Page 79 of These Wicked Desires

I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of this. Sterling’s kisses are my favorite. I feel guilty for thinking that, but he always kisses me with a deep passion, like he’s scared it might be the last one and he wants to make it last. I can’t say I blame him. With our history and everything that we just went through, there were many times when we thought we maybe had our last kiss.

When he pulls away I pout, making him chuckle. “Come on, kitten. Quit trying to distract me.”

“Have you talked to Cole?” I ask once we’re on the road.

He nods. “Yes.”

I wait for him to continue but he doesn’t. “Seriously, it’s like pulling teeth to get you to talk sometimes.” I huff, and narrow my eyes at him when he smirks.

“You asked me a question, and I answered it. If you wanted to know something else, you should have asked a different question.” He’s fighting his smile, and I can’t help but stare at him while he does so. He hasn’t always been so free with his smiles.

“And you guys say I’m stubborn,” I mutter under my breath. “Have you talked to Cole about Chloe?” I ask, clarifying my question.

“Ah, see? That’s a completely different question.” He smiles and I hit him in the chest. “Yes, I have.”

Again, he falls silent. “Oh for fuck’s sake, Sterling.”

He chuckles and reaches over to squeeze my thigh. “They have been talking. Cole says he’s taking things super slow with her, but he suspects he might be her soul-bonded.”

“Why does he think that? Although, it would make sense, wouldn't it? If two people from different races are fated to be together, wouldn’t that be the case?”

Sterling shrugs. “It’s not that common. I mean, it happens, but not enough for me to be aware of the details like that.” He glances at me briefly before returning his attention to the road. “But, I think it’s going to become more common. I think that’s something you may have ushered in. Mixing of the races.”

“Is that a bad thing?” I ask. I’m not sure how that will play out with the different ways races procreate. If races mixing becomes commonplace, that would risk magicals being wiped out completely.

“I don’t think so. I think nature will find a way to make things work.”

I don’t reply, because I really don’t know what to think about that. So I return my thoughts to Chloe and Cole. “Do you think they’ll get together? I think they would be great for each other.”

Sterling smiles. “I’d like to see my brother claim his mate. There is nothing quite like it.” He squeezes my leg again, his hand sliding slightly higher on my bare thigh.

The memory of him finally claiming me is one I will never forget. The connection that I always sensed magnified and glowing golden in my chest. It still does, and it warms me knowing it’s there. Knowing Sterling is there. Not to mention the sex.

I take a deep breath and push those thoughts aside, but Sterling inhales and his fingers tighten on my leg.

“What are you thinking about, Ellis?” he growls softly.

“Nothing,” I say sweetly, innocently.

His grip slips higher, and if he goes up any more, he’ll find out exactly what I’m thinking about. Although with his shifter senses, I know he already scents my arousal, but it’s too late. I am aroused, and only one thing will take care of that problem.

He growls again, this time lower and more forceful. The land rover bounces over the curb as Sterling pulls off the road and into the grass lining the street. He throws the car in park and climbs into the back seat, tugging his sweats down as he does so.

“What are you waiting for?” he asks, taking his hard cock into his hand. “Do you need an invitation?”

No. I don’t need an invitation. I climb over the seat and onto his lap, taking his face between my palms and kissing him. I love the way he always tastes like mint, and his scent of winter and pine permeate everything he touches.

“What kind of mate would I be if I left you needy and wanting?” he asks when I pull away. His fingers slide up my thighs and under my dress, hooking in my panties and slipping them down.

I shimmy out of them awkwardly. Even though there is more room in the land rover than most cars, it’s still cramped. Especially with Sterling taking up most of the space. “I was thinking about when you claimed me,” I breathe as I sit back on his lap, gliding over his cock and coating him in my arousal.

His eyes darken to a stormy blue, but it’s not just desire I see glimmering in their depths. His voice is thick with emotion when he speaks. “Something I thought would never happen. That night was a dream come true, Ellis.”

“For me, too.” I lift up and angle his cock at my entrance before slowly sitting down. This is similar to the first time we had sex, before I knew he was my mate. We were on the couch in the estate, in this exact position. And I knew at that moment, I would never be able to walk away from him. Even after his betrayal, I still needed him. I will always need him.

Sterling builds me up slowly, controlling my speed with his hands on my hips. He keeps it slow and steady. His gaze searing into me, seeing all the way to my soul. I can’t look away from that stare. Just like that time at River’s Edge, I’m lost to him.

“Come for me, kitten,” he finally says, running his tongue along my mating mark at the same time his thumb finds my clit.

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