Chapter 323: _Pretend The World Wasn’t On Fire
(Warning: Mature Content Ahead)
The moment her lips left mine, the world came rushing back—distant murmurings from pack members out there, the sting in my ribs, the faint scent of smoke still clinging to my skin.
But none of that mattered.
Not when Odessa’s forehead rested against mine, her warm breath ghosting over my lips like a promise I couldn’t let go.
Her violet eyes searched mine as if she were still deciding whether she was allowed to need me this much after everything. The way her fingers tightened on my jaw told me the answer before she even whispered it.
"I don’t want to be anywhere else but here. With you." She whispered, a smile curling up her lips.
I swallowed hard.
My chest hurt for more than one reason, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my soul. My hands cupped her face, brushing away the strands of hair that had fallen across her cheeks. "We don’t have to—"
"Yes," she cut me off gently, her voice trembling but sure. "I want to. I need to."
Her gaze didn’t waver. There was no hesitation, either. Just raw need... desperation, even. Like touching me was the only way she could convince herself we were still alive, still together.
I couldn’t deny her that. Hell, I couldn’t deny myself.
When her lips pressed back to mine, it was deeper, hungrier. I shifted my position on the bed despite the pull in my ribs, ignoring Damon’s low, sarcastic murmur in my head:
’Great idea, Romeo. Nothing heals like tearing stitches you don’t even have yet.’
I shoved him aside mentally.
My world was Odessa right now. Her mouth was warm and insistent, and when her hands slid down my bare chest, careful around the worst of my wounds, I felt every nerve ending in my body come alive.
Her touch was soft, reverent almost, but there was an urgency beneath it.
I guided her back onto the bed, my body leaning over hers. The mattress dipped under my weight, and she let out a soft sigh against my lips. Her fingers skimmed down my sides, and the warmth they left in their wake made my skin feel like it was catching fire.
I pulled back just enough to see her face, my thumb brushing her bottom lip. "Are you sure?"
Her nod was small, but her eyes... they were fierce. "I want to feel something good tonight."
That broke me in the best and worst way.
My lips found hers again, slower this time, savouring every second. My injured arm protested when I propped myself over her, but I gritted my teeth and bore it. Her hands slid to my shoulders, pulling me down so our chests pressed together, the thin fabric of her dress brushing against my bare skin.
I traced my fingers along her hip, then down her thigh, relishing the shiver that ran through her. She shifted under me, her knee brushing between my legs, and I exhaled sharply against her mouth.
Her breathing quickened as I slid my hand beneath the hem of her dress, my fingertips grazing her soft skin.
"Kaelos," she whispered, my name sounding like both a prayer and a plea.
"You have no idea what you do to me," I murmured, my voice low and rough. My fingers found the waistband of her undergarments and tugged gently.
She lifted her hips just enough for me to pull them down, and the sight of her like this, spread out under me, trusting me, burned itself into my memory.
My lips left hers to trail along her jaw, then down the curve of her neck. I kissed her throat, feeling her pulse race against my mouth. Her hands threaded into my hair, holding me there for a moment before guiding me lower.
When my hand slid between her thighs, she gasped, her hips twitching.
I moved slowly, teasing her until her breath came in sharp, shallow bursts. The soft, wet heat of her against my fingers made my own control fray, but I needed her to fall apart before I even thought of taking her.
She arched into me when I circled my thumb against her, her lips parting in a soft moan.
My wolf hummed in approval in the back of my mind. ’There’s my mate. You better make her forget every damn thing else tonight.’
I pressed a kiss just above her heart, still working her with slow strokes until her legs trembled around me.
"Kaelos... please..." Her voice was broken, breathless.
I wanted to hear that sound again and again.
With a final swirl of my thumb, she cried out, her back arching as pleasure took her.
I watched her face as she came, her eyes squeezed shut, lips parted, a single tear slipping down her temple.
I kissed the tear away.
While she was still shuddering, I shifted back, tugging my pants down just enough. My body ached for her, but I forced myself to go slow, bracing myself on my good arm as I positioned my throbbing dick at her entrance.
Her eyes fluttered open, locking with mine.
I waited and she gave the smallest nod of approval.
I pushed into her slowly, every inch of heat and tightness making me groan deep in my chest. Her gasp was sharp, but her nails dug into my shoulders like she didn’t want me to stop.
Once I was fully seated inside her, I stilled, breathing hard.
"You feel..." I couldn’t even finish the sentence, my voice breaking into a low growl.
Her lips curved faintly, even through the haze in her eyes. "Move."
I didn’t need to be told twice.
Every slow thrust was both heaven and hell—heaven because of how perfectly we fit together, hell because I knew I wouldn’t last long at this pace.
I kept my forehead pressed to hers, gritting my teeth as I fought to keep it slow. Every time her hips met mine, a soft moan escaped her, and I was drowning in the sound.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me deeper. My control cracked, and I found a rhythm that made her nails rake down my back. Her head tilted back, lips parting in another gasp.
"You’re mine, Odessa," I growled against her mouth.
"Always," she whispered back, her voice trembling with more than just pleasure.
The air between us grew hotter, heavier.
My injured ribs ached, but I didn’t care. Not when her body clenched around mine, drawing me deeper into her.
She was close again... I could feel it in the way her breath caught and in the way her fingers clung to me.
"Come with me," I murmured against her ear.
Her moan was the only warning before her body tensed, her walls gripping me in a way that pulled me over the edge with her. My climax tore through me hard enough to make my vision blur, my groan muffled against her shoulder as I emptied into her.
We stayed tangled together, both of us shaking, our breathing ragged. I felt her lips press against my neck, soft and lingering, and something inside me stilled.
Maybe, just for tonight, we could pretend the world wasn’t on fire.
When I finally slipped out of her, I lay beside her, pulling her into my arms. Her head rested on my chest, her hair falling over my skin. My fingers traced idle patterns along her back, grounding myself in the feel of her here.
Neither of us spoke. We didn’t need to. Her breathing slowed, matching mine, and before long, the weight of exhaustion pulled us under.
We fell asleep holding each other like the world might end if we let go... but that didn’t last long.
"Alpha King?" There was a sudden knock on the door, the voice sounding hurried. "There is a situation at the Beta’s residence."