Page 47 of The Alpha's Warlock

At first, I thought I hadn’t spoken clearly enough, because he didn’t react. And then I realized that his not-reaction was so pronounced that of course he’d heard me. His mouth hung open, and his eyes were wide, and he stared. Like I’d told him I was secretly a were-weasel, surprise!

That was…not the not-reaction I’d been hoping for. My stomach felt like it was caving in on itself, and I wanted to run. But his cock was still in me. I was trapped, in the most intimate way, and I couldn’t even turn over, couldn’t escape. Tears welled up, and I couldn’t hide them.

“You don’t have to say that,” Ian said hoarsely. “Don’t say it again. Not until — unless you mean it.”

What? I blinked up at him, getting the water off my eyelashes. “What the fuck? Do you think I’d say that without — I’ve never said that to anyone!” I shoved his chest, and then whimpered as the motion pulled on me, in places that shouldn’t be pulled on. “Ow! Fuck you, Ian! I love you, even though you’re an asshole, and the best thing you can say isDon’t say it again?”

Ian let go of me to roll us over again, so that he was on top. Very much on top, pinning me down completely, his face only inches from mine. His gaze was way too searching, but also — I’d never seen hope like that, happiness like that, growing so quickly in anyone’s eyes.

“I changed my mind. Say it again.”

“No! Fuck you. I’m not saying —”

“I’ve been trying not to fall in love with you for years and failing, and I’d die for you. You called me an asshole, so I think you actually mean it, so can you please, please just fuckingsay it again?”

That was better. That was a lot better. My breath hitched, and my heart stuttered, and I couldn’t look away from him. “I love you,” I whispered. “You unbelievable dick.”

His grin started small, but it took over his whole face, lighting him up like a sunrise. I thought he’d been handsome before; it was nothing to this. How had I never seen how fucking gorgeous he was?

“I love you too.” He leaned down and kissed me, a simple, chaste peck that still felt like all the great kisses in history rolled into one. “Even though you think I’m a dick. Also, if you think I’m pulling out once my knot goes down, you’re wrong.”

I wrapped my legs around his waist and squeezed him, everywhere. He moaned and dropped his head down to rest his forehead on mine.

“Like I’d let you.”

Ian laughed softly against my lips as he lowered his head to brush his mouth over mine again. And then claim it, hard and deep.

I teased his tongue with mine, held on with all my might, and claimed him right back. He wasmyalpha, and I wasn’t letting him go.

The End