Page 12 of Wild Fated Mate
She paused, and my heart fucking stopped.
I released her arms.
She took a step forward, and I held my breath.
She put her hands on my chest.
And that was far enough for me.
Serena
As if the world had pressed pause on my path to love with Gavin, and just hit re-start, I could feel myself back in that space where I was hopeful and excited to discover him.
I wanted a safe place to land. Arms strong enough to hold me, but not grip so tight I cracked. I wanted to be in a never ending loop of love and trust—like the handfasting string that bound Gavin and I together. I wanted it to be real. The memory of that pause, and the hurt that followed wouldn’t be erased by one kiss.
I’d gone bungee jumping off a bridge into a deep, rocky gorge a few years ago. At the time, it was the scariest—possibly dumbest—thing I’d ever done. Getting on stage for this charity event, that was second. This was first by miles.
It was time to admit to myself I’d hoped that somehow Gavin would be on stage, too, when I had no logical reason to think he would be. The girls would never have convinced me to be the Roaring Ranger’s representative today, otherwise. I’d meant what I said to Gavin: no one can make you do anything you don’t really want.
And I wanted this to be real so much; I was terrified my secret wish for that future and the desire I had for him was overwhelming my senses, the same way the air had rushed not just around me, but through me as I leapt from that bridge.
I needed to know.
If what he said was true, if what his body showed me was true, and if what my heart felt was true, then I had to leap, right?
“I’ll give you the twenty-four hours to show me who you are.” I nodded my head between us. “And I will accept every part of you, the same as if we were married for real.”
His smile was like his kiss, bold and fierce, and it reached all the way to his eyes, warm with a tenderness I didn’t anticipate. I lost my breath at the emotion there.
I had to keep going, though. There would be no misunderstandings between us. If I was going to go all in, acting as if this was for real, we’d never be apart again. I didn’t want to start the first day of our lives together with anything less than honesty.
“No matter how much you might want to fuck me”—I paused at his growl —“and how much I might want you, sex isn’t enough. I won’t be a dirty secret for you to hide away. You take me as I am, or not at all.”
“I don’t want you any other way, Sunshine.” His grin this time was pure sin. “Except naked.”
I laughed. This was such an intense moment, the mischievous comment took me off guard—and solidified my decision. There was much more to this rough and ready hotshot, and I couldn’t wait one moment more.
“Okay,” I breathed. “Let’s do this.”
“Hold on. I have a few demands of my own.”
My vision narrowed at his words, but I waited for him to speak before I let my stomach jump around.
“One, I want the same from you. Take me as I am.”
I nodded. I wanted him just the way he was. I loved his rough edges and hard angles. He worked hard and it showed.
“Two. You can lead me around all day long, but when it comes to your pleasure, I’m in charge. Always.”
His blazing cinnamon-gold gaze burned into me with an intensity that made my skin heat.
“Breathe, baby.”
His smirk couldn’t dim my desire. Gavin didn’t talk much, but it seemed that when he did, his words were as solid as the mountain beneath my feet. I believed that if he was in charge, I would never regret what we did together.
“Agreed. Is there a three?” I teased him.
He growled and pulled me into his chest.
