to cover a distressed yell.

Addison was the first to let go when she registered a new sensation. She could feel something warm and thick filling her up. She gasped when she registered it was his semen coating her insides. A pool of lava made itself known in her lower belly, but her spent body just wasn't up for it anymore.

As soon as he stopped cumming, Zed's arms practically gave out under him. He barely avoided crushing Addison, lowering himself on his forearms to take his weight off her. He dropped his head next to Addison's on the pillow, eyes closed, trying to catch his breath. His zombie was receding and going unusually dormant, satiated. Zed felt his cock slip out of Addison with an obscenely wet pop. He groaned, she hissed; both overly sensitive. Swallowing before he tried to talk, a metallic taste coated his tongue. Alarmed, his eyes flew opened. There it was, the clear indentation of his teeth in Addison's neck. Hope bloomed in his chest, but he didn't feel any different. He felt nauseated. He didn't feel any different, which meant he'd downright hurt her.

Addison was content to lay under Zed. Her bones had turned to mush, and she was enjoying post-sex afterglow for the very first time. Suddenly the comfortable weight of her boyfriend was gone. She whined and looked up to find him standing at the end of the bed, looking somewhere between horrified and crestfallen.

"What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry."
"For ruining my afterglow?" she joked.
"Addie, I hurt you." He waved at her neck.

Blinking, she brought her hand up, grunting at the tenderness. Her fingertips were bloody, but there was no sign that she was currently bleeding. She sighed. Of course Zed was freaking out.

"Come back to bed."
"Addie."
"Zed."
"I did that."
"I'm fine."

She meant it too. The pain was already numbing out. Zed didn't see it that way. He had made her bleed.

"Maybe, I should go."
"If you do that, you're not coming back."

Zed looked at her, naked and open in bed. Nothing was more tempting than curling up around her, but one look at her throat told him why he shouldn't. What kind of screwed up was he? What kind of zombie injured their mate?

He couldn't find the words to admit it to her. She took his silence badly.

"What now that you had me, you don't want me anymore?"

Addison winced at her words. She knew she was being just as ridiculous as he was, but she couldn't help it. It felt like first time all over again, alone in bed with a heavy heart. She sniffled, rubbing at the corner of her eyes to keep tears away.

"Shit!"

Hadn't he just promised to not make her cry? How much more could he fuck things up? Zed dove back in bed, cradling her against his chest.

"No, no, no. I'm sorry. Shit, I keep messing up tonight. There's no one else I want, Addie."

He held her tight, relieved when her arms encircled him. Silence flooded the room as their hearts slowed back down.

"Why do you keep freaking out on me?"
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to… The first thing we zombies learn is that biting is bad."
"I don't mind it." She whispered.
"I know, I just… You're my mate and I didn't realize I'd done that. I didn't know!"
"Oh!" His reasoning sunk in. Her heart ached at the sorrow in his voice.
"I'm supposed to cherish you…"

That was it, wasn't it, he thought. He had lost his control to his zombie, and he hadn't been aware of it. He could have injured her so easily. Lazy protests came from the back of his mind, like his zombie couldn't be bothered to wake up and deal with his brooding. What was up with that? A sudden sting brought his attention back to Addison. She was beaming at him, her fingers poking at a raw spot on his throat.

"We're even." She stated. "Looks like I gave you a matching one."
"Wait, what?"
"A bite. I vaguely remember it, but then I was otherwise preoccupied," she teased him. She took in his bewildered expression. "What is it?"

Zed struggled with his words. Could it be? How could he have not notice it? He'd know, right? He had to. Which meant it wasn't. Why was he so disappointed? He'd been the one saying they should wait.

"What's going on in your mind?" Addison asked, caressing his cheek with her thumb.
"I thought… I saw the bite and I panicked. And you showed me mine and for a second there, I thought… I thought it might have worked."

Addison felt her heart race in her chest. Between the earthshattering pleasure and the emotional rollercoaster, the mating bite had slipped her mind. Sadness filled her as she processed the disappointing news. She wanted to pout except that Zed seemed disheartened enough for the two of them. Instead she gave him a weak smile and pressed a soft kiss to his downward lips.

"Someday," she promised.
"Someday," he repeated.

They laid down together in a comfortable but mournful silence. Eventually, Addison yawned.

"Let's get some sleep. We're still having dinner with you family tonight."
"Can't we just skip it?"
"No!" Zed chuckled. "That's why we started this, remember?"
"Except now it's not fake," she yawned a second time.
"Now it's real. Come on, you need to sleep."
"Alright, but I need to clean up first."

When Zed stared at her perplexedly, she giggled and brought his attention down to her thighs. His mouth dried up. His semen had dripped out of her and was sticking to both her skin and the bedsheets. Enthralled by the sight, he traced an abstract pattern in their mess, effectively spreading it around. Addison bit her bottom lip, not wanting to give her amusement away. However when Zed shifted to scoop more of their fluids from her overstimulated entrance, she seized his wrist.

"Not happening, mister. Now move, I want to shower."
"Addie!"

Addison snorted at his whiny tone, rolling her eyes fondly.

"I know you have a scenting kink, but I just can't take anymore."
"I don't have a scenting kink," he sputtered, offended.
"So someone else has been smearing his stuff on me every chance he gets?"

A deep growl came from Zed's chest surprising both of them. Zed rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish look. Yeah, that's when his zombie decided to step in.

Addison's body did not tingle at his possessiveness. It did not. At least she wasn't owning up to it anytime soon.

"Sorry. I don't know where that came from."
"Huh, huh. Don't worry about it."

Addison swung her legs to get up, but Zed caught her by the waist, inhaling deeply and nuzzling her throat, mindful of the open skin. She melted in his embrace before getting back on track.

"Not a scenting kink, huh?"
"Humph… More like a zombie thing," he finally agreed. "You just smell so damn good, right now."
"Fi-ine" She wasn't blushing, she told herself. "I'll pee and use a washcloth on my legs, but we can shower in the morning."

Zed fell backwards on the bed, striking a dramatic pose. Addison folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm not stepping a foot in Zombietown smelling like this, Zed."
"We're going to my place?" He perked up.
"I figured you'd want to do something together with Zoey for Christmas Eve."
"Well, yeah. But I thought I was meeting you at your place for dinner."
"I can leave you two alone if you prefer?" she suggested, tugging a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Are you kidding?" Zed sat up. "Spending the afternoon with my two favourite girls. How could I ever refuse?"
"Flatterer!"
"Just don't tell Eliza, she dropped to number 3!"

AZAZAZ

They had eventually settled down, their limbs tangling together as soon as they drifted up to sleep. Addison woke up peacefully, cocooned in warmth and love and sighed happily. Zed was snoring lightly against her neck. She would have stayed there forever, but she the bathroom was calling her. She escaped Zed's hold, shushing him back to sleep when his eyelids fluttered.

Business taking cared of, she stepped in the shower bypassing the sizeable bathtub. If she waited for Zed to wake up, they could probably end up in there for hours. It painted a tempting image, but today was going to be a busy day and distractions didn't factor in her plans. Perhaps she could book a room for New Year's?

Stepping out of the shower she wrapped herself in a white fluffy bathrobe, giggling when the fabric brushed her earlobes. One of the inconveniences of being short, she supposed.

AZAZAZ

Zed drifted into awareness. He'd been having the best dream and he grumbled against the pillow as he tried to get back to sleep. Instinctively he tried to draw Addison closer, startling when air was all he met. The sheets were still warm, and he could hear running water behind the closed bathroom door. While sulking was the first thing on his mind, he couldn't deny they both needed a shower.

He was going to miss that scent for sure, Zed thought as he stretched lazily. Well, there was plenty where it came from anyway. He wasn't gloating, he was exposing the facts.

The water shut off and the corner of his mouth ticked up. He could paint a very clear picture of Addison right now, water rolling down her perfect curves. Zed idly wondered if he could talk her into another round. Addison walked out in an oversize fluffy robe, looking so damn adorable that she distracted him from his dirty musings.

"You're up!" A sunny smile graced her face, even as she scrunched water out of her hair with a towel.
"Morning."

He pressed a closemouthed kiss on her lips.

"Morning breath," he explained at her frown. His arms encircled her middle. "Any possibility I can persuade you to get back in bed?"

Her laugh was light as she shook his head at him. She peered at the clock on the wall.

"Non-existent. You should wash up, breakfast should be here soon."
"Breakfast, huh? You called room service?"
"More like scheduled it," she confessed with a flush. She was on the receiving end of a raised eyebrow for her honesty.
"Someone was confident."
"More like hopeful."

AZAZAZ

They were making good headway into their breakfast when Zed's phone began to chime persistently. He groaned, securing the tie around the soft bathrobe before reaching for the device. He mumbled as he texted back.

"So… Do you have a change of clothes?"

Addison gasped comically.

"Shit! No. I usually get ready here. I can't believe I forgot."
"Don't worry, I didn't clue in either." Zed waved his phone in the air. "Eliza. She's teasing me about doing the walk of shame."
"Fuck. I can't go home like that."

Addison hid her face in her hands.

"Relax. Eliza loves to make fun of me, but she also offered to bring me some clothes. Want her to bring you something too?"
"Would she?" Addison looked up.
"I already asked. She says we're both idiots, but that she'll be there in twenty."

The phone chirped again. Zed scanned the message and groaned.

"But she's dropping it off at the desk because there's no way she's subjecting herself to any more pheromones."

Addison snickered.

"I hate Eliza." Zed complained.
"No, you don't!"

AZAZAZ

True to Eliza's word, a bell boy knocked to their door half an hour later to deliver a bag. At Addison's insistence, Zed got dressed first. Suddenly weirdly shy, she retreated to the bathroom to get ready. She fished out the clothes, relieved when she browsed through Eliza's selection. She had packed a pair of dark washed jeans and a grey off-shoulder knitted sweater. It was not quite Seabrook, but it wouldn't make her stand out too much either.

She got dressed quickly, scrunching her nose when she had to do without undergarments. She finger-combed her hair, fluffing it upside-down to look the slightest bit presentable. She studied herself in the mirror. Her reflection was tired, dark staining the underside of her eyes, but it was undoubtedly at ease and happy. She pushed her hair off her shoulders and froze.

This chapter pretty much wrote itself and I figured I wouldn't make you wait.
I seriously thought about them just getting on with it, but it didn't seem true to the way I've written those two since the start. A new partner is always kind of awkward in my opinion.

So hopefully I didn't kill anyone's mood and that it lived up to your expectations.

Please, let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you think is happening with Addison.
Or drop an emoji if that's more your style !