Page 33 of Twisted Mates

“Yes,” she interrupts. “Yes. Yes to all of the above.”

My grin grows wider. “All right then.” I turn back to my dresser and pull out a black t-shirt that I know will swallow her up but will be comfortable for her. “Here you go,” I say, handing it to her. “I can go?—”

“No,” she interrupts again, and her cheeks redden. “I’m sorry I keep interrupting you. I just—you don’t have to go.”

Damn, she’s adorable when she’s all flustered.

“You sure?”

“Yes,” she says in a more confident voice as she toes her shoes and socks off before unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans. “It’s just panties and a bra. No big deal, right?” Kicking the pants off, she reaches up and pulls her sweatshirt over her head, tossing it on the chair behind her, leaving her in nothing but black cotton panties and a simple black lace bralette.

“Yeah. No big deal.” I feel like some fourteen-year-old kid who can’t get it together around a pretty girl. I shove my hands in my pockets and look anywhere but at her. It feels wrong to stare when this should just be a simple changing of clothes. But I’ll be damned if it doesn’t have the same effect on me as a striptease. Except when she puts the shirton, it’s even sexier because my clothes lookreallygood on her.

Alexia climbs into my bed, and I wait for her to pat the mattress beside her to summon me over. Sitting beside her, we slip down until our heads hit the pillows. I lift my arm and welcome her into my side where she snuggles in beside me.

“Do you think it’s my fault that Kai left? Why wouldn’t he just have a discussion with me if he didn’t want to move forward with our relationship?” she asks.

“No, it’s not your fault,” I say, pulling her tighter against me. “I don’t know what’s going on with Kai. But if you really want my honesty, here it is. I think he’s an idiot. I can’t figure out what could possibly be holding him back from you. If you were mine, I would want that bond more than my next breath.”

The room falls uncomfortably silent, and I wonder if I’ve taken things too far. Maybe she just wanted a simple yes or no, but I can’t give that to her. I need her to understand that whatever my brother is going through has nothing to do with her.

But just before I open my mouth to apologize, she speaks. “You don’t think of me as just your kid sister’s friend?” She tucks her hands under her cheek and studies me, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth.

“No. Not even a little bit.” I brush my knuckles along the side of her face. It’s supposed to be an innocent touch, just a little reassurance that everything will be all right. But it feels like so much more. Something in the back of my mind nags at me, screaming that this is a bad idea. But that little voice is drowned out by the growing need inside me. She has a way of pulling me in and I have no desire to fight it.

Her dark eyes flick down across my bare chest and over my tattoos. “And why is that, Xander?”

“You radiate the kind of light I just want to bask in.”

The relief on her face is instant. “I’m glad that I make someone happy around here. It’s hard coming into someoneelse’s house and just making yourself at home when you feel anything but comfortable. I’ve tried to make the best of it, but I’ve been so afraid that I’m annoying or a burden.”

It’s a fine line we’re walking. I shouldn’t be complimenting her or giving her any inclination that I notice her beyond being my brother’s mate. But it’s like I have to be honest with her, to tell her the truth about what I’m feeling no matter the consequences.

“Trust me, I’ve soaked up tiny rays of your sunshine since you came into this house.”

She smiles at that, a real smile that reaches her eyes, and it takes every single bit of restraint I have to keep my hands to myself. That sunshine I just talked about pours out of her when she smiles, and every bit of her is gorgeous.

My hand moves of its own accord, and I brush a strand of ebony hair away from her face. I open my mouth to tell her Kai is meant for her, thatheshould be the one noticing her, but stop short when her lips brush the side of my finger. And they’reso fucking soft.

I trace the dip of her Cupid’s bow and trail down to the seam of her mouth. She opens, gifting me with the feel of her breath along my skin. It’s addicting—every gentle brush of air, every stroke of silky skin, every glimpse of her pink tongue. I’ve barely touched her, and I’m hooked.

I should pull away, should put space between us. When I try to move back, she whispers, “No. Please don’t. I—I like the way your skin feels against mine.”

And as if I needed any convincing, her tongue darts out and brushes against the pad of my thumb. I inhale and am met with the smell of her arousal—an intoxicating mixture of the sweetest indulgences you can imagine. Vanilla, caramel, honey, with a touch of ripe cherry. My wolf awakens under the surface, wanting to play and give in to its carnal desires.

“Alexia.” Her name is a breathless plea to stop. For mercy. For more.

She just needs some reassurance, to know she is desirable after the last couple of days. I can give that to her. Just to boost her confidence so she can face what’s to come, if she is truly rejected.

The back of my hand glides along the line of her jaw and down the slope of her neck. I follow the curve of her body to her shoulder and down her bare arm. Thousands of goosebumps rise along the path I draw. Her body is so responsive, so hungry for touch. And mine wants to satisfy her craving.

Her breath is shaky as she inhales and extends her hand toward me, her fingers tracing over one of the inky swirls on my chest. “Do you ever get used to the pain?” she asks.

I shake my head. “It always hurts, but I like it. That sting reminds me that it’s real, that it’s permanent. So many things in this life come and go, but this ink will never leave me. I’ve come to learn that every line is a reminder that what I feel is real and valid.”

“I wish I was brave enough to write my stories on my skin the way you do.”

I grab her hand and her gaze darts to mine. “I was serious last night when I said I’d tattoo you if that's really something you want. I have no doubt you are brave enough to do it.”

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