Craving
Celine POV
I wrap my arms around his neck, my body pressing against his. Another vision flashes through my mind–this one more intimate. It’s not a memory, but something else entirely. I realize it’s what he’s imagining at this very moment. Us. Kissing. His golden eyes stay locked on mine, and I can’t help but smile.
Leaning forward, I press my lips against his. He doesn’t move at first, his body perfectly still, as if waiting for confirmation. Then, slowly, his arm wraps around me, pulling me closer. His lips move against mine, soft yet deliberate, and I moan softly as his tongue grazes mine. The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in it, tangling my fingers in his hair.
His hands trace along my body, their touch sending shivers through me. I whimper softly, drawn further into him, but then the visions return. They’re more intense this time–us, together, naked. The feelings and sensations from the vision seep into me, flooding me with heat and desire. My body moves instinctively, grinding against him as a low groan escapes his lips.
Suddenly, his hands push me back gently, creating just enough space between us. I’m left panting, my heart racing
“Slow down,” he whispers, his voice a mix of warmth and restraint. “There’s no rush.”
He leans forward, pressing a kiss to my neck, and my wolf prowls softly in response. His lips curl into a faint smile. “The longer you’re free of everything restricting you, the more you’ll feel her,” he explains. “Your body needs time to overcome the drugs and everything else they used to suppress you.”
His hand strokes down my face, his touch featherlight. I lean into it, letting his warmth soothe the storm inside me. For the first time in so long, I feel like I can breathe.
The room feels heavy with the quiet intimacy of the moment, the kind that makes the world beyond its walls seem distant and insignificant. Sebastian’s voice is a low murmur, breaking the stillness. “You should bathe, little one,” he whispers, his tone gentle yet firm. I nod, climbing off his lap, my body still tingling from the tension that lingers between us.
I move toward the door, intending to leave, but his hand catches mine, halting me in place. “In here, in the tub, not the lake,” he says, his lips quirking into a soft smile as he guides me toward the adjoining bathroom.
The bathroom is unexpectedly grand for such a place. Smooth stone walls catch the flicker of candlelight, their surface cool and unyielding. A large porcelain tub sits in the center, claw–footed and deep, its edges slightly chipped but still elegant. A small window high on the wall lets in a sliver of moonlight, adding a silvery sheen to the warm glow of the room.
Sebastian steps to the tub, turning the brass handles to let water cascade into it. The sound is soothing, a soft patter that fills the space. Steam rises, carrying with it the faint scent of lavender from the soap he adds. He turns to me, his golden eyes searching mine. “Would you like me to stay or leave?” he asks, his voice steady, offering me the choice.
For a moment, I hesitate. But his presence is calming, a tether in a world that feels uncertain. “Stay, please,” I whisper.
He steps closer, his movements deliberate but unthreatening. Slowly, he helps me remove my clothes, his touch respectful, careful not to linger. Then, without a word, he removes his own. My eyes can’t help but follow the lines of his body, his strength evident in every movement, but he doesn’t flaunt it. Instead, he steps into the tub, sitting first before lifting me into the warm water with
The heat of the bath envelops me immediately, a stark contrast to the cold lake water I usually bathe in. He settles
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+25 BONUS
Craving
me against his chest, his broad frame a solid, comforting presence. A towel lies across his la
modestly covering
him despite the intimate setting. “Come sit, little one,” he whispers again, and I comply, leaning back into him. The water laps gently around us, soothing muscles I didn’t realize were tense.
I sigh, letting myself relax against him. It’s been so long since I’ve felt this. Warmth. Safety. I’ve grown used to the chill of the lake, to hurried and utilitarian washes in cold water. This–this is something entirely different.
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