Page 136 of Aine

I’m sure this is only aggravating that worry.

Not that I can blame Alex. He’s being put in a tough position.

Alex shifts his attention to me. Damien leans over and lifts the sheet higher up my body, covering most of my neck, but I ignore it and wait to see what Alex has to say. It was him and me against Damien for the longest time, and I can’t help but feel I’m betraying him as I lie here refusing to take sides.

My chin wobbles when he nods and pinches my toes through the sheets, his silent forgiveness meaning more than he realizes. He’s gone a second later, our bedroom door slamming shut behind him.

Damien stares at the ceiling as his panic courses through our bond, the emotion intense as I reach out and take hold of his hand.

“You’re worried,” I say.

“I don’t want to kill Freya for the fun of it,” Damien says. “She’s made it more than clear she’s willing to do whatever it takes to hurt us, and I’m scared she’s going to retaliate before I can find her. She truly believed she was my mate, and her hatred for you runs deep. And now Alex is being, well, Alex.”

Shame mingles with his fear, and I slide my hand up his chest before cupping his chin and pulling his lips to mine. I don’t usually take initiative like this, but Damien seems to enjoy it as low rumbles emerge from his chest. They don’t stop as I expect them to, only growing louder as I slip my tongue between his lips, and I can’t help but pull away with a snort.

“What’s going on here?” I tease, poking his chest and referring to the sound.

Damien shrugs. “I’ve never done it before.”

I quite like it, and I press my ear to his sternum before realizing why it sounds so familiar. “You’re purring.”

He smiles as I struggle to hold back my laugh, the noise deepening as he takes notice of my approval of it. He sounds just like those cats I saw in the human village.

“I’ll purr for you every day of the week if it makes you smile like that.” Damien grabs my leg and throws it over his waist.

I roll my eyes at his not-so-subtle request and happily straddle his hips. My distraction helps to soothe the intense emotions rolling around inside his brain, and if I’m honest with myself, I’ve been looking for any excuse to get in his pants for days now.

Damien’s been ignoring my advances quite aggressively, claiming I need more healing, but I’m more than ready.

“Fuck.” Damien runs his hands down my thighs as I grind against him.

He flips me before I can do anything else, putting me on my back before pulling the sheet off my body and planting himself between my legs. He takes his sweet time admiring me, his pupils expanding as he scans my bare form.

I warm at the attention, and I clench my thighs around his waist as he grabs hold of his shaft. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I watch him curl his fist around himself, the action capturing my complete attention. He leans back so I can see better as he strokes his length, his motions slow and deliberate.

“Who knew my beautiful mate would love to watch me so much? I bet you’re already wet.” He uses his free hand to feel for himself.

I gulp but don’t bother denying it as he runs a thumb down my slit, teasing me.

“Do you want me to touch you?” he asks.

I nod, eager, but he gives only a disappointedtskin response.

“Use your words, Aine.”

He’s made his desire for me to be vocal more than clear, but I never anticipated he’d hold out until I gave it to him. I can’t say I dislike it, and I arch my back as I let out a quiet moan.

“I want you to touch me,” I whisper.

Damien grins, his satisfaction heavy in our bond. “Good, my love,” he says, avoiding using a similar phrase that brings up bad memories.

His grin is infectious as he applies more pressure to my slit, pushing forward until his thumb’s slipping between my folds. My hips twitch, and I watch his throat bob as he finally rubs my clit.

I lift my knees as he touches me, his eyes boring into my skin as he takes stock of what I like. I appreciate the attention and rock against him before reaching down to grab his hips.

His body stiffens for a whisper of a second before relaxing, and I mentally curse Freya for ever hurting him. Damien does a great job hiding it, but I know it messes with him occasionally when I touch his waist or thighs.

“You make me happy,” he blurts out.

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