CHAPTER 668: 668-MY BOLDER MATE

Helanie:

We arrived home, and while Emmet went to the room, I spent some time with Vani. We ate pizza, and I asked her about school. She was a good student, always working hard. She told me a boy in her class had a crush on her. Since she was fifteen, I decided to tell her a little bit about boys.

I even reminded her of my own story of how I became desperate when Altan started paying attention to me as more than just a friend.

She promised she would wait until her eighteenth birthday, and even then, she would never settle for less or put anyone’s desires above her own safety and comfort. I liked that about her. Still, it saddened me that she now slept on a mattress in her parents’ room, afraid of being snatched away.

When I returned to the room, I found Emmet resting. I took the shower first and let him go after.

"Thank you for coming here with me," I said when he stepped out of the bathroom, his long hair damp and open, scattered across his shoulders.

He wore only black shorts, and I had never seen him like that before. Being alone in a closed room, watching him come out of the shower, it was all new to me.

"Of course. Did you think I’d let anyone else steal the chance to spend time with you?" he said casually. As expected of him, his voice was calm, but that’s exactly what gave me goosebumps.

"Do you think it’s weird if I say that—" I stopped mid-sentence, feeling a little awkward.

But he was all ears, waiting. I looked around, stalling. Why was it so hard to confess it?

He came over and sat beside me on the same single bed, his eyes already smiling.

As he kept watching my face, I finally said it: "I love you too."

I noticed the way his face lit up, his eyes shining with the most beautiful light.

"I want to marry you, Helanie," he said, and my heart skipped a beat at his confession. "It’s possible. If someone has two fated mates, they can both marry her. I don’t want to just be marked, I want to marry you."

I always knew Emmet wouldn’t settle for less, but hearing him be so upfront made him even sexier.

"How about we go back and talk to the others about it?" I asked shyly, trying to hide my smile.

"No! It will be your decision alone. And I’ll never complain, even if you just want to stay marked. But just know, I’ll always hover around and make you feel—" he leaned in, gently brushing his lips against my cheek, "shy!"

A wave of shock rushed through my body. He leaned back, then got up and stretched his arms.

"Move to the side. Leave some space for me."

My eyes widened at his request.

I stared at the door, a silent reminder that at any moment someone could walk in and see us sharing a bed. That would be–bad.

Emmet turned around and followed my gaze. He reached the door and locked it from the inside.

"There’s always a solution to everything, Helanie. These are just excuses," he said, walking back toward me. His eyes held mine for a moment before he gestured firmly with his hand. "Now move."

His tone was so commanding that I shyly bit my bottom lip and lay down in the corner of the bed, facing away from him.

He got into bed and settled behind me.

"They’ll wonder why we locked the door," I whispered, breaking the silence.

I wasn’t really worried. I just wanted to hear him speak. He was full of wisdom.

"Do you still think you need to explain yourself?" he said quietly. "To people who never made this place feel safe for you?"

He shifted closer, now fully facing my back. That’s when I felt his hand gently brush my waist.

I closed my eyes tightly.

What else is he planning to do...?

But this was Emmet, and I knew exactly how different he could become when he was turned on.

He would always turn bold and wild during his intimate encounters with me.

The room was so quiet, I could hear him breathing behind me.

We were close, so close, his physique was so big, touching my gentle and delicate body.

"You always get this quiet when I’m this close," he murmured, his voice low and smooth against my ear. "No yapping. No arguments."

His lips brushed my ear as he spoke, and his body pressed a little tighter against mine.

That’s when I felt it.

Something hard pressing against my ass. I knew exactly what it was. He was already so hard.

I bit my lip again, this time to keep the sound in.

Emmet pulled the blanket over us. I could feel him listening to my heartbeat very attentively.

Then, his hand moved.

Slowly.

Tracing small circles on my stomach, just above the waistband of my shirt. It tickled, but not in a funny way. It sent waves of heat through me.

His breath brushed against my cheek. "Tell me to stop, and I will."

But I didn’t say a word. I did not want him to stop.

His fingers slid higher, brushing just beneath my ribs. I didn’t mean to, but I pressed back into him, just a little. Just enough to feel him again.

"I love how shy you get, Helanie," he whispered. "But I think you like it when I touch you like this."

I gasped quietly. His hand didn’t stop. It moved around my body like he was claiming it.

Every time he let out a low groan against me, I pressed my legs tightly together.

"Your body is so soft," he whispered again, kissing my ear, my neck. Small, teasing pecks that made my skin burn.

I wasn’t even sure what was happening to me, but I started to move, slowly grinding my hips in a slow circle against him.

He slid his other hand underneath me and wrapped his arm across my chest, pulling me tighter. His forearm pressed against my breasts, and I couldn’t help it, I pushed back harder against him.

The way our bodies moved, the way we breathed, I could already tell...

This was going to be a very long night.