Page 44 of The Shattered Kingdom
I fake a pout. “Why not?”
“Because putting my mouth on you meant something to me, and now you’re mocking it.”
I snap my legs shut and pull down my dress.Fuck. Leave it to Mason to make me feel guilty for giving him a taste of his own medicine.
“I—”
I barely have time to react as Mason darts forward and rips my dress back up my legs. I fall back onto his bed, my heart pounding.
“Don’t be so gullible, Abby. I like your spitefulness, and if I need to lick my way to your heart, so be it.” Mason pauses, hesitating, before continuing. “I want you to know this does mean something to me, though.Youmean something to me, even if you hate me.”
I don’t know what to say. Mason’s admission makes me feelunnervingly pleased, but I don’t want to feel pleased with him. I don’t want any soft emotions toward Mason.
Without responding, I place a hand on top of his head and push it between my thighs. It’s easy not to think when he’s down there.
Chapter Sixteen
KIERAN
I HEAR THEM the second I walk through the front door.
Abby’s moans are muffled but loud, and I follow them to Mason’s bedroom. The door is cracked, and I can’t resist the urge to peer inside. I haven’t explicitly told Mason I don’t want him having sex with her, but I shouldn’t need to.
Forked mate bonds are rare, but there are established rules. Mason and I share Abby, which means our first time with her will be together.
I’m pleased to see Mason isn’t fucking her. He’s on his knees at the foot of his bed, his face buried between her thighs. Abby’s on her back, her legs wrapped around his shoulders and her hands lost in his hair.
I lean against the doorframe. I’m exhausted, my body begging for rest, but sleep is the last thing on my mind.
I never imagined Mason would so eagerly drop to his knees for a woman—even his mate. It’s an advancement I didn’t expect, but I’m not surprised Abby’s drawn it out of him. She’s mean and bossy, and Mason seems to enjoy it when she believes she controls him.
How long will it take her to realize she doesn’t?
Abby moans, rocking her hips. My throat is suddenly dry.
Mason seems to think I’m in denial of the bond I share with Abby, which couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve been drawn to the human since I first laid eyes on her, but she doesn’t want my bond. She doesn’t want me, and I won’t touch her and force it.
The distraction of my mother and Lillian is making it easier to avoid her. I was a fool for believing the bond with Lillian was real, despite all the signs warning me that something was wrong. I wasn’t drawn to Lillian the way mates should be—the way I am with Abby. Mason’s reluctance should’ve been another warning sign.
It was, but I ignored it.
Now my mother is dead, and my true mate wants nothing to do with me. I have nobody to blame but myself.
I’m trying to remain impartial and give Abby space. It’s working. She doesn’t look at me the same way she looks at Mason, which is another form of torture. I’m willing to endure it, though. I have too much on my plate, and adding the complexity of a mate bond with a human who wants nothing to do with me isn’t feasible.
Mason slips a hand between Abby’s thighs, and her entire body jolts a second later. I wonder if this is the first time he’s put his fingers inside her, and I’m pleased he waited until I was present to do so.
I’m avoiding her, but I don’t want to miss too many firsts. They’re still important to me.
Abby slams a hand over her mouth, trying to quiet her moans. She’s largely unsuccessful, and I can’t help but wish I were in Mason’s position. Is she soft inside? I shake my head. Of course she is. She’s soft and warm, and I bet she feels incredible around his fingers.
I’m surprised she’s letting him touch her.
Abby continues rocking against Mason’s tongue, her moans growing louder until she buries her heels into his back and arches off the bed. She’s cumming. Mason’s arm flexes as he works her through it, and he continues until she relaxes and drops her legs from around his shoulders.
The movement fully exposes her, and I force my expression to remain neutral as I finally see her slick cunt. She’s soaked, but that’s not what captures my attention. Mason’s fingers are still inside her, his middle and ring, and she’s stretched tightly around them.
I have to look away.
