Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Robin
I’m actually in the forest! My heart is racing as I take a step forward and look around.
It’s like a little piece of heaven, right behind the academy’s cafeteria.
All the plants and trees … a bird is singing somewhere close by, and there are bluebells growing in clusters right next to where I’m standing. It’s … wonderful.
I turn as Falcon comes running down the incline.
He slides a little in the mud, but he stops before he crashes into me.
“That was slightly steeper than I expected,” he admits, glancing back at the path we’ll have to climb back up when we’re done with our walk.
It’s mildly intimidating now that I’m looking up at the gap in the fence from down here, I guess.
“It’s not so bad. The drop looks much steeper from the gardens.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “You’ve thought about climbing that fence?”
“No!” I protest, though I can feel my face burning at the lie. “I mean, not really, but the gardens aren’t as nice as this. I’ve been wondering what it would be like to be out here for a while now.”
That makes him smile. “Well, now that we’re out here, what do you feel like doing?”
“You mentioned going for a walk. That might be nice.”
He nods slowly, before offering his hand.
It occurs to me that he’s virtually a stranger, and that we’re all alone out here, where Lana and her security guards won’t know how to find us if they discover we’re not where we said we’d be.
That should be enough to make me think twice about walking off into the woods with him.
But we’ve come this far, and I don’t want to turn back now, so I place my hand in his and let him lead the way through the trees.
It’s beautiful out here.
Peaceful, too, because I’m with someone who makes me feel safe.
I’m not sure I’m ready to believe we’re fated, and to fully accept everything that comes with that, but I’m more than happy to spend time with him.
The trees are so pretty, illuminated by streaks of golden sunlight from above.
I count four different types of wild-flowers as we take the path of least resistance through the thickening foliage. Then, we get to a small clearing, where the trees have grown in a circle, too close together to allow us to find a way forward.
“Looks like a dead end,” Falcon says, as he glances around the enclosed space.
The long grass is ankle deep and the sunlight is only hitting one tree, making it look like something from a magical land.
I let go of Falcon’s hand to go toward it, intent on touching the bark.
It’s just a tree, but it feels special in that moment.
“It’s glowing,” I murmur, glancing at Falcon, wondering if he sees it the same way I do.
He’s smiling. “It was. Now, you are.”
“I am?” I ask, realizing my face and hands feel warm.
I’m no longer thinking about the trees or how enclosed we are when he takes a step toward me.
All I can think about is how much I like being this close to him.
When he leans in and kisses me, it feels like I’m dreaming.
This is way too incredible to be real.
The pinch of pain when I run my tongue into his mouth is enough to shatter the illusion and wake me back up, even if my whole body is heating up, and I’m starting to feel an intense throbbing inside my underwear.
He backs up and looks at me in concern. “My teeth … Are you okay?”
“I’m all good,” I murmur. “I think my tongue might have bled a little.”
I can taste it, the metallic tang of blood. It’s not strong, but I did cut my tongue on his teeth.
“I’m so sorry. I can’t seem to get these damn teeth under control.”
“It’s okay,” I assure him, only frowning when I realize it may not be okay. “That doesn’t count, right? As a mating mark?”
The panic that fills me is short lived, completely diffused by his confident expression.
“No. A mating mark has to be made with intent. That was accidental.”
I let out a breath, and he gives me a wry smile.
“You’re not ready for that. I can tell.”
I’m not sure what to say, so I say nothing.
He kisses me again softly, then gazes into my eyes.
“We can head back now, or I could … take care of something you need first.”
He leans in and kisses my throat, softly, and the throbbing in my panties gets more intense.
It would be so easy to ask him to mark me and claim me right here and now.
Instead, I ask, “What do I need, Falcon?”
He looks back at me. “A release. Your body is screaming at me for that. I can ignore it, if that’s what you want? Or I could touch you … to help you feel good.”
Oh my God. He wants to touch me.
Why does that sound so good?
“If you’re not ready …” he starts, looking as if he’s about to back off.
“I’m beyond ready,” I blurt, tugging on his neck and pushing onto my toes to kiss him.
I miss his mouth, and it’s barely a brush of my lips against his jawline, but he takes it as the signal I wanted to give and leans in to kiss me again.
He takes it slow and I’m careful with my tongue.
When he moves back, it’s with a sexy little sigh.
“You need to make a decision.”
“A decision?” I ask, not sure what he means.
“I can make you feel good with my hands or my mouth. No teeth will be involved. Either way, it’ll be easier if you take your pants down.”
He pushes my shirt upward and I realize I’m about to be semi-naked in the middle of the woods with this impossible to resist Alpha. I haul my sweater off and let it drop to the grass, giving myself a chance to breathe and decide while I make him wait for my answer.
“Start with your hands. Finish with your mouth.”