Chapter 22
CHAPTER 22
S adie finally pulled the pillow from her head and stared at the ceiling. Lily had come about an hour ago and was sound asleep. For so long, Sadie had fought belonging to this world, but Kile’s confession of loving her kept playing repeatedly in her mind. She wanted to belong so bad it hurt. Did he say that because he was out of his head in pain, or did he really mean it?
Feeling claustrophobic in her thoughts, she stood up and hurried out of the tent. She knew there was only one way to find out the answer to her doubts. Her eyes went directly toward the tent she knew Kile was in. Movement to her right made her jump, but she saw Alex’s wolf standing guard near their tent. With Colton disappearing, keeping Lily safe was the number one priority.
Glancing toward the enclosure, she saw Nadia staring at her. Walking over, she watched the wolf come her way and then sat.
“What should I do?” Sadie whispered, leaning her forehead against the enclosure. “Should I go to him? I should, shouldn’t I? He told me he loved me.”
She searched the wolf’s eyes, looking for answers.
“I didn’t say it back.” She continued the one-sided conversation. “And as crazy as it sounds, I love him too. Have you ever been in love? I bet you have. You are very beautiful. What wolf wouldn’t love you.”
Sadie smiled sadly, then chuckled as a tear slipped down her cheek at the conversation she was having. Her eyes shifted toward the direction of the tent. Everything inside her told her to go to him. She looked back at Nadia. “What would you do?”
Nadia stood, threw her head back, letting out a soulful howl, and then stopped and looked in the direction of Kile’s tent. Slowly, she stood staring wide-eyed at the wolf. “Holy shit, you understood me?” She gasped and then smiled nervously. “You’re right. That is where I belong.”
Before she could lose the courage, Nadia helped her find. She hurried toward the tent and then stopped at the flap. There was nowhere to knock, so she slowly opened it and walked inside.
Kile lay still in wolf form, his eyes opened, watching her intently. Sadie noticed that the blood had been cleaned from his fur. Walking closer, she knelt in front of him. He didn’t move, just watched her. Reaching out her hand, she touched him and smiled.
“Your fur is as soft as I thought it would be.” She continued to run her hand through its thickness. His wolf made a deep growl sound, but Sadie felt no fear. She did, however, pull her hand back. “I’m sorry if you don’t like that. I just wanted to see how soft it was. And I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
His massive head moved, nudging her hand, making her smile. “Okay, maybe you do like that.” She said once again, rubbing his thick black coat. She yawned, then shook her head. “I hope I’m not bothering you. Cole said to give you time, but I didn’t want to be alone, I didn’t want you to be alone, and Lily snores.” She chuckled with a shrug.
The wolf snorted, then raised its head and nipped at the sweater she put on, pulling her closer. “Oh!” Sadie said, surprised. She scooted closer, enjoying his heat, then lay down on her side when he used his nose to push her gently. She lay with her head on her arm as her other hand lay against his warm fur. “Nadia told me to come. I really think she understood me. I wasn’t sure I should, but I didn’t want to be alone. I said that already, didn’t I? I’m not used to having one-sided conversations with a wolf. But you’re not just a wolf, are you? You’re Kile.”
Sadie yawned again, her eyes closing for longer periods of time. Each time they opened, she looked into the eyes of the wolf—her wolf. The thought made her smile. “Thank you for coming for me, Kile.” She whispered, as her eyes stayed shut. “I love you, too.”
Kile had shifted half an hour ago and changed into a pair of sweats. He now lay with Sadie curled into his arms, her head on his chest. He smiled at the soft snores she was making. Listening to her talk to his wolf had pierced his heart in a good way. He had always been jealous, not that they would ever know, of his brothers finding their mates. Secretly, he craved a companionship like they had.
When Sadie said she loved him, he felt his life was complete. She stirred in his arms. Her eyes fluttered open and closed again as she pressed closer to him. “It’s you,” she whispered, her breath warm against his chin. “How do you feel?” Her voice was raspy with sleep and sexy as hell. He felt his cock harden and frowned. Dammit, control around her was not easy. All she had to do was speak, and his dick got hard.
“Much better since you walked into my tent.” He said, kissing her on the lips softly. “I’ve waited a long time for you,” Kile whispered, his voice rough with emotion.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she smiled up at him. “I’m yours, Kile.”
Their lips met in a kiss filled with promise. Sadie melted into him, her hands finding their way to his chest. The kiss deepened, growing more urgent as the fire between them blazed hotter. Kile’s hands slid down her body, his fingers tracing every curve as if he were committing her to memory. His touch ignited something within her, a need so intense that it nearly took her breath away. She arched against him, desperate to feel more, to be closer.
“Tell me to stop,” Kile whispered. He didn’t want to push her too far and yet, he couldn’t stop himself.
“I don’t want you to stop,” She replied, and the need in her eyes spoke the truth of her words.
His eyes never left hers as he slowly undressed her as if opening a precious gift. Sadie’s breath hitched as his fingers brushed against her skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
When she was finally bare before him, Kile paused, his gaze roaming over her body. “You are perfect.” He leaned down, pressing soft kisses from her shoulders to her collarbone. His large hand cupped her breast, and her moan almost sent him over the edge.
Sadie’s hands were all over him as if she couldn’t get enough. When she grasped his cock, exploring him, he gritted his teeth, knowing if he didn’t take control, this wasn’t going to take long, and he wanted to make damn sure her needs were taken care of before his own. Reluctantly, he removed her hand, kissing her again with a hunger he knew would never be sated with her, and he was more than fine with that.
His fingers found her core, and she was more than ready for him. Carefully, he rolled on top of her, keeping most of his weight off her. “I love you, Sadie. I want to make you mine in all things. But I will stop if this is too fast for you. I know our ways are different from yours. I will understand, I swear it.” He kissed her softly. “But understand this. You are mine now and forever.”
“There is nothing I want more.” She whispered as a tear slipped from her eye. “I finally feel like I belong. I love you. I want you. I am yours.”
Kile growled at her words, wanting nothing more than to plow into her, but controlled himself. Slowly but with deliberate motion, he joined their bodies together, filling her completely. She was tight and wet, making his control slip as he pulled out and moved inside her harder than he intended.
She gasped, her hands gripped his shoulders as he began to do more. Kile savored the feel of her body moving in time with his, meeting him thrust for thrust. Everything around them disappeared. All that remained was the two of them. Their bodies moving in perfect harmony as if they were made for each other. It was more than lovemaking; it was a union of their hearts, spirits, and everything they were...human and shifter.
Sadie cried out his name, her body trembling as his pace quickened. He reached between them, finding that sweet spot and taking her over the edge. Watching the pleasure wash over her face, he soon followed with his own release. His body shuddered against hers as pleasure washed over his body in wave after wave.
“You okay?” Kile whispered as he rolled off her, pulling her into his arms. His hands stroked her hair, back, and arms as if he couldn’t get enough of her, and he couldn’t. Would never get enough of this woman.
Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at him. “I’ve never been better.” She smiled, touching his face. “I am your mate now?” She whispered shyly, but didn’t look away.
“Is that what you want, Sadie?” Kile asked instead of answering with a resounding Yes, you are my mate, and I’m never letting you go.
“It is. But—” Sadie replied, this time shifting her gaze away from him.
“But what?” He frowned, his eyes narrowed.
“I want to be the mate you deserve,” Sadie said, sadness tinging her answer.
He knew Sadie and her sister had been through a lot in their lives. He also knew he would have to be patient with her and show her daily that she was worthy of being a mate, and he would absolutely do that happily. They also had hurdles that would have to be crossed. One of them was that bastard, Colton. It was part of their past, Sadie’s past, that he would erase soon. “You already are, Sadie.”
A smile bloomed across her face as she kissed him and then cuddled into his arms. They lay like that, silent for a long time until the noise from outside had them both frowning at reality calling. Sadie started to sit up, but he refused to let her go.
“I have to get to the kitchen.” She frowned, kissing him on the chin, and then tried to get up again. He once again refused to let her go. “Kile, I can’t be late on my first day.”
Kile frowned, grabbed his phone, texted something, and then tossed it behind him. “You called in sick,” he said with a grin. “Plus, I need a nurse for the day. I’m still not a hundred percent.”
She laughed, pinching him lightly on the stomach. “You seemed just fine a few minutes ago.”
“I think a few more rounds and I will return to myself.” He winked at her, his hands starting to explore until he saw her smile fade as she stared at him. “What’s wrong? Sadie, if you want to go to the kitchen, I won’t stop you.”
She shook her head as tears started to fall. “It’s not that.”
Leaning up on his elbow, he cupped her chin, bringing her face up to his, catching tears with his thumb. “Then what is it?”
“I finally found my home, but not in a place.” Her voice trembled, and tears slipped down her cheeks. “I found my home in your arms, Kile. I love you.”
Kile exhaled deeply, pulling her closer, his own emotions tightening in his chest. He hugged her tightly, pressing his lips to the top of her head. He knew she wasn’t completely safe yet. Colton was still running free. He vowed that the son of a bitch would be caught so Sadie and Lily would finally be safe.
“Your home has always been here, babe,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Always.”