“I don’t… Whatever…”
She turned off the light and made herself comfortable. The pillows were insanely soft, and she was so tired that she could sleep for a week. It would have been even nicer if Karl had come to her, kissed her and held her in his arms. She curled up as best as she could, hugging her knees with her arms. Once again, she was sleeping alone in a room. She had grown tired of it at Alma Venus, and it was ridiculous that the situation didn’t change now that she was an Alpha’s bride. An Alpha who didn’t want her… An Alpha who had barely spoken at all during dinner, letting his wolves entertain her. Claudia sobbed, then chastised herself for being so weak and needy and refused to let the tears fall. It was just the first night. Maybe Karl hadn’t come because he wanted to wait and get to know her better. Maybe he respected her too much to claim her when the only thing he knew about her were her name and age. He would have known more if he had consulted the House Ursi catalog, as all shifters did when they wanted to buy a b
ride, but nothing about Claudia’s transaction had been done by the book.
Soon, she was falling asleep. The nights here weren’t as silent and peaceful as at Alma Venus, which was at the edge of the small town of Myrtle Valley and at the foot of the mountains, but she would get used to the noises coming from outside. She was slipping into unconsciousness when she thought she heard the door creek, then the floor. She stirred, half asleep, half awake, but couldn’t find the energy to sit up and see who was making the strange sounds. Her eyes snapped open, however, when she felt the edge of the mattress sink under someone’s weight.
“Karl?”
A deep breath came from her right. Claudia turned and saw Karl just sitting there, looking at her.
“You came…”
She smiled and reached out to him, but her smile fell when he caught her wrist right before her fingers touched his arm.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.
“Err… thanks?”
He paid her no mind. It was as if he didn’t hear her, as if he was oblivious to her body language. Still holding her wrist captive, he leaned over her body until his face was so close to hers that she could smell the wine on his breath. Claudia bit the inside of her lip and stared into his eyes. She couldn’t wait to see what he would do, what would happen next. He came, and it meant he liked her, wanted her even. The look in his eyes told her as much.
Karl studied her soft, frizzy hair, the perfect arch of her eyebrows, her high cheekbones, and the delicious curve of her full lips, then he closed his eyes and pressed his lips to hers. He was surprised when she was the one who parted her lips first, allowing him entrance. Their tongues met, and Claudia moaned, her whole body trembling with need. He couldn’t believe how little it took to make her heart beat faster and her pussy release sweet juices he could easily smell. So far, she had given him the impression that she was too shy and innocent to think about him that way, but now her body was telling him there was a lot of passion hidden underneath her calm attitude.
Claudia tried to free her wrist, but Karl only squeezed it harder. Having no other choice, she reached out her other hand to touch him. She was dying to run her fingers up and down his strong chest and chiseled abs, to tangle them into his short hair and press his face harder against hers. Again, Karl’s reflexes were fast and unforgiving. He broke the kiss and caught her wrist with his other hand, then placed both her hands above her head and pinned them there with his right hand, so his left one would be free to touch her lips and cup her jaw.
“What… what are you doing?” Claudia let out an uneasy laugh.
“It’s too soon.”
There was a hint of sadness in his voice, and it unsettled her. This man truly was a mystery.
“No. No, it’s not. I’m your bride now. It’s okay to do this. We should do it…”
His palm followed the length of her neck and went lower to squeeze her breast. She arched her back slightly, her nipples hardening in anticipation of what was to come, of what she hoped would come.
“You’re so frail and innocent…”
“What are you talking about?”
She would have said more, but that was the moment when he decided to pinch her nipple. She moaned and shifted under him, trying to get herself in a position that would allow her to at least wrap her legs around his waist. She tried to wiggle her wrists free, but there was no use.
“Karl… please, let me touch you.”
“No.”
His voice was soft this time, and it sent a chill down her spine.
“Why not? It’s not too soon, I promise. I want this, and I know you want it too.”
He shook his head. “You don’t understand…”
“What? Just tell me. Don’t make the decision for me.”
She had already figured out it had something to do with him not wanting to be touched. Although her fingers were itching to explore his taut body, she knew she could accept that and wait for the moment when he would allow her.
He sighed and looked her straight in the eyes. “All right, but I don’t think you’ll like it.”
She grinned, trying to show him she was relaxed and ready for anything. “Try me.”