Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

Callista

" I needed some fresh air." I leaned casually against the window frame. "Wait, how did you know I opened the window?"

Lana narrowed her eyes. "It's not smart to have that open."

"Because if someone wanted to break in, they couldn't just smash through the glass." I gestured at the forest behind the house. "What's going to happen? There are no highways, no major cities, just a few small towns and plenty of trees and wildlife." And an extremely hot man who I hoped was out of eyesight.

Lana raised an eyebrow. "You don't think anything could happen in the middle of nowhere? Like, I don't know, something happening right in our campsite?"

My wolf growled, and I gritted my teeth. "I'm not a child, Lana. You said you aren't a good babysitter, correct? I'll shut it when I can breathe."

Lana stared at me. "Wow. Your hormones grew you some balls."

I swallowed hard. My agitation was only growing with the scent of Kael wafting through the window. My wolf whined with need. I clenched my fists. "I'll be fine. I promise. And I'll see you in the morning."

Lana huffed. "Fine. But if anything happens, I'm telling Blake it was your idea." She marched to the door and walked out of the room.

I let out a breath and sagged against the wall. As soon as the door shut, I spun toward the window, searching for him.

He appeared out of the shadows, his eyes glinting in the light from my window. I stepped back and watched as his hand wrapped over the sill. He pulled himself up and swung his leg into the room. In seconds, he was standing there on the carpet, his presence filling the space.

My heart thrummed at the sight of him. My hands shook. How was I supposed to do this? I'd messed around with other betas before, but never with someone I didn't know. My wolf, so vocal seconds ago, slunk back, shy all of a sudden. Thanks for nothing. "You?—"

"Don't want to talk." Kael's voice was a low rumble.

I swallowed hard, my skin tingling with anticipation. "Good, because I wasn't planning on it."

I drew a deep breath, the cool night air still floating in through the open window, mingling with the intoxicating scent of Kael. It was heady, like a blend of cedar and pine with a hint of smoke, and it made my head spin.

I stepped closer, the rough wooden floorboards pressing against the soles of my bare feet. If he could be bold, so could I. "Take off your shirt."

Kael's eyes darkened, his pupils dilating. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before reaching for the hem of his shirt and pulling it over his head. His muscles rippled under his skin, and I couldn't help but stare. My mouth went dry.

With that one action, we had an agreement. I was the one giving orders, and he was the one obeying. My thoughts raced. Was I really doing this? I was an omega from Kitimat, and here I was acting like some sort of dominatrix.

It felt good, to be honest. Even though I didn't have the first clue as to what I should do next with him.

Kael's breath quickened, his pulse jumping in his neck. He liked this. I could sense it. My skin tingled, my wolf practically foaming at the mouth. I wanted to close the distance between us, to run my hands over his chest and feel the warmth of his skin, so I did.

As my palms pressed against his skin, his eyes shuttered closed. "You don't?—"

"Shut up," I snapped. He'd said no talking and my ability to process more than the heat flooding through my fingertips was nonexistent.

Kael's hand jumped to my hip, his fingers threading around the waistband of my underwear. He lowered his head, his breath hot on my neck.

"We're not mating," I whispered.

"I know." His voice was calm, but I could sense the storm shifting beneath his skin. "We're just dealing with this."

"Right." I swallowed hard. This was just about my need. The itch that was desperate for scratching. Nothing more.

Kael's grip on my waist tightened, and I bit my lip. I trailed my hands down his sides and pulled at his lower back, dragging him toward the bed. When my calves made contact, I sat, but Kael stayed put.

He lowered his eyes, taking in the curves of my hips and thighs. The soft swell of my stomach. The way my bra pushed up my breasts. His breath quickened, his gaze roaming over my body with an intensity that sent heat pooling low in my belly.

I'd never been thin like Evelyn, and I'd always been self-conscious of my curves. But Kael seemed…appreciative.

Kael's fingers traced the line of my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine. I held my breath as he stepped back and unbuttoned his jeans. I'd watched him. When he'd taken them off before. But this was different. This was for me.

He dropped his jeans, then dragged his boxer briefs off his hips, disentangling them and stepping free.

Holy shit. I couldn't stop staring. When I finally forced my eyes to his, he had a lazy smile on his face. He nodded once at my bra, and I reached back and unclasped it, letting the straps slide over my shoulders until it puddled in my lap.

"Almost there." He stepped forward and tugged on my underwear. I lifted myself from the sheet, and he slipped his hand under my butt, pulling them off in one smooth motion.

I gaped at him. "How did you do that?"

He dangled the fabric on one finger. "I've learned to be creative."

I slid back on the bed as he climbed onto the mattress and settled next to me. I reached out and shut off the lamp.

Yes. That was better. As much as I wanted to drink him in, I didn't want to think. I needed to close my eyes and feel.

We lay there for a moment, our bodies pressed together, and I felt like I was going to explode from the inside out. Every nerve ending was on fire, every instinct screaming at me to do more. To take more.

I swirled my fingers over his tight stomach, dragging my nails through the hair that tempted me lower.

Kael's hand found mine, and he intertwined our fingers, his grip firm but gentle. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I gasped. Kael moved, his body pressing even closer to mine.

"Callista . . ." He whispered, hot against my neck, and my eyes rolled back in my head.

I couldn't take it anymore. I needed more. My free hand reached up, sliding over his shoulder and down his back, feeling the ripple of his muscles beneath my palm. Kael groaned, and satisfaction surged through me. I was affecting him just as much as he was affecting me.

I rolled my hips against him, and Kael's breath hitched. His grip on my hand tightened. "Tell me how I can help." His lips brushed against my ear.

"You're already helping."

He grinned against my cheek. "I think this might be making it worse."

He wasn't wrong. How could he help? I wanted everything. I wanted to be consumed. I wanted to drown in him. But everything wasn't an option. Not unless I wanted to regret this even more than I was surely already going to. "Touch me."

Kael didn't hesitate. His hand slid down my side, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. When he reached my hip, he paused, taking his time with those last few inches.

I sucked in a breath when he landed.

"Like this?"

I nodded, my breath coming in short gasps. "Mmhmm."

Kael's breath hitched. My skin tingled with anticipation, and I arched my back, pressing against him.

Yes. My curiosity about that damn hand was rewarded. He was gentle and rough, teasing me and then giving me exactly what I wanted.

"Kael—"

"Shh. Lana's still outside the door."

This was going to be impossible. How could I keep myself from crying out? I buried my head against his shoulder, pressing my lips against his skin.

For weeks, I'd been a shell of myself. I'd gone through the motions. Work, food, sleep. A neverending cycle that drained the life from me. In one day the pain in my arm had lifted, and now this .

It was a blur of sensation. Kael's hands on my skin, his breath hot against the top of my head. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but feel.

Kael pulled away, nudging me onto my back. He didn't ask permission as he slid down the bed, his hand trailing over my thighs, his breath hot on my skin. "Tell me if you want me to stop."

"I don't. Want you to stop." I shivered as he reached my knee, nudging it out with his shoulder, and I squirmed, my hands clutching at the sheets. "I—" My words were cut off as he pressed his lips to my skin, his tongue tracing a line up my thigh. The sensation was electric, and I arched my back, a moan escaping my lips.

"Quiet, Callista." Kael's hands gripped my hips, holding me in place as he continued his exploration. I was lost in a sea of sensation, rising higher than I thought possible, then dipping and crashing against the rocks.

He was relentless. Consistent. The tension that had been building inside me, that coil winding tighter and tighter, suddenly reached a breaking point. It was too much and exactly enough.

"I know we said no talking," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "But now I need to hear you. Tell me—" His fingers traced circles, teasing me, driving me mad.

"I want you here. Next to me." The words came out as a whisper, but he understood perfectly. He slid back into place next to me and pulled me to his chest.

When his hand found me again, he was done with teasing. As my back arched, he leaned in, pressing his lips to my ear. "I've got you. You can let go."

With those words, the dam broke. I felt a rush of heat, a wave of pleasure that crashed over me, drowning out everything else. My body convulsed, and I turned my head into the pillow to keep from crying out.

Kael didn't stop, didn't slow. He rode out the storm with me, his touch never wavering. When the waves finally subsided, I collapsed against him, my body trembling.

"Better?"

I fought to keep in the wave of emotion crashing over me. As a tear slipped over my cheek, I was glad the light was off. How had I felt so safe? So protected? Hours ago, Kael had a dagger to my throat, and now?

Kael pulled his hand away, and I whimpered at the loss.

"Kael, I?—"

"Shh."

"It was good."

"Callista—"

"I need you to know how good that was."

He chuckled. "I am capable of reading body language."

"Thank you."

He was quiet for a moment. "You're welcome."

We lay there, our breathing deepening, and I worked to gather my courage. When he pulled his hand away from my shoulders, I caught his arm. "My turn."