Page 46 of The Alpha Option
He lay on his back on the hardwood floor of the tree house. She was using him as a mattress, her hands pressed to his chest. Under her palms, his still rapidly pulsing heart beat out a wild tempo.
So much to take in. So much to still understand. “That was pretty amazing sex.”
“Agreed.” He pulled her closer until he could nuzzle against her neck. “God, I love the smell of you right here. Just makes me wild.”
“Give me five minutes,” she warned.
Jace chuckled. “That’s supposed to be my line.”
“Hey, I’m not used to having visions while I’m having sex.”
His smile only got bigger. “Nice to know I bring something new to the game.”
She stared at him, the joy and pleasure inside her stealing toward seriousness. “This isn’t ordinary, everyday awesome sex, is it?”
He shifted his head slightly. “No. But I don’t want it to be. Do you?”
The connection between them kept growing. Cassidy couldn’t deny it.
Didn’t want to.
It seemed odd to come right out and ask, but it was the only way to be sure. “Are we mates? Fated or otherwise?”
Jace didn’t hesitate. He curled himself upright until she sat in his lap, his arms around her. “Yes. But that doesn’t mean this is all decided without you. I’m in—one hundred percent. The rest of it is up to you. When you’re ready.”
It’s too quick.That was Cassidy’s first thought, and it was true.
But she pressed her palm to his cheek and stared into those beautiful eyes, knowingnowasn’t the whole answer. “I’m nearly there,” she told him.
He could’ve been hurt by her statement. He could’ve tried to argue or convince her, but instead, he smiled.
“I’m glad. When you’re ready,” he repeated. “I’ll be there to catch you. Forever and always.”
Jace squeezed her tight, and Cassidy held on to him. The beat of their hearts fell into a matching rhythm as they sat high in the trees with the rain pouring all around them.
She held on and hoped.
16
“Tell me this isn’t typical weather.” Stephanie flounced into the living room, then swooned onto the couch next to Blue. “I’m not a duck. This would be lovely weather for a duck, but I prefer my humidity at something less than maximum saturation.”
“It’s not typical,” Blue assured her. He held out the magazine they were consulting for furniture ideas. “Which do you like better, with or without armrests?”
Stephanie sighed dramatically again, then slid over to consider the options. “At least we have things to do while we’re waiting for the rain to stop.”
“Other than the things outside that aren’t getting done.” Cassidy turned and stared out the window again, admitting to herself she was pouting. “We were progressing so well.”
“We have time,” Steph assured her. She sat up and patted the open space beside her. “Come here. Blue and I were talking this morning, and I think he had a good idea.”
The two of them were always talking, which Cassidy found rather cute.
Blue was so earnest and yet happy-go-lucky. It was nice to have him around. Especially in the past few days when he’d been a notable contrast to Jace. Who was not there at the moment, having slunk off to do some broody alpha stuff, she assumed.
The moment they had shared in the trees had been magical—literally. And now, days later, things were still very good between them, but Jace seemed distracted. Even more so than her.
She shook her head and gave Steph her attention. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Stephanie patted her leg. “Here’s what we’re thinking. Stacy arrives in the next couple of days. Depending on how the weather is, she’ll want to let the kids have some time to settle in so they feel like this is home. Blue thinks the stuff we ordered for renovations inside the house should be here the Friday after Canada Day.”
