Page 63 of Alpha Fate

“But I do want it.” The confession escapes my lips in a rush. “I just don’t know if it’s too fast or if I’m ready, after everything with Rack…”

Gage moves to sit beside me, taking my hands in his. “Hey, sunshine… Look at me.” I meet his intense green eyes. Green like mine, but different. Mossy. Beautiful. “I want you. I’m not going to deny that. And I’m tired of having to hide it. But if you need time, then take it. I’d never push you – especially after what you had to go through. We’ll go at your pace.”

His simple assurance eases the anxious knot inside me. No one’s ever treated me so gently…like I’m something rare and precious. Certainly not the wolf who claimed I belonged to him, the cruel alpha at Leadmills. And somehow, I don’t think it ever happened before then, either – no matter what Sierra says about this so-called mate I was destined for.

It’s been Gage. Only Gage.

God, I need him!

Before I can stop myself, I lean in and press my lips to his in a soft, searching kiss. Gage stills against me, then kisses me back, one hand coming up to cradle my jaw. We take our time exploring each other, the kiss deepening naturally.

Gage’s fingers slide into my hair, and I sigh against his mouth, all my doubts fading away. I know this is right; I can feel it deep inside. When we finally pull back, breathless, Gage rests his forehead against mine.

“You are so goddamn beautiful,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb over my cheek.

I flush at the reverence in his voice. “I should get back. Sierra will wonder where I am.”

Reluctantly, I move to stand, but Gage catches my wrist again, like Tarkin did earlier. Only this time, his touch ignites my skin.

“Or maybe you could stay.” There’s so much promise in his words; it makes my breath catch in my throat.

“Yes. I could stay.” I leave the words hanging between us.

Gage’s hand on my wrist is an anchor, and his voice an irresistible call. He rises, towering over me, a question in his eyes that doesn’t need voicing. I nod, wordlessly granting the permission his gaze seeks.

He leans down, his lips finding mine once more, and I melt into him. His kiss deepens, hungry and urgent, and my fingers clutch at the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. The world narrows down to the feel of him against me – the heat of his body, the strength in his arms.

God, such strong arms…

Gage’s hands roam over my back, down to my hips, guiding me as he walks us backward toward the small adjoining bedroom. The door swings open with a gentle nudge of his foot, and we stumble through the threshold, our mouths still locked in a fevered dance.

He breaks the kiss long enough to look at me again, giving me another chance to reconsider.

“Savannah…” he breathes, an unspoken question.

“Yes.” I gaze up at him, the word heavy with meaning. There’s no hesitation in my heart – not anymore. With a decisive nod, I push away any lingering doubts. This is what I want – what I need.

The intensity in Gage’s eyes mirrors my own feelings. He lowers me onto the bed with a tenderness that belies his powerful frame. A frame I trace with trembling fingers as I explore the flexing muscles of his forearms and biceps. My breath catches as he hovers above me, tense with anticipation.

Dipping his head, his lips trace a fiery path down my neck as he murmurs words that sear straight through to my soul.

“You’re mine,” he says with such conviction it makes my heart swell. The sensation of being wholly wanted sends a shiver through me. It’s a stark contrast to the possessive claims Rack had made – those cruel lies about ownership held no care about consent. But with Gage, it feels different; it feels right.

My back bows as he explores further, his hands expertly coaxing gasps and moans from my lips. Each touch is worshipful and deliberate – learning the curves and valleys of my body as if committing them to memory.

When he moves away slightly, I watch, fascinated, as he unbuttons his shirt and strips it off, his golden skin rippling over corded muscle. There’s a wolf etched onto his chest, a riot of dark ink that overshadows the myriad raised welts across his flesh.

I remember the father he told me about; the one who’d given him those scars. And as much as he’s protected me, now I wish I could have protected him. I grew up with so much love and acceptance, and I want to make sure that’s what Gage’s world is filled with. Leaning forward, I press my lips against him, finding each small piece of pain and willing it away. When I look back at him, he’s staring at me, his eyes burning with something indescribable.

He slides his arms around me, pulling me against him until all I can think of is him. His heat. His hardness. How much I want him.

“Gage, I—”

“Shhh…” he murmurs before silencing me with his mouth.

I slide my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as our kiss deepens. His hands roam over my body, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. I’ve never felt so alive, so desired. It’s like every nerve ending is on fire, and Gage is the only one who can quench the flames.

He breaks the kiss, trailing his lips down my jawline and toward my neck. I gasp as he nips at my sensitive skin, his teeth grazing my collarbone. My fingers tangle in his hair, holding him close as I arch into him.

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