Page 162 of Wisteria and Cloves
"Just feel," he murmured, one hand sliding between us to where we were joined. His thumb found that sensitive bundle of nerves, circling with deliberate precision. "Don't think. Just feel me."
My head fell back as sensation overwhelmed me, my body responding to his touch despite my exhaustion. His knot pulsed inside me, hitting places that made me cry out with renewed pleasure. The forest canopy above us blurred as another climax approached, building with an intensity I didn't think possible after everything we'd already shared.
"That's it," Nicolaus encouraged, his voice rough with desire as he watched me come undone above him. "Scream for me.." He pushed into me more, a deep growl leaving him. The sound tore from my throat, raw and primal, echoing through the trees as pleasure crashed over me in waves. My entire body convulsed around him, muscles clenching his knot in rhythmic pulses that drew a deep groan from Nicolaus. His control finally shattered completely, his release pulsing hot inside me as his hands gripped my hips with bruising force.
"Lilianna," he gasped, my name a prayer on his lips as he found his own release. His eyes never left mine, even as ecstasy transformed his features into something almost vulnerable.
I collapsed against his chest, utterly spent, my body trembling with aftershocks. His arms came around me immediately, cradling me against him with surprising tenderness. We lay there, joined and breathless, as the morning light filtered through the trees above us.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Lilianna
I sat in the front seat of the car, sipping on coffee and having just finished the breakfast Nicolaus had packed. My eyes glanced over at him as he drove, his profile strong and relaxed in the mid-morning light. After our intense encounter by the lake, he had tenderly helped me clean up, wrapping me in a soft blanket before guiding me back to the car. My body still hummed with the aftereffects of our connection, a pleasant soreness reminding me of every moment we'd shared.
"You're staring," Nicolaus observed without taking his eyes off the road, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"I'm admiring," I corrected, taking another sip of the perfectly brewed coffee. "There's a difference."
His smile deepened slightly. "How are you feeling? I wasn't... too much?"
The hint of vulnerability in his question made my heart clench. Even after everything we'd shared, he was still concerned about my comfort, my well-being.
"You were perfect," I said softly, reaching across the console to place my hand on his thigh. "Intense, but perfect. I've never felt anything like that before."
His hand covered mine, fingers intertwining as he squeezed gently. "Good. I wanted it to be memorable."
"Oh, it was definitely that," I laughed, feeling heat rise to my cheeks at the memory. "I'm not sure I'll ever be able to look at a forest the same way again."
Nicolaus chuckled, the sound warm and rich in the enclosed space of the car. "That was rather the point. I wanted to give you something that was entirely ours." The possessiveness in his tone sent a pleasant shiver through me.
"Where are we going now?" I asked, watching the forest gradually thin as we approached what looked like a small town. As we passed a sigh, ‘Heaven’s Rest”. The roads were becoming more populated as we drove into town, colorful storefronts and cafés appearing along the winding street.
He didn’t stop until he pulled up in front of a store that said ‘Harmony’. I blinked and glanced over to Nicolaus, “A music store?”
Nicolaus gave a smile, “I thought I would take you to your first music lesson. I had Julian pack your violin last night.”
My breath caught as I processed his words. "You want to teach me violin?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The thought of learning to play—really play, not just the rigid classical pieces my mother had forced on me—sent a flutter of excitement through my chest.
"Not me," Nicolaus said, his eyes soft as he watched my reaction. "I arranged for you to have a lesson with someone who specializes in helping people rediscover their love of music.Someone who understands that technique means nothing without passion."
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I know we all had talked about getting me lessons but with everything I had put it in the back of my mind,“Thank you.”
"This is..." I trailed off, overwhelmed with emotion. "I don't know what to say."
Nicolaus reached across the console, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "You don't need to say anything. I've seen how you look at your violin—like it's both a treasure and a burden. I wanted to help you find the joy in learning something you have always wanted to do."
I leaned into his touch, blinking back tears. The thoughtfulness of this, using the time on our date… “I didn’t get to say it earlier…but I love you.”
The words hung in the air between us, soft and precious. Nicolaus's eyes widened slightly, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone as he absorbed what I'd said. For a moment, his carefully composed mask slipped entirely, revealing something raw and vulnerable beneath.
"I love you too," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. He leaned across the console, capturing my lips in a kiss that was tender and reverent, so different from the passionate claiming by the water.
When we finally broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine. “You are definitely not something we thought would walk into our lives. We had mostly given up on finding someone for our pack.”
“It's funny how fate works," I murmured, tracing the sharp line of his jaw with my fingertips. "I wasn't looking for any of this either. I was just trying to survive."
Nicolaus caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm that sent warmth spiraling through me. "And now?"
