Page 30 of Crescent Warrior

Overthinking everything, her hips stilled and she almost didn’t notice when he called her name.

“Are you okay?”

She looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

“Hey,” he murmured, gripping her chin and turning her back to face him. “Look at me. What’s wrong?”

She flexed her hands where they were on his bare chest. She dreamed of this. Cole being here, testing out their sexuality with each other. Yet, right now, with her mind plagued with her darkest insecurities and memories of his rejection, she wondered if she would ever be able to put it aside.

For years, Dru kept her secret. He advised her to forget what happened and embrace her mate. But here he was and she just couldn’t do it. Struggling to get off him, she moaned as he gripped her hips, keeping her where she was.

“Lyta,” his voice was like the crack of a whip.

She didn’t look at him, her hands moving to his, trying to pry them off.

“What’s wrong?”

She swallowed convulsively, her eyes and throat burning.

Please Gods, don’t let me cry in front of him.

This was the last thing she needed.

“Let go of me,” she demanded, her voice breathy instead of steady, the way she needed it to be.

“No,” he growled, one of his hands going to the back of her neck. He pulled her closer, her wolf moving willingly.

She growled back, but it was half-hearted. He pressed their foreheads together, trapping her in the storm of his eyes. They were grayer than blue now, filled with worry and affection.

I still dream of that color every night.

They were her favorite thing about him. They weren’t as good at keeping secrets as he was. Their sincere worry made her soften against him, sagging bonelessly.

“Lyta, talk to me.”

She shook her head, her breath trembling out of her, struggling to hold the tears back again.

“Sweetheart,” he murmured, circling her waist with his hands, “why are you crying?”

“I’m not.” She pulled her face away, turning to bury it in his neck, his soothing scent surrounding her.

Her wolf basked in it, having missed it for so long. There were times when she imagined his scent, sobbing at the loss. He was silent, tightening his arms around her. The loud knock on her door startled them both.

“Oh shit,” she gasped, shooting up from where she was lying on him. She was late!

I’m never late.

He didn’t release her, his hands gripping her waist, tight.

“Let go,” she insisted, glancing around for her dress. When her eyes landed on the ruined garment, she groaned.

“Lyta!” Xander called from the other side of the door. “You okay?”

“I’m coming,” she yelled back, but Cole quirked an eyebrow.

“No, you’re not. You will be in a minute, though.”

Delving one of his hands down to her pussy, he gave her clit a quick pinch, making her body quake. She keened low in her throat.

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