His lips mold around mine before I feel his tongue sweep across my bottom lip, and I shiver. Reason screams in my head that this is wrong, that I am betraying Kyan, yet Jonah is right. I want this, want him, despite the fact I’m not supposed to want anyone other than my mate. This feels so right, yet so wrong.
Jonah’s fingers wrap and tangle in my hair, and my lips part as his tongue delves between my lips, his tongue brushing against mine gently. Heat pools in my stomach, and I give in, kissing him back just as hungrily. The feel of his touch sends tingles of pleasure through me.
Jonah groans, his tongue playing with mine, and he presses himself against me. The warmth of his body seeps into me and my hands tug him closer. A soft moan leaves my own lips when suddenly someone clears their throat, making us spring apart and my heart thunder.
Neither of us notice the elevator had stopped and the doors had opened. And right now, my father is standing there staring at the both of us. My face heats, and I press my lips together, looking at Jonah, who scratches the back of his neck nervously, glancing between us.
“Ezra,” Jonah nods to him, and my eyes dart to my father, who raises an eyebrow at him before he points to himself.
“Wait, oh, that’s me, right? I see. I see. Uncle suddenly dropped off my title since you had your tongue down my daughter’s throat,” my father says, and my face heats even more. Oh my gosh, this is embarrassing!
“Well, I know you aren’t expecting me to call you King, now that Uncle seems a tad inappropriate somehow, not that I think you aren’t family, but technically,” Jonah shrugs, trying not to look my father in the eyes. Oh god, this is so mortifying. If the ground wants to open and swallow me up, now would be a good time to do so.
“Good thing I’m not, technically,” my father gives air quotes with his fingers, and I want to disappear. “Because this…” my father says, pointing between us. “Would definitely be inappropriate, but next time, be more careful of your surroundings because next time, it might not be me but her mate!” my father snaps, giving us both a look.
“You know he will have something to say about this, right, Marabella?” my father snaps, and I look at my shoes, suddenly feeling guilty.
“Mom told you?” I whisper.
“Of course she did. Now come on, and you,” my father says, pointing at Jonah. “If this comes back to my daughter, you have me to deal with. You know better, Jonah.”
“It won’t; I will deal with Kyan,” Jonah says firmly.
“Be sure you do,” my father nods, motioning for me to step out of the elevator.
“This does not happen again, not until everyone is on board, and that means Kyan, or not at all,” my father tells us both, and Jonah nods before looking at me, and I chew my lip.
The elevator doors close, and I look up at my father. “You’re not mad?” I ask him nervously.
“At you? Never. Now, come on, you can explain in the car.” I can’t help but smile, as I nod and hurry to keep up with his strides.
Marabella
I haven’t even gotten in the car when I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket. Pulling it out, my heart thumps when the screen reads Kyan. He has sent a text message, and my stomach instantly drops. My hands shake as I open the message.
Kyan: Regret is horrible to live with, and you will regret what you have done. Shit!
“You ok?” my father asks, with concern and I pocket the phone swallowing down the bile that rose up the back of my throat, and I nod to my father, who is watching me above the roof of his car. His eyes are calculating while he studies me.
“Yeah, fine,” I tell him, quickly opening the car door and slipping into the passenger seat.
My father hops in and starts the car and backs out of his parking space. He then pulls onto the main road as I shakily buckle myself in. Kyan’s text repeats in my mind.
“Something is wrong. Who was the text message from? What, is it from Kyan?” my observant father asks.
He is the hardest to pretend everything is peachy to. Nothing escapes him, and that’s why most uncomfortable talks usually come from him. I can get away with hiding because he is hardly home, but when he is, he constantly questions me, and always watches, so I have to put on the best act because he is not someone I want the truth to come out to.
“It was Kyan, wasn’t it,” my father states, and I look out of the window, watching the city pass by as we drive toward the city borders. I don’t want to do this now.
“Yeah, it was Kyan,” I murmur, retrieving my phone and looking down at the screen.
I haven’t replied and even if I do, exactly what will I say? It changes nothing. I can’t take it back, and I don’t want to. The feel of Jonah’s lips on mine lingers, and the fact he wants me despite what I am… He has always wanted me.
“It’s painful; it would have caused him pain. Jonah should have known better, but I have a sneaky suspicion Jonah wanted him to know,” my father says, shaking his head while navigating the streets, and I look over at him.
“What do you mean?” I ask curiously, turning in my seat to face him properly.
“Jonah has been in love with you since he was a kid. I also know finding out your best friend is mated to the woman you love wouldn’t have been easy for him, especially knowing it is Kyan. I think he wanted Kyan to know your reaction to him. He’s a sneaky little shit.” I raise my head, trying to get what he means.
“I still don’t understand,” I tell him. My father glances at me before he sighs. “Did you know Kyan is my mate?” I ask, almost sounding accusing.
“Your mother loves you, Marabella; she didn’t keep it from you intentionally,” he says.