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In some distant life, perhaps I stood alone against the storms.
But here, in the flickering glow, we are two entwined by forces beyond our control. Tonight, against all reason, we are in love.
23
RYLAN
Holding Iara reassures me that I don’t want to walk this life alone. Not anymore. Based on our recent interactions, I assume she knows this. But if I have learned anything it’s not to assume anything, especially when it comes to Iara.
I have admitted it to myself, finally allowing me to say it to the person who needs to hear it most. But before I can get the words out, Iara pulls away from me and looks up, arms still warmly wrapped around me.
“I love you.”
My breath stills as she takes the words right from my mouth. I feel my body illuminate with joy as I cup her face and pull her into a deep kiss.
I can taste her salty tears at my response.
“I love you, too. More than you know,” I mumble against her mouth. Catching her lips again with mine, I feel her body give in against me.
Before I let myself surrender to our hunger, I pull myself away. I smile as she looks up at me.
“I’ve loved you from the moment we first met. I just didn’t want to believe it.”
Her eyes question me. “You did not.”
“I did. I do. See, my kind has fated mates. Your kind call them soul mates, right?”
She nods, her eyes big and bright. I take a breath to steady myself. I’ve never completely opened up before, not even to myself. I’m ready now. For her.
“My parents were not the… best example. Fated mates or not. I don’t really care to get into detail, not here and now anyway. If you want, I’ll share more once we have completed this competition. For now, though, let’s say that my parents were perfect examples of why Ididn’twant to be with someone. Ever. I didn’t care what fate said about it.”
Iara reaches for my hand and kisses it. I smile and stroke her cheek. “I knew you were meant for me the moment we touched. I just thought I could ignore it. That’s why I was so cold to you, especially after we had gotten physical. I knew I couldn’t help the way I was falling in love with you, and I wanted to do anything to stop it.”
“I don’t want you to fight it anymore,” she says softly.
“I’m not going to. I’m yours, always. I’m not going to fight that.” I squeeze her hand in mine and place it on my chest. “I’ve realized that trying to run from it was a mistake.”
She chokes out a sob-turned-laugh. “You really mean all of this?”
“I do.” I lean in and kiss her, not allowing any more doubt to separate us.
As our lips meet, I feel the fire between us ignite. I deepen the kiss, hungry for more of her. She responds eagerly, her hands finding their way to my hair.
Iara pulls away, her eyes bright and cheeks flushed. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I can feel the electricity between us.This is what it feels like to be with your fated mate, I realize. It feels like the world has finally clicked into place, and everything that came before was just leading up to this moment.
I deepen the kiss, pulling Iara closer to me. She moans softly, and I can feel her hands moving over my chest, tracing the lines of my muscles through my shirt. The sensation sends shivers down my spine, and I’m starting to get lost in the moment.
Suddenly, she pulls away again, her breath coming out in ragged gasps.
"I need you,” I whisper, my forehead resting against hers.
She nods, her eyes filled with unbridled desire. We don't waste any more time talking. I wrap my arms around her and move her over to the warm layer I've spread out, laying her down gently. I climb on top of her, my lips attacking hers once again.
My hands explore her body as our kiss grows more passionate. My mouth trails down her neck and she gasps in delight as I nibble on the sensitive skin there. My hands travel lower and lower until they reach her pants.
I loosen them quickly and slide them down without breaking contact from our kiss as we continue exploring each other's bodies with no inhibition or reserve. My long fingers feel her warmth and slip inside easily. Iara moans upon their entrance.
I explore her intimately, tracing the contours of her body with my fingers, discovering all the little secrets that make her unique and special to me. Her breathing increases rapidly as I move, exploring every inch of her with my expert touch.
