Chapter 22 - Getting ready for the ball
1097 Words
*Elara – pov*
Raidin’s hand was on my thigh the entire drive home.
The forest rolled past outside the truck windows in streaks of gold and green while mid afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees.
My thumb brushed lightly against his once without thinking.
Raidin’s grip tightened instantly.
Heat curled low in my stomach.
I turned my attention toward the window quickly.
Coward.
Adira practically purred inside me.
Mate likes touching us.
“You are not helping.”
Neither are you.
Unfortunately she wasn’t wrong because I couldn’t stop looking at him.
Even indirectly.
His reflection in the window caught my attention constantly.
The sharp line of his jaw.
The dark hair falling slightly over his forehead.
The large hand resting against the steering wheel.
Everything about him felt overwhelmingly male.
Solid.
Safe.
Tempting.
Adira, apparently deciding embarrassment was her favorite hobby, began supplying vivid mental images I absolutely did not ask for.
Raidin shirtless in my kitchen.
Raidin pinning me against a wall.
Raidin growling low against my neck—
I nearly stopped breathing.
“Oh my God.”
Raidin glanced sideways immediately.
“What?” I asked a little more breathless than intended.
“You seem a little flustered.”
“Warm car.”
“It’s winter.”
Treacherous body and wolf!
Adira sounded deeply pleased with herself.
We can’t stop thinking about mate.
“We are never speaking again.”
Raidin’s mouth twitched slightly like he sensed more than I wanted him to.
The mate bond was becoming stronger.
Too strong.
Every emotion, every sensation felt heightened around him.
Every glance lingered too long.
Every touch burned.
The truck finally rolled into the garage beneath the estate just as the sun began setting over the forest.
My pulse had still not recovered.
Raidin cut the engine slowly.
Silence filled the enclosed space immediately.
I reached for the door handle too quickly.
Raidin caught my wrist gently.
Barely restrained hunger burned across his face now.
“Wait.”
The low roughness in his voice sent heat racing straight through me.
He leaned in and kissed me. Soft and gentle at first but it soon turned into rough and hungry. He put his hands on my sides and lifted me over his lap.
I could feel him pressing against me. A moan escaped my throat. My body seemed to have a mind of its own and started riding Raidin through our clothes.
He made a rough sound low in his throat.
Raidin reached down and unbuttoned my jeans. I followed his lead and did the same freeing his c**k. Large hands braced beside my hips. I moved and he thrust deep inside me with one glorious stroke.
“Raidin…”
Raidin lifted my hips and slammed me down hard on him.
“Baby, you are so wet for me” he whispered in my ear and I moaned. I could feel my orgasm coming fast and hard.
“C*m for me baby” he encouraged. I bobbed down harder and faster until my orgasm claimed me. Raidin kept the pace and c*m thick and hard deep inside me.
He kissed me slow and sensually before leaning his forehead against mine.
“I don’t know if I can ever get enough of you”
He said breathing hard.
Forehead pressed against mine.
“We should go inside,” I said quietly.
He helped me off and fixed my jeans and then his own.
My mother fussed over me for nearly an hour.
I caught her watching me in the mirror several times with suspiciously glassy eyes.
“You’re staring,” I muttered while fastening the clasp of my dress.
She smiled softly.
“Can you blame me?”
I looked at my reflection again.
The dress was simple and elegant.
Black silk draped all the way to the floor, hugging my figure without being overly revealing. The neckline sat high and straight from collarbone to collarbone while the back dipped low in an elegant open scoop.
Long sleeves protected against the autumn chill outside.
It felt powerful somehow.
Sharp.
Controlled.
Like armor.
My hair was twisted into a low bun at the nape of my neck while my makeup remained soft and natural.
Understated.
But striking.
Adira stirred happily inside me.
Mate will lose his mind.
“You’re dramatic.”
She sounded smug.
Not wrong though.
Mom stepped behind me and adjusted a loose strand of hair carefully.
“You look like her.”
The words landed softly.
I met her eyes in the mirror.
“My mother?”
She nodded quietly.
“Especially tonight.”
Emotion tightened unexpectedly in my chest.
Before I could respond, a knock sounded downstairs.
Adira immediately perked up.
Mate is here.
My pulse betrayed me instantly.
Mom smiled knowingly.
“Go on.”
I descended the staircase slowly and stopped halfway down.
Raidin stood near the entrance waiting for me.
Black tailored suit.
Dark hair perfectly styled for once.
Broad shoulders stretching expensive fabric in deeply distracting ways.
Adira practically melted.
He looked up and completely froze.
The entire room went silent for one suspended heartbeat while his golden eyes moved slowly over me.
Not casually.
Like he physically couldn’t look away. Heat climbed steadily into my face.
“Well?” I asked softly.
Raidin blinked once like he’d forgotten how.
“You’re breathtaking.”
The sincerity in his voice hit harder than the compliment itself. He crossed the room toward me slowly, never taking his eyes off mine.
Something dark and possessive flickered beneath his composure. He stopped directly in front of me and held out a small velvet box.
“For you.”
I frowned slightly before opening it.
Then stopped breathing.
Diamond earrings.
Long delicate strands of diamonds that would brush softly against my neck when worn.
Elegant.
Timeless.
Absolutely breathtaking.
“Raidin, I…”
His gaze softened slightly.
“They belonged to my mother.”
That stunned me silent. My fingers moved carefully across the jewelry.
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to.”
His voice lowered slightly.
“And she would’ve wanted you to wear them.”
Emotion lodged painfully in my throat.
Slowly, I handed the box to Mom, who immediately looked close to tears again.
Raidin stepped behind me while he fastened the earrings into place.
His fingers brushed lightly against the back of my neck once sending small shivers of electricity dancing over my skin.
He noticed of course.
The small smirk he hid afterward made me want to kick him slightly.
Adira wanted to jump his bones…again.
Repeatedly.
- Writer
