He freezes, eyes darting to me.
“Kat?”
I stare up at him and I say nothing.
For the longest time, neither of us moves.
“Why didn’t you suggest biting me?” I whisper.
“I’ve caged you before,” he says softly. “I won’t do it again.”
“Cristofer wouldn’t want me if you bit me.”
“I’ll keep you safe. Take the time you need. I’ll wait.” His eyes are so serious, I know he means it.
“Okay.”
He nods. “You want me to get up now?”
I don’t say a word.
His breathing changes, and he swallows hard. “Kat? You’re not telling me to get off you.”
I say nothing.
“Tell me to get up and I won’t kiss you.” His eyes are on my mouth, and if he kisses me, I won’t want to stop.
When I do nothing but stare up at him, his head slowly descends.
“Aren…” I whisper.
“You’re my mate. Whatever you want is yours, Kitty cat. Let me give it to you.”
His mouth hovers over mine.
I lick my lips, remembering how he tastes, and his eyes flare with heat. “Or?”
“Take it,” he says. “If you don’t want me to give it to you, then take it. Everything I have is yours.”
And suddenly I know why I came downstairs.
What chased me out of the room wasn’t an inability to sleep or even bad dreams. It was partly those things, but it was a need to be with the man sitting beside the creek, skimming stones across the surface.
His next kiss is so fleeting, I’m leaning into it before I’m conscious of it.
He peers down at me, amber eyes surprisingly serious.
“I don’t love you,” I whisper.
“I know,” he says quietly. “I’ve not done anything worthy of your love. But I will.”
My eyes flick to his mouth. “This doesn’t mean I have feelings for you.”
It has to be one of the biggest lies I’ve ever told, and I fully expect him to laugh in my face.
He doesn’t.
“Okay,” he says, surprisingly serious.
