Page 89 of A Luna's Dynasty
The hum of laughter and conversation swelled around them, bringing Lita's smile even closer. He kissed her cheek, drawing out the color he loved seeing.
“You smell delicious," he repeated, whispering now, making it a confession that belonged only to them.
Lita rolled her eyes, trying for indifference as she nudged him with her hip. "It's the cookies," she said, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her.
"No," Asher insisted, pulling her back as she attempted to spin away. His lips brushed her ear, a whisper that kindled fire. "It's not the cookies."
She squirmed out of his grip just enough to grab another cookie, pushing it into his mouth with a mixture of laughter and exasperation.
"Eat," she commanded, using the cookie as a shield against his persistence.
He took a bite, playing along but never letting her stray too far, the promise in his eyes more appetizing than any food could be.
When he freed his hands of the cookie, it was to capture her again, drawing her in front of him.
“Asher,” Lita warned, knowing his motives.
He sighed, a soft, frustrated sound that turned into a low growl as he settled his head into the curve of her shoulder. He nipped her neck lightly and smiled as he felt her body shudder.
"You'd better behave yourself, Alpha," she teased, adding a challenge to her voice. "Or I won't be sitting with you during the movie."
"Behave?" Asher chuckled against her skin, his breath warm and his words mischievous. "No, I don't think you will."
His mouth found her neck again, delivering a series of kisses that made her giggle and squirm with delight. She didn’t want to escape at all.
He paused, letting the anticipation build before pressing one final kiss on the tender spot he knew would make her crazy. The effect was immediate, a jolt of tingling sensation that spread like wildfire.
Lita's giggles turned to breathless laughter as she pushed against him.
Kristen’s voice cut through their moment, a playful intrusion that pulled them back into the swirl of activity. She passed with a flick of Asher's arm, pens and paper clutched in her hand. "Seriously, get a room!" she laughed. "Unless you want movie night to be bedroom night instead."
Asher met Lita's gaze, and the humor in his eyes matched her own. "Not a bad idea," he muttered, drawing her close for one more quick squeeze.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her grin. "Movie first," she said, the laughter in her voice spilling over.
Kristen shook her head, feigning exasperation. "You two are impossible," she declared, dropping the supplies onto the table. "Everyone write down your picks and throw them in. We're doing this fair."
“No scary movies.” Lita warned.
“Is that an order?” Caden asked.
“A pleading request.” Lita gave him a weak smile but could see the devil in his eyes as he wrote a title on the piece of paper.
Lita leaned into Asher's side, watching as Caspian, Garrett, and Caden tossed their movie picks into a hat and jostled for spots on the couch.
Asher held her close, arm wrapped around her shoulders, and Lita found herself unable to stop smiling. Kristen reached into the hat, the anticipation electric.
"And the winner is ..." She drew a slip, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "The Exorcist. Wow. You guys really want to scare the poor girl."
Lita's stomach flipped, but the fluttering nerves were far less daunting this time. She looked to Asher, who squeezed her hand in reassurance.
"We don’t have to watch it," he offered, concern and love mixed in equal measure.
She squeezed back, more determined than before. "No, we do. It’s only fair," she insisted, though she felt her heart rate picking up at the thought of the movie. She had avoided watching it with Drew and Teo and still had nightmares from the small clips she’d overheard.
"I've got you," he cooed against her ear. “I’ll protect you. Hold on to me as tightly as you want.” His voice dropped to a seductive tone. It was obvious what he really wanted, but not yet. Lita wanted to enjoy the entire evening and the build-up of what was to come. And the surprise she had for him tonight.
In the theater section of the pack house, Lita settled between Asher's legs, leaning back against his chest as his arm encircled her. This was her new family, a thought that filled her with warmth. She should have been overwhelmed by everything—the reveal of her identity as the fairy princess, the clash with the dragon kin, the surprise werebear reveal, and having to fight with Felicia—but here, with her friends, with Asher's chest a firm wall at her back, she felt nothing but contentment.
