Page 72 of Wolf's Forbidden Curse

“Wait… really?”

She laughed. “Yeah, I know it’s pathetic. I wasn’t waiting for you to return my feelings or anything… At least not consciously. But I also didn’t want to be away from you. Now, though—I think I’m finally ready to start looking for my own path in life. And that starts with me leaving Solara Bay.”

I sucked in an audible breath. “Does that mean you’re going back to the compound with Cornelius?”

She took a few seconds, then nodded. “I think so.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Soon. Tomorrow, maybe the day after.”

My chest tightened as I faced the reality that two of my best friends in the world were about to embark on what could very possibly be a deadly journey. “I wish I could go with you.”

Nic smiled. “No, you don’t.”

“I do! In a way…”

“You need to stay here,” she said. “Be with the woman you love. Help her understand these new abilities of hers and protect her. She needs you, and I know you need her.”

“I—I just hope you don’t hate me for staying behind.”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” she said in a strained voice. “Because I truly don’t think there’s anything you could do that would make me hate you. Not one damn thing.”

Nic and I ended up sharing another drink and strategizing ways she and Cornelius could safely return to the compound. However, I made her drink two glasses of water before we left and called her a car, just like I promised Al.

It felt good talking to her like this—like nothing major or fundamental had changed between us. It was exactly what I needed. No matter what either of us said about maintaining the friendship, there was a part of me that was still worried that our earlier conversation had done irreparable damage, but by the time we walked out of the bar and said our goodbyes, I knew we would be okay.

“Let me know before you leave,” I said, bringing her in for a hug. “Don’t try to skip town without me knowing, okay?”

“I won’t.”

“And let me know if you guys need any more help getting ready for the big return.”

“Will do.” She hugged me back for a second, then pulled away. “Now go back to Daphne and pray that she doesn’t smell the gin on your breath.”

I smiled and did as Nic said. Upstairs in Daphne’s apartment, I heard the shower running. Not wanting to scare her, I called out softly from the front room. “Hey, Daphne. It’s me.”

“I’ll be right out.”

“Take your time.”

But just as I said this, the water turned off, and the door opened. Daphne stepped out of the bathroom wearing no clothes, her skin dripping wet, and her hair falling in darkened blond ringlets around her cheekbones. She smiled coyly. “That’s okay. I’m done.”

I started to get hard within seconds of looking at her, feeling the fabric of my pants tighten across my crotch. But I tore my eyes from her delicious body and said, “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. Aren’t you still sore?”

“A little,” she admitted. “But I know you’re not going to hurt me.”

I was still not looking at her, but I heard the soft pad of her footsteps as she approached me, leaving a wet trail behind her. Once she was close enough that I was staring down at her feet, I could feel the warmth coming off her skin, and it was getting near impossible to fight off the overwhelming desire welling up inside of me.

“I just don’t want to do anything too soon,” I said. “The drugs that were in your system?—”

“Have all been flushed out now,” she said. She reached up and put her hands on my shoulders. “And thanks to you, I feel absolutely amazing. But I want to feel what only you can give me.” She stepped closer, leaning her naked body into mine. Everywhere we touched, she left my clothes wet. “Please, Rory. I want to feel that closeness again.”

Finally, I gave in. Looking her in the eye, I succumbed to the temptation and pulled her in for a slow and gentle kiss. She snaked her arms around my neck, and I carefully lifted her off the ground and brought her to the bed. When I laid her down, I made sure not to hit any of her bruises, and when I climbed on top of her, I was careful to keep my weight off of her. I kissed her softly again, then licked the water from her neck and nipples. She gasped as I slipped my hand between her legs and massaged her with circular movements.

She pulled me back down for a kiss, and I pushed inside her with my fingers. She was warm and wet. Inviting. But this was the first time she and I were having sex in a bed, and without there being any sort of rushed nature to the act. I wanted to take things slow.

I continued with my fingers inside of her until she came, releasing a breathy little moan as she finished. Then, she slowly went about undressing me. Once I was naked, she rolled over on her side, and I came up behind her. She lifted one leg up, wrapping it backward around my waist to give me access to her center. I entered her from the back and grabbed hold of her breast as I began to thrust deeper into her. She gasped and shuddered, but I didn’t speed up my movements. If she was going to have a second orgasm, I wanted us to come together.

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