Page 58 of Lust & Lollipops

He snorted. “Of course I was proud. The woman I’d wanted for years wanted me so much that her scent declared it loudly. It drove me fucking insane knowing that all of the other men were wondering if that scent was for them.”

I rolled my eyes.

“You didn’t let any of the others touch you, right?”

“What if I did?” I tossed back.

His chest rumbled with a quiet growl. “I’ll fucking kill them.”

“Guess I know why you were never on Bachelorette.”

“It would’ve been my nightmare. Who touched you?”

“It’s really not your business, Cam.”

“Like hell it isn’t.” His hand landed on my hip, over the blanket, and he rolled me to my back. He was propped up on his side, tilted toward me, and his hot gaze met mine. “Who? It was Chris, wasn’t it?”

I scowled. “I’m allowed to have secrets just as much as you are.”

“All of my secrets are yours now,” he growled back.

“Yeah, right.”

“I told you, I’ll answer all of your questions.”

“I don’t even know what questions to ask, Cam. You didn’t tell me anything about fae, no one’s explained the way a mate bond is formed, and I have no idea who you are outside of my sarcastic guard.”

“Yet your scent is still singing for me.”

“Fuck off.”

His eyes flashed. “Roll over.”

“Why would I—oof.”

He rolled me onto my stomach and tugged the pillow out from under my face, so my cheek hit the mattress. “What the hell?” I grumbled into the sheets.

“You’re tense,” he said. “I can fix that.”

“I didn’t give you permission to—ohh.” My groan was loud.

His hands had landed on my shoulders, his thumbs finding the knots in my muscles with ease.

“Good?” he asked.

“Very. Don’t stop,” I mumbled.

He made a noise of agreement, and continued rubbing my shoulders. “My parents lead the Society. They were elected nearly a millennium ago, and continue to be reelected every time another vote comes around.”

My forehead creased, but smoothed when his thumbs dug into my muscles right where I needed them.

Another groan escaped me.

“I know you hate the Society. I can agree that the way they’re doing things with compatible mates right now is screwed up, as well, but all of the Society’s leaders have been in place for a very long time. They’re not sure how to deal with all of the recent changes. They want to get out of their roles, but there aren’t any other fae who are known and liked as widely as they are. They’re trapped,” Cameron said.

The idea of ancient fae leaders being trapped was ridiculous to me, but I was too busy enjoying the massage to say as much.

“I’ve been urged for centuries to find a mate and take their place, by them, and many other powerful fae. I told you I had connections. That’s why. I’m liked and respected across the Society, but mortal fae can’t rule.”

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