Nesrin nods, understanding flickering in her eyes. “It’s not easy, is it? Letting someone else in, allowing them to care about you.”
I shake my head, my throat tightening with the effort to hold back the emotions that threaten to spill over. “No, it’s not. I’ve always had to be strong, to handle everything on my own. Showing weakness . . . it wasn’t safe. It’s never been safe.”
Her hand reaches out, gently resting on my arm. “You don’t have to do it all alone anymore,” she says softly. “You’ve got people now—people who care about you, who want to be there for you.”
Her words hit me harder than I expect. I’ve always believed relying on others is a weakness, a vulnerability that can be exploited.
“I’m not sure I know how,” I admit.
Nesrin squeezes my arm gently. “That’s okay. It’s a process, and it takes time. But you’re not alone in this.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, the words heavy with the weight of everything I’m still trying to process.
Nesrin smiles, a warm, understanding smile that reaches her eyes. “Anytime. Now let’s go eat.”
Chapter forty-one
Kai
“Your neck has my name written on it and my mouth is here to claim it.”
Wrapping a towel around my waist, I step out of the bathroom, flipping off the light as I go. Just as I exit, Ash walks into the bedroom, her eyes immediately finding mine. A soft breeze from the open window drifts through the room, making the skirt around her ankles dance.
She looks like a goddess.
So gorgeous.
So beautiful.
So mine.
An overwhelming surge of possessiveness and longing overtakes me, as if a beast is stirring within, demanding I mark my mate. I stalk toward her and wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. With a playful smile, she runs her hands up my chest, her touch sending a wave of electricity through me. My body shivers involuntarily, a low growl escaping my lips as I wrap my hand around her throat, forcing her to meet my gaze.
Our lips collide, and I’m instantly lost in the sweet, intoxicating flavor of her kiss. It’s like nothing else exists—just the feel of her lips against mine, soft yet urgent, sending waves of heat through my body. The connection between us is electric, a spark that ignites something primal deep inside me.
Impatience claws at me, a raw, burning need that demands to be satisfied. Without thinking, I grab the dress Nesrin gave her, my fingers curling into the fabric. With a swift, forceful motion, I rip it straight down the middle, the sound of tearing cloth echoing in the room. The remnants of the dress flutter to the floor like leaves in a storm, leaving her bare before me, a vision of wild beauty.
Her breath catches as the cool air hits her skin, but the fire in her eyes only burns brighter.
“Sorry,” I pant, my head dropping to one of her bare breasts and sucking her nipple into my mouth. Ash’s fingers sink into my hair, a moan falling from her sweet mouth.
Moving to the other breast, I bite down before gently running my tongue over the peak of her nipple.
“Kai,” she mumbles, pressing closer.
Shadows creep over our bodies, and the towel around my waist slips away. Straightening, I wrap my hands around her waist and guide her as we move toward the bed. With a firm grip, my fingers press against her skin as I pull her onto my lap and drag her over my hard cock.
“Kai, I need you inside me now.” Her breath flutters against the side of my throat as she flexes her hips.
I press a kiss to her neck, my lips gliding over the spot where I want to mark her as mine. “Fuck, beautiful. I need to hear you say the words before I get inside you, because I want to claim you and I’m not sure I can hold back if we fuck right now.”
Ash pulls back just enough so she can look at me. Her onyx eyes burn with love and desire. Her hips rock against mine, my cock sliding back and forth over her pussy. She is so fucking wet and ready it makes my eyes fall closed on a hiss.
“Kai,” she whispers softly, waiting for me to open my eyes. “I want you to mark me. Mark me as yours.”
My control snaps at her words, and I grab her, throwing her on the bed. Before she can do anything, I hook my arms around her legs, dropping my mouth to her clit. My tongue swipes over her. Tasting her. Memorizing her.
I gently push my fingers inside her, searching for that sweet spot. Ash moans, her hips lifting off the bed. I continue to suck and glide my tongue in rhythm with her hips while pumping my fingers.
