‘I want to touch you in ways that would make you forget your own name,” he continued, his voice thick with emotion, that made my knees weak. ‘I want
to take away that look on your face – that hurt expression that tells me you think I’m running from you. I want to show you exactly how much I want you.”
The intensity of his words made me squeeze my legs together instinctively, and even that small friction sent jolts of electricity through my body. I could
barely breathe, could barely think beyond the heat building inside me.
‘I’m really trying to be the man I promised myself I’ll be to you. I want it to be when you’re sure,” he said, his voice softer now, more controlled. “When
you really want me to be with you. I want to be with my mate, my woman, Ath- and I’ll wait until you’re ready for me to make you forget about everything
but me.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. What could I possibly say to something so raw and honest? My breathing was so rapid and shallow that I felt like I’d just finished running a marathon. My heart was beating so fast I was afraid it might burst from my chest.
Without another word, he walked toward me. For a moment I thought he might kiss me properly, might understand these look on my face and finally give in. Instead, he pressed his lips gently against my forehead. The kiss was soft and lingering, filled with promises and restraint in equal measure.
Before I could react, before I could reach for him or say anything, he was walking out of my room.
‘Come shut your door, I heard him call from the hallway.
My legs felt like jelly as I dragged myself after him. The thought that he wanted me to give him permission, to be the one to make the decision about moving forward, made my stomach flutter with what felt like a thousand butterflies taking flight all at once.
When I reached the doorway, he was standing in the hall, turned toward me. His eyes met mine and held them for what felt like an eternity. I could see the war raging behind his dark eyes – want battling with restraint, desire fighting against respect. Finally, without a word, he turned and walked away.
I closed the door and immediately pressed my back against it, my hand flying to my chest where my heart was still pounding erratically.
There was no point in questioning why I felt this way – I already knew. Tristan had always awakened something in me that I’d never felt before, something that scared and exhilarated me in equal measure.
The bond was getting stronger than my restraints, and I don’t think I can fight it anymore. I didn’t even want to.
The next morning, I woke before my alarm, having barely slept at all.
Claire had been relentless throughout the night, her voice a constant whisper in my mind. She reminded me over and over how Tristan had given me the perfect opportunity the night before, and how I’d let it slip through my fingers.
You were supposed to draw him close to you, she kept saying. One kiss, that’s all it would have taken. One simple kiss and everything would have changed.
I knew she was right. I knew that kissing Tristan would have shattered whatever invisible barrier we’d built between us. But knowing something and having the courage to act on it were two entirely different things.
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15:20 Sat, Jan 10 G MR.
The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
Chapter 145
I didn’t know how to tell him I wanted him without sounding desperate or needy. I was scared.
참기
I went through my usual morning routine like a zombie, my mind still replaying every moment from the night before. As I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup, I heard a knock at the front door.
My heart leaped, thinking it might be Tristan arriving early. I practically ran to the door, but when I opened it, my face fell immediately. It was my neighbor, standing there with that same smile he always wore.
He always seemed to show up at the most inconvenient times. I raised my eyebrow, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
“Good morning?” I said, making it sound more like a question than a greeting.
“Seems like I came at the wrong time,” he said, though he made no move to leave.
Yes, you absolutely did, I thought, but forced my expression into a polite smile. “No, I’m just surprised to see you. What do I owe this visit?”
“I’ve been away for a while and got back late last night, he explained, shifting his weight from foot to foot. “I was wondering if you’d like to hang out since I won’t be going to work for the next week.”
I opened my mouth to politely decline, but before I could get the words out, a familiar voice cut through the air.
‘Nope, she won’t be hanging out with you,” Tristan said, his words dripping with barely contained malice.
My face immediately lit up at the sight of him. Relief flooded through me as he moved to my side, his right hand settling possessively on my waist while his
left held a fresh bouquet of flowers – today’s addition to his daily ritual. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head, the gesture both tender and territorial.
“How was your night, love?” he asked, and I had to bite back a laugh at the obvious challenge in his tone. Tristan looked like he was barely restraining
himself from physically removing my neighbor from the premises.
My poor neighbor looked genuinely intimidated, which was a stark contrast to how confident he’d seemed during his previous visits. There was something
about Tristan’s presence that seemed to shrink him somehow.
‘Like my…” I started to respond but paused, realizing I didn’t know how to categorize what Tristan was to me.
“Fiancé, Tristan supplied smoothly when I hesitated.
‘As my fiancé said, I continued, playing along with the lie, “I won’t be hanging out with you because we have plans later today.” I smiled sweetly at my neighbor while waving goodbye, then followed Tristan inside.
I knew he’d be wondering how often I changed men, but I didn’t care. He was handsome doesn’t mean I’ll give him face.
Tristan shut the door firmly, practically in the poor man’s face. It was incredibly rude, but I found I didn’t care at all.
There was something about him that had always made me uneasy- the way he seemed to watch me, the timing of his visits. My instincts told me not to
trust him.
“You’re late,” I said to Tristan, allowing a note of complaint to creep into my voice.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
