Page 22 of Ashes

“No.” Kole’s voice is firm. He softens it slightly and repeats, “No, it’s okay, little star. I’ll go. I need to pack, too. Just in case we end up having to make a quick exit.”

Kole’s about to head for the door when he stops, turns back to me, and kisses my forehead. “We’ll pack your things too.” He cups my face with his large, strong fingers. One of them traces a line on my throat. It sends a shudder through me. Kole licks his lips and swallows hard. When he looks at me like this, it’s as if he wants to quite literally devour every inch of me. My body responds instantly. A fizzing sensation settles beneath my skin.

Kole presses his mouth to mine. Slowly, he runs his tongue along my lower lip. When he stops kissing me, I’m breathless. My heart is beating fast, the now-familiar sensation of helpless longing beating in my veins.

“I’ll be back.” He looks at Mack, nods, then strides out of the room.

I watch him leave. My legs are wobbly. I sit down hard on the window seat and lean forward onto my knees, scraping my fingers through my hair. I breathe out heavily. Everything inside me is screamingfollow Kole.

“Are you handling it okay?” Mack asks. He’s standing next to me. When I look up, he adds, “The blood bond? They’re…. potent. I can imagine it’s hard for you to think of anything else.”

As he speaks, his tone is measured, but something flashes in his eyes. I sit up, pushing my hair back over my shoulders. “Do I detect a note of jealousy in your voice, Baloo?”

Mack’s eyes crinkle as he frowns, but his mouth betrays the fact he’s amused. Trying not to laugh, he shakes his head. “It’s bad enough when Tanner uses that ridiculous nickname. Don’t you start, little star.”

I tug his pants leg, just a little, by the knee, so he looks down at me. “You prefer ‘Daddy’?”

His mouth drops open, then he closes it again and shakes his head. “I don’t know where that came from, but it’s completely inappropriate.” There’s the hint of a smile on his lips, and color in his cheeks, but he turns away from me and paces over to the pool table.

I watch him for a moment. He’s wearing black jeans and a gray hoodie. The jeans make his ass look incredible. Tilting my head, I wonder whether Kole and Tanner ever think about Mack’s ass. Very quickly, that thought blows my mind into a million dirty pieces and I have to stand up because the tingling between my legs is too much.

“Three hours is a long time to wait,” I say as Mack returns to the window to look out at the river.

“It is.” He folds his arms in front of his chest but doesn’t look at me.

“If only there was something we could do to pass the time…” I lace my hands together behind my back, fully aware that the gesture makes my breasts swell.

Mack still doesn’t look at me, but his breathing has quickened.

I turn away from him and walk slowly to the pool table. When I reach it, I stop. My heart is racing. I’m hot and cold all over, and I can’t work out whether I’m nervous or just so excited I’m almost nauseous.

Without saying anything, I unfasten my jeans. The black ones Mack gave me. I slide them down over my hips, deliberately jutting out my ass in case he turns around.

I have no idea if he’s watching. So, I step carefully out of them, then turn around. He’s still facing the window but, as disappointment tugs at my chest, I realize I’m wrong; he’s staring at my reflection.

Knowing he’s watching a slightly burry version of my movements gives me the confidence boost I need to sit up on the end of the pool table and open my legs.

Leaving them open, so the cool air soothes my tingling core, I use the elastic on my wrist to fasten my hair in a loose bundle at the base of my neck. I tilt my head back and run my hands down my throat. When I reach my shoulders, I slip my cardigan off, then pull my tank top over my head.

My bra is deep turquoise, the same one I wore in Kole’s secret room. As the sun catches the ridiculous disco ball above my head, it casts golden freckles on my chest.

I hold my breath as I wonder what to do next. A slow heat is filling me up, soothing away my self-consciousness and replacing it with something else; the same thing I felt when Kole made me stand in front of his mirror. A sense that it’sokayto do what feels good. To trust my own body.

By the window, Mack is now leaning on the frame, breathing slowly but heavily. I swallow hard then, in my most forceful voice, tell him, “Daddy, I need your help.”

Mack’s entire body stiffens. His fingernails scratch the wooden frame as he grips it. “Nova…” he says. “Now’s not the time...”

Ignoring him, I trace my finger along the hem of my bra cups.

Mack doesn’t move.

“Come here,” I tell him, a shiver snaking down my spine as I wait to see if he’ll obey me. When he finally turns around, I can see the outline of his erection through his pants. “Come here,” I tell him again, curling my finger to beckon him over.

He walks to me as if he’s still trying to resist but doesn’t know how to. He stops and drinks in my almost-naked body. “Fuck,” he breathes, swiping his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. “This isn’t fair, Nova.”

“No,” I say, “it’s not.” I shift back a little, opening my legs wider. “I really do need your help.”

A noise like a growl escapes Mack’s lips.

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