Chapter 0116

Her nose traces a slow path from my cheek to my ear. Warm breath ghosts over my skin a second before she speaks, and I’m already hardening beneath her. “You smell even sweeter than your mother’s cinnamon rolls.” Yeah, I’m done for.

I drag my lips along the delicate curve beneath her ear. “Can I confess something?” My whisper draws a visible shiver from her. She’s as lost in this as I am. Her nod brushes against my jaw. “You’re pure vanilla and wildflower honey. Every damn time you’re close, I have to stop myself from devouring you. And when I finally do?” A low groan escapes me, and the intoxicating scent of her desire rises between us. My teeth graze her earlobe. “You taste even sweeter than you smell.”

Her throat arches—just enough surrender to make my pulse spike. I don’t hesitate. My mouth claims her neck, licking, biting, descending toward where her mate mark will one day bloom. I want her to feel the pleasure that’ll soon be carved into her skin forever.

I keep going, slower now. But the second my tongue swipes over the unmarked spot, her entire body locks up. I freeze. Her heartbeat thunders against my lips. Her breaths come sharp and shallow—not from pleasure. Panic.

I wrench back. Her eyes are wide, haunted. My palms frame her face. “Evelyn.” Nothing. “Evelyn!” Her gaze snaps to mine. “That’s it. Look at me. I’m right here.”

“I—I—” The stammer cracks something in my chest. Then it hits me. Last night, I’d littered her neck with kisses, but between her sweater and my own hunger to watch her, I’d never reached this spot. The place Victor had sunk his fangs into, over and over. I just catapulted her back into hell.

“Evelyn.” I wait until her eyes lock on mine. “I will never force my mark on you. Never. You’re safe with me. I swear it.” Her nod is stiff, but I pull her against me anyway, arms banding around her, rocking us gently.

I hold her until the tension bleeds from her limbs and her hands clutch my shirt. “Sorry,” she whispers.

I grip her shoulders, putting space between us. “Don’t. This is on me. I got reckless. I should’ve known.”

Her face is still too pale. “I ruined—”

“You didn’t.” Scooping her up, I pivot us until she’s cradled between my legs, her back to my chest. My chin rests on her shoulder. “Did you know I can name every constellation up there?”

A weak headshake. “No.”

“Watch.” I point to three jagged stars. “See that triangle? That’s Nemo.”

She twists to glare at me. “Nemo? Like the clownfish?”

“Obviously.” Deadpan.

One eyebrow arches. “That’s not a real constellation.”

“Sure it is.” I trace the imaginary lines. “Front star’s his nose, back one’s his tail, top fin’s right there. Nemo.”

A giggle shakes through her. Good. I spin more absurd names until she joins in, until we’re breathless with laughter, the night wrapping around us like a promise.

“I should get you home. You need rest, and I want to see you tomorrow. Preferably before your dad banishes me again.”

“He can’t banish you if I’m awake. And… can we visit my mom tomorrow?”

“Absolutely. But I’ve got a condition.”

“Which is?”

“Dinner with me at the packhouse after.” Her agreement sends a thrill through me. Tomorrow’s going to be perfect.