I wasted no time. I crushed my mouth against his, firm yet gentle, and felt him shudder beneath me. I held Remington as I kissed him. This was like no other kiss I’d experienced. This was a fairy-tale kiss, perfect in every single way. Nothing else could ever compare.
We broke apart with a gasp when our air finally ran out. Remington’s cheeks were flushed deep pink and his eyes were glazed with pleasure. He was so damn sexy.
As if our kiss had unlocked a spell, everything clicked. My shark was both deeply at peace, as if everything was right in the world, and alert, like it was on the prowl for any potential harm that might come to Remington. Both feelings were incredibly intense.
“Fated mates, huh?” I breathed.
The phrase made Remington’s eyes glimmer like stars. “Yeah.”
“It might surprise you, but I don’t know that much about it,” I admitted. “Care to enlighten me?”
Remington took a moment to gather his thoughts. He seemed distracted by our amazing kiss. And possibly the fact that I was still very naked.
“It’s the best possible thing that can happen to a shifter,” Remington said softly. “It’s when the world aligns. It’s finding your other half to create a whole.” He suddenly looked shy. “At least, that’s what my packmates say. They all found their fated mates, except me.”
I snorted. “What am I, chopped liver?”
Remington frowned. “No, I didn’t mean… Ugh, see? I’m so bad at this.”
“You’re not bad at anything, exceptnotbeing sexy. Just slow down and talk to me, okay, Remmy?”
He blushed and tried to withhold a smile. “Okay.” He rubbed his arm self-consciously. “Well, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m really good at doubting myself. Finding your fated mate is supposed to be doubtless. You’re just supposed toknow.But I can’t do that.”
He looked crestfallen, which broke my heart. I put my arm around him and held him close.
“Y’know, never having doubts is a quick way to fuck yourself up,” I said. “I was reckless and dumb as a teenager, and I constantly got into trouble. If I had a little more doubts, like you, I could’ve avoided a lot of crap.”
Remington seemed slightly reassured. “But having too much doubt weighs you down. Like right now.” He rolled his eyes. “Great, I’m making this all about my feelings instead of just having sex.”
“Sexisabout feelings,” I said. “I want you to feel good, Remmy. If that means spilling your guts out first before we do anything physical, then please do so. Take your time.”
Remington blinked at me with wide yellow eyes. They were wild and stunning. I could look into them forever.
With a slow breath, Remington found my hand and gripped it. His skin was warm and soft, making my heart skip a beat. There was a beat of silence where he seemed deep in thought, then suddenly, he gripped my hand tighter, as if a rush of determination and adrenaline shot through him.
“No,” Remington growled. “No more doubts.”
And then he jumped on me.
9
Remington
I pinnedNero to the bed. His dark eyes were full of pleasant surprise. Sprawled out like this beneath me, he looked gorgeous. My heart tugged like a magnet pulled towards him.
Nero saved me from Klimt. He respected my space and boundaries. He was funny, compassionate, and deeply loyal. He’d left his entire life behind to search for his long-lost mother, and I truly respected him for that. He really was a special man.
And I wanted him all to myself.
My wolf prowled inside me, not with anxiety about Nero, but anxiety towardsme.Like I was going to ruin this by not letting myself give into my desire. I was always wound so tight, never letting myself breathe. I wanted to breathe. I wanted Nero.
I made up my mind. I wasn’t going to doubt myself anymore. This feeling I had towards Nero was the real thing, no matter what my doubts were telling me. I refused to let it cloud my emotions anymore—because the way Nero glanced up at me, like I was the only person in the world, was entirely real.
“I want to do something reckless,” I announced.
“Like what?”
“I want to have sex in this abandoned cabin.”
