Page 96 of Unravel Me

Mauro takes the opportunity to wrap an arm around my waist, steadying me, and I'm absurdly grateful because it finally lets me be close to him again without me initiating it.

Wow…

It's like stepping into another world. Every one of my senses comes alive. His scent fills my lungs, the heat of his hard body pressed against mine makes my head spin instantly, and before I can think, I slip my arms around his neck and draw him toward me. It's nothing but instinct, and he doesn't resist.

His lips land on mine, soft, warm, damp, and I lose myself in the kiss, filled with bliss and relief. Dear Fate, it’s pure heaven. His hands glide over my back, then slip lower to cup my ass with a firm squeeze, and desire blazes through me with a heat that shouldn't be possible during heat recovery. But against all logic, I want him. I desire him. I ache for him. I want him to throw me onto the bed and fuck me senseless!

"I told you this wasn't a good idea."

Gianni's voice cuts in from behind me, and a wave of frustration crashes over me.

Once again, something so perfect, so intoxicating, is ripped away from me, and the interruption hits me like a physical shock.

The words that leap to the tip of my tongue are rude. Why do you always do this? Are you jealous?

But that would be petty, and I'm trying not to be that person anymore. There was a time when biting remarks and sharp comebacks were my shield, the only way I knew how to cope with everything I kept hidden inside me, but I'm done living like that. And Gianni is not my enemy; he actually has a point.

So, instead of snapping, I take a step back and glance at him.

"Sorry," I mutter.

Gianni tilts his head slightly. "You need to take care of yourself, Jared. Nature made it this way for a reason. This is when our bodies are supposed to rest."

To my surprise, Mauro suddenly lifts his hands and signs something rapidly to Gianni.

The omega blinks, swallows, and then says, "Umm… sorry. I shouldn't have sounded so patronizing. I didn't mean to lecture you again."

Wow. Mauro definitely just scolded him for interrupting us. Strangely enough, it feels… nice. Did he actually pick up on how upset I was?

But Gianni is right. No matter how much I'm drawn to Mauro, or how powerful that pull feels, almost to the point of pain, it’s still bad for my recovery.

Gianni tilts his head a little before asking, "So. When are you bringing Tommy here? Silvio’s already preparing a room. We’re all waiting for him."

What?

Why that again?

I feel the blood drain from my face.

"I… I…" The words die in my throat. What am I supposed to say? That I might have to leave? That nothing about my True Mate situation is resolved? That I still don't know anything, or at least not enough to make a final decision?

All the while, Mauro's eyes stay fixed on me with an intensity that makes my chest heave.

"I need to lie down," I finish quietly, avoiding answering, then slip past both of them and retreat to my room.

The moment I get there, I rush into my nest.

An unexpected surge of panic wraps around my throat like a vise because I can guess that my recovery will end, whether today or tomorrow. It usually takes two, three days at max. When it does ease up, I'll have to make a choice.

And I have absolutely no idea what I'm supposed to do.

Do I keep looking for him? Do I keep wandering through the forest, hoping I'll find the green spirit again? Could he really be my True Mate?

Or do I focus on Mauro instead, who wants me just as much as I want him and is right here within reach, waiting for me to give him a chance?

Do I actually need to start thinking about bringing my son here?

But how could I possibly drag a two-year-old into a place like this, surrounded by strangers I know almost nothing about, a family wrapped in secrets and unanswered questions, in a place where, as Davos said, so many magical ABOs live…