Page 45 of Hexmate

My breath caught in my throat. I knew being in that private room of his, all alone and away from everyone else was what we both wanted. Every fiber of my being wanted to say yes. And as much as that nagging voice in the back of my head told me that I should be taking my time, I couldn’t deny the fact that I’d been lost in thought about him all week. At this point,notdoing something with him was getting more in the way than anything else.

“I… yeah,” I said at last. “Let’s go to the library.”

There was a faint spark of hope in his eye as his hulking frame leaned in closer. His musky scent enveloped me, the earthiness of it almost spicy now that he’d been sweating for the past couple of hours. I felt the sudden urge to lick him, though I didn’t understand why.

“Is that what you really want?” he asked, a tone of knowing in his voice.

Of course he knew what I actually wanted. He could smell it on me. I’m sure I stank of lust since I’d been fantasizing about him all afternoon. Hell, all week for that matter. Just being close to him made my pants tight, my cock aching to be set free. After that taste in the cabin… I wanted more.

“Y-Yeah,” I managed to say at last. “That’s what I want.”

Atlas’s eyes flashed with a predatory gleam as he took my hand, leading me out of the classroom. My heart raced as we made our way through the hallways, dodging other students. I could feel the heat radiating off his body, his powerful presence overwhelming my senses. He didn’t even bother hiding his hand holding mine from the others.

We reached the library, and Atlas guided me straight down the stairs to his secret study room hidden in the basement. As soon as the door closed behind us, he pressed me up against it, his muscular body pinning me in place.

“I’ve been thinking about you all week,” he growled, his voice low and hungry. His hands roamed over my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. “Dreaming about touching you again, tasting you.”

I whimpered, my body trembling with need. “Me too,” I admitted breathlessly. “I can’t focus on anything else.”

Atlas captured my lips in a searing kiss, his tongue delving into my mouth. I moaned, clutching at his broad shoulders as he devoured me. His hands slid down to cup my ass, lifting meeasily. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bar, setting me down on the edge.

“Tell me you want this,” he said, his golden eyes boring into mine. “Tell me this is okay.”

“I… I don’t want to form a bond yet,” I said, barely able to retain my logic. The scent of him and the heat of his cock pressed against mine was making it hard to think. “But I want you to… to show me something new.”

Atlas’s eyes widened and a slow grin spread over his face.

“I’ll show you anything you want, Caden.”

I pulled him back in, kissing him hard on the mouth. That was all the encouragement I needed.

Chapter 18

Atlas

My hands were everywhere, exploring Caden’s body with a hunger that left him breathless. He tugged at my shirt, humming softly when it caught on my arms. I lifted them, allowing him to pull it over my head and toss it aside. His eyes raked over my exposed chest, drinking in the sight of my hairy chest and the thick muscles covering my body. I loved the way he looked at me, like I was some beautiful specimen on display. It made me swell with pride.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, leaning in to trail kisses along my chest. His light stubble scraped deliciously against my sensitive skin, sending shivers down my spine.

I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, desperate to feel his bare skin against mine. Caden chuckled, gently batting my hands away to undo them himself. As each inch of pale, soft flesh was revealed, my mouth went dry. He was perfection incarnate, like a delicate flower come to life.

“Like what you see?” Caden teased, shrugging off his shirt. He was being more forward than usual, but I liked it.

Unable to form words, I simply nodded, reaching out to run my hands over his lithe body. Caden moaned, his eyes flashing with desire. In one swift motion, I lifted him off the bar andcarried him to the small mound of cushions in the center of the room.

I laid Caden down gently on the cushions, my eyes never leaving his. His chest rose and fell rapidly, a light flush spreading across his freckled skin. I hovered over him, drinking in the sight of his tousled blonde hair and kiss-swollen lips.

“Are you sure about this?” I whispered, brushing a stray lock from his forehead.

Caden nodded, his blue eyes darkening with lust. “I’ve never been more sure of anything,” he breathed. “I… I need this.”

That was all the encouragement I needed. I captured his lips in a searing kiss, pouring all my pent-up desire into it. Caden responded eagerly, his hands roaming over my back and shoulders.

As we kissed, I felt a strange tingling sensation where our skin touched. At first, I thought it was just the intensity of the moment, but then I noticed small vines and flowers sprouting from the cushions around us. Caden’s magic was reacting to his heightened emotions, bringing life to our surroundings.

I pulled back slightly, marveling at the botanical display. “Does that always happen?” I asked, pointing down at the flowers.

“I don’t know,” Caden replied, not looking. He pulled me in, kissing me hard. “And I don’t care.”

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