Chapter 16
CAIDEN
S elene!” I wrap her in a hug and twirl her around my living room, her feet coming off the ground. “I’m so happy for you.”
A delighted laugh rings from her lips. “I can’t believe Priscilla Rosegold wants me to do an installation at Dreamscapes. It’s a dream come true.”
“Installations are the big time.” I place her gently on her feet.
She rolls her eyes, a small smile curving up the corners of her mouth. “I guess you could say that.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I say, beaming.
Her smile falters. “What if I let you down? What if I let Priscilla down?”
“Hey!” I take Selene’s face in my hands. “None of that now. I think we call that imposter syndrome. I won’t allow it. You’re damn good.”
The crease in her brow deepens. “You have to say that. You’re my mate.”
“But it’s not just me. The owner of the best gallery in town wants your work.” I place my thumb between her eyes and attempt to smooth the wrinkle. “What can we do to get rid of this?”
She relaxes and the sweet music of her giggle reaches my ears. “Just having my mate near me is enough.”
“Speaking of.” I waggle my eyebrows. “Can we finally talk about this all-day mating ceremony?”
“Caiden!” she says with a mock gasp. “You’re so naughty.”
“Are you trying to tell me you haven’t thought about it at all?” I hold my hand to my chest as if I’m in deep pain but keep the smile on my face, so Selene knows I’m teasing her.
Her face flushes the cutest pink. “Well, now that the nightmare with Sebastian is over, I feel like I finally focus on what’s important.”
I run my thumb over her bottom lip. “So, focus. Tell me about how to seal this mating bond, because I’m in this.”
“You might not like it,” she says, looking down and away from me.
“Eyes on me, baby girl.” When her gaze falls back on me, I urge, “Just tell me.”
She clears her throat. “You have to inhale my pheromones.”
I quirk a brow. “That’s it?”
“Umm … it triggers a mating frenzy. You’ll be horny. For hours.”
The silence is miles long. Selene stars at me, her face morphing from tentative to panicked as I fail to respond.
“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I’ve just never heard of that.”
“We don’t have t?—”
I put a finger to her lips. “I just needed a few moments to process. Being horny all night? Sounds good to me.”
“This will be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. I’ve heard it described as being drunk on sex. I want to make sure you fully consent to this.”
“I appreciate that.” I lean down and plant a soft kiss on her lips. “I consent.”
Her red eyes begin to glow as she runs her tongue over my lips. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Before long, Selene and I are in my bedroom with plenty of water, a stack of clean towels and a bottle of lube. I texted Andre that I would miss work again tonight, to which he responded with a thumbs up and winky face. I owe that vampire big time.
“Get naked.” She turns to me, her brows furrowed.
“Excuse me?” I laugh. “What about you?”
She scoffs. “Of course I’m getting naked too.”
“Ladies first,” I say with a bow.
She giggles and begins to undo the front of her white, ruffled button-down. It’s paired with a skin-tight pencil skirt in black and a pair of white stockings, and she looks positively fuckable. I suck in a sharp breath when Selene unbuttons her shirt enough to reveal a lacy bra. Fuck. She’s so sexy.
“Get over here,” I growl, reaching for her.
She steps back, a mischievous grin on her face. “Not until we’re both naked.”
“How about this?” I lick my lips. “Whoever gets undressed first gets to be on top.”
“You’re on!” She begins to frantically tug on her skirt.
“Hey!” I follow suit, rushing to get out of my hoodie and athletic pants. “No fair! You had a head start.”
Selene steps out of her stockings, kicking them to the side. Her underwear and bra are still on and all I’m still wearing is my boxer briefs and shirt. This will be a close one. Though I would bet money that I’m going to be on top at the end of this.
My already-hard cock releases as I pull my underwear down my hips. I’m tugging my shirt over my head when I hear a shriek of triumph from Selene. As I’m tossing the garment to the side, she rushes to me, pushing me back until I fall onto my bed.
“I win!” she says, flashing me a smile as she straddles my chest.
I grab her hips and squeeze, loving the fact that her soft flesh gives under my fingertips. “Are you going to claim your prize?”
“Play with my clit first. Get me wet, Caiden.”
“Happily,” I say with a grin, loving this demanding Selene who isn’t afraid to ask for what she needs.
Never breaking eye contact with Selene, I take my thumb into my mouth and swirl my tongue around it, covering the digit in my saliva. I bring that thumb to the apex of her thighs and begin to circle it over her clit while I use my other hand to play with her voluptuous tits. She throws back her head and moans, flashing her delicate throat.
I continue to play with her clit and before long, her pussy is slick against my stomach. “Does that feel good, baby girl?”
“Mmmhmmm …” she responds, licking her lips. “But I want you inside me.”
“Then take me, Selene.”
She adjusts herself, reaching between her thighs to take my cock in her hand. “Are you ready?” she asks, rubbing my tip against her wet entrance.
It’s sweet torture having her textured pussy caressing just the head of my cock. “Please. I need to feel you.”
With a smug grin, Selene sinks back onto my cock. I let out a strangled groan as a satisfied sigh releases from her lips. She leans forward, her hair curtaining her face as she places her hands on my chest, and begins to grind herself into me, creating a delicious friction on my shaft.
The view of her on top of me, riding my cock as her breasts sway in my face, is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I take a mental snapshot, never wanting to forget this moment.
“Oh fuck, Selene.” My voice is raspy and strained.
She pauses and looks down at me, her eyes glowing softly. “Let me know when you’re ready for me to release my pheromone.”
“I’m ready.” I dig my fingers into her hips. “What do I need to do?”
Her gaze flashes bright red. “Just relax,” she purrs.
Selene leans back, giving me a full view of her body. Her soft round stomach, her wide curvaceous hips, and her luscious tits are on full display, just for me. She extends her wings wide, showcasing her full wingspan. I admire the beautiful crescent moon and red markings on them.
Reaching out, I graze my fingers over them, savoring their softness of them. This is my first time touching her delicate wings. She shivers and I jerk my hand away. Did I hurt her? Did I damage her wings?
“It’s okay.” She takes my hand, bringing it back to her wings. “They are just very sensitive.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything softer,” I murmur, tracing the patterns with my fingers.
Selene’s cheeks flush a rosy pink. “Thank you. I’m happy you like them.”
“Of course. I like everything about you.”
Her sigh is content. “I’m so happy you’re my mate.”
I remove my hands from her wings, lacing my fingers through hers. “Me too.”
“We’re about to be bonded for life. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life,” I say with a nod.
Selene’s wings begin to flutter and the heady scent of almond with a trace of musk fills my nostrils. My mouth begins to water and a jolt of pleasure surges to my cock. The room spins and for a moment, and everything but Selene’s eyes go out of focus.
She starts riding my cock again, the wet velvet of her pussy dragging along my shaft, creating a dizzying intensity, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. By the time my vision refocuses, Selene is bouncing up and down my cock, her breasts jiggling. Her wings are still fluttering, and the scent becomes stronger, sweeter, and muskier.
Euphoria blossoms through my limbs and they become heavy and tingling, as if a thumb has been pushed into a pressure point on my body, releasing all tension. My cock swells, and I can sense my orgasm fast approaching. I open my mouth to warn Selene, but all that comes out is a moan.
“It’s okay, baby,” she coos. “Relax. Let it happen.”
A tingling at the base of my spine and balls tightens and suddenly with tidal wave of ecstasy, my cock jerks and I come. I cry out, grasping Selene’s hips for purchase, anything to feel grounded as I come harder than I’ve ever come in my life.
Selene continues to ride me, each bounce a wet slapping noise as her slick intermingles with my cum. I gasp, her velvet cunt caressing my now sensitive cock. Just as I’m about to hit the point of overstimulation, she cries out, digging her nails into my chest.
“Fuck, Caiden! Oh goddess!” she mewls, her cunt fluttering around my cock as her wings extend.
“Selene!” I whine. “Oh shit, Selene.”
And finally, with an exhausted sigh, she relents her thrusts, collapsing on top of me in a heap. She lies there, panting, a thin sheet of sweat on her velvety skin. But as much as I want to relax with her, my cock is already stirring again, that intoxicating feeling never leaving my body.
Now there’s a need for Selene. Something feral threatening to claw its way out of me if I don’t have her again. I need to fill her to the brim with my seed, until there’s nothing left in me.
She perks up to look me in the eyes, a smirk on her lips. “I see the pheromones are doing their job.”
“Uhh… yeah.” I clear my throat. “I feel a little crazed, like if I don’t start fucking you again, I’m going to die.”
“It’s all a part of the process,” she says with a giggle as she begins to slowly grind into me again. “You’ll be back to normal once the pheromone wears off.”
A sigh of relief escapes my lips. “Fuck. That feels good.”
“We’re officially mated now.” The glow in her eyes has dimmed, but they still flash with uncertainty.
I reach up and cup her cheek in my hand. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
Her face breaks out into a large smile. “Good.”
Selene continues to grind into me, achingly slow. I want nothing more than to drive into her hard, fast, and rough.
“Let me fuck you this time,” I plead. “Please?”
Her tongue pokes out from between her lips, dragging over her bottom lip. “Show me what you got.”
With one fluid motion, I roll over, careful not to damage her wings. My hands pin her wrists to the bed, and I begin to thrust into her. She cries my name, writhing under me, her hips bucking to meet mine.
Selene looks positively radiant, her cheeks flushed, her hair a messy halo around her head, and her lips parted. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.
I open the car door for Selene and close it once she’s climbed out. She looks lovely in a deep red dress that matches the pattern in her wings, her hair in perfect loose curls. It takes everything in me not to pull her in for a kiss, but I hold back. I don’t want to ruin her lipstick that she applied with great care.
“Oh!” she exclaims, looping her arm into mine as we make our way toward Dreamscapes Gallery. “Jade and Callie both texted. They are on their way. I haven’t heard from Andre yet, but you know how he likes to make a dramatic entrance.”
“That’s true,” I say with a laugh. “And what about Frederck?”
She grins. “Already here. Priscilla had him come in early to meet catering. I’m so happy she hired him.”
“Me too.” I shake my head. “He deserved better than Sebastian.”
“Don’t say this name.” She pinches my arm, but not hard enough to hurt. “I don’t want any bad energy tonight.”
I bite my lower lip, suppressing a chuckle. "We don’t need to worry about that. The effort you put into this installation is all that matters.”
“I guess that’s true,” she says with a shrug.
“It is true.” I squeeze her arm. “Stop second-guessing yourself and your abilities.”
A smile pulls at the corners of Selene’s mouth. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop.”
“Besides,” I continue, “he’s pretty much a pariah now. He can’t influence anything.”
After Selene’s confrontation with Sebastian, she decided to be honest whenever anyone asked her why she left Shadow and Light. It turns out that him being creepy toward the artists was nothing new. News quickly spread, and before long, all artists had pulled their pieces from his gallery.
Selene pauses when we reach the front door of Dreamscapes. “I need to talk with Priscilla before the show starts.”
“Of course.” I nod. “Whatever you need to do. This is your big night.”
She turns to me. The invisible tether between us that appeared after the mating ceremony sings with anxiety. We can now sense each other’s emotions. It’s been an adjustment these past few months, but we figured it out together.
I breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, practicing the tools Selene taught me from her therapy sessions. She follows my lead, and after a few moments of mindful breathing, her anxiety dips to a low grumble.
“Thank you,” she says, looking up at me with a small smile before glancing at the gallery. “I guess I can’t delay any longer.”
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Actually, do you mind grabbing me a chamomile tea from the shop around the block?”
“Anything for you.” I lean down and capture her lips with mine.
The tether between us hums with joy and deep affection, a song that plays whenever we kiss. It’s something I thought I felt before, but I was wrong. Now that I’m with Selene, I understand it for what it truly is.
“I love you, Selene,” I whisper as our breaths intermingle.
“I love you, too, Caiden.” She kisses me again. “My mate.”
“Forever and always.”