Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Chloe
G roaning, I flex my toes and rub my face against the chest beneath my cheek.
So warm. I could stay like this forever, cocooned with Holden, surrounded by his warm vanilla and sweet spice pheromones. I breathe him in, letting his essence soothe my nerves as his heart beats a slow, steady beat against my ear, soothing as a lullaby. Holden’s protective embrace infuses me with a sense of peace and belonging I’ve never known before.
For the first time in weeks, the exhaustion that has clung to me is gone, leaving me rested.
I tilt my head to look up at his handsome face, relaxed in slumber. Golden lashes fan across his freckled cheeks, and his lips part with each soft breath.
Wanting to brush the curls from his forehead, I lift my arm, only for the bulky cast to stop me. I freeze a heartbeat before I bonk him on the nose, ruining this perfect moment.
Holden stirs, golden lashes fluttering open to look at me drowsily, sending a flutter through my chest. “Hey, you.” His focus shifts to my hand, still hovering near his face. “What’re you doing?”
Heat floods my cheeks. “I just…I wanted…” Biting my lip, I lower my arm, resting my hand back on his chest. “I was trying to be all romantic and stroke your cheek. But this stupid cast got in the way.”
Holden’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. “You want to touch me?”
My blush deepens, and I duck my head, burying my face against his chest. “Of course I do. You’re my Alpha.”
A rumbling purr vibrates through Holden’s chest as he rolls us over, settling his body on top of mine. His weight presses me into the mattress, but he keeps himself braced on his elbows, not crushing me.
Still soft with sleep, he stares at me with adoration. “Why don’t you try again?”
Giggles bubble up my throat. “You’re already awake now.”
“I can fix that.” He kisses the tip of my nose, then shuts his eyes. An exaggerated snore escapes him, though the corners of his mouth twitch, fighting to ruin his pretense of sleep.
Laughter overtakes me, my body shaking beneath his. He’s ridiculous. Adorable. Perfect. Warmth spreads through my chest, lodging behind my breastbone. I think I love this man.
I lift my uninjured hand to stroke Holden’s cheek, fingertips grazing the slight stubble peppering his jaw. His skin is sleep-warmed and softer than I imagined.
Reverently, I trace the angles of his cheekbone and the arch of his brow. He stays still, letting me learn the planes and valleys of his face by touch. My fingers slip along his cheekbone and keep going, finding the delicate tips of his ears.
Holden tenses almost imperceptibly, and I pause, remembering his insecurity about their pointed shape.
I caress the shell of his ear, touch feather-light. “Is this okay?”
Heavy lids lift, revealing molten desire. His purring takes on a deeper timbre, almost a growl. “Anything you want is okay. More than okay.”
Emboldened, I continue my explorations, mapping the whorls and creases. His ears are silken, the skin behind them hot to the touch. I could spend hours learning every secret spot that makes his rumbling purr stutter and catch.
Skimming downward again, I follow the strong line of his jaw, savoring the rasp of stubble against my fingertips. I linger at his chin, thumb sweeping over the faint cleft. My gaze drops to his mouth, tracing the sensual curve of his lips.
Without conscious thought, I touch them, my breath catching at their plush give.
Holden’s nostrils flare as he stills. Then, giving me every chance to pull away, his head dips. His mouth covers mine, warm, soft, and perfect, the rest of the world falling away. Only Holden exists, his scent, his touch, the drugging slide of his lips over mine.
He kisses me like he’s starving, like I’m the last cupcake and he hasn’t eaten in weeks. A broken sound escapes me, never wanting this moment to end.
A soft, desperate noise escapes Holden, and he presses closer. His kiss turns deeper, hungrier, and heat unfurls low in my belly. I arch into his solid weight, craving more, and my knee draws up, hooking over his hip to bring him flush against me.
It’s still not enough. I need him closer, skin-to-skin, with no barriers between us. Impatient to feel him against me, I tug at his t-shirt, seeking the heat of his bare back. When it proves too difficult one-handed, I try to loop my arms around his neck instead.
Except I forget about the bulky cast encasing my wrist and forearm. It collides with Holden’s shoulder, sending jarring feedback up my arm. I whimper in frustration, ready to scream.
Stupid cast, always in the way.
“Shh, it’s all right, sugar.” Holden catches my wounded arm and guides it to rest on the pillow above my head. “No need to rush. We have all the time in the world.”
His hand trails down my arm, calluses igniting sparks in their wake. Goose bumps rise as his fingers slip beneath my sleeve to stroke the sensitive skin beneath. My pulse kicks into overdrive, breath coming in quick, shallow pants.
“That’s it, sugar. Keep this arm nice and still for me, okay?” His voice deepens, going all rumbly and laced with a hint of command that sets my Omega instincts alight.
Shivering, I keep my arm where he put it, completely under his spell. I would agree to anything he asked right now, as long as he keeps touching me like this, setting me on fire with the barest brush of skin on skin.
Holden’s hand drifts lower, tracing the curve of my shoulder through my T-shirt. My breaths quicken in anticipation as his fingers skate over my collarbone, heading south. But he pauses when he reaches the upper swell of my breast, hand hovering, not quite touching.
He lifts his head. “Is this okay? Tell me to stop, and I will.”
As if I could ever refuse him. Not when I’m burning up from the inside out, desperate for more.
I bite my lip and nod frantically. “Please, I need you to touch me.”
Permission granted, he traces one finger along the neckline of my T-shirt, circling the curve of my breast without dipping beneath the fabric. It’s not enough, the teasing touch only fueling the ache building between my thighs.
His thumb finds my nipple, already pebbled and straining against the thin cotton. He rubs slow circles around the sensitive peak and pleasure rocks through me. My back arches as I gasp his name.
“You’re so responsive.” He catches the nipple between his thumb and forefinger, giving it a light pinch.
“Oh!” The sensation zings straight to my core, and I squirm against him.
“Mmm, you like that?” He plucks at the tight bud again before soothing it with firm strokes. “I can smell how much you want me. Like laying in a field of flowers.”
He dips his head to nuzzle my neck, inhaling deeply. A growl rumbles in his chest, and the growing evidence of his arousal presses against my hip. A thrill shoots through me at how much I affect him.
Holden lavishes open-mouthed kisses across my throat, teeth scraping lightly. “I want to taste you, sugar.” His hand skims the hem of my T-shirt. “Can I take this off?”
“Yes,” I breathe, desperate for those full lips to be on me.
Mindful of my injured arm, he eases the shirt up my body. Cool air kisses my overheated skin, and goose bumps break out everywhere, my nipples drawing into tighter peaks.
The shirt comes off, and he tosses it aside. But when I start to lower my arms, wanting to touch him in return, Holden captures my wrists and presses them into the pillow above my head again.
“Leave them there for me, love. Let me worship you.” His voice wraps around me like velvet, and I stay still, undone by the command in his tone.
Satisfied, he kisses me, tongue delving past my parted lips to claim my mouth. I open to him, reveling in the hot fullness as he probes deeper, tasting like home.
As we kiss, Holden’s hands trace the lines and curves of my body, his calloused palms rough against my smooth skin, heightening every sensation. Fingertips circle my belly button, then trail over my ribs and sternum.
When he finally cups my aching breasts in his broad hands, I break the kiss with a strangled moan, my back bowing.
He fills his palms with their weight, squeezing gently, and my nipples press into his skin, the slight abrasion a delicious torture. “You’re so beautiful. So perfect.”
The whispered praise sends fire shooting straight to my core.
With one hand, he rubs my stomach in soothing circles, his other hand squeezing my breast before flicking the sensitive nub. My hips buck and a needy whimper escapes.
“That’s it, sugar. Let me hear how much you want me.”
In response, I spread my legs, my panties now soaked through with my desire. “I want you inside me, Alpha.”
His head jerks up. “Are you sure?”
I wiggle my hips. “Please.”
Holden groans, his self-control shattering. “I’ve been dreaming about this since we shared a pan of Rice Krispie Treats.”
He leans backward, fingers hooking into the waistband of my sweats, and he drags them down. I pull my legs free and shift to place my sock-covered feet on either side of his hips, leaving myself open to his hungry stare.
His hands stroke my thighs as his focus drops to my center. “Such a pretty pink. I want to cover you with strawberry syrup and lick it from your body.”
My focus drops to the tent in the front of his pants. “Only if I get to lick whipped cream off you.”
“Something to save for next time.” He reaches for the hem of his shirt but hesitates.
“Holden, please.” My hips rock with need.
With a deep breath, he tugs his shirt off, exposing strong shoulders, a light dusting of golden curls on his chest, and a soft stomach.
“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into you,” I moan, wanting to do it this instant but mindful of his request that I stay still.
Relief washes away his hesitance, and he shucks off his pants before kneeling once more between my thighs. My focus drops to his straining cock, and I lick my lips. I didn’t give him nearly enough credit in the smutty elf fanfic I wrote about him.
He moves back over me, bracing his weight on his elbows. “If it’s too hard on you, tell me. You just came from the hospital, and I don’t want to push you too fast.”
Head lifting, I nip at his lips. “Fill me, Alpha. Give me your knot.”
With a shaky breath, he reaches between us to position himself at my entrance, his eyes locking with mine.
He thrusts into me slowly but without stopping, my slick channel easing the way for his thick shaft to fill me completely. Gasping, I grasp at the pillow beneath my head.
Just as slowly, Holden withdraws, only to sink in again, setting a languid pace, as if he plans to savor the moment.
“You feel so good.” He nuzzles behind my ear, teeth scraping over my scent gland. “Better than all of my fantasies.”
“More,” I pant, my inner walls tightening around him. “Holden, please, more.”
The head of his cock hits the sweet spot deep inside, and my toes curl.
“So perfect,” he whispers, his voice laced with awe and need. “I’ve ached for this moment.”
My heart swells at his confession. “Me, too.”
With a groan, Holden leans down, mouth hot against my swollen breast. I arch into him, desperate for more contact as he latches onto my aching nipple, sucking hard. Heat coils in my belly, radiating outward to pool between my legs.
Arching my back, I offer him my other breast, silently begging for more. He rewards me with a chuckle and another searing kiss. He works me into a frenzy, alternating between the two aching buds until I’m squirming and whimpering beneath him.
“Holden,” I whimper, hips rising to meet his thrusts. “I’m so close.”
He catches my nipple between his fingers, plucking at it, and I moan as pleasure courses through me, leaving me trembling in its wake.
My moans grow louder, my fingers twisting at the pillowcase as Holden sinks deep and rocks his pelvis against my clit.
“Holden…” My climax builds. “I’m…”
His hands slide up my arms, his fingers linking with mine on my uninjured side while on the other, he clasps my bicep. “Come for me.”
His hips circle, and stars burst behind my eyelids as pleasure crashes through me. As my inner walls pulse around him, he groans, and pressure builds, his knot expanding, stretching me with painful bliss as he locks into my body.
I come again at the pleasure of being knotted as hot cum floods my channel.
Deep inside, the bond reaches for Holden, and his bond reaches for me, wanting to connect. Gasping, he catches my lips in another kiss, caressing my trembling limbs, our bodies locked together.
He pulls back with worry. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you?”
“Better than okay. I’m wonderful. I can’t wait to do this again.” Tears of happiness shimmer in my vision. “I thought I had missed my chance with you. Please, never let me leave again.”
“I won’t.” Holden kisses. “Stay here forever.”
Holden’s hands roam over my body, soothing and caressing me as our tongues twine.
When his knot unlocks from my body, he eases off me, mindful of my injured arm.
“I’ll be right back. Don’t move a muscle.” He plants a tender kiss on my forehead before sliding out of bed, pulling on his pants but not buttoning them before he strides into the en suite bathroom.
Happiness crashes through me, and I stifle a soft cry against the pillow, not wanting to worry Holden. I’m back where I belong, and I have no plans of leaving.
Rolling onto my side, my heart lurches.
A dark figure stands outside the French doors that lead to the garden.
Opening my mouth, I scream.