MALIA’S POV
I waited until Ryder was done with his drink before I got up from my seat. I felt a little bit better and all I could think of was going straight to bed.
The Alpha rose from his seat also and regarded me with a smirk on his face.
“I’d have asked you to join me in washing the dishes but you can barely even hold yourself up, so I hereby banish you to the bedroom till tomorrow.”
I found myself parting my lips in surprise not for the first time that day. I was still trying to get used to the fact that he could cook and now here he was talking about washing the dishes.
His lips quirked in amusement. “Go to bed, Malia.”
I didn’t need any further encouragement. I thanked him for the meal and pecked him on his lips before making my way towards the room.
My head had barely touched the pillow before I fell into a much-needed sleep.
Ryder was right beside me and fast asleep when I woke up. My gaze traveled to the clock and I gasped in surprise at how long I had slept. It was already seven in the evening.
I felt parched and decided to go get myself a glass of water. I made to get off the bed but his arm stopped me and pulled me closer to him.
He nuzzled my neck and murmured something unintelligible.
I sighed and tried to wriggle out of his hold. My effort was futile. “Just stay put,” he moaned.
“I’m thirsty. I need to get some water,” I said.
“Why do you have to be thirsty?” he asked as he reluctantly released me.
“Ask Mother Nature,” I murmured, sliding out of bed.
“Don’t stay too long,” he said groggily.
I ignored him and made my way out of the room.
I thought I heard the maids talking but when I stepped into the kitchen it suddenly became quiet and they all seemed to be busy with getting dinner ready. I wasn’t sure I was ready for another meal and I wondered why they had suddenly stopped talking.
I had already grabbed a glass when one of them hurried towards me and after giving me a bow, asked what I wanted.
I gave her a small smile. “Don’t worry. You can continue with what you are doing. I just came to get some water.”
She hurried to the refrigerator before I could say another word and returned with a bottle of cold water.
I wanted to take the bottle from her but she didn’t give me the chance. I watched, somewhat helplessly as she filled up the glass.
I couldn’t remember the last time maids had been so eager to serve me. I wasn’t sure I liked it.
I thanked her and she smiled before saying it was a pleasure to serve me and to let her or anyone else know if I needed something else.
I settled on a kitchen stool and drank my water. A huge part of me just felt content, watching them work, even though the other part of me felt guilty for not allowing them to speak freely.
I wasn’t ready to return to the room just yet, so I ignored the feeling of guilt.
I didn’t get to enjoy it for long though because the Alpha appeared a few minutes later.
The hush that descended upon the kitchen was so deafening. I mentally rolled my eyes as I sensed him behind me. He bent until his lips were close to my ear. “I thought I told you not to stay too long.”
“It’s just been a few minutes,” I murmured.
“Still too long. Let’s go, please. The bed feels so cold without you.”
I snorted but was already beginning to fold.
“You know you want to be beside me also,” he said and placed tiny bites along the side of my neck.
I bit my bottom lip to keep from moaning.
Then I spoke when I trusted myself enough to open my mouth and not utter sounds of sexual pleasure.
“You can’t do this here, Ryder,” I gently berated.
“So let’s go back to bed,” he replied.
I sighed in resignation. “Fine. Let’s go.”
I got off the stool and before I knew it, my feet had been swept off the floor. I sighed resignedly. I had better get used to it sooner rather than later because it seemed to be an unbreakable habit for the Hawkins men.
He laid me down on the bed and pulled the covers over me. He joined me, not a second later, under the covers and spooned me.
“This is bliss,” he murmured and I nodded in agreement. It really was bliss.
“You’re not going to tell me who you are going to appoint as your new beta, right?” I queried.
“I think you already know who the person is going to be,” he replied.
It was going to be Damien. I was sure of it.
“Perhaps,” I murmured, “Let’s just hope whoever it is doesn’t try to kill you too.”
He chuckled. “I’ve always known you have a wry sense of humour. I love it.”
I snorted. “Yeah yeah.”
There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called out.
The maid who had served me earlier came in with another maid carrying trays of food.
I got a whiff of tacos and decided that I was hungry after all.
They placed our food on the mini dining table in the room and left.
Ryder watched the way I got up with enthusiasm and moved towards the table. He scoffed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you loved food more than me,” he said as he got off the bed and came to join me.
I gave him a grin. “Do you want to know?” I queried.
“I’m not ready to get hurt,” he replied.
I giggled and started to eat.
Dinner was a quiet affair with just the sounds of chewing and silverware.
Once during the meal, he had tried to steal from my plate and I nearly stabbed his hand with my fork.
When we were done, I insisted on taking the plates to the kitchen even though he grumbled that there was no need.
“I could just ring the kitchen,” he said.
“And I could just go there,” I replied, deliberately being annoying.
He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. You are Luna after all. You can do whatever you like except deliberately staying away from me for too long.”
“Got it,” I murmured before carrying the dishes out of the room.
The maids’ eyes nearly bugged out of their heads when they saw me carrying the dirty dishes and one of them quickly grabbed them from my hands.
After giving me a quick bow she spoke. “You could have rang for us.” Her tone was one of mild panic which I found very amusing.
She looked confused when I started to laugh. They all did. “It’s okay. I can help with the cooking. I can wash the dishes and do other stuff so far I’m not busy. You do not have to wait on me hand and foot.”
They nodded reluctantly but I knew that they didn’t approve.
I gave them a small smile before leaving the kitchen. I could have stayed to help but I didn’t want the Alpha to come carry me out again.
He had a frown on his face when I entered. I sighed. “But I didn’t stay too long now, did I?”
He gave me a small smile and the look in his eyes told me his countenance had nothing to do with me.
I hurried to his side. “What’s wrong?” I asked, taking one of his hands in mine and giving it a gentle squeeze.
He sighed heavily. “I just got a call from my aunt. My sister wants to come home,” he answered.
My eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. “Shouldn’t that be great news?”
I just don’t want her to come to a place tainted with her father’s or rather, step-father’s hate. He never wanted her here. Even her own father never revealed himself.”
“Well, he’s dead now and you own this place. You can be the father she has never had. It’s what your mom would have wanted,” I reasoned.
“What if I can’t be a good father to her? What if I mess this up?” His eyes were filled with uncertainty.
“Ryder, I don’t think there’s anything you can’t do. I know raising a teenager can be pretty difficult but I’m sure your aunt would have raised her well. And I’m here to help also,” I replied.
He looked at me with eyes filled with gratitude and wrapped his arms around me. “What would I do without you?” He murmured.
“Absolutely nothing,” I replied with a grin. “You’re just so lucky to have me.”
He released me from his hug to give me a smirk. “Pride does look good on you Luna Hawkins.”
I giggled. “I’m not Luna Hawkins.”
“Not officially,” he added. “But you are to me already.” He pulled me in for another hug and his hands began to move along the sides of my torso in a soothing way.
The soothing feeling soon gave way to desire and I moaned as I pressed my aching breasts against his chest.
He slowly lowered his head until his mouth found mine. I moaned in pleasure as his tongue explored my mouth and I felt the desire pool at my core.
He broke the kiss and nuzzled my neck. “I can smell your arousal, Malia. The thought of you getting my briefs wet with it is a fucking turn-on.”
He moved me to the centre of the bed and settled between my thighs.
“I want to taste you, Malia,” he murmured.
I nodded but he asked me to speak. I cleared my throat because I knew how hoarse my voice would be from desire.
“Please do,” I whispered.
“With pleasure,” he replied.
He slowly peeled the briefs off while teasing me with his fingers. I lifted my hips off the bed, urging him to take me now and stop teasing.
He chuckled. “Easy little wolf.”
He finally got the briefs past my ankles and returned to the dripping mound between my thighs. He buried his head at my centre and inhaled deeply. I whimpered and tried to grind against his face but his strong hands held my hips in place.
When his tongue gently flicked my clit, my back came off the bed in sheer pleasure.
He continued the rhythmic motion with his tongue and I grabbed his head urging him to go faster and harder. The sheets were going to be changed even before we slept for the night. There was no doubt about it with the way my pussy was weeping in delight.
He obliged and his tongue worked faster on my clit. I could feel myself racing towards my climax. When he pushed two of his fingers inside me I unravelled with a scream. There was no way I was going to be able to face the servants the next day.
My legs trembled hard and Ryder’s tongue and fingers kept on moving until the pleasure became unbearable.
I tried moving his head from between my legs but he wouldn’t budge.
“Please,” I begged.
His movements stilled and he raised his head to give me a smug smile. “Who’s begging now?”
I gave him the middle finger and he grinned. “Of course. I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to forget every name but mine.”
I smirked. “You can only try.”
“Is that a challenge, Malia? Because I love challenges,” he said, taking off his boxer briefs.
My mouth watered at the hardness and girth of his cock and my pussy clenched in anticipation.
“You like what you see?” he asked.
“Don’t be so smug,” I replied, still not taking my eyes off the instrument of my pleasure. One of the instruments actually. His tongue and fingers had also proven to be masterful in their service.
I spread my legs wider as he settled between them and positioned himself in front of my entrance.
“Get ready for the ride of your life.”