I know. It’s been a long day. The Witch’s letter, Alessandra King barging to my workplace, the attack at my apartment, the Blood Moon Clan’s gathering... I sigh. “I won’t get used to it, but... It’s not like I can sit in a corner and cry either. I promised myself to get stronger.”
I feel his lips pressing against my forehead. “You’re doing great, Nora. I’m proud of you, my Love.”
I like it when he calls me that… I wish he’d say it again, but I fall asleep to quickly to ask.
Chapter 11
I open my eyes suddenly, feeling completely awake. I’m still in Damian’s embrace, and it’s still nighttime behind him. What time can it be? I wonder why I’m awake so early.
I don’t feel like moving, though. It feels so warm under the blanket, and I’m surrounded by my mate’s smell. We are so close... When we are next to each other like this, I’m not scared at all. On the contrary, I feel totally safe. So why do I get so scared when Damian wants me?
It’s our mate.
Very softly, I caress the dark tattoo on his neck. The Blood Moon Clan’s black crescent moon. Once I’m officially his mate, will I get one, too? Yesterday, a lot of the lieutenants had it where I could see it. I wonder where I would do mine. Liam, Nathaniel, and Bobo all have it on their chests, and Tonia has hers on her arm.
My fingers go down on his torso, careful not to wake up my man. Sometimes I forget he is six years older than me. He is a full, grown-up man while I still feel like a child. I don’t find myself desirable. I’m thin, with barely any curves, and small breasts. Not to mention my scar...
Maybe that’s my main problem. I don’t see how Damian, or any man, can find me attractive. Marcus considered me like a toy, an object for sexual satisfaction. Somehow, am I afraid Damian is the same?
While lost in my thoughts, I sense Damian moving next to me. He takes my hand that was wandering on his chest and brings it to his lips to kiss it without opening his eyes.
“Sorry. Did I wake you?”
“No. What are you thinking about? I feel your wolf is... worried.”
I don’t know how to say this... And I don’t want to worry him, either. We both stay silent for a while, and I would think he went back to sleep if it wasn’t for his thumb, gently stroking my hand.
“Do you think you would have loved me if it wasn’t for our bond?”
“Yes.”
His immediate and definite reply takes me by surprise.
“But we were just kids...”
“That’s not when I fell in love with you. I liked you as a child, I cherished you, but I really fell for you at the hospital, when we met again. As a man, attracted to a woman. How strong and fragile you were at the same time. I loved that,” he whispers gently.
“Really?”
“Yes. I told you. I can wait, but I still want you, Nora.”
“I thought that I’m... I’m not... desirable.”
He opens his eyes and moves, shifting to stand on his arms above me. He leans to give me a long, deep kiss. Slowly, his lips take mine over, and I respond unconditionally. When he stops, he is smiling again.
“Moon Goddess, youaredesirable, Nora. That’s why I want you so bad.”
He goes down, landing soft kisses on my neck, and I feel one of his hands grabbing my waist gently. I let him do so without moving, just closing my eyes and enjoying this. Is it because it’s Damian that this feels so good? I’m shiveringunder his lips, but it’s from pleasure this time. I don’t feel any fear, just this slow fire burning on my skin wherever he touches me. I can tell he is hesitating, watching my reactions, but I really am not afraid the slightest this time. So, I put my hand on his neck, gently stroking his hair while his kisses keep coming.
I feel his large hand adventuring lower. He caresses my leg, my bare skin shivering under his fingers. Damian is deliberately acting gentle and cautious, and I love it. That fire under my skin is not calming down. I caress his cheek and come to claim a kiss from him. He seems a bit surprised, but he doesn’t resist. His fingers go up again, shifting from my leg to my waist, under the shirt this time. I gasp. I can barely breathe; this is so intense and thrilling. I claim more of Damian’s lips, and I feel his hand hesitate a bit before he starts fondling my breast. Oh, my gosh... Damian’s hand is really touching me this way, and I like it, I really do. So much that I hear my own breathing accelerating on its own, and my heartbeat quickens without warning. This is how it is supposed to be. Thrilling, intimate. Something we both really want. I gather my courage and start kissing his neck, right where his tattoo is. I can feel his reaction: a shiver of pleasure. His hand runs through my hair, grabbing it and playing with my curls between his fingers. The other hand leaves my breast, to adventure further down...
“Damian! Nora! Time for breakfast, guys! I’m starving!”
We both freeze, startled by Liam’s yelling. I completely forgot he slept here, too! This is so embarrassing! I blush uncontrollably, but Damian growls and takes his hands off me.
“I might really kick his ass this time…”
I can’t help but chuckle a bit at his annoyed expression. Liam is so... Oh, well. I still kiss Damian’s cheek quickly tostop his frowning. My mate growls a bit, but he eventually sighs and kisses me back.
