Page 188 of Awakened

“Do you think my Mother’s happy?” Idril asks, breaking the silence as I tug her toward a bench placed at the edge of a small garden. When she curls into my side, I bury my smile against the crown of her head.

“I think she’s not only happy, but also very, very proud of you,” I answer after giving the question the consideration it deserves. Her hands clench in the fabric of her shirt, but before she can start twisting it between her fingers, I place my hands on her hips and pull her into my lap.

“What—” She cuts off as I position her so she’s straddling me. Instinct kicks in, and she nuzzles into my neck, inhaling deeply before melting into me.

“Oh…”

She trails her nose down my neck until she reaches my scent gland right under my jaw. “I love the way you smell,” she whispers.

We both relax, sitting on the bench and doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the quiet peace together. I can feel my Beast’s desire to run, and I don’t blame him. It’s the perfect day to shed my clothes and shift.

I wonder what Idril will think of my Beast. Will she be afraid of him? Or will she be excited?

It’s a perfect moment of bliss. When she lifts her head and places a soft palm against my cheek, the affection in her eyes sends my heart racing.

For a long moment, she looks at me, stroking her thumb lightly against the scruff of my beard.

“What are you thinking?” I murmur. The tips of her cheeks redden, and I reach out and trace the color. Her eyes fall to my lips.

“Whatever it is,” I whisper, “the answer is yes.”

That earns me a shy smile, and she bites down on her lower lip. Hesitantly, she leans in and brushes her lips against mine.

At first, her movements are timid. Feather-soft. Despite giving her permission, I wasn’t truly expecting her to make the first move, and it catches me off guard. My brain finally kicks in when she starts to pull back. With a growl that’s straight from my Beast, I surge forward, pressing my lips against hers. Cradling the back of her head with my hand, I kiss her back—hard.

We’ve kissed before, but… Fates… it feels brand new every time she touches me. My body hums with lust and pulses with energy. Everywhere her hands touch, they leave tingling sparks in their wake.

Idril moans, and the sound vibrates against my lips. I take advantage and deepen the kiss, slanting my mouth over hers and guiding her head where I want her. My tongue sweeps across her bottom lip. To my surprise, she doesn’t just part her lips to allow me entrance—her tongue snakes out, meeting mine with hungry strokes.

That snaps whatever control I have left.

She tastes perfect, like salt and amber and home. And fuck, I want to drown in it.

Her fingers twist in my shirt, and she pulls me closer. My body answers, moving wherever she wants. Soft hands sweep down my chest and fumble to get beneath the fabric of my shirt. When her skin meets mine, palms flat against my abs, every muscle in my body contracts. A moan rumbles from my mouth into hers.

Her kiss turns frantic, soft whimpers of need and urgency slipping through, and I love every fucking noise. I want to learn them all. And I want to discover what other sounds I can get her to make.

I want to listen to those breathy moans for the rest of my damn life.

Her hips move, grinding down on my cock. I nip her bottom lip, and she shivers, hands running up my chest and around my ribcage, gripping my back and pulling me closer.

“Soren.” My name is part whine and part whimper, and it yanks me out of my haze of lust.

My eyes snap open.

Fuck. We’re still sitting outside on a garden bench, in perfect view of any asshole with eyes.

With a reluctant groan, I tear my lips from hers despite every nerve in my body screaming in protest. I don’t want to stop. I want her. I want her with an intensity I never knew possible.

I want to Mate her—physically Mate her. Give her my bite and knot her over and over until her belly swells with my pups.

The thought makes me moan. I drop my head, pressing my forehead to hers, trying to banish the image of her pregnant with my pup before I embarrass myself. My breaths are ragged. My chest heaves, fingers flexing against her hips, holding her body close against mine.

“What’s wrong?” she whispers, voice a soft breath between us. “Did I⁠—”

I cut her off with a snarl. “No, Little Mate. You’re fucking perfect. Too perfect.” I let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “If we keep this up, I’m not going to stop. I won't be able to.”

I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to her temple and breathing her in. I can’t scent her perfume, but there’s still something I can’t get enough of that’s undeniably her. I lift my hand and cradle her cheek, holding her gaze so she understands how serious I am.