Insistence or not, it doesn’t change the fact I don’t feel tired or even remotely sleepy, so I quickly question him just to win more time. “What time is pack training?”
“8 AM this morning. I was thinking about letting you train with Casen today. We need to switch things up here and there to ensure you learn more techniques.”
“You won’t be there?” I ask him. My brows furrow as I think about his words. Is it my insane fear, or is Andrei acting a little weird?
Andrei, the overprotective, possessive, jealous mate, is letting me train with other men? No, let me rephrase that, he is actively encouraging me to do so. Something seems fishy.
“Zane will be. My men won’t hurt you, Sage. I have told you this,” he says with a sigh.
“I know. I just don’t know them,” I admit, a little worried about his reaction.
I run my fingers through his chest hair, following the lines over his pec and stomach. Maybe the closeness and my actions will distract him. I kind of regret bringing this up.
“You will in time, they won’t hurt you,” he repeats.
I roll my eyes at him and try to move my leg. Andrei grips my knee and pulls my leg up higher. Then he stops my hand from traveling lower.
I like the feeling of his skin under my fingertips. The tips of my fingers tingle, and the leg I have over him sparks more intensely. I’m pretty sure it’s the mate bond, but it still feels amazing.
“Sage,” he growls softly like he wants to say something else, but stops himself.
“What?” I ask, eager to find out what it is that Andrei silenced himself from saying.
“Nothing, it’s fine,” he says, shaking his head.
Andrei lets go of my leg, and instead, catches my hand. He lifts my hand to his lips, and I watch as he kisses my fingers. Once he releases my hand, I move, but he grabs my leg and stops it from sliding lower as he rolls on his side again.
“Gosh, you move a lot,” I object, now trying to get comfortable again.
“Says the woman, who takes up the entire bed and steals my pillow, while climbing on top of me in her sleep,” he huffs.
My face heats at his words. I know I sought out his scent in my sleep, but hearing him say it and knowing he realized it embarrasses me. “Sorry,” I mutter as my cheeks burn even more.
“I don’t mind. But you need to keep in mind that your closeness can be difficult on me, which is why I moved.” Andrei explains, as casually as ever.
His words make me focus on the bond we share. I try to grasp what he feels and intense arousal washes into me, and my heart instantly skips a beat. Now, I understand what he meant by those words and why he kept moving my leg higher up his body.
As soon as the realization washes over me, I pull away from him and create more distance between our bodies.
Andrei scoffs as if I am committing a crime right before his eyes. “Don’t be scared, Sage. I am your mate. My body will react to yours, it doesn’t mean I will do anything about it.” He announces. I might be wrong, but I feel like I just caught on a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“But I am making you uncomfortable.” I mutter, dead-set to keep my distance from now on.
“Excited, yes. Uncomfortable?” He shrugs and reaches out to me, to tug me closer again. “I like cuddling you. I just don’t want you to freak out when my body reacts to you,” Andrei whispers, as if he has to keep his voice down not to startle me.
I relax against him, and he tilts my chin, so I have to look at him. “I will never do anything to make you feel uncomfortable, Sage. You have my word on that,” he adds and brushes his nose across my cheek.
I let out a breath and nod. I know he wouldn’t hurt me, not intentionally anyway.
Andrei’s nose barely brushes against mine. I want to close the distance between us. A strong, unexplainable urge surges through my body and overtakes my senses to close the distance between us.
I want to feel his lips against mine, but Andrei isn’t moving closer. I know it is up to me to do anything because he won’t. He is so terrified of scaring me, he wouldn’t hold my hand if I showed the slightest sign of discomfort.
Sometimes, I really freaking hate how much I fear everything, including my own damn shadow. Every little, especially new thing scares the living shit out of me.
But it is so damn hard to enjoy skin contact when the only contact I have ever experienced before was all brutal and inhumane. I feel comfortable around Andrei, but even that doesn’t make the memories stop from flashing before my eyes every time someone gets close.
The bond pulls me one way while my brain pulls me the other, like an exhausting tug of war. It makes me wonder if he will get annoyed with me and toss me aside for someone better. Maybe someone he can touch and hold without fear of breaking them. It must be frustrating having me for a mate, and disappointing.
I reach up and run my fingers through his hair, and his eyes close. A deep, rumbling purr vibrates through his chest, making me chuckle at the noise.
“Something funny?” he asks, his eyes opening with a hint of a smile on his lips.
“You’re purring like a cat.” I can’t stop the giggle that escapes me. And honestly, I don’t think that I want to. This has to be the happiest I have felt in a long, long time.
“I don’t purr, I growl.” Andrei fake growls at me to emphasize his statement.
“Call it what you want, but it’s definitely a purr,” I tell him.
He laughs softly, finally gracing me with his beautiful smile. My eyes dart to his lips as I move my hand down to his cheek and run my thumb across his lips. I wonder if they taste as good as they look.
His purring stops, and he’s watching me again. “Is there something you want?” He asks, playfully.
I can feel his amusement through the bond. I suppose my actions have to be odd with how hot and cold I tend to be.
My face heats but I nod, too embarrassed to ask. Andrei leans up and moves his face closer to mine. His lips are so close, they nearly brush mine. My heart beats erratically in my chest, and he smiles against my lips as they brush them.