The uncertainty spreads across my face, and Bastien notices. “This isn’t something you need to think about right now, or ever, if you don’t want to.”
“Max asked me to stay.” The words slip out, and Bastien inhales.
“I know, love,” he says. His voice is rough and low, and I only see honesty in his face when he turns to face me.
“What do you want, Bastien?”
My question drops like a stone into the silence.
“I…,” he rubs a hand over his face. “I want to do this right, Ava. I don’t want to make you feel like you have to stay, because you don’t have anywhere to go. I want you to choose us because you have options and we’re what you want. I want you to know that you can say no to us and that’s fine, too.”
I bite my lip as a sliver of disappointment runs through me. I’m not sure what I was expecting. Slowly, I pull myself out of the chair as Bastien watches me, his clear eyes dark in the small room.
“I understand,” I nod at him and try to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach my face. “Thank you, Bastien. I appreciate your concern.”
I turn to make my way to the door, and a hand snakes around my wrist, holding it gently.
“Wait,” he says in a low voice. A small kernel of hope appears, and I try not to look too pathetic as I turn back to him.
“What do you want from me?” he asks.
As he stands up, his hand slides down to entangle with mine, our fingers lacing together.
My heart gives a thump. “I want…,”
Bastien stares at me, his grey eyes darkening. “Tell me.”
Swallowing, I close my eyes and bite the bullet.
“I want to know if youwantme, Bastien. Like… likethat.”
I keep my eyes closed as his hand tightens around mine. The faintest scent of sage – not an alpha scent, but allBastien– wraps around me as I feel him step closer, the warmth of his body brushing mine.
Fingers trail across my neck, small bumps springing up on my skin as I inhale.
“Open your eyes,” he whispers into my ear. Shaking my head, I keep them firmly closed. I don’t want to ruin the moment.
“Please.”
I slide them open a touch to see Bastien’s face in front of mine. His full lips curve up at the ends as we watch each other.
“I want you,” he confesses. A ragged breath falls from my lips as his hand slowly cups the back of my neck, caressing it with gentle touches that send sparks flying through my body.
“I want you so badly it hurts, Ava. You’re brave, and you’re beautiful, and you’re so perfectlyyouthat I can’t imagine ever feeling this way about anybody else. And I need you to know that I’m here waiting for you, whenever you’re ready.”
His words burn along my veins like lightning, pushing away the darkness that hovers over me. Tilting into him, I lift up my mouth as he steps closer, his body arching protectively over mine as a hint of sage surrounds us.
“Bastien…,” It’s a plea.Don’t stop.
“Stay with me, Ava,” he whispers, as his mouth descends on mine.
I don’t know if he means in this moment or forever, but my mind blanks as he moves his lips gently over mine. Warm and soft, Bastien savors me, taking sips from my mouth like a fine wine. I gasp as his arm curls around me, slowly pulling me until I’m pressed against him, the curve of my stomach warming from the heat of his body.
His warm, hard, very male body.
My eyes fly open as he pulls back, his eyes moving over my face in concern.
“Stay,” he murmurs, curling his hand around my face and stroking my cheek with tender slowness. My hand takes on a mind of its own, wrapping around the back of Bastien’s neck as I pull myself into him, lifting my mouth up to his and drawing a rough sound from low in his chest as our kiss deepens. My nipples pebble, drawing across the thin material of my gown and pulling a gasp from me.
