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“I thought about it, too,” she admits. “Every night, I thought of you.”

Her voice is quiet. Soft. The words float between us like silk, wrapping around my heart and tying us together even tighter than before. They make my head spin, like I’m drunk on her. My pulse beats harder, and before I realize what I’m doing, I’m wrapping my arm around her back and hauling her body into mine with a possessive growl of desire.

“Tell me to stop,” I murmur, turning us so my back faces the bed and she stands in front of me.

She shakes her head.

“Idril,” I warn, “I want this to be on your terms. I want everything to be your decision, and I don’t⁠—”

She lifts two fingers and presses them against my lips, cutting me off.

“I’ve never done anything,” she admits, teeth sinking into that soft lower lip and making my vision waver. “You were my first kiss, and I don’t—I don’t know what I’m doing.”

I glance behind me at Idril’s Nest. The last thing I want is to fuck with it. I need her to understand that I respect her space. I don’t care if it’s technically my bed. Now, it’s hers. Everything I have, and everything I am, is hers.

And I’m going to show her exactly what that means.

Chapter 16

Caelan

Itake Idril’s hand in mine, and lead her toward the couch in the sitting area. Each room in this wing is more like a small apartment than a bedroom. The sitting area in mine is sunken, and when we arrive at the two steps leading down to soft rugs thrown over the cold stone floor, I wrap my hands around my Omega’s waist and pick her up, urging her to wrap her legs around me.

She squeaks in surprise, but does as I urge. I walk us over to the couch and fall into the comfortable leather with Idril straddling me. She pushes up like she’s about to move off of me, but I stop her with a firm hand on her hip.

“Stay.”

She does, settling back down hesitantly. Her hands are braced on my shoulders, and for a heartbeat she hovers over my lap, so I wrap both hands around her hips and pull her down until she’s sitting comfortably. I was planning to ignore the hard length of my cock between us, but as soon as Idril feels it, her eyes widen.

“Whatever happens between us is your decision,” I tell her. “I will never push you for anything. If you want to be held, I’ll hold you. If you want to be kissed, I’ll kiss you. If you want other things…” I trail off, enjoying the way her fingers spasm against my shoulders.

“What do you want, Omega?” The question might not be fair, but I won't make any assumptions. This is her choice. Always.

Idril squirms and the hard length of my cock rubs against her core. She whimpers, squeezing her eyes shut tight. I guide my hands to her hips and rock her body against mine, repeating the movement.

Idril’s breath catches. Her heavy-lidded eyes are glassy and full of desire.

“I don't understand what’s happening,” she murmurs. “I’ve never felt like this before.”

“You’re my Mate,” I reply firmly. “The way you feel is normal. I’m yours, Omega.” I rock her hips again, while lifting mine to give her the friction she needs. She grips my shoulders tighter, her nails digging into my skin and sending a small bite of delicious pain through my nerve endings.

She falls forward, melting into me like it’s the only place she wants to be. I can smell her arousal, the scent barely discernible thanks to the suppressants.

But there are no suppressants in the world strong enough to completely block an Omega’s perfume when they are as turned on as my Mate is right now.

It’s faint, but the smoky vanilla and honey make me fucking wild. Unable to wait another second, I cup the back of her head and pull her lips to mine.

Touching her like this is enough to send me feral. Her soft mouth moves against mine, hesitant and unsure. I lick the seam of her lips, and with a breathy moan, she opens for me. I groan, touching her tongue with mine, exploring her. My hips punch forward without my permission. I want to get closer. I want to bury myself inside of her and never leave.

“Caelan.” Her moan against my lips makes me snarl. I move my mouth down her neck, nipping at the thin skin of her throat, licking a path down to her shoulder—to the exact spot I plan on biting her.

Her body melts into mine. Her hips shift forward, giving another experimental roll. She’s curious and turned on, but unsure what to do. I smile into her shoulder, returning my hands to her hips and helping her move by grinding her against me.

Fates, I can feel her slick, even through the layers of clothing. I want it—I want to lick every inch of her and taste her on my tongue.

Her breathing increases as I move her hips over my cock faster and faster. She lets out a tiny, frustrated growl that makes me want to tear the whole world apart with my bare hands.

I lean back against the cushions, heat suffusing my veins as I watch her hips roll back and forth over my length. Fuck, it’s so hot. Especially when I notice the darker spots of fabric and realize her panties and my shorts are both soaked with her slick.