Chapter 11 #2
I looked up to find Kael watching me, his expression unreadable.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"You," I said honestly.
His eyebrows rose. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." I set down my fork and met his gaze. "I need to think. Can you—"
"I'll go chop more firewood," he said, standing immediately. "Take all the time you need."
He grabbed his shirt from the back of the chair but didn't put it on, just slung it over his shoulder and headed for the door. He paused on the threshold, glancing back at me.
"For what it's worth," he said quietly, "I meant what I said last night. All of it. You're extraordinary, Sarah. And whatever you decide, that doesn't change."
Then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.
I sat at the table for a long time, nursing my coffee and turning the idea over in my mind.
This is just sex. Temporary. No strings attached.
It made sense. It was logical. It was exactly the kind of arrangement that would work for both of us.
So why did it feel like I was lying to myself?
I pushed the thought away and stood, moving to the window. I saw Kael in the clearing, axe in hand, splitting logs with the same easy strength he did everything. His muscles flexed with each swing, sweat gleaming on his skin despite the cool mountain air.
He was beautiful. Powerful. And he wanted me.
The decision crystallized in my mind, sharp and clear.
I wanted this. I wanted him. And I was going to take it.
I just needed to make sure we both understood the rules.
I found him in the clearing, surrounded by neatly stacked firewood. He'd worked up a sweat, his chest rising and falling with exertion, and when he saw me approaching, he set down the axe and wiped his hands on his jeans.
"Hey," he said, his voice careful. "You okay?"
"I'm fine." I stopped a few feet away, my hands clasped in front of me. "I've been thinking."
"About?" He tilted his head, watching me with those amber eyes that saw too much.
"About your offer."
His expression didn't change, but I saw the way his shoulders tensed, the way his hands curled into loose fists at his sides.
"And?" he asked quietly.
I took a breath. "Okay. But I have rules."
A slow smile spread across his face. "Of course you do."
"I'm serious, Kael."
"I know." He stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine. "Tell me."
"Rule one," I said, lifting my chin. "What happens on this mountain stays on this mountain. You don't tell anyone—not Argon, not Ruka, not anyone. This is between us."
"Agreed." He took another step closer. "Though I should warn you—Argon's going to know the second he sees me."
"What? How—"
"Orc senses, remember?" His grin turned teasing. "He'll smell you on me. And me on you."
My face went hot. "That's—we'll deal with that later. Rule two." I swallowed hard. "This is just sex. No catching feelings. No pretending this is more than what it is. We both know this ends when we leave here."
Something flickered in his eyes—something that looked almost like pain—but he nodded. "Agreed."
"You agreed to that awfully fast," I said, narrowing my eyes.
"Did you want me to argue?" He stepped closer still, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. "To tell you that it's already too late for that rule?"
My breath caught. "Kael—"
"I'm agreeing to your rules, Sarah. All of them." His voice dropped lower. "Even the ones we both know are bullshit."
"They're not—"
"Rule three," he interrupted gently. "What is it?"
I forced myself to focus. "When we get back to our normal lives, it's over. Completely. We go back to being lawyer and client, and we don't talk about this again."
He was quiet for a long moment, his gaze searching mine.
"You sure about this?" he asked finally.
"Yes."
"Because once we cross this line, Sarah, there's no going back. You understand that?"
"I understand." I stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his skin. "Do you agree to my rules?"
He reached out slowly, giving me time to pull away, and cupped my face in his hands. His touch was gentle, reverent, and when he spoke, his voice was rough with emotion.
"I agree to your rules," he said. "All of them."
Even though we both knew rule two was already broken.
Even though we both knew this was going to hurt when it ended.
Even though we both knew we were lying to ourselves.
"Good," I whispered.
His thumb brushed across my cheek. "Any other rules I should know about?"
"Just one more," I said, my voice barely audible. "Don't make me regret this."
"Never." He leaned down, his forehead resting against mine. "I promise you, Sarah. Whatever else happens, you won't regret this."
And then I took his hand and led him inside.
The bedroom was dim, the curtains drawn against the morning light. I closed the door behind us and turned to face him, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he heard it. My pussy was already throbbing, wet and aching from anticipation.
Kael stood in the center of the room, watching me with an intensity that made my skin flush hot.
His cock was already straining against his jeans, the thick outline unmistakable, and I couldn't stop staring.
He didn't move, didn't speak—just waited, letting me set the pace while his chest rose and fell with barely controlled breathing.
I appreciated that more than I could say.
"I've never—" I started, then stopped, frustrated with myself. "I mean, I've done some things, but not—"
"I know," he said gently, though his voice was strained with need. "And we'll go slow. As slow as you need."
I nodded, my throat tight, my thighs clenching together against the ache building between them.
He moved toward me then, slow and deliberate, and stopped when he was close enough to touch. His hands found my waist, warm and steady, and he leaned down until his forehead rested against mine. I could smell his arousal—musky and primal and intoxicating.
"Tell me what you want," he murmured.
"I want you," I whispered. "All of you. I want your cock inside me."
His breath hitched, and I felt the tremor that ran through him. His fingers tightened on my waist. "Sarah—"
"I know what I'm asking for." I reached up, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of stubble. "I know you're bigger than—than human men. I know it might be difficult. But I trust you. I want you to fuck me."
The words seemed to undo something in him. He made a sound low in his throat—half groan, half growl—and kissed me.
It was different from the kiss in the alcove.
Slower. Deeper. Less desperate and more...
reverent. Like he was savoring every second, memorizing the taste of me.
His tongue swept against mine, and I tasted coffee and something uniquely him—earthy and warm and intoxicating.
His tusks pressed gently against my skin, a reminder of exactly what he was, and it made me wetter.
I melted into him, my hands sliding up his chest to tangle in his hair. He was so warm, so solid, and when his hands moved to the hem of my sweater, I didn't hesitate.
"Yes," I breathed against his mouth. "Take it off. I want to feel your hands on me."
He pulled back just enough to lift my sweater over my head, his gaze raking over me with an intensity that made me shiver. His pupils were dilated, his breathing rough, and I saw the effort it took for him to maintain control. His cock was visibly throbbing now, and I wanted it.
"Beautiful," he murmured, his voice rough. "So damn beautiful. I've been hard for you since the moment I saw you."
Then my bra was gone, and his hands were on my skin—calloused palms sliding over my ribs, my waist, cupping my breasts with a gentleness that made my breath catch. His thumbs brushed over my nipples, and I gasped at the sensation, my pussy clenching with need.
"Sensitive," he noted, his voice dropping lower. "Good to know. I'm going to suck these until you're begging me to fuck you."
I wanted to argue, to deflect, but the look in his eyes stopped me. He meant it. He really, truly meant it.
So I let myself believe him.
His mouth found mine again as his hands explored—gentle, careful, always giving me time to adjust. When he guided me backward toward the bed, I went willingly, my body humming with anticipation, my panties already soaked through.
He laid me down on the blankets with a tenderness that made my chest ache, then straightened to remove his jeans. I watched, my breath catching, as he revealed himself fully.
He was... impressive. Intimidating, even.
His cock was thick and hard and unmistakably aroused—bigger than any human man I'd seen, the head already glistening with precum.
I felt a flicker of nervousness mixed with something darker, hotter.
I wanted that inside me. Wanted to feel him stretch me open.
"Hey." He knelt on the bed beside me, his hand cupping my cheek. "We don't have to do this. Not if you're not ready."
"I'm ready," I said, and I meant it. "I'm just—I want you so badly it scares me."
"Nervous," he finished. "I know. And that's okay." He leaned down, pressing a kiss to my forehead, then my nose, then my lips. "We'll take this slow. And if you want to stop at any point, you tell me. Okay?"
"Okay."
He smiled, and then his hands were on my jeans, unbuttoning them slowly. I lifted my hips to help him slide them off, along with my underwear, and then I was completely bare beneath him. My pussy was exposed, glistening and swollen, and I saw his nostrils flare as he caught my scent.
His gaze traveled over me, slow and appreciative, lingering on my breasts, my stomach, the wet heat between my thighs. I felt my skin flush under the attention. The way he looked at me—like I was something precious and utterly fuckable—made me feel powerful and vulnerable all at once.
"Perfect," he murmured. "You're absolutely perfect. And so fucking wet for me."