My Summer Girl

Chapter Forty-Four

Vera

Sunny Day – Anees

Goddess. Has anyoneever been this sweet to me? She practically vibrates against my skin in anticipation, and the glee she exudes makes me weak in the knees.

She’s beautiful with her perfectly peachy skin, curly hair that bounces with her, and thickness of her hips that gives my own a run for my money.

“Please, mi reina. I’ve been dreaming of your taste.”

Fuck me to Hades and back.

“Very well,” I breathe out, attempting to seem aloof. In reality, I’m fidgeting, barely containing my nervousness.

There’s a shift in her, like she just needed my approval. My vines entangle her, wanting her as much as me. While they felt as sentient parts of me, they were essentially still me. My wants and desires, they mirror those.

Around us, people mill around and I’m waiting in both anticipation and anxiety as she watches me.

“Look at me,” she gently commands, her tone brooking no argument. “Right here.” She brings her fingers to my chin, tapping them to look directly at her. “It’s just us. Forget they’re here.”

This time, when our gazes connect, I’m lost to her. My summer girl. Emphasis on mine.

Her lips press against mine. I expect her to brush her tongue against me, force my lips open with fervor, but she doesn’t. She lets them sit there, almost like she wants me to decide what this moment will be.

Not many give me choices. It’s always duty and not much more.

Gripping her jaw, her mouth parts and I take advantage. I taste her, slipping my tongue inside her mouth and melt into the creamiest peaches and wildflower mixture. If not for her, it doesn’t seem like it would work. For her, it does.

She moans into my mouth and her hands clutch the thickest part of my hips to hold me in place. I’m simpering in return.

There’s confidence in her grip, like she knows what she wants and lets me know with her tightened shifting as if she’s desperate for me to be closer.

Beside us, a throat clears. It’s rough, loud, and snaps us both out of our stupor. I take a step away, not wanting to lose my wits, even though they’ve been gone since I met her.

“Ma’am,” Sinclair, a local event planner, utters meekly. He’s one of the best at his job, but the disgruntled part of me knows my Dulce isn’t exactly happy.

“Yes, Sinclair?” The two words come out like a hiss. Wishful thinking to believe I could be kind, even with someone I know.

“Hi, I’m Dulce!” My perky little princess announces from beside me, offering her hand. But when he goes to grip it, I growl.

“No touching.” It comes out as a rumble. The thought of someone other than me, Raev, and Vex touching her is not sitting well with me. Dulce pulls her hand back, and her face shifts with shame. Her eyes meet mine with sorry mouthed in my direction. She has nothing to apologize for, but I can understand why it seems I’m angry with her.

Offering her my hand, I entwine our fingers, rubbing my thumb across the back of her palm. She sighs, and it’s contented, as if this reassurance is enough for her.

“Nice to meet you, Dulce,” Sinclair replies, not seeing the way my eyes penetrate his entire soul, wanting to flay him open.

Not once in my life has this happened. Logically, I know it’s not normal to want to destroy a being simply for being courteous, but she’s mine. She’s not everyone else’s to enjoy.

There’s an intense sensation in my body, and it hums, getting brighter and hotter with every moment passing between us. It doesn’t make sense to me whatsoever.

“Likewise. Who are you?” Dulce politely replies.

“Sinclair Isla.” He does this half curtsy, and if I wasn’t currently plotting his demise for wanting to touch my Dulce, I’d find it amusing and a little charming. As it is now, I’d rather he walk far away and stop smiling at my mate.

Mate? What the fuck is happening?

It’s like there are these inner impulses deeply seated inside, taking root and pressing outwards. I’ve never felt this way. Hades, even her scent is shifting for me.

My mouth practically waters at the smell. It’s divine, sweet, and the best thing I’ve ever inhaled. Sinclair and Dulce are going back and forth, chatting, but I can’t hear anything.

All that consumes me is instinct. Take her. Hide her. Claim her.

The voice in my head is mine, yet it’s not. It’s demanding and dark. Dangerous. Not calm or in control.

“Dulce,” I grunt, and it’s so monstrous sounding, like I’m a beast unraveling and not the queen of a realm.

“Ver?” she questions, shortening my name in a way I want her to repeat forever.

“Need. To. Leave.”

My body pulses with an unfounded sharpness, like needles beneath my skin. Something is wrong with me.

She nods and heavily avoids Sinclair’s frame, grabbing my hand and dragging me with her. Almost understanding me more than my own brain can comprehend, she weaves us through patrons, not touching any of them.

Such a good and thoughtful princess. I’ll reward you.

She doesn’t speak a single word to anyone, not even me, and my chest rises with pride. So good for me. I’m lost to the fog, unsure of why this is happening. My nan never told me of hidden traits of Solerans. Is this normal or am I somehow going feral... Is that a thing?

Her eyes peer back and meet mine several times, just little glances. In our bond, I can feel Vex and Raev, and they offer comfort. The castle walls pass me by as we trail each hallway until we make it to my room.

“Leave,” I hiss at Alessand, seeing him stand guard. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. His nose moves as if he scents my mate and I roar at him. “Away!”

Dulce shoos him and then grips my face. “Your eyes are massive, Ver.”

“Touch,” I whine, her skin soothing me.

“Touch what?” she attempts to soothe. When I don’t—no, can’t respond—she reaches for my face. “What is happening?” Her concern etches across her pinched brows and through the bond we share.

“Mate.”

“Yes, mate,” she confirms, nodding. Her soft eyes are unbearably worried. “My mate.”

“Bed.”

“Bed?” Realization dawns on her and has her pausing at the door. “I don’t think—”

I lift her body and her legs automatically wrap around my hips as if they’re consciously choosing me. “Need my Dulce.”

My brain is working too hard and I don’t understand it. This isn’t me. This has never happened.

“Okay, mi corazoncito,” she confirms, not fighting me. “Whatever you need. I’m yours.”