Page 71 of Violet Moon
Reminded of her pack, Sera felt a knot in her stomach.“Oh god,” she whispered, “I’m going to have to walk out of here.In broad daylight.In my pajamas.”
“It looks like we have some news to share.”Parisa laughed.
Sera looked Parisa in the eyes, searching for an ounce of worry but finding nothing.“How do you look so calm right now?”
“Because I’m happy.”
As Parisa leaned in towards her, she held her breath until the moment their lips touched.Sera wrapped her arms around Parisa’s back and her Alpha pressed against her.She could feel the tension in Parisa’s body and longed to be the one to guide her into truly letting go.She slid her tongue along the seam of Parisa’s lips.
Parisa pulled back and gasped.Sera didn’t move, worried she’d ruined the moment.Parisa stared down at her, lips parted.Seconds ticked past and Sera thought of what she could say to ensure Parisa knew she wasn’t pushing her into something she wasn’t ready for, but the moment she opened her mouth to speak, Parisa closed her eyes and leaned back in towards her.
Parisa took the lead, running the tip of her tongue along Sera’s lips.She parted for her and Parisa kissed her, hesitant at first, but gradually turning into something slow and deep.Sera melted at the feeling of Parisa licking into her mouth and she shuddered when she felt Parisa’s fingertips slide just under the hem of her t-shirt.The slight touch and the way Parisa’s kisses were growing hungrier were enough to let a moan slip from her lips.
Parisa yanked her head back and looked down at her, a wild but sad look in her eyes.“I’m sorry,” she panted.
“For what?”
“I don’t want to stop, honestly I don’t.But there’s something that’s still holding me back.I’m sorry,” she repeated.
Sera carded her fingers through loose, thick brown hair.“We have time,” she reminded her.“And all I want is to spend that time with you.I’m not in any rush.”
Parisa worried her lip between her teeth and slowly nodded.“You’re sweet.”
“And you’re as sweet as you are strong.”
Parisa smiled but her eyes wandered towards the door.“Ready to tell the rest of our chaotic little family today?”
Sera puffed out a laugh, shaking her head.“Not in the slightest, but let’s do it.”
“We should close the bakery for a few hours tonight and have a pack dinner.I’ll talk about the challenge and then —” She trailed off, smiling too hard to speak.
“Tell them about this.”
“About us,” Parisa added.She looked at the door again.“You can leave through my study, that way it won’t look too suspicious.”
“I’m still in pajamas.”
“Right.Not much we could do about that.I could give you one of my dresses but I fear that would be much more telling.”
“I’m just going to make a run for it.”
With a few more kisses to start their day, Sera finally got out of bed and walked to Parisa’s study through the adjoining door.She took a deep breath, put her hand on the doorknob, flung the door open, and dashed through the house, passing surprised packmates until she was back in her own room, panting and grinning like a lovesick fool.
twenty-two
Goingabouttheirdayas though nothing had changed in their lives was harder than Sera thought it should be.Any time she saw Parisa, it was difficult to stifle giggles or stop blushing.Because she had permission to touch her, not brushing her fingers along Parisa’s skin or pushing the hair from her face was tougher than any task she tackled throughout the day.The bakery had been busy, but it had done nothing to keep her thoughts from straying back to Parisa’s bedroom and what happened, what could have happened, and what would happen in the future.
When her shift was done and they were closing down the bakery for the pack dinner, nothing could keep Sera’s nerves at bay, not even the mini blackberry and lemon tartlet she gave herself as a treat for a job well done.Or just done.Sera wasn’t sure how she’d actually done that day.
She walked back to the house in a happy daze until she saw Jo huffing down the path in a torn shirt, eyes red and face puffy.
Sera caught up to them.“Jo, what’s wrong?”
Jo looked at her, bottom lip trembling.“I’m not good at any of this!And families can be awful.”
“What happened?Do you want to tell me?”
Jo nodded, glancing up at the sky as they sniffled.“All they do is judge my choices and tell me I’m doing the wrong thing, when they have no idea who I am now and don’t bother to try to get to know me at all.So they call, I pick up, I get worked up, and I almost wolf out — making this happen.”They picked at their torn shirt and let out a frustrated sigh.“I don’t know why I keep picking up the phone.”
