Page 123 of Heat & Deceit
“Javier.”
“Javi,” he corrects, brushing his lips over my cheek as I press into his palm, trying to soothe the ache between my legs.
I swallow and rasp, “Javi.”
He takes the hand from my throat, using the one between my legs to pin me in place, and grabs a wrist, bringing my hand down and slipping it between our bodies. My fingers grasp his pulsing cock without needing instruction.
“And whose is this?”
“Mine,” I whisper.
He smirks at me in the mirror and nods. “Who does this cock belong to?”
“Me,” I whisper.
“Louder.”
“Me.”
A full smile breaks across his face, and he purrs. “I’m proud of you for claiming what’s yours.” Regret lines his face, and he shifts the hand between my legs to my hip. I whine, and his hand tightens around my neck, not enough to hurt but enough to make me stop. “I promised to be a gentleman, remember?”
“You don’t have to be,” I whisper.
“As much as I wish that were true, I’d feel like an asshole if I fucked you tonight.”
“It’s okay.” I squeeze his length, and he groans, dropping his head to my shoulder. “I’m okay with it.”
“Mentirosa.” His voice is rough, and I know I almost have him. “Not tonight.”
Rejection stings through me, and my hand falls away from his dick, hanging listlessly at my side. I swallow around the sting and bite my cheek to keep from saying something nasty to make myself feel better.
“Don’t think it’s because I don’t want you.” He lifts his head and rests his chin on my shoulder, staring at me in the mirror. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life, but you were attacked.”
Those words sink in, and while I know it’s probably better that he’s holding back, part of me wishes he’d be that ruthless alpha, that he’d ignore my feelings and fuck me rough and fast until I had no choice but to sleep. That way, I wouldn’t have to think or feel. But Javi’s right. If he did that, in the morning, I’d hate him a little for it.
I don’t want to hate him.
“Okay,” I concede, my eyelids fluttering shut.
His arms band around my middle, and he simply holds me, waiting for me to collect myself. Strong and steady, he stands sentinel, and while there’s no immediate threat, I know he’ll protect me. My eyes eventually open, finding his in the mirror.
“There she is,” he says with a little grin. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”
Sometimes when people give compliments, it’s so obviously fake. Not Javi. Javi’s words aim for my chest, with nothing but the truth wrapped around them. In his arms, I feel invincible.
And as his omega, I know I’ll be safe.
His chest rumbles in approval, as if sensing my thoughts. “I should probably untie you before Ly storms in here and starts a fight.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “He’s a little hotheaded.”
“A little?” Javi arches an eyebrow and slowly straightens, spinning me around. His fingers catch my chin and he tips it up, lips claiming mine for a breathless moment. “Did you like it?” he asks once we break apart, tugging gently at the ropes.
“Yes.”
He begins the process of untying me. “Can I do it again sometime?”
I nod. “But only if you break your gentlemanly promise.”
