Chapter 8
Abby
The rest of the weekat school was a lot like the first day. People avoided me or acted like I have some kind of disease. At first, I tried not to let it bother me, but if this is going to be an everyday thing, I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the next three years.
Every day, I went back to the stone gazebo hoping Zed would show. I could feel him watching me, my body somehow knowing when he was around now. It's like that with Leo too, I always knew he was in a room with me before even laying eyes on him.
With each passing day, my soul craves them more and more. I don’t even know Zed, yet my heart and body ache for him.
“Hey, Little Bird.”
My head snaps up as Zed steps into the gazebo, and I scramble to my feet. “You're here!” I say a little too excitedly. But I can't help it, he's all I've been able to think about.
He meets me in the middle, cupping my face, tilting my head so that I’m looking into his striking blue eyes. “Yes, sweet girl.” He caresses my cheek with his thumb. My heart starts racing, and I feel like I’m about to melt into a puddle of goo. “I’m sorry I left you like that, and I’m sorry I’ve stayed away for so long. My mind has been in a crazy place, and I needed to do some thinking before I saw you again.”
“Are you mad I’m your mate?” The idea has my eyes prickling with tears.
“Never,” he growls, wrapping his arm around my waist, pulling me flush to his body. “You're the best thing that’s ever graced my miserable existence. You're the light to my darkness, Little Bird.”
My body shivers at his words, his touch. “Did it have something to do with what happened when you walked me home?” He gives me a grim nod.
“I’m not ready to talk about that right now, but when I am, I promise I’ll tell you the whole story.”
“He told me to stay away from you, you know,” I breathe. “Isaac did. I told him he can’t tell me what to do. But he reacted badly to your name. I don’t know what's between the two of you, but he won’t keep me from you.”
“Don’t listen to a word they say, understand?” I nod, lost in his gaze. “Good girl.” He brings his nose down to my face, running the tip against my jaw line before looking into my eyes. “You're all I can think about, Little Bird. Your gorgeous face is all I see when I close my eyes. I’ve missed you.” The longer he looks into my eyes, the more lightheaded I get from his touch. “Can I kiss you?” he asks, his eyes searching mine, begging me to say yes. I’ve only ever had one kiss before, and I’m glad my first kiss was Leo. But it was awkward because of the bond, and me not wanting the touch to affect us, so it was over way too quickly. But I find myself really wanting to feel my lips against his right now.
I blush, making his lips curve into a seductive smile. “Talk to me, Little Bird.”
“You can, but...” I bite my lip, nervous he might think differently for not being experienced.
“But what?” His lips graze my cheek, and a little moan slips out, making my cheeks flame.
“I don’t have a lot of experience,” I whisper. Not like he must have. I highly doubt he's still a virgin.
“Would it make me look bad if I said this pleases me, and I’m ecstatic to be the one to teach you how to use these lush lips?” he asks, rubbing his thumb against my bottom lip before sticking the tip inside my mouth. My tongue flicks over it, and his eyes burn with pure lust.
I’ve never known how amazing a fated bond could feel. I’ve never let Leo touch me long enough to feel more than a rush of lust. We were just 16 when we found out. It was all so new and scary to me. And I didn’t want our friendship to change. But maybe I shouldn’t have been so closed off to the idea, because being in Zed’s arms, it's the best feeling in the world. And I know it would be the same with Leo if I just let him.
“Kiss me?” I half ask, half plead.
“With great pleasure,” he growls before capturing my lips with his. He feels so soft against me, starting off gentle at first. His lips move against mine, my body reacting to his, meeting his movements. Our spark hums to life, the pleasure growing more and more the longer we touch.
After a few seconds, I catch on, and the kiss becomes intense, full of passion as he slips his tongue into my mouth. His chest rumbles as he tightens his grip, holding me closer as my body molds to his. My arms go around his neck as he deepens the kiss. A new feeling takes over my body, and I want him. I want him so bad it hurts.
“Enough for now, Little Bird,” he says, pulling back. Both of our chests are heaving, our eyes wild with lust and desire. “I need to wine and dine you before I ravish your body.” He nips at my lower lip with a husky chuckle when I pout. “Trust me little one, there's nothing more I’d rather do, but if this was your first real kiss, I’m safe to assume you're untouched?” he guesses.
My cheeks heat, and I nod. It’s not that I don’t want to have sex, because I do. I love reading about it, and anytime I think about Leo, and now Zed too, I find myself desperate for release. So then I need to take care of it myself. It’s just I didn’t want to have sex for the sake of having it. I wanted my first time to be with someone I was in love with and wouldn't leave me when the act was done. I want someone to soothe me through it, bring me pleasure, and care for me afterwards.
Leo would do that for me, I know he would. He’s the one I’ve been wanting to give that piece to and still do. But once we take that step, everything changes, and I wasn’t ready for that. But maybe I am now? I just wish he was here too, then maybe I’d be able to get through this Hell disguised as Heaven.
“Hey.” He cups my face. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your body, your choice. But something is telling me you want to wait to have that time with your other mate, am I right?”How does this man know me so well already?He smirks, like he can read my mind. “Perks of being mates, I can sense your emotions. Right now, you're feeling a little guilty for kissing me the more you think.”
“It’s just... Leo. He’s been my best friend since we were little kids. He’s the only one who accepted me for me. We both stand out down there, and we always had each other. He’s an incubus, and he hates it. He doesn’t want to do what his parents do. We understand one another because I also don’t want to be what I am. I don’t want to rule Hell for the rest of my life. I’m not meant to be down there, Ihateit.” My eyes well with tears as I spill my deepest thoughts to Zed. I’ve never said this out loud before.
“Then don’t. You are your own person. If you don’t want to rule Hell, you don’t have to.”
I huff out a laugh, taking a step away as I turn to run my fingers along one of the flowers growing on the gazebo. “It’s not that easy. My father expects me to rule alongside him. And do you really want to tell the devil no?” I ask, cocking a brow.