Page 40 of Shadowed Spirits

My eyes widen in surprise that he thinks I’d judge a kid like that. “What? No, of course not! That’d be a tragedy for everyone, but it wouldn’t make her a monster.” Cain raises his eyebrows at me, and the point he was trying to make sinks in. I try to look away, refusing to concede anything, but he holds me steady. “That’s different.”

His hand flexes on my waist as he takes a deep breath and seems to try to calm himself. I’ve never seen Cain get angry, not even at Mira. My heart feels bruised and bloody that I’m the one to finally make him lose his cool. It seems like I bring out the worst in people. “How?” he grits out.

“Because I should’ve known better.” I should’ve done so much differently. I shouldn’t have let him climb up the outside of the slide like that. I shouldn’t have tried to heal him with magic I didn’t even understand. I should’ve kept him at a distance because all I ever do is hurt those around me.

“How? You didn’t know anyone with your magic. How, exactly, would you know better?” Cain asks incredulously.

“I don’t know! But I should’ve found a way. Don’t you get it, Cain? There’s something inherently wrong with me. My soul is evil. That’s why I have this magic, because the universe didn’t want it to taint someone actually good.” If I were good, I’d have a magic that doesn’t put everyone in danger and doesn’t do horrible things like kill my best friend.

“That’s a fucking lie,” he hisses before slamming his soft lips onto mine. I gasp into the kiss, and his tongue slips into my mouth, tangling with mine. From my sweet, gentle mate, the kiss is surprisingly hard and punishing. I’m doing my best to keep up with his kiss that’s equal parts frustration and concern, but all I can really do is just take it.

After a long moment of kissing me, he stands up from the piano bench, still holding me and devouring my mouth. He walks me over to one of the grand pianos with its lid closed and sets me down on it. I know I should feel bad about sitting on the lid of such a beautiful instrument, but I’m too consumed with Cain to care.

When I’m settled on the lid, Cain parts my legs and steps between them, using his hold on my waist to tug me until I’m flush against him. I can feel his hard-on pressed against my core, and I grind against it, needing some relief from the arousal pooling low in my belly and snaking up my spine.

Just when I’m getting close, Cain abruptly yanks his mouth from mine and moves his hips back. He closes his eyes and rests his forehead on mine. “You need to stop that, angel, before I come in my pants.”

I look at him with wide eyes, not realizing he was getting that close. I wonder if it’s because he’s inexperienced. “Are you, uh, a virgin?” My cheeks turn red at the intimate question.

He chuckles quietly. “No. I haven’t been in a long time.” My chest bubbles with jealousy at the thought of anyone else touching Cain. He’s mine. Some of my feelings must show onmy face because Cain rushes to soothe my ire. “None of them meant anything to me, whereas you’re my entire world. Being about to make a mess of my sweats is all you, Isabel, not a lack of experience. I’m slowly losing the battle to keep from shoving my cock in you and seeing if you’re really as tight as I imagine.”

His words stoke the flames of my need. My mouth is suddenly dry, so I have to lick my lips before I can respond. “I want that.” Even though I know it’s a horrible idea. I’m tempting fate by continuing to get intimate with my mates. Eventually, my magic will have enough and bond them to me forever. I know I should stay away from them, but I can’t.

Cain groans. “You can’t say things like that, angel. If you keep it up, I’m going to put us both out of our misery and bury myself in you.”

I whimper. “I want to feel you, Cain, so bad.” My voice is pleading, which would be embarrassing in any other situation. Right now, though, I’m too overwhelmed with my need for him to care. I clench my thighs around him, hoping to get a little friction where I need it the most, but I can’t reach him.

His eyes flash amber before he closes them and bows his head, seeming to search for control. When he opens them again, they’re back to deep green. “Your first time isn’t going to be a rushed fuck in the music room, Isabel.”

“Please,” I whisper, hating myself a little that I’m begging him. Memories of other times I begged try to surge up, but I push them out of my mind. I’m not letting them ruin this moment with Cain.

“Fuck, angel. You shred my control, you know that?” He leans down to press a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose before he pulls back. “Fine. I’ll go in just enough that you can feel me. Will that give you what you need tonight?”

I nod my head so vigorously, I’m worried it’ll give me whiplash, but I’ll agree to anything that lets me feel him. Myneed is so intense, I’m guessing it’s magically fueled, but I can’t find it in me to care right now.

While I’m willing to do almost anything to tame the need raging in me, I’m unwilling to tie Cain to me for the rest of our lives. I want him to have the option to leave, even if it’ll kill me. Checking in with my magic, I feel it straining toward him, yearning to create a mate bond. I’m able to shove it deeper in my chest and cage it in. My hold on it is tenuous, but I’m fairly confident it will hold for now.

Cain laughs at my enthusiasm before tenderly brushing a few strands of my multicolored hair out of my face. “Okay. Just tell me to stop if any of it’s too much for you.”

“I can do that,” I whisper.

Cain waits until I agree before lifting me up slightly so he can pull down my running shorts before setting me back down. He steps back and slides them off my legs to let them drop onto the floor. He stares between my still-parted legs for a long moment. I get self-conscious and try to close my legs. Stepping between them with a growl, Cain keeps my legs spread around his waist. Capturing my chin in one hand, he forces me to meet his gaze. “Don’t. Don’t hide from me. You’re gorgeous, and I want to look my fill.”

With my cheeks flaming, I give him a small nod. After looking for several moments more, Cain shoves his sweatpants and boxer briefs down his slim hips to pool around his muscular thighs. When he frees his thick cock, my eyes widen. While he’s about as long as Luca, he’s the thickest of the three mates I’ve seen. I gulp at his girth, and my eyes flick up to his. He gives me a slightly smug half smile. I let out a quiet chuckle because it’s not an expression I’m used to seeing on him.

“Take off your shirt,” he orders. “I want to see all of you.”

My eyes widen. “We’re kinda in public. What if someone walks in?”

“They won’t see you. I’m blocking the view from the door, so all they’ll see is me.” He gestures behind him at the doorway that his tall frame is obscuring.

I worry my lower lip between my teeth for a moment. “Fine, but only if you take yours off.”

Cain whips his shirt over his head as soon as I ask, exposing his defined torso to me. I snort at his eagerness. It’s hard to rip my gaze away from his washboard abs, muscular pecs, and massive biceps. Eventually, I do, and with a deep breath, I pull my shirt over my head and let it drop to the piano beside me. I fight the urge to cross my arms over my chest as I bare myself to him in a way I never have for anyone else.

“You’re beautiful, Isabel,” he breathes. He cups my breasts, one in each hand. He kneads them before pinching my nipples. I gasp and arch my back, wanting more of everything he’ll give me. He trails one hand down my stomach, and I almost complain until he spears a finger into me.

I whimper at the sensation that’s more familiar now than it was yesterday. The stretching quickly turns to pleasure, and he adds another finger. Wet noises echo in the music room, but it feels so good, I don’t have a chance to feel embarrassed. After a few more pumps, Cain withdraws his fingers and lines his dick up with my entrance.

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