Page 32 of Soul Fated

As my palms pressed against his skin, his eyes shuttered closed. “You don’t?—”

“Shut up,” I snapped. He’d said no talking and my ability to process more than the heat flooding through my fingertips was nonexistent.

Kael’s hand jumped to my hip, his fingers threading around the waistband of my underwear. He lowered his head, his breath hot on my neck.

“We’re not mating,” I whispered.

"I know." His voice was calm, but I could sense the storm shifting beneath his skin. "We're just dealing with this."

"Right." I swallowed hard. This was just about my need. The itch that was desperate for scratching. Nothing more.

Kael's grip on my waist tightened, and I bit my lip. I trailed my hands down his sides and pulled at his lower back, dragging him toward the bed. When my calves made contact, I sat, but Kael stayed put.

He lowered his eyes, taking in the curves of my hips and thighs. The soft swell of my stomach. The way my bra pushed up my breasts. His breath quickened, his gaze roaming over my body with an intensity that sent heat pooling low in my belly.

I’d never been thin like Evelyn, and I’d always been self-conscious of my curves. But Kael seemed…appreciative.

Kael's fingers traced the line of my jaw, sending a shiver down my spine. I held my breath as he stepped back and unbuttoned his jeans. I’d watched him. When he’d taken them off before. But this was different. This was for me.

He dropped his jeans, then dragged his boxer briefs off his hips, disentangling them and stepping free.

Holy shit. I couldn’t stop staring. When I finally forced my eyes to his, he had a lazy smile on his face. He nodded once at my bra, and I reached back and unclasped it, letting the straps slide over my shoulders until it puddled in my lap.

“Almost there.” He stepped forward and tugged on my underwear. I lifted myself from the sheet, and he slipped his hand under my butt, pulling them off in one smooth motion.

I gaped at him. “How did you do that?”

He dangled the fabric on one finger. “I’ve learned to be creative.”

I slid back on the bed as he climbed onto the mattress and settled next to me. I reached out and shut off the lamp.

Yes. That was better. As much as I wanted to drink him in, I didn’t want to think. I needed to close my eyes and feel.

We lay there for a moment, our bodies pressed together, and I felt like I was going to explode from the inside out. Every nerve ending was on fire, every instinct screaming at me to do more. To take more.

I swirled my fingers over his tight stomach, dragging my nails through the hair that tempted me lower.

Kael's hand found mine, and he intertwined our fingers, his grip firm but gentle. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I gasped. Kael moved, his body pressing even closer to mine.

"Callista . . ." He whispered, hot against my neck, and my eyes rolled back in my head.

I couldn't take it anymore. I needed more. My free hand reached up, sliding over his shoulder and down his back, feeling the ripple of his muscles beneath my palm. Kael groaned, and satisfaction surged through me. I was affecting him just as much as he was affecting me.

I rolled my hips against him, and Kael's breath hitched. His grip on my hand tightened. "Tell me how I can help.” His lips brushed against my ear.

“You’re already helping.”

He grinned against my cheek. “I think this might be making it worse.”

He wasn’t wrong. How could he help? I wanted everything. I wanted to be consumed. I wanted to drown in him. But everything wasn’t an option. Not unless I wanted to regret this even more than I was surely already going to. "Touch me."

Kael didn't hesitate. His hand slid down my side, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. When he reached my hip, he paused, taking his time with those last few inches.

I sucked in a breath when he landed.

"Like this?"

I nodded, my breath coming in short gasps. "Mmhmm."

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