NALEDI’S POV
Caellum didn’t show up that night.
I’d heard him arguing with Donna and just because I was not ready to do certain things with him yet, I decided it was best I let him handle his business while I did mine.
There will be lots of time in the future for us to make up for the lost time. Today was a dreaded day. I was supposed to deliver some goods to Nicolai as agreed and I backed out of it last minute.
Last night, while Caellum was fighting his demons, I dived into the sea and sent a text to Nicolai, informing him I would not be sending any more goods to him and the deal was off.
Of course, he called me right away to affirm I knew what I was saying, right before threatening to tell Caellum of everything I had done if I didn’t show up today.
Scared out of my wits, I decided it was best I showed up. Except there was one little problem. I had no goods for him. Hell will freeze before I took another one of Caellum’s hard-earned money to him, for the sake of revenge.
The moment I accepted to love him, that was off the charts. Of course, I was still going to make his father pay, which was one of the reasons I decided to fully pursue the case with Donna, hoping something might show up and I’d be able to pay Arturo Morello once and for all for his wickedness, but even that was having some hiccups.
Today, however, I was willing to die. That was how huge a risk I was taking by going to see Nicolai alone. Knowing there was no way Korah and Marcel were letting me out of their sight, I informed them I wouldn’t be going out for drop-offs with them.
Using the excuse of having caught the flu and needed to rest for some time. It was clear from their replies that they hadn’t subscribed to my bullshit but they were choosing to take it anyway.
As I lay on my bed, I counted the seconds until Caellum came. Because I knew it was only a matter of time before he came to find out what in the flu was wrong with me.
Soon enough, three knocks sounded at my door and it flung open. Caellum was marching for me with a panicked expression on his face.
“How do you feel? Are you okay?” His face was full of concern. “Does anything hurt?”
I smiled and within the blink of an eye, tackled him to bed with me on top.
He raised his eyebrow, and the former feeling of worry dissipated from his face. Replaced on his face was the look of utter love and wonder.
“What are you up to?” He picked a loft of my hair and twirled it around his pointy finger. “Why are you not at work?”
“Well it got you here, didn’t it?” I lowered my waist on his groin, sighing in contentment, as I sat on his clothed shaft.
“You don’t need to play tricks to see me, Naledi.” He cupped my jaws, dragging me down. “You only need to ask.”
Our lips connected in a kiss. Soft, tender and sweet.
“Why ask when there are more efficient ways?” I kissed him again, “I love seeing you look all rattled and worried about me. That has got to be the second sexiest thing ever.”
A little chuckle, “And the first?”
“Seeing you cum deep inside of me, and watching it drip down my thighs.”
Caellum held a maddened expression, “You are driving me nuts, My lady.”
That got me laughing. “Not you too.”
I stepped away from him and laid beside him. He propped on his elbow with a charming smile. “What?”
“I don’t know.” A small smile, “They all address me as ‘My Lady’ and I can’t think of how and when I earned that title.” I turned to him, “And if we are to be honest, I am hardly your lady.”
“You are wearing my mark, Naledi.” He pressed a kiss against said mark. “And you are my mate.”
“Why do you always say that like it fixes everything between us.”
Our eyes connected. “Because it does.” He sounded so convinced. “The singular fact that we are mates changes everything.”
“What if I told you I’d done something really stupid? Something that you might never be able to forgive. Does it still change nothing between us?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“If you still love me.”
“I don’t get it.”
He buttressed his point with kisses, “For as long as you are still in love with me, and ready to walk the forever with me, I am certain there is no hurdle we can’t get past.”
“Even Donna?” I asked and he quirked his brow questioningly. “I know she is your mother’s choice and all that, Caellum.”
“I love my mother.” He started, “She’s the second best thing that has happened to me if I am not mistaken.”
“And what’s the first best thing?”
“You.”
One word so simple and yet powerful enough to nearly bring me to tears. How the hell did I land this man?
“You flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery if it’s the truth, baby.” Another kiss. “I’ll let you have one day of rest, by tomorrow, you get back to work.”
He stood up from my bed and I felt deprived.
“Where are you going?”
“To work.”
“You are the Alpha. A freaking boss, you don’t need to work.” I batted my eyelids. “Stay with me. Please?”
“I’d love to.” He said and I rolled my eyes knowing more excuses were coming.
Wait a second. Why the hell was I advocating for him to stay when I needed him out the door as soon as possible to begin my little secret trip to Nicolai?
“But a little birdie told me a lot of eyes have been on me lately. I need to set the standard, and these days, I’ve been deliciously distracted.”
The way he looked at me made it impossible to be mad at him.
“Well, they should understand. You are mated and have responsibilities to fulfil.”
His eyes darkened at my words. Lust. Utter lust and desire rippled in the air around us. “I’d gladly fulfil my responsibilities. But I’m afraid it’ll be the third time I ditch on Matteo and he might not say it but he will probably have my head.”
I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me. “You’re not afraid of your beta, Caellum.”
“Doesn’t mean he can’t be scary.” A wink, “Be here when I come back.” His eyes roamed my form as though committing me to memory. “Preferably without the layers of clothing.”
A dramatic gasp, “You want me sitting around butt naked?”
“That’s a boring way to put it. But works nonetheless.” He opened the door, and then mouthed the words that made my heart flutter. “I love you.”
He was out the door immediately, leaving a smile on my face.
I love you too.