“Touch me. Control me,” Bell hissed. “I am fated to an alpha… show me what that means.”
He didn’t need any more permission than that. Alek growled, wrapping one arm securely around Bell’s narrow waist, while the other he tangled in the long mane. It felt as luxurious as it looked. Alek buried his nose behind Bell’s ear, rubbing his lips along the fine hairs there. He caught the scent of tea tree and lavender mint. Alek pulled Bell so tight against him, not even the wind could fit between them.
Bell grunted at Alek’s strength, falling pliant in his arms. So Perfect.
“I owe you an apology,” Alek whispered against the shell of Bell’s ear. His mate was quiet. “I should’ve never done that to you. You deserved more, better than what I gave you. I’m better than that, I promise you. I can make it better. I… god help me… I saw you, and I lost my mind… and that was all before I even smelled you. I knew you were mine at first glance. The moment you stepped out of that expensive car, I knew.”
With the tight grip Alek had on his hair, Bell was only able to lean back just enough to look in Alek’s eyes. “I’m not mad about the claiming. It’s why I let it happen. You may be an alpha but I’m no one to push around, either. If I didn’t want it, it wouldn’t’ve happened. I’m only disappointed because you denied me my chance to claim you before you walked away. I thought maybe—”
“What?” Alek massaged Bell’s scalp, feeling his trepidation.
“I thought maybe you were expecting me to be able to do what Wick can. I felt your discontent after you claimed me. I can’t shift into anything, Aleksei. No other vampire can, I’m sure of it,” Bell confessed.
Alek shook his head. He couldn’t believe how much damage he’d actually done. Now he had his mate doubting his feelings. “I walked away because Justice – my alpha – demanded it. He didn’t want your army to attack us, so he had to get me off you.”
“They’ll only attack when ordered,” Bell said confidently. “So you don’t want a shifter as a mate?”
“My wolf could never handle that kind of competition. I’m relieved you can’t shift into some other alpha animal. Justice’s wolf has always been different. I don’t know how he does what he does,” Alek whispered. “I’m not my brother and you’re not Wick… nor do I want us to be.”
“Give me my chance.” Bell’s mouth was against his. His words felt like delicate puffs of breath, they were so close. “Let me see if my kiss affects you as greatly.”
Alek’s answer was to lean in and let Bell have his taste.
“I’ve never kissed like this before,” Bell whispered. “I’ve never touched anyone’s mouth like this.”
Alek flicked his tongue out and brushed it along Bell’s cool bottom lip. He was greedy and couldn’t resist sucking it into his mouth, moaning long and low. His mate’s sexy mouth was made for kissing. Thick lips that were soft, willing, and meant to do obscene things.
“I’ll be your first.” Alek showed Bell the magical intimacy of kissing. The care and tenderness of exploring your mate’s flavor. Alek made sure to take his time. He infused all the desire and craving that he could into it. It’d been a while for him as well, but he knew how to make this good.
His mate’s taste was exclusive to him. He’d never encountered any being that smelled or tasted like Bell. He was a mixture of nationalities that Alek couldn’t place with one kiss and a partial claim. Justice was the master at that trick, not him.
“I like this. Your strong arms around me, while you give me your delicate kiss with your warm tongue.” Bell began to rock his hips against him, and Alek felt his mate’s stiff sex pressing desperately against his own. He knew he had to get horizontal soon or else they’d both be on the hardwood floor. He wouldn’t dare think of it.
They stared at each other for a long time. He felt Bell’s fingers dancing inside his own, then he lifted his open palm up to his mouth. Alek didn’t know what his mate was doing but he let him have his way. Alek’s mouth dropped open when he felt heated breath against the sensitive skin over his wrist. His hand tingled and pulsed in Bell’s grip. It felt like all his blood was rushing to the one place he held, gravitating wherever Bell told it to. Yes. Alek leaned back against the wall, pulling Bell with him.
Bell manipulated Alek’s hand. Using his calloused palm to rub along his velvety cheek, before bringing it back to his soft lips and kissing the pads of his fingertips. Alek’s breathing kicked into second gear and his cock threatened to stab clear through Bell’s stomach the moment he saw the vampire’s fangs. He was about to tilt his head for the bite but Bell had another idea.