Chapter 41
Chapter Forty-One
CHARLI
Surprised to find there’s a Thai restaurant in Greystone, I volunteer to run over and pick up our order while Teague, Macklin, and Andros work out a plan with Ronan and Alejandro over the phone. But all three men instantly reject that idea.
“No space,” Teague softly reminds me.
“I’ll go with Charli,” Andros announces. “Battle planning isn’t really my area of expertise.”
Are you comfortable with him going with you? Teague silently asks, and I nod.
Macklin’s narrowed gaze lands on Andros, silently warning him not to upset me.
Andros dips his chin, forgoing one of his usual snarky comments, and we head out. When we get to the garage, he opens the door to a sleek silver SUV. I stiffen, and he immediately picks up on it.
“If you don’t feel comfortable going with me, I’m fine to pick up the food myself,” he says, his voice tight.
“Hank drove a silver Range Rover,” I whisper, staring at the interior and trying to get up the courage to get in.
Andros gently grabs my elbow and pulls me back, then slams the door. “I’ve been wanting to order a Maserati, anyway.” He walks over to Teague’s SUV and opens the door.
I place a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”
He picks me up and places me into the SUV, then leans in to buckle my seatbelt. His subtle but expensive cologne washes over me, and I breathe it in. Swiveling his head, he stares into my eyes, searching for something.
He must find what he’s looking for because he slams his mouth down on mine and, for the first time, I feel like he’s kissing me because he wants to.
Not because he’s reluctantly giving in to his urges.
His gloved hands come up to cup my face as he continues to explore, lightly stroking and sucking one minute, devastating me the next.
I reach up and thread my fingers through his thick brown hair, and his mouth becomes more urgent. His hands settle on my waist, fingers slipping under the hem of my sweater, and I tear my mouth from his kiss.
“Wait.”
He groans and removes his hands. “I only meant to kiss you.”
“I know. That’s what was so great about it,” I murmur, playing with the hair on the back of his neck. “It didn’t feel like you were just looking…”
“For a good fuck,” he says wryly, and I nod. He takes a deep breath. “I heard you today. When you were talking to Macklin about his wings. Then, to Ames later. Every day I see you a little differently. Clearer. I don’t know if I can be the mate you deserve, but I want to try.”
I think about all the time and space Teague gave me and sigh.
Andros isn’t ready. “I’m not going to deny the chemistry between us, but maybe take some time and think about what you want.
Today was hard. With the fire and everything.
” He was triggered by the sight as much as I was, although you could barely tell from his cool demeanor.
I pull my hands from his hair. “Our dinner is probably getting cold.”
There’s a frustrated look in his eyes and in the set of his mouth, but I’m not sure he knows what he wants. He eases back and shuts the door. Silent the entire way there and back, his brow is furrowed as if he’s doing a lot of heavy thinking.
After helping me out of the SUV, he holds up a hand. “You know, don’t you? About my past. My issues with fire. How much did they tell you?” Anger simmers in the depths of his eyes.
“Enough for me to consider giving you a chance,” I reveal, much to his astonishment. “I understand trauma. I don’t understand being an asshole.” Grabbing the bag of food, I saunter toward the elevator.
He catches up in a blink. “Touché, ma lumière.”
I raise an eyebrow, wondering what he said, but he just stands there, a little smile on his face.
Given it was only a few hours by jet from the first location to the second, they decided to hit them both in the same day. Less chance of spooking the HRC.
The address Mavros gave is in Greensboro, North Carolina. Raine said they must rescue those people first before coming for her. Wanting to be there first thing in the morning, Teague, Andros, and Ames flew out tonight. They’ll meet up with Ronan and Alejandro, and a few others along the way.
After getting ready for bed, I stand in the middle of Teague’s bedroom, shifting from foot to foot, wondering if Macklin’s going to join me. Butterflies are doing the tango in my stomach. A second later, he appears but stops at the doorway and crooks his finger.
Intrigued, I follow him down the long hall to another room. When we get there, he scoops me up and carries me inside. My eyes widen when I see the fairy lights strung across the room, bringing a soft, romantic glow to the room.
“I thought these would be better than candles,” he murmurs, staring down at me. “Do you like it?”
“I love it,” I reply with a smile. “I’m guessing this is your room?”
Curious, I sweep the predominantly grey room, finding a couple of bookshelves packed with worn books, a Celtic cross, and a few photos.
There’s a large wooden desk in the corner, and everything on its surface is lined up with military precision.
The bed is ginormous. Bigger than Teague’s king.
There’s also a fireplace in the corner, which thankfully isn’t on, with a large, comfy-looking chair in front of it.
“What’s your favorite color?” I ask, wondering why he chose grey.
“Night,” he replies. My brows scrunch together and he gives an embarrassed shrug.
“I like to go out on the roof at night and stare at the sky. Sometimes it’s the deepest of blue and twinkling with stars.
Other times it’s almost black with only a sliver of moon.
When a storm rolls in, it’s the darkest of greys, as if the clouds are on top of us. ”
“Night. I like it,” I tell him. “I’m surprised you picked grey for your room, though.”
He looks around as if he never thought about it. “I’m not in here very much. Most of the time I fall asleep outside.” His eyes drop to mine. “Maybe one night, you’ll stay out there with me. I promise, you won’t see anything but the sky.”
And me.
With a sigh, I close the distance between us and capture his lips with mine. I’d been so afraid when I saw the fire surround him today. For a brief second, I thought about what my life would be like without him, and I hated it.
You’re not going to lose me, love.
I don’t want to wait to bond.
“I need to hear the words out loud,” he rasps, his eyes locked onto mine.
“Macklin Lochlan, I want to spend forever with you. Starting with tonight,” I vow, refusing to let another day go by without tying this man to me.
His lips curve in that slow smile I love, and he walks over to the bed and sits down. I move to straddle him, and he brushes my blond hair back from my face. “I’m not sure forever will be long enough.”
Our lips meet, and he tempers the urgency in mine with a slow, controlled pace that burns like the hottest of flames. Need coils tight in my belly before slowly moving south. I move restlessly against him, but for the longest time, his hands remain at my waist.
“Touch me,” I beg, needing to feel his hands on me.
He pulls back and slowly unbuttons my shirt. When he goes to slip it off my shoulders, I grab it. “Don’t.”
His chin lifts with understanding, and he reaches back and grabs the neck of his T-shirt, then pulls it off.
“As if I could see you as anything other than beautiful.” He leans me backward and runs his hand down the middle of my chest. Strong and slightly calloused from years of battles, the rough texture adds more kindling to the sweet fire burning between us.
Bracing my back, he parts my pajama top and begins a slow assault on my breasts with his tongue and lips. Gasping, I cup the back of his head and whisper a plea for more as his heat and mine swirl together, swept up in a maelstrom of need and sweet devastation.
Macklin picks me up and lays me on the bed, then slides off my matching shorts. Settling between my legs, he kisses every inch of my body, savoring every spot as if he’s committing the feel of it to memory, before he moves south.
I arch into his mouth as it settles on my clit.
I’m dripping from the slow, simmering pace, and within seconds, I come.
He lifts his head and places small kisses on my thighs as he waits for my body to settle, then starts all over again.
This time, he adds his fingers, and I whimper, wanting him inside me.
Pulling away, I push lightly on his shoulders until he sits up, then I reach for his pants. “I can’t wait any longer. I need you inside me.”
He inhales sharply, then lifts his body and strips his pants off. On his knees, he prowls forward like a beast of prey and settles his body against mine. “I wanted to be sure you were ready. I’m a big man, love.”
“I know,” I murmur, lifting my hips to rub against him. Sweat slides down my neck as I reach down to grasp him, but he stops me before I can.
“Maybe the second time,” he says with a chuckle.
Picking up my knee, he spreads me apart and slowly slides into me. Sweat glistens on his brow, and his low groan when he enters almost makes me come again. It takes him a long minute to get fully seated, and when he does, I blow out a breath and shift at the fullness.
He pulls out, then slides in really slow. I raise my legs and wrap them around his body, wanting him deeper inside me.
I’m barely holding back, love. If you keep squirming, I’m not going to be able to take it slow.
Promises, promises.
He chuckles, and this time he pulls out and thrusts in harder and deeper.
“Yesss,” I drawl, staring into his eyes. “I want you to know how much you mean to me.”
Everything I’ve thought or felt for him is laid bare as my soul tangles with his, leaving a bit of me with him.
How much I love the safe haven of his arms and the protective stance he takes for everyone, not just me.
The slow smile that melts me every time.
His insistence on making sure I’ve got everything I need.
His body in those sleeveless tanks and workout shorts.
The way he seems to understand me without unnecessary words.
His own thoughts and feelings are full of his need to protect and take care of me, but it’s his awe at finding his mate that makes me tear up, and his decision to wait until I was ready.
This selfless man who never asked the Fates for what he wanted most. I blush at the thoughts he’s kept locked down, knowing I was innocent.
His soul wraps around mine in a tight grip.
Deep blue eyes shining with emotion, he drives his body into mine, slow and deep, like he wants to draw this moment out as long as possible. And the slow burn is winding me tighter and tighter. Little tremors pulse inside as he inches us toward the edge.
“I’m never going to let someone hurt you again, and I’m never letting you go. You’re mine.” His voice is gruff but resolute.
I cup his strong face in my hands. “And you’re mine, my incredibly handsome mate.”
With my words, his release hits, and the unexpected surge tips me over the edge again too.
“Macklin.” I cry out and pulse around him, my body milking every drop. But instead of a single peak, the first leads into another and another in a relentless series of waves, and I hold tightly to him, locked in his gaze as I ride it out.
Ah, love, I’ve got you.
Finally, the tremors ease, and my legs fall to the bed.
“Mmm, I’m definitely an advocate of the slow burn.
” I lightly skim my hands down his sweat-slicked back, loving the weight of him.
Using the tips of my fingers, I map the hard lines of his muscular body, marveling at his dedication to working out and the unbelievable fact that he’s mine. My body stirs.
He shifts, pulling out slightly, but my breathless moan has him sliding back in with a smile. “Hmm, once is definitely not going to be enough.”