Page 21 of Fated Secret Baby

Orion studies me before his eyes darken slightly. “I already found the person I wanted to be my mate.”

“You did?” I say in a tiny voice.

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

“She didn’t want me,” he says softly. “And I’d rather be human than be with anyone else.”

“Oh,” I murmur. He doesn’t respond.

My heart skips. Even though I know it can’t be true, that I heard him tell his mom years ago that he would never want me for a mate, there’s something in his voice that makes me feel like… Is he talking about me?

He leans forward, putting his forearms on his legs. “Do you have a mate, Calista?”

“No.”

“You didn’t mate with the father of your child?”

“No,” I repeat, even more quietly. “And I don’t want to talk about him.”

I don’t want to remember how I’m holding this secret from him.

I’ll tell him. Just not right now.

“Tell me about your daughter,” he says softly.

I shuffle to sit closer to him. Our legs are so close, I can feel the heat rolling off of him, even though we aren’t touching.

“She’s amazing,” I whisper, shutting my eyes. “She’s smart. Funny. She’s everything…”

He makes a noise, and I open my eyes. He’s looking at me with…

Longing.

Orion opens his mouth. “Calista, I wish…”

I can’t let him finish that. I’m not sure why. I know that I can’t talk about Juniper anymore. I need to tell him. I don’t want to tell him.

Most of all, though, I want him. I long for Orion, for his touch on my skin, like I’ve been walking through the desert for five years. Like he’s the only thing that will keep me from dying of thirst.

All of those sentiments somehow propel my muscles to action. I lean over, pressing my lips against his.

It’s a shock to me. It’s a shock to him.

Then, when the shock is done, a whole new feeling overwhelms me.

There’s a spark. Literally, a spark that passes between us.

I gasp, opening my lips, but as soon as I do, Orion puts his hand on my neck and deepens the kiss. From there, everything cascades.

I’m so lost in the kiss that my body moves on its own, and I just follow the path it has decided. I straddle Orion’s lap. My dress hikes up to the tops of my thighs as his hands run up my legs. I can feel his erection through the rough fabric of his jeans, and I moan with desire.

I remember that, too.

“Calista,” he rumbles, his lips pulling back. “You’re so fucking beautiful…”

I lean forward, meeting his mouth. “Just kiss me.”

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