42. Addi

FORTY-TWO

Idon't know how, and I'm trying not to jinx it, but this week has been calm. Definitely too calm, and the feeling that things are going to get worse only intensifies as the moon party looms over me.

It's tonight.

T.O.N.I.G.H.T.

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I'm extremely outside my comfort zone. There's no denying it. My memory of the panic in Cassian's eyes fades, leaving me to wonder if it's really necessary for me to go, but then I somehow get a passing breeze of his scent in my room and I'm warped back to that moment.

I'm going. That much is for sure, whether I like it or not, and no matter what, my daggers are coming with me.

"You're focused on all of the wrong things, Addi. What are you going to wear?"

I glare at Flora, who shrugs, unfazed by my deathly stare. When it's clear she's not going to relent, I sigh.

"I don't even know," I admit, willing an outfit to magically appear before me.

Flora is adamant that tonight is a date, no matter how many times I explain to her that my life is in danger. That part seems to go right over her head.

"He's here."

I frown at her, and a second later a knock comes from the door. "How?"

She taps her brain. That's stronger than—I cut off my thoughts, worried someone could hear them as I circle to face the door with my hands planted on my hips.

"No one should be here yet, I have another hour," I mutter, but I'm not going to get any answers standing here. Stomping toward the door, I whirl it open to see the wolf in question.

He's wearing a fitted black tee with black jeans and black leather combat boots.

Fuck.

He can't be my savior tonight, not when he's such a distraction.

"Addi," he breathes, making me shiver.

"Cassian."

Silence descends over us as we stare off with one another until Flora clears her throat from behind me.

"I'll leave you to it, but holler if you need me," she mutters, squeezing my arm as she passes. I murmur my thanks as she disappears, but not before winking at me behind Cassian so he can't see.

I roll my eyes at her, wishing she could stay as a buffer between me and the wolf, but that would only put her at risk. Not that I necessarily think he would hurt her right now, but having been on his radar for the past week or so hasn't done me any favors, and I refuse to be the reason she comes to any harm.

Turning my attention to Cassian, I make no attempt to let him in. Yet. "You're early."

"I thought you might need help choosing what to wear." The bullshit is dancing in his eyes, blazing for me to notice.

"You mean you thought I might run," I retort, and he shrugs.

"There's that too. Are you going to let me in?" he asks, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

"I'm considering my options," I mumble, my lip twisting as I let him stew for a minute before offering out my hand.

His fingers wrap around mine as he steps over the threshold, filling my room and invading my space once again.

"Okay, Mr. Stylist, what should I wear?" I pull my hand from his, and he lets me go. I can't decide whether I like it or not.

"Casual. Like what you wore to the diner with Brody. I would probably recommend flat boots this time, though, and definitely bring the daggers."

Someone paid a lot of attention to what I was wearing if he even noticed my boots. Hiding my smile, I nod.

"Noted." I move into my closet, already piecing the outfit together in my head. While I get changed, Cassian can hit me with all the information I need before we arrive. I need a run down of who is who at this damn thing. "Tell me everything I need to know. What should I watch out for, who should I be most wary of, and who should I avoid at all costs? All of that crap," I holler, whipping my oversized tee off. I'm acutely aware of him in the other room, but I'm out of view at this end of the small walk-in closet.

"Me."

I startle at the close proximity of his voice, whirling around to watch his eyes land on my exposed breasts.

"I'm getting dressed," I blurt, making no move to hide an inch of my exposed skin. All that stands between us is my panties.

"I don't think you should bother," he rasps, eyes darkening with every breath he takes.

I frown, but I don't move as he slowly prowls toward me.

He approaches with a finesse that leaves me breathless, and he hasn't even touched me. The second he's within arms reach, he moves lightning fast, snatching at my panties, which crumple on the floor beside me a moment later.

"Cassian," I mutter, unsure what it is I'm asking for.

"Don't finish whatever bullshit is about to come out of your mouth. If I'm still in the room, we both know it's a waste of breath for you to tell me you don't want me."

He cups my pussy with his next breath, his go-to move, and the heat that rises between us becomes an inferno.

"Fuck, you're hot."

I know he's talking about the connection too. My chest rises and falls uncontrollably as I stare up at him, revealing my desire despite my will to shield anything and everything from him. "If you do this now, I'm going to walk into that party freshly fucked," I croak, and he smirks.

"I like the sound of that."

His lips crash against mine as he completely crowds me in every way. His body presses against me, his breath mingles with mine, and his mouth consumes me.

I cling to his neck, my nails digging into his skin as I battle for control, but it's too much. He's too much. I'm helpless to do anything other than concede.

He lifts me in the air, sweeping my feet straight off the ground, only to lie me down on the floor in the next moment. I want him as naked as I am this time. Last time, in the bathroom, I was exposed while he remained dressed. Not this time.

Blindly searching for the hem of his t-shirt, I scramble to untuck it from his jeans to be met with soft-yet-hard skin a second later when my fingers splay across his abs.

"Fuck," he grumbles, tearing his mouth from mine as he reaches behind his head to tug the material off. I blink at his muscles, the tension running through him as he hovers above me. I need more.

Sweeping my hands down to the waistband of his jeans, I undo the button and he takes the hint. I'm left cold and needy for a few seconds as he kicks off his boots and jeans, and it doesn't go unnoticed that there's nothing else beneath the denim, just his thick length jutting in my direction, eager for attention.

He drops to his knees with a thud, and my throat goes dry with anticipation. My head pulses where I slammed it against the mirror last time, a silent reminder of how hard and rough we were. Maybe we can take it easier this time. Maybe. But the feral look in his eyes tells me it's unlikely.

Without a word, he crawls between my thighs, grabbing my right leg and pinning it against my chest as his vision locks on my core. Tingles dance over my skin with anticipation, but I'm not left wondering long before he leans down and swipes his tongue between my folds.

"Fuck." It's my turn to curse this time as one soft sweep leads to another before his movements become more urgent. He reaches for my left leg, pressing it against my body along with my other so he can devour even more of me.

I try to grasp the carpet beneath me, desperate to cling onto something as my body swirls at his touch, but it's pointless, so I grab onto the only thing in reach: his hair. My fingers tangle in his cropped brown locks at the exact same time he thrusts two fingers deep into my core, matching the rhythm of his tongue without giving me a second to adjust.

We're desperate, needy, and rough.

I don't think I like it any other way.

My hips lift from the floor, my back arching as I match his pace with my own, and a few moments later, I feel the telltale sign of my climax tingling in my toes. My hold on his hair tightens as I moan in ecstasy, bathing in the glow of my release as he laps eagerly at my folds.

He doesn't stop until I'm completely wrung out, slowly lifting his gaze to meet mine.

With one swift swoop, he lifts me into his lap, hands engulfing my ass cheeks as he grinds me down against his cock. My nipples grow taut pressed against his skin as we stare at one another. Panting, sweat clings to my skin, my hair loose and pressed against my neck as we remain frozen in place.

"Ride me," he rasps. "Show me you want it just as badly as I do."

My throat dries out as my body moves of its own accord. He delves into his jeans pocket from beside us, retrieving a condom a moment later, and my eyes grow wide. I was about to do as he commanded without even considering protection.

"You used this last time, right?" I ask, nerves tingling through me as I wait with bated breath for his response.

"Of course. You would know if I didn't," he grunts, and I lift off him just enough for him to sheath his dick.

"What does that mean?" I frown, the question lost on him as he grabs my waist, lining me up with his length before thrusting inside me. He pulls me down hard, making me groan as my head falls back with ecstasy.

All I can feel is him. I'm full, so fucking full, and he doesn't wait a single beat for me to adjust as he tightens his hold on my waist, lifting me and dropping me on his dick over and over again. My body heats, goosebumps ghosting over my skin as I press my palms into his shoulders and dig my knees into the carpet.

He wanted me to show him I wanted it too, yet he's taking all of the control. His hold at my waist doesn't slack, but his movements slow as he offers me a chance to gain the power between us. We both know he's offering it. For how long, I don't know, so I grind down on him, grinning at the curse that falls from his mouth as I try to match the pace he had just set.

I slam down on his length again and again, crying out every time as he fills me completely. I'm intoxicated by him, but the confusion over what he meant a moment ago still lingers in my brain.

"How would I know?" I ask, my pace unwavering as he frowns at me. "If you didn't use one last time. How would I know?" I reiterate, his eyes darkening, and I know at that moment that his answer is going to knock me off my feet.

His fingers press deeper into my waist as he regains control, forcing me to rise and fall on his cock like a ragdoll made solely for his pleasure. I almost like the idea of that as pleasure licks over my skin until his answer echoes in my ears.

"It means if I didn't wear one, I'm pretty sure I would have marked you as mine."

My eyes widen in surprise, my jaw falling slack as I gape at him. Our eyes clash a split second before his mouth crushes against mine and I succumb to another orgasm. It tears through me, hard and fast, prolonging as I feel his movements stutter and his cock pulse inside me a moment later.

I cling to him as we topple over the edge together, my limbs weak and exhausted as I rest my head on his shoulder. I have no idea how long we sit like this, basking in the energy between us, before he shifts to press his lips against my neck.

I lift my head and his mouth follows after me, trailing up my throat and over my pulse in slow, purposeful moves. It's tantalizing until he nips at my delicate skin, making me shriek.

Glaring at him, I shiver at the sight of his dark eyes swirling with emotions I have no desire to tangle with right now. Clearing my throat, I shift in his lap, biting back a moan at the loss of his cock when he retreats, and to my surprise, he lets me go.

He stares up at me with a grin that shouldn't look so sinful as I fold my arms over my chest and glare at him.

"I still don't like you," I grumble, making his grin widen.

"The feeling is mutual, Alpha."