Page 74 of Tempting Jupiter
“I’m listening.”
He could see that, but he could also see her nipples hardening at his touch. “First, you need to understand that I plan to sleep here with you from now on.”
She licked her lips, leaving them glistening. “I never told you to stop.”
He nodded. “I know. I shouldn’t have left. I know it made things harder for you.”
She grimaced. “You had every reason to hate me. Still do.”
“No. I let anger and fear get the best of me. As our mate, you deserve better from me.”
She paled. “What?”
“You are Jupiter’s mate and in our way, you and I are also bonded. That is the second thing I wanted to talk to you about. Last night you said that when we get him back, I’ll be free of you. That you would be out of the way. I don’t know what you’re thinking but get it out of your head. Jupiter won’t let you go, and neither will I.”
She shook her head and tears welled in her eyes. “Jupiter was never mine for keeps. I knew I’d lose him the moment I contacted Morgan.”
He brushed tears from her cheeks. “You think he won’t forgive your betrayal. Didn’t he explain? Arena Dogs mate for life. You’re stuck with us.”
“I could never ask—”
“You don’t have to ask.” Jupiter would probably blame himself for not gaining her trust so that she wouldn’thaveto betray them.
Vulnerability made her wide-eyed and raw. Bastard that he was, seeing her this way, without the protection of her sarcasm and her snark, spiked his arousal. He closed the millimeters of distance between them and pressed his lips against hers. She offered no resistance but gave him nothing back.
“Come on, Feeona.” He buried his hand in her hair to keep her close. “Kiss me back. We’re friends, at least. You can give me that much.” He leaned down to her and bit her bottom lip, then licked away the small hurt. “Kiss me.”
She conceded, pressing her lips lightly against his. She kissed him gently and he nibbled at her like a thoughtful lover, but it wasn’t what either of them needed. She opened when his tongue pressed for entrance to deepen the kiss. She put a hand on his shoulder and her fingers flexed against his muscle as if she needed something to hold on to. He lifted her and brought her down in a kneeling position over his lap. It left her knees at his hips. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let him pull her close until they pressed together from groin to chest. He moaned at the heat of her so close but not yet skin to skin. His claim of friendship had come without thought, but it fit. They could be friends, but more than friendship would always tie them together. They were both in love with Jupiter and they each recognized the brokenness inside the other. They could come to need each other the way mates needed each other. Once the thought entered his head, he knew he wanted that. Wanted her.
He kissed her hard and this time she responded.
“Yes,” he praised between deep, hungry kisses. “We both need this.”
He left her lips to nose along her neck as he slid a hand up her thigh and beyond the wide legs of her shorts.
He palmed one cheek of her firm ass and squeezed.
She groaned.
Seneca let the tips of his fingers follow the valley between her cheeks down to the hidden oasis between her legs. She was warm and starting to become slick. Her scent became thick in the air. “So good,” he whispered in her ear.
“Seneca?” She pushed against his shoulders.
He lifted his head. And rubbed his nose against hers. Her scent had become paired with Jupiter’s in his mind and it made him long for her. “Tell me what you want, Fee. Anything. I can make you feel so good.”
“This isn’t what you want,” she said. “I’m not who you want.”
He chuckled as he nudged his dick against her. “The evidence suggests you’re wrong about that.”
He slipped his fingers between her wet-slick folds. Avoiding her clit, he stroked along the delicate skin with gentle finesse. The fist in her hair became a cradling hand as he turned her head and started kissing her again.
Again, she pulled away. “Sen, please. You don’t want to betray Jupiter this way.”
He scowled and shook his head. “Is that what you think?” Seneca frowned then pressed his forehead to hers. “This isn’t betrayal. Arena Dogs share mates… Jupiter would want me to reinforce our bond. Don’t you see? He’s your mate. He chose you. That makes you my link to him.”
It was the wrong thing to say. Feeona pushed him away with more force, leaning back to put all the distance between them that she could manage. Seneca growled from deep in his gut.
“Seneca, stop. Please. I can’t be your link to him. You two belong together. You don’t need me. You’re the one his heart wants.”
