Fated Mate

“No, it’s okay, it was time for a break any way.” She moved closer to him, turning so that he could have her injured arm.

“Yeah, a break.” Ann rested her head on the open book and closed her eyes; Maria leaned back in her seat, one hand supporting her head, the other covering her eyes. “I can’t wait for summer.”

Lee turned to look at him as he gently secured her arm in the sling. He looked glum, like something was wrong, “We have finals in two weeks,” she offered, searching his face, for another clue.

“That’s good.” His face was still down, his expression unchanged.

When he was done, she pushed him a few feet back. She wanted to find out what had changed his mood so suddenly. “Ash, what’s wrong?”

“Where is your new bed?”

“I didn’t take one.” She found it strange that the bed had gotten him into the foul mood he was in.

“Why? Didn’t you like the designs? They were all custom made, and the mattresses are orthopedic.”

She was shocked. “You bought me ten very expensive beds, have you lost your…” She stopped and took a slow breath. “What I’m trying to say is I love my bed, it has sentimental value to me,” she spoke softer, hoping he would understand and save her from explaining. She moved closer, leaving very little space between them. She placed her hand on his chest and played with the buttons on his shirt. But he looked at her confused.

“Why?” He raised his eyebrow. He wasn’t even trying to understand her. Was she that bad at giving hints? She’s never had the need to act sexy, but now with Ash she felt the need to learn how and be more lady like. She kept her eyes locked on his and waited, his other brow rose, then he smiled. “Oh, I understand you completely. But get a new one, we can break that bed too if you wish.”

“I was joking about you owing me a bed but-”

He cut her off before she could finish. His smile had disappeared. He was cool and reserved.

“Steve slept and…in that bed,” he said it with such distaste it sounded like a crime.

“This is about Steve!” She dropped her hand and took a big step back.

“Yes, I mean no and yes.”

This was getting even more confusing and she was getting more impatient. “Okay, I don’t understand you.”

“It’s about another man sharing that bed with you. A bed that I intend on spending as much time as possible in, a bed that I will be the only one whose made love to you in, a bed that only has your and my scent in.”

He caught her off guard, again. She understood him. He wanted it to be their bed, not just her bed. She nodded, but then she wasn’t sure if he would like the next part.

“There’s only one problem, I…promise you won’t get mad?”

He moved closer and grazed his fingers over her cheek. “I could never be angry with you.”

Her breath caught in her throat. His touch had left a tingle on her cheek. She swallowed hard and searched for her voice. “I gave the others away to the orphanage we grew up in. I didn’t know they were so expensive!”

His smile was back again. “My precious, Lee, your heart’s as beautiful as the morning sun. We’ll get a new one. But they’ll get more out of them if they sold them and bought more practical beds.”

Lee just stared at him. She couldn’t do more than nod. He was making it very hard to breathe, she was sure if she was to pass out this time, it would be his fault.

“I’ll fix your present bed before I give it away.” He had his arms around her, tracing small circles on her back with his fingers, his other hand rubbing the small of her back. She could feel currents rush through her, her heart was racing and she was getting weak. She held his arm for support.

“Just throw it away or better yet, burn it, save the poor children from Steve’s stench. I’m even shocked you didn’t get sick, Lee had been around it for so long, she’d grown immune!” Ann shouted. They had been paying attention to their conversation.

“Ann! Will you shut it! They don’t need reminding that the leech was in her bed,” Maria scolded her.

“Oops! Sorry!” Ann called out apologetic, but the damage was done.

Ash had stiffened, he dropped his hands and stashed them in his pockets and then took a step back. The image of Lee and Steve filled his mind sparking a rage inside him.

“She has a point, I really didn’t need reminding,” he whispered, his head hanging low.

Lee wasn’t sure if she was to apologize or be insulted. But as she thought about it, she didn’t have anything to apologize for.

“I think you knew I wasn’t innocent the minute I pulled you into my bed, just like I knew you weren’t, judging by how you made love to me.”

“Yes, I know, but it’s different.” He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.

“I hope you’re not going to give me, ‘you’re a woman and I’m a man’ bullshit.” Lee’s voice had a warning in it.

He gave her a weak smile but his voice was still hard. “That doesn’t stop me from wishing I was the only one who’s touched you, not you’re second, let alone to Steve.”

“How did you know that?” Lee asked surprised. She was about to turn on Ann again for her big mouth when the side of Ash’s lips rose in half a smile.

“You get very chatty when you’re drunk.”

She covered her face with her hand. It was so embarrassing. It was even worse when she heard the girls laugh behind her. “I’m so sorry. It’s decided, I’m never drinking again.”

He must have realized how humiliated she was, because he moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. She hid her face in his shoulder. “Don’t do that, it’s the only way I’m capable of getting information about you.”

He, too, was laughing. He didn’t need her drunk to get details, he had his own way, but she didn’t need to know that. He found it very weird how difficult it was to pick her brain when she was sad, but when she was happy it was like watching a clear film.

Lee groaned. “Funny. I’m glad you’re finding this hilarious.”

He lifted her chin and brushed his lips over hers, and then he put his face in the nape of her neck and breathed in deeply. Her scent tickled both his hunger and his lust.

“I want to take your scent with me.” He pulled back, and kissed her passionately on her lips.

There was a whirl in her body. The pleasure was intoxicating. He hadn’t kissed her like that in weeks. She could feel her legs give. He moved his hand around her waist, while the other left a trail of tingles from her neck to the top of the side of her head, his fingers ran that course up and down repeatedly, leaving a more dangerous sensation each time.

She buried her fingers in his hair, holding his head in place. The longing for him was building up inside her. His grip around her waist tightened, his other hand was now cradling her head. She pressed herself against him.

She wanted to continue this in her room, preferably in a vertical position.

He pulled away, his eyes still closed. He was trying to control his breathing. She buried her head in his neck, taking in his lovely masculine scent.

“I think we should stop before I lose control.” Before she could argue he continued, “You are still hurt, and your sisters are watching,” he added, looking over her head.

She turned and they ducked. He turned her head to look at him. “And I’ve taken you away from your studies long enough.” He turned her whole body around and walked her into the kitchen. He pulled a chair out for her and lowered her into it.

“Ann, Billy says to tell you that he is very sorry. He only did that because it was inconvenient in our home. However, we are going to rent an apartment close by to prevent any future fights, at least when it comes to the home situation. Please forgive him, for Joe’s and my sake, we can’t take any more of his sulking.”

They too had grown accustomed to their constant fights. He had his earthshaking smile on, Ann wouldn’t be able to say no to that.

“I’ll talk to him, and thanks again for everything.”

“You’re welcome. Maria, Ann, I bid you goodnight. Lee…” He kissed the top of her head, his voice silky, “Sleep well, and dream of me.” He turned and headed for the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll let myself out.”

Lee stared after him until the door shut behind him. She was in a daze; she couldn’t believe all the emotions that were stirring inside her, something she’d never felt before. There and then she realized Ann wasn’t the only one in love.

“Maria, I’m sleeping in your room tonight. How soon can we get someone to throw that bed out?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.