Hidden Fate

13

He nodded and took my hand, leading me to the bed. We sat on the mattress, my hand running along the gray paisley comforter as we scooted up to lie back on the two oversized pillows.

Lifting our joined hands, Thorn stared at the wood-paneled ceiling. “You’re right. I’ve been struggling. I hated him for so long, and then for him to denounce Drake and apologize to me, only to die right after…” His pain and guilt flared through our bond. “I…I don’t know how to feel. On the one hand, I’m still angry. It took all of this for him to finally see the truth? But then I feel guilty for being mad.” His voice cracked, and I turned to him as his eyes glistened.

“You have every right to be hurt, angry, and confused. The king screwed you over, and even after he realized what he’d done was wrong, he wasn’t willing to stand up to Drake…until it was too late. He doesn’t get a pass just because he’s dead.”

The thing was, I understood how Thorn felt…somewhat. My heart clenched over the loss we shared. “Mom was an amazing mother to me, but when she died, not only did I lose her, but I got left with Peter. I was so angry about it, but I didn’t have anywhere else to go or anyone else to help me. Though I wasn’t mad at her, I felt guilty about being angry at all because she was gone. It took me a while to realize it’s okay to be upset and that sometimes, life hands us crap, and we have to figure out a way to move on.”

“I’m so damn sorry you had to go through that.” Thorn’s face twisted in agony. “I wish I could’ve been there to help you. That you could’ve leaned on me.”

“I’ve come to believe that everything happens for a reason.” A tear trickled down my cheek, my vision clouding. “But the point is, I felt guilty for being mad. If she hadn’t married Peter, Elliott and Eva wouldn’t be here, and though we weren’t close then, I still loved them and couldn’t imagine a world without them.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I could’ve gone without smelling your brother’s fart tonight. It was pretty rank.”

I giggled, my chest expanding. I’d never told anyone how I’d felt when Mom died, and I was glad I’d told Thorn. He knew exactly what to say. “True, but—” I placed a hand over his heart. “I want you to know that I believe your biological parents loved you, and at least King Arman realized his mistake and was able to apologize. If he hadn’t, you’d have gone on thinking he never loved you. And Thorn, I think that could’ve hurt the man I know you’re going to become. So grieve, scream, and flip off the world all you need, but know that through it all, I will be standing right beside you.”

Warmth soared through me, and Thorn purred, the sound enthralling.

“With you by my side, I know we’ll conquer the world.” He scanned my face and whispered, “You own me.”

My breath caught, and desire pooled inside me, causing a deep ache in my core. I needed him so desperately, but I had to make sure he was okay.

When his lips landed on mine, I had to say something else before I lost myself in him. Unable to speak, I connected, Maybe we should sleep.

In a little while. His hand slipped under my shirt, and he unbuttoned my jeans. I promise, I just want to make love to you, my mate. There is nothing else on my mind other than wanting to merge with you and show you exactly how I feel.

As his hand slid under my panties, all I could focus on was his touch, his scent, and my longing to taste him again.

His fingers circled between my lips, and he lowered his head, kissing me again. This time, I had no thoughts of stopping. His emotions were searing hot from his love for me, confirming I was the only thing on his mind.

Our tongues collided, and his faint minty taste turned me on even more.

Desperate, I clutched his shirt, pulling him on top of me. His hands didn’t miss a beat, shifting the pressure that had my head arching back. His lips moved down my face to my neck, and when his teeth grazed my skin, ecstasy exploded within me as he took me over the edge.

He raised his head, watching me melt into him. So damn beautiful, he connected as his irises darkened to cobalt.

Crazed, I yanked at his shirt, and he chuckled. The dark, throaty sound had need soaring through me again. His fingers weren’t enough. I needed him inside me.

Removing his hands, he rolled to the side and tossed his shirt to the floor as I lifted, stripping my shirt and bra off. Within seconds, we were naked and ogling each other.

I took in every curve of his muscles. My favorite part was the V that pointed down the one part of him that could satisfy me. Though I hadn’t touched him, he was ready.

When I reached for him, he caught my wrist and held it by my head as he settled between my legs. He whispered, “If you touch me, we might not get to do this. I’m already close. You’re so damn sexy.”

“Well, that would be a shame,” I breathed, loving how he’d restrained me. A shiver of anticipation ran through me.

He entered me slowly, our gazes locked. His pupils slitted, fueling me further. I bucked my hips underneath him, and with his free hand, he grabbed my waist.

Sex with him before had always been mind-blowing. In fact, each time we came together, it was better than the time before. But this time was completely different.

Lips on mine, he moved at a slow pace, slipping deeper inside me than ever. The emotions between us were intense, the build of sensation slow and powerful. My body arched against his, and he groaned.

Nipping my ear, he connected, You’re driving me crazy.

The words made me feel loved and sexy. Our connection opened wider, each of us feeling the other’s emotions. I treasured the moment as we pleasured each other, and our souls merged like they’d been meant to do.

Sweat slicked our bodies, and the friction increased until I couldn’t contain myself. I pushed on his shoulder and moved on top of him. I was tired of him having all the control, and he didn’t resist.

I grabbed the headboard as his hands cupped my breasts, fingers gently rolling my n*****s. Somehow, I kept the pace slow, and then I glanced down at his body. His muscles flexed as he thrust into me in sync with my movements, his eyes dark and heavy with desire.