Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

F ia descended the stairs, her damp hair leaving a cool trail on her neck. The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the usual cacophony of Vienna’s giggles and babbles. She breathed in deeply, savoring the rare moment of peace.

As she reached the bottom step, a tantalizing aroma wafted through the air. Her stomach growled in response, reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since lunch. Following her nose, Fia padded into the living room, where she stopped short at the sight before her.

Sayer stood by the coffee table, arranging plates next to an open pizza box. Two glasses of red wine sat ready, their rich burgundy color catching the soft lamplight. On the TV screen, the menu for a movie waited patiently.

“What’s all this?” Fia asked, unable to keep the surprise from her voice.

Sayer looked up, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “I thought we could use a night off. Pizza, wine, and a movie – the perfect combination, right?”

Fia’s heart fluttered at his thoughtfulness. “It’s perfect,” she agreed, moving closer to inspect the spread. “What movie did you pick?”

“Ah,” Sayer said, reaching for the remote. “You’ll see.”

As the title screen for The Proposal appeared, Fia couldn’t help but laugh. “The fact you remember I like romantic comedies really says something because I don’t even remember telling you about that. How did you know?”

“My lips are sealed,” Sayer winked, patting the spot next to him on the couch. “Come on, the pizza’s getting cold.”

Fia settled in beside him, acutely aware of the warmth radiating from his body. She took a sip of wine, letting the rich flavor roll over her tongue. “I can’t believe you remembered I like this movie.”

“I remember everything you tell me,” Sayer said softly, his eyes meeting hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

As the movie played, Fia found herself relaxing more than she had in months. She laughed at the familiar jokes, stealing glances at Sayer to gauge his reaction. To her delight, he seemed to be enjoying it just as much as she was.

When they reached the scene where Sandra Bullock’s character started rapping “It Takes Two,” Fia nearly choked on her wine as Sayer suddenly joined in, matching the actress word for word.

Fia dissolved into a fit of giggles, clutching her sides as Sayer continued his performance.

“Where on earth did you learn that?” she gasped between laughs.

Sayer grinned, looking pleased with himself. “I’m an almost-two-hundred-year-old lion. I have seen every stage of the music industry’s transition.”

The warmth in Fia’s chest had nothing to do with the wine. Without thinking, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “You’re full of surprises, Mr. Hunky Lion Gentry.”

As the movie progressed, Fia found herself inching closer to Sayer. By the time the credits rolled, she was nestled against his side, his arm draped comfortably around her shoulders.

“So,” Sayer murmured, his breath tickling her ear, “did my performance live up to your expectations?”

Fia tilted her head to look up at him. In the dim light of the TV screen, his eyes seemed to sparkle with an emotion she was almost afraid to name. “It exceeded them,” she whispered.

His hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb gently tracing her cheekbone. “Ever since I realized you were my mate, it’s been... challenging, to say the least.”

Fia’s brow furrowed. “Challenging? How so?”

He smiled softly, but there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “Every instinct I have is screaming at me to claim you, to make you mine in every way possible. But I know you need time, that we both need to navigate this new reality with Vienna.”

His honesty touched her deeply. Fia reached up, covering his hand with her own. “Sayer, I had no idea. Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“I didn’t want to pressure you,” he admitted. “Your happiness and comfort are paramount to me. I’d rather wait forever than rush you into something you’re not ready for.”

The depth of his consideration for her feelings made Fia’s heart swell. “Oh, Sayer,” she whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

“You have no idea how much I want this - want us. The thought of you as my mate, of us raising Vienna together, maybe even having more children someday... it’s all I can think about.”

His words painted a vivid picture in Fia’s mind - a future filled with love, laughter, and family. She saw herself in a white dress, walking down an aisle toward Sayer. She imagined their family growing, Vienna as a big sister, their home filled with the pitter-patter of little feet.

The intensity of her own desire for that future startled her. “I want that too,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “All of it. With you.”

He nodded. “I do too.” Sayer pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. “I’m so glad you and I envision the same future.”

The air between them crackled with desire. Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, Sayer leaned down. Fia’s eyes fluttered closed as his lips met hers in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened.

She lost herself in the sensation, her hands coming up to tangle in his hair. Sayer’s arms tightened around her, pulling her closer until she was practically in his lap.

Separating, Fia rested her forehead against his. “We should have movie nights more often,” she murmured with a smile.

Sayer chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Definitely,” he agreed, capturing her lips in another kiss.

Straddling the lap of the only man she wanted more than her next breath, Fia initiated a kiss. He’d been real with her. He made himself vulnerable for her, let her see his fear. No man had ever opened up to such a level with her. He trusted her with his secrets. Why?

There was a reason he’d explained what a mate was. He was trying to tell her that he was different from other men. When he gave his heart, he gave it all, holding nothing back.

The kiss heated her lower stomach all the way to her toes. Sayer knew how to kiss. She had no doubt he was good at everything he did, especially things with his tongue. She felt her underwear soaking. Sayer groaned and pulled her closer to where her center pressed against his hardness hidden behind his pants.

He left her breathless, her body craving more of him. And her brain was finally on board, while her heart beat for the man who held her.

Sayer yanked back from her, then dug his fingers into her hair, pressing her to him. “Fia, my love. I want you so badly.”

She raised a brow. “Well then, you’d better do something about that.”

He pulled her back, a questioning look on his face along with hope in his eyes. “Are you saying you’ll…that you’re…right now?”

In the past, she would’ve given every excuse under the sun, but right now, all she wanted was for him to love her and pound her so hard she’d see stars.

“I can’t stay away from you,” he groaned, his lips taking hers in a desperate kiss. Her clothes flew off her body, each piece tugged with an urgency she’d never felt.

Then he was spreading her thighs open, pushing her legs back and grunting. She looked at him from under lowered lashes. His nostrils flared. She shouldn’t like the wild, feral look on him so much, but she did. There was something seriously wrong with her.

“So wet. So slick,” he grunted.

Yes. She sensed her body growing ready for him to take her. How was it possible? He’d barely touched her. He slid his hand between her folds, fondling and caressing. The urge to have him touch her grew. She wanted him kissing her. Licking her. “You have to do something.”

“What do you want?” he said, his churned-gravel voice making her already tight nipples hurt.

She reached up, grabbing his arms and tugging him down. “Lick me. Fuck me. Do something.”

“I’ll lick you first.” He lowered his head to breathe over her exposed clit. That alone sent shudders racing up her spine. She watched him inhale. “Then I’ll fuck you. I’m growing desperate to feel you.”

He continued to glide his fingers over her folds, slipping them just barely into her and then pulling them back. The delicious torture drew a moan from her. “Please. Goddess. Please, just lick me.”

She’d never wanted a man this badly. Never felt this wild need. Never.

He ran his tongue over her sex and up to her clit. A breath hissed from her lips. She arched her back, pushing her hips closer to his mouth. His tongue flattened against her pussy, greedily lapping at her sex like he’d been starved for a taste.

“Oh, Sayer,” she moaned.

Fia couldn’t believe the feelings racing through her on the rug in front of a hot fire. Sayer licked her pussy, drawing circles and dragging against her aching entrance. “Oh!” She gasped a breath. “Your tongue…wow.”

He lowered his head to slide his tongue into her, thrusting and retreating with short, smooth jabs. His nose pressed at her clit, and with every rumble from him, her entire body vibrated. Her legs shook. Her pelvis bucked against his lips. It was amazing. She had no fight left in her. It was impossible to get a straight thought anymore. Take him .

He pulled his tongue from her sex and replaced it with his fingers. Her hips took on a mind of their own, and she rocked back and forth, riding his fingers, looking for the release that drew near.

“Come, Fia. I want to lick it up when you do,” he rumbled. “I want to press my face into you and lap at every ounce of your sweetness. You taste so delicious. All for me,” his voice grew rougher. “All mine. Just like you, beautiful. Mine.”

He pumped into her in quick strokes with one hand and tonguing her clit at the same time. Her body gave, clenching hard around his fingers. So hard, she couldn’t hold back the scream bursting from her lips. Shivers racked her as pounding pleasure shook her to the core.

He raised his head, lifting a hand wet with her slickness to his mouth and sucking each finger. Every time he slid a dripping wet finger into his mouth, his eyes glowed brighter. A low growl sounded from his chest.

She tugged on his hair, pulling him up and mating her lips to his. The desperation returned twofold. There was a need to have him inside her now. She curled her legs around his hips and flipped them, so he was on his back, and she straddled him.

He cupped her breasts, flicking his thumbs over her engorged nipples and massaging her tits. “Your curves are gorgeous.”

She hadn’t been expecting that. The look in his eyes spoke volumes. He was highly turned on by her body. Something that made her even wetter than she expected.

She shouldn’t be feeling so physically connected to Sayer. She was still getting to know him. But her body and soul were. The need was so great, the attraction so explosive, she could only give in.

She wiggled her hips, her breath punching out of her lungs hard. He slipped between her slick folds, pressing hot and hard against her aching flesh.

Oh, that felt good. So damn good. She grabbed the base of his cock, lifted her body, and put his thick length at her entrance.

“You want me inside you?” he grunted.

“I do,” she breathed. She lowered a fraction. Enough for the head of his cock to enter her channel and spread her wide.

He groaned. “I smell you,” he growled.

She bit her lip, sliding farther, taking more of his length. He was big. She remembered how tight he fit her last time and her body heated at the memory. All that did was turn her on more.

“Oh,” she moaned, pressing her hands on his chest and sliding down. “That feels so good.” Good was not the right word, but her vocabulary was reduced to basic words at the moment.

His hands slid down from her chest to her hips, biting into her flesh and taking control. He yanked her down, impaling her.

She gasped, her heart thundering in her ears. There was no doubt in her mind that he had burned himself into her insides with his hot, large length. She wheezed out a breath, digging her nails into his chest and meeting his gaze.

She lifted and dropped, undulating her body, so he rubbed the insides of her channel in ways that made her eyes roll back.

She started riding him with a wiggle and a swish of her hips. She gave a soft cry as he hauled her down hard, pressing her flush over his pelvis, grinding their bodies together.

“Oh!” she moaned, her body tensing as she rose. He dragged her back down, her pussy fluttering around his cock. “Oh, my god.”

A growl sounded from him. The rumble traveled through his body, sliding to his cock where it made his shaft vibrate.

She couldn’t stop. Control deserted her long ago. She wanted to feel the tension growing inside her break loose. With every surge and drop, she tilted her hips, taking him deeper. Her breaths came out in choked moans. They moved faster. Faster. Until she was practically bopping on his length.

He roared through her orgasm, holding her still over his pulsing cock as he filled her with his seed. She loved every fucking second of it. Feeling the jets of semen shoot into her pushed her over the edge again.

With every powerful shudder racking her body, a scream rolled up her throat, louder, until she was gasping for air. Until all she had left were muscles twitching and his cum sliding down to her thighs.

She dropped onto his chest, their bodies slick with perspiration. She was done. Exhausted and yet ready for more. Her body controlled her. She no longer controlled it. He picked her up in his arms and carried her to their room. To bed.