I go to look away, but he tips my chin up.
“I’ll make you feel good.” He strokes my cheek like a musician strumming the perfect note on the guitar, and my body sings. “I can take your pain away.”
Fuck, I want him to.
Time slows as he leans in. If I were with a heat buddy, I’d already be undressed, spreading my legs, and setting a timer to give me an idea of how soon it’ll be over. With Hale, it feels different. For once, I don’t want to rush.
As soon as his soft lips press against mine, an electric shock shoots through my entire body.
“Shit.” He pulls back, his pupils completely blown. He’s even more gorgeous up close. An angular jawline, sharp nose peppered with faint freckles, chiseled cheekbones, and pale skin that makes his green eyes pop. “What was that?”
“What was what?” I look around for the source of the rude interruption, but there’s only eerie stillness. “Did you hear a noise?”
“No.” He runs a finger along his lips in awe. “It just felt…”
“Good?” I slide my hands underneath his shirt and find perfect rock-hard abs, confirming yesterday’s assumption.
Tentatively, he kisses me again. Our tongues dance as my body bends into him, pressing into his hardness, craving more, until he pulls away again.
“Victoria.” He steps backward. “This feels…”
My hands drop to my sides like I’ve been doused by icy water. Rejecting an omega during heat is a huge insult. Seconds ago, he’d promised to look after me. Now he’s giving me seriously mixed signals.
My bottom lip trembles, humiliation clogging my throat. “You don’t want me?”
“Fuck no!” He almost knocks a lampshade over as he lurches forward to grab my hips possessively. “Trust me, that isn’t the problem.”
“Am I a bad kisser?” I’ve never had any complaints before. Hell, I’ve even asked for feedback from heat buddies.
“Not at all!” Hale gasps in horror. “You’re an incredible kisser.” He looks away. “I’m just worried that it will mean something different for me.” His fingers dig into my skin as his voice trails off. “Forget I said anything. This whole thing has just taken me by surprise. That’s all.”
My hands slide down to rest on his belt buckle. “Do you still want to help me?”
“Of course.” My clit twitches, watching his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows hard. “I’ll give you everything you need.”
I try to undo his belt, huffing in frustration. Come on already! Can’t I catch a break? Why do they always have to be so tricky?
Hale puts his enormous hands over mine. “Let me.” He slides the leather out of its metal captor at a painfully slow speed.
“Alpha,” I whine. “I need to be knotted.”
I’m practically vibrating in anticipation as he begins undressing me. Starting with my blazer then shedding one item of my clothing at a time, he takes his time, like he’s cherishing every second. But I’m so desperate to be touched that I’mpractically panting, so I claw at the soft fibers of his shirt to hurry him along before tearing it over his head.
Hale’s torso looks like it’s been carved from stone. He’s in great shape but doesn’t have the whole “I spend hours in a gym” vibe. It’s easy to see why Lindsay cornered him at the photoshoot. He belongs on the cover of a magazine, especially when his tongue wets his lips.
I unclip my bra then let it fall to my feet, enjoying the way his breath hitches.
“You’re stunning,” he murmurs.
I’ve never been self-conscious about my body, but as I stand here, I realize that no one has ever looked at me the way Hale is now. His eyes flicking over my body feels like the sun is shining on me.
He pushes me back onto the bed, wearing only my panties.
“We’ll take it slow, okay?” He climbs on top of me. “But I won’t tease you. Tell me exactly what you want and what feels good. This is all about you.”
I groan as his huge hand cups and gently squeezes my breast before he slides it down my body. His mouth takes my peaked nipple into his mouth, sending a shiver of longing down to my core. I buck my hips impatiently, demanding more.
“I’ve got you.” He tweaks my nipple before continuing his journey down my body. He pauses between my thighs before sliding my panties off, baring everything to him. I inhale sharply as he forces my knees farther apart to spread me wide open. “Look at all your slick, omega.” I mewl as his teasing finger slips between my folds, swirling in the wet pool at my entrance. “Do you want me to eat your pretty pussy?”
