CHAPTER 36

GRIFFIN

Iwas finally in that bed I'd been eyeballing since the moment I got to the Stone House, and I couldn't have been more fucking happy about it.

The full-blown grin I gave her when she pulled me in the direction of her room at the end of the day was nothing short of blissful. The same could be said for the euphoria I was currently experiencing after the fucking mind-altering sex we just had.

Trying to keep her quiet was a challenge I happily took on.

Except our goals weren't exactly aligned. Mine was to break the silence she was trying so desperately to maintain … and the little sounds that escaped her were the best fucking prize.

Sitting against the headboard, I trailed light fingers down her leg, watching the way her body reacted to mine with a pleased smirk plastered to my face. I swear this stupid smile had been a permanent feature since the moment she'd admitted she'd chosen me.

She was tucked into the crevice of my arm now, nestled into my chest. Right where I wanted her to be. The familiar feeling of her being wrapped in my arms was almost overwhelming. It felt like a distant memory brought back to life. And there was no fucking way I'd ever let her go again.

I didn't even want to stop touching her—not for a single second.

Closing my eyes, I savoured the way the tiny sparks danced through my fingertips from the feel of her smooth skin, filling my body with blazing energy. With a flame that licked the path my fingers took.

"You feel that?" I asked a moment later. Even I could hear the deep, hungry infliction in my voice. The desire I still had for her.

"Feel what?" She croaked, her own voice hoarse and tired. And extremely sexy.

"That little flicker of heat and electricity that ignites when we touch. When I run my fingers down your arm. Or your leg. Or your cheek." I emphasised each point by touching her in those places.

I didn't need to guess that she felt it too. I could tell. If I could feel it, so could she—she just might not have been as aware.

Nevertheless, she nodded, the movement small, like she was afraid to move. I saw her throat bob as she swallowed.

She was nervous. I loved that I made her nervous.

"I'd be willing to bet that means we're soul flames." I couldn't help the wicked smile that spread across my face as I took in the stunned expression on hers. I heard her heart rate spike and her breathing get more rapid.

"A-are you sure?"

"I'm pretty sure, Supernova. In fact, I'd bet on my life."

She was so fucking cute when she was flustered. I just wanted to pick her up, put her on my lap and kiss the fuck out of those gorgeous lips that she kept biting. Because I was a selfish bastard and wanted to be the one to bite them. Just like I wanted those hands—which she kept nervously fidgeting with—to be all over my body.

A fire had kindled between us. A recognition of our souls.And if we chose to, we could bond them together like a tie tethering our two beings. A thought that used to terrify me. One I would have run from in the past. But not now. Not with her.

Now, that thought lit something up within me. I wanted it. Badly. She just needed to want it too.

"But what does that mean?" She whispered. Those eyes that teemed with swirling questions dropped to where her own fingers mindlessly traced the tattoos on my chest. The motion drove me insane every time and it was an effort to hold back the groan that threatened to escape from the pleasure that her blazing touch caused.

Some carnal part of me loved how she'd avert her gaze every time her beautiful green-hued eyes met mine and held them for too long. And now was no different. She was so shy and demure at times, yet bold and brave and confident at others. She was everything I wanted and needed. Fiery enough to keep things forever interesting but as beautiful in her heart as she was outside. Caring. Empathetic. Sweet. Yet with me she was also feisty and challenging and daring too. And I fucking adored her. Adored how that side of her was only reserved for me.

I understood why the wolf wanted to hold onto her, I really did. Who wouldn't. But she was mine. I felt it in my bones.

And I was hers.

"It means, that for you—with you—I want it. I choose it."

She looked up at me through those thick, dark lashes and all I wanted to do was grab her and hold her. Or run my fingers through that luscious hair of hers.

Thank fuck I no longer needed to hold back. So I let my fingers get tangled in those ebony locks. And it felt fucking good.

I missed it.

"Did you know Kitana and Carter are soul flames?" Her words were hushed but I felt her curiosity bubble to the surface.

"Yeah. I've known for a while," I admitted. "Those two have known for ages. Car and I have spoken about it in the past. He and Kit have always been weird with settling down and enjoyed their freedom too much to act on it until now. They just never cared enough to do anything about it and were too busy having their fun and playing their games. It didn't define them, but they knew it was there if they wanted it. Though I think if Kit had ever said the word, he would have been all in immediately. Not because of the bond, but because of her. They're two wandering souls that probably could only ever be truly settled by each other."

Her eyes sparkled at my words—at what that meant for our friends. I could see the happiness she felt for them all over her face. She nodded thoughtfully. Then swallowed.

"Have you ever felt it before?" She asked through her lowered gaze.

I was hoping she wouldn't ask that question. But it would have to come up at some point.

"Yes."

"Oh." Her features visibly crumpled and she looked back down.

I wanted to be real with her. If we were going to do this, there was no room for secrets. So I told her who it was.

"With Sienna."

"Oh."This time she said the word with more oomph, clearly surprised. Her face contorted into a scowl as she met my eyes again. "Well, that explains why she always thought you two would end up together," she gruffed. I couldn't help but smirk at the jealousy in her tone.

When she tried to pull away slightly, I tightened my grip around her waist, keeping her firmly where she belonged … by my side, tethered to my body.

"Do you know what else it means? What it shows, Supernova?"

"What?" She said carefully. Despite her hesitation, she relaxed against me again.

"That I didn't choose her. That this bond might exist between us, but I am choosing it with you." I held her gaze. "I choose you."

She looked at me with wide eyes, emotion brimming right there just beneath the surface. They said so much without saying anything.

I continued, "I could have picked Sienna. I could have solidified the bond with her before I even met you. But I knew I didn't want her. Soul flames don't need to be acted on. I knew I couldn't see a future with her—I didn't want that future. Which was part of the reason I thought I didn't care about the bond. When you came along, you intrigued me from the moment I spoke to you in that courtyard. I couldn't keep my eyes off you, and I just needed to touch you to see for myself. When I felt those sparks with you, I was glad things never worked with Sienna. I was drawn to you. It might have been physical attraction and chemistry at first, but I was drawn to you nonetheless. And then I got to know you and I was pulled in even deeper."

I tilted her face up to mine and brushed my lips across her jaw. "I have never felt what I feel when I'm with you. Seen. Heard. Wanted. No longer alone. I don't know if that's the bond or just you—personally, I think it's you. I didn't know a soul flame was supposed to be this strong. I feared it in the past. But my wanting you is undeniable, Venus." I said it one more time to hone it in. "I choose you. And I'd choose you again and again. Soul flame or not."

I wanted to wipe away those tears that brimmed those beautiful hazel eyes.

Fuck, I was such a different person with her. A better person. A whole person.

One with a beating heart.

Her eyes still bore into my own and the silence stretched between us. But then she swallowed. And for the briefest moment, I felt my fear ride back to the surface. Fear that the shit with Sienna would be what deterred her. Fear that she'd change her mind—reject me.

I held my breath, waiting for her to say something.

Only she could ever ignite such fear in me.

"I choose you too, Griffin."

And just like that, that beating heart was going to burst right out of my fucking chest.

I didn't realise how much words could affect me. But fuck I loved those ones.

I rushed into her so fast I knocked the breath right out of her when I captured her lips in my own. But I'd give her all my breath if she needed it.

She met me with just as much passion.

When she finally pulled away—much to my protest—she attempted to suck in some necessary air.

Panting, she peered up at me again beneath dark lashes.

"The thought had crossed my mind back at the compound," she whispered under her breath. "But I didn't actually know what it was meant to feel like or if I was making it up. I've had no experience with it to recognise the feeling. Why didn't you tell me if you knew? Even while you were waiting for me to make my choice?"

Our noses continued to graze against each other as I searched for her lips again.

When I found them, I nipped at the plump bottom one.

"Because I didn't want it to affect your decision. That's the beauty of the soul flame, remember?" I grinned against her mouth.

"Well … I guess I made a good choice then."

She reiterated her point by pressing her lips to mine again.

I was a fucking happy man.