Here, in the solitude of his study, slightly rumpled and away from prying eyes, Kaelen seemed more man than Sunborn Alpha.
A warmth spread through her as she watched him lift his cup, long fingers curling around it, the subtle flex of muscle beneath his skin. His lips parted as he took a sip, and her gaze lingered on the slow movement of his throat as he swallowed. The sight sent a ripple through her, coiling low in her belly.
A memory slipped in, unbidden—a quiet thrill at the remembrance of his hands on her skin, his lips against hers, the way his pelvis had fitted perfectly around her backside. She could almost feel it, a touch that sent her senses stirring to life.
As if sensing her thoughts, he turned toward her, gaze locking onto hers. His pupils darkened, wide and fixed on her with an intensity mirroring her own—as if he, too, felt the magnetic pull between them.
“Reiya,” he whispered, her name a soft tremor drawing her attention to his lips.
Flushed, she felt the sudden need to explain. “It’s . . . the Heat. It’s getting closer.”
Suddenly, the air thickened, fragrant with the heady scent of sun-warmed cedar weaving through her senses until she could taste them on her tongue. Heat bloomed across her cheeks, skin prickling as warmth gathered at the nape of her neck.
Her chest tightened, breaths shallow as an ache stirred deep within her belly, a hollow need growing sharper with every second.
Realization flickered in his eyes, and her heart began to race. Thewarmth that had begun as a low thrum now spread in waves. Her fingers trembled as familiar sensations crowded in, each one heightening her desires.
The world tilted as Kaelen effortlessly lifted her and flipped their position, seating her on his armchair. Her pulse drummed in her ears, fast and unsteady.
He knelt before her, leaning in, his gaze flickering to her lips before returning to her eyes.
“Likely brought on even faster because of strain. Youhavebeen carrying a lot,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “Allow me to give you some ease.”
Reiya’s pulse quickened as his hand brushed her cheek, his thumb grazing her jawline. There was something unspoken in his touch, in the way his golden eyes searched hers, and before she could second-guess herself, her fingers curled into his tunic, pulling him closer.
His lips found hers in a kiss that was tender at first. But when she responded, tilting her head and pressing into him, the kiss deepened, growing warmer, fiercer. She felt the heat of him, the solid strength of his hands as they settled on her waist, grounding her even as her thoughts began to spin.
The scent of him—amber and cedar, rich and unmistakably Kaelen—wrapped around her, tugging her deeper into the moment. It was intoxicating, too much and yet not enough. Her body ached to close the distance entirely, to melt into him as if that might quiet the restless fire stirring in her veins.
But it didn’t. Instead, it only made it worse.
“I tried to hold it in,” she confessed, “but I couldn’t.”
He brushed his knuckles along her jaw, his voice gentle. “The other night . . . your time with Alarik helped, didn’t it?”
She nodded.
“He eased you through it?”
Another nod.
His lips found her neck, tracing a slow, damp path from beneath her ear to her collarbone. “Then letmehelp you this time.”
She cupped his cheek, meeting his earnest golden gaze. “You’re not . . . upset?”
His smile was soft, his touch even softer as he laced his fingers through hers. “Why would I be? I trust Alarik. I trust you. Our bond is meant to carry things like this.” His thumb brushed the back of her hand, the tenderness of it tightening something in her chest. “I’m relieved he was there for you when I couldn’t be. But now, let me take care of you.”
Reiya arched a brow, lips curving into a teasing smile. “What ‘care’ are we talking about here? Something inspired by the infamous techniques of the Luminara Isles?”
His brow shot up, his expression both amused and challenged. “Still bold enough to tease me, I see. Good. But I wonder . . .”
He leaned closer, nose inches from hers as his voice dropped to a husky murmur. “Will you still have the strength to tease when I’m finished with you?”
Her breath hitched as his knuckles traced the inside of her thigh, the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of her skirt, unravelling her composure thread by thread.
“Kaelen,” she moaned.
“You don’t need to think,” he murmured, catching her lips in a brief kiss. “Just let me.”
