Chapter 62 True Feelings
“Iknow I don’t. But Xander is right. I think it will be helpful for you to hear the difference.
Just don’t look at me.” Reiya let out an airy laugh as she continued to keep her head hidden.
“From the start, from the first day I met Lee, it’s only been him.
He was the only guy who ever existed to me.
The tiniest gesture melted my insides. Even hearing him tell me ‘Good job’ could keep me in a euphoric high for days.
” Reiya chuckled, thinking how lame it sounded.
“I don’t know what a mate pull feels like, but I’m always looking for him.
In every room, I find myself trying to find him.
Even being away from him for a moment is agonizing.
My chest hurts when he’s away. And on …” She let out a dry cough.
“And on an intimate level, I crave his touch. No, it’s more like I need it.
No one’s touch does to me what Lee’s does.
And on an even more humiliating level, I have an insatiable desire for him all the time. And mmmffff—”
Lee crashed his lips into hers and pulled her tightly to him.
She was being so honest and open. How the hell was he supposed to just sit there and listen to that?
She had no idea how those words made him feel.
It was more than hearing how she felt about him, though.
It was the fact that she was saying the same things he felt for her.
He loved her so much, and he was able to hear how much she loved him.
But it was more than love. She was also drawn to him.
This gave him hope ... hope that maybe he was her mate after all.
Xander cleared his throat. “Still in the room here. But I think you’ve made Levi pretty happy with your raw honesty.” Xander had a crooked smile on his face.
Lee pulled away from Reiya and smiled into her lips. “Thank you. Your honesty is the best gift anyone has ever given me. You don’t need to say any more. I understand exactly what you were putting into words. I feel the same way about you.”
Reiya looked down and bit her bottom lip. “I told you not to look at me.” Then she let out a quiet giggle in minor embarrassment. “Anyway, it isn’t the same at all with Xander.”
“What, no insatiable desire for me?” Xander chuckled as he humiliated Reiya a bit more.
“Shut up, Xander.” Reiya rolled her eyes and looked up at Lee. He leaned down and gently prodded her nose. She smiled up at him, then decided that, while she was on this heart-to-heart train, she might as well make the next stop.
“Xander …” Reiya watched as he looked at her curiously. She fidgeted a bit trying to think how to tell him how she felt.
“I feel like I’m about to get the love confession,” Xander taunted again, but the amusement soon faded as he noticed her seriousness.
“Umm, the thing is, I know you don’t need me to say anything, but I am.
Your dad was wrong. He was wrong about how he treated you, and he was wrong for leaving you.
I’m sorry. It should never have been like that, ever.
And I know that wasn’t easy, and it still isn’t easy.
I guess what I’m trying to say is ... I’m here.
I don’t want you to ever feel lonely. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.
” She glanced up to see Xander and Lee looking at each other, a gentle smile on both their faces.
“Thank you, Reiya. I’m not lonely anymore.
And with you here, keeping us constantly on our toes, I don’t think I’ll ever have time to be lonely again.
Honestly, it was hard when I was young. But once Levi moved in, everything changed.
Because of him and Gramps, I was never alone.
I mean, sure, my dad ignoring me and leaving still hurts, but I’m okay now.
And lately, ever since you came, it’s been really good.
I’m happy. I love seeing Levi happy, and I love having you here.
Being around you is … it really is like home.
So, don’t worry about me. Thank you. It’s sweet of you, but it isn’t necessary. ”
Just when Lee felt like he couldn’t love her any more, she went and said something like that.
She was worrying about Xander and if he was lonely.
She was such a sweet person. Xander was family to him, so seeing her care about him warmed his heart.
She was the best mate he could have asked for.
And he couldn’t wait until he could tell everyone that she was HIS mate.
In fact, he was anxiously waiting for the day. He just needed a bit more time.
“Do you think those two are done romping around up there? It’s been pretty busy lately, and tonight is a down night since there’s a big event tomorrow. You guys all want to watch a movie or play a game?” Xander asked, and Reiya’s eyes lit up in excitement.
“Yes! Should we watch a movie? Only what movie … or should we play a game? Ugh, but not Old Maid. F that game. I’m so excited. It’ll be nice to just have some fun. We need snacks, too. Lots of snacks.” Reiya was speaking so fast, getting carried away with her excitement.
Lee chuckled. “Sounds like it’s a definite yes.”
“I’ll let Brody and Chelsie know we’re coming up.” Reiya wanted to talk with them anyway, and now she could, since she was now linked to the two of them.
I hope you’re both decent. We’re coming up. It’s a game or movie type of night.. And this is pretty cool, I can mindlink Chelsie now, too.
Wow, this is awesome! I can hear you, Reiya. Wow! This is exciting.
I was going to take a nap, Brody grumbled in the mindlink.
You can nap later. Yes, we’re in for some fun.
Reiya giggled. “Okay, Xander, you’re in charge of arranging all the snacks. So, mindlink your chef and tell him we want a bounty.”
“Don’t you feed her, Levi? Your girl here is hungry.” Xander laughed. “I’ll go and get some movies and games. You guys go ahead and head up. I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
The moment Xander left and shut the door, Lee hoisted Reiya up in his arms. He held her up to his chest bridal style and began carrying her up the stairs.
Reiya giggled. “Lee, I can walk perfectly fine.”
“I know. But I need to hold you close. I need this.” Lee nuzzled his nose in her hair and breathed in.
He’d been trying to hold off completing the mating bond, wanting to wait until they were in the clear.
It was becoming increasingly difficult for him, especially when she’d been making declarations of love for him all day.
Silly girl. She didn’t have the faintest clue how much her words affected him.
A single word from her could bring him to his knees.
She had that much power over him. He would give her anything and everything if he could.
Reiya felt her body heat up in his arms. Her gaze locked with his ice-blue eyes as they ascended the stairs, his strong arms cradling her against his chest. Her fingers found their way around his neck, pulling herself higher until their lips met, this time with her in command.
The taste of him made her bold; she traced his bottom lip with her tongue before giving it a gentle bite.
When his lips parted, she didn't hesitate, claiming his mouth as their tongues tangled together.
He suddenly pressed her back against the cool wall, his body pinning her there for support.
Probably not the safest place, halfway up a steep staircase, but safety wasn't what either of them craved right now.
She needed this stolen moment as desperately as he needed to hold her.
Her soft whimpers in his mouth were driving him crazy.
Not only did he want her, but knowing she wanted him as well was setting his beast on fire.
He began to respond to her more urgently.
His one hand was supporting her while the other began exploring her body.
She arched into him, encouraging what didn’t need encouragement.
The passion was heating up between them. He broke apart from her lips, panting heavily. He let out a low growl. “If this continues, I won’t be able to stop from devouring you. You are an all-too-willing temptress. I need you to play a bit more hard-to-get.”
Reiya giggled. “Then you would only take it as a challenge and a game you must win.”
Lee chuckled and kissed her nose. “Probably. In either case, you won’t be able to keep your virtue much longer.”
“Take it when you want it. It’s yours,” Reiya said coquettishly.
Lee growled out a chuckle. “Damn, Reiya … quit seducing me.” He leaned in and bit at her marking spot, causing her to let out a soft whimper and moan from his touch.
“Once this is settled, Reiya, I’m going to pay you back for all this sexual buildup you’ve created.”
“Promises, promises.” Reiya rolled her eyes playfully and he nipped at her mark again.
“Mmm ... they are promises.” He licked at her mark once more and straightened up. His eyes flashed from dark back to blue as he struggled to rein his beast in. “Besides, the stairs are no place for lovemaking.”
Reiya scrunched up her nose. “Yeah, they really aren’t.”
“Reiya …” Lee said quietly as he continued to ascend the stairs.
“Hmm?”
“I don’t know what having the same light as Xander means.
But I want you to know that when you find out, don’t be afraid to tell me.
I don’t want you to think you can’t talk to me because you’re afraid of hurting me.
” Lee wanted her to feel comfortable talking to him no matter what she found out. No matter how badly it might hurt him.
“Lee, I promise. I’ll tell you when I find out what it means. I don’t know what it is, but please believe me when I say it’s you, Lee. It’ll always be you.”
He smiled and nodded. “I know, Reiya. I know how you feel about me now.” He stared down into her sapphire eyes. “Thank you again for that. I really did mean it when I said it was the best gift anyone has ever given me.” Lee stopped walking and then let out a quiet sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“What is it that you’ve been keeping secret from me?”
Reiya’s eyes widened. How in the heck did he know? “What do you mean?”
“Reiya. I know you. I know when you’re holding something inside. I’ve been waiting for you to bring it up, but it seems like you intend to keep it a secret.” Lee was studying her face, waiting for her to fess up.
Just then, the door at the top of the stairs opened. Chelsie peeked her head down and looked at them. “What’s taking you guys so long?”
“Oh … nothing. Reiya is about to tell me what she’s been keeping secret from me.”
“Oh, she was … well, umm … okay,” Chelsie said in a very unsmooth manner.
“So, you know what it is, too?” Lee turned his accusing gaze at the water horse.
Chelsie shrugged and smiled before she backed out from the door.
Lee turned his gaze back to Reiya. “So?”
“I’m sorry, Lee. I can’t tell you,” Reiya said quietly.
“Why not?” His voice softened as he asked her.
“Because …” Reiya bit her lip and frowned. She wanted to talk to him about it, but if he knew what she had planned if things failed with the deities, he would stop it. “I’ll tell you about it later.”
“Reiya.”
“I can’t tell you right now, Lee. I’m sorry. I don’t want to keep secrets from you. And I will tell you. Just not now.”
Lee sighed and frowned. “Well, as long as it isn’t anything dangerous, then … wait, what’s that look? It is dangerous, isn’t it? Reiya ...” He began to growl lowly, trying to make her spill her secret.
Guess the honeymoon is over, Reiya thought wryly.
“You guys are still on the stairs? What were you two doing that took this long?” Xander asked as he came up from behind them.
Reiya took that moment to hop out of Lee’s arms and dash toward the top. She quickly fled to Chelsie and Brody. “He wants to know. How did he know I was hiding something?”
Brody looked at Reiya with a half smile. “You are the worst secret keeper in history, that’s why.”
Lee came up from the stairs, with Xander right behind him. His eyes were locked onto her, his gaze dark. “Tell me what it is you’re planning.”