ROWAN.
The kiss at first is just his lips on mine, no pressure, just him letting me get used to his touch.
And then, there is the pressure, just a little pressure of his on mine, like he is asking for permission to enter.
And I give it.
He is slow and gentle, he does not rush me, just gently leading me in a slow dance that leaves me with tingles all over my body.
That is, at least, until I pull away.
Even as small and simple and… gentle as the kiss was, I am still breathless from it, with my heart racing as if I have just run a marathon.
Facing your fears alright.
As I try to regain my breath, I see him do the same, his eyes slowly fluttering open, his breath deep with each inhale as he settles his eyes on me.
For a few moments, we say nothing to each other.
We just stare Into each other’s eyes, with our breaths echoing around the room and our hearts beating in an erratic tandem.
“How does kissing me cause me to face my fears?” I ask, breaking the silence.
“Hm, you didn’t scream or panic, did you?” he responds, his voice just as breathless as mine.
It was just a simple kiss, how could it shake us like this?
“Is that why you kissed me? To test my fears,” I respond back.
“Yes, and also because I admire you.”
“Admire?! You kiss me because you admire me?!”
“Hmhm. You are an amazing, strong woman who didn’t let her past trauma tie her down. It is worthy of admiration. And while I am sure people have told you that, I am pretty certain no one has kissed you for it. So, I did.”
“You-!”
He interrupts me with another kiss.
This one is still gentle, but with a little force.
Insistent.
His tongue easily slips into mine and it takes away whatever breath I have gathered, far away from me.
I grip his shoulders to steady myself and his eyes come around my waist to pull me deeper into his embrace.
It is a little game he plays, him teasing and chasing my tongue, urging me to react and when I do, he pulls back.
If there were tingles in the first kiss, this time it is full, visible goosebumps.
My entire body, nervous system is aware of him.
Of his hands as they wander around my back, of his heartbeat that beats in tandem to mine, of how firm his chest feels under my palms, of the strength in his thighs as they press closer to mine, of his scent, as it envelopes and clouds my senses.
I don’t know how long we remained like that, just inhaling and breathing as one, getting to know each other.
Finally, when we know we have pushed the limit of how much we can go without air, we pull apart.
His face is flushed as he breathes in deeply, echoing mine, as I still have a little trouble releasing his shirt from my hard grip.
“What… what was that one for?” I ask as I gasp for breath.
“Because… because I wanted to.”
“You are going to make me hit you,” I retort.
“Please don’t,” he says with a cheeky smile. “From you, it would actually hurt.”
“Then answer reasonably. What was that one for?” I repeat.
“I mean it, I kissed you because I wanted to,” he answers with his eyes wide open, glittering with a light of mischief
“Louis-”
“You are a beautiful, stunning woman. One the goddess has accorded me the fortune of being the mate, of a sassy, sharp witted, a wonderful mother, an excellent leader, a great friend… how could I not want to kiss you?” He asks. “I have wanted to do so the very first day I met you.”
“Liar.”
“No,” he says with I tent as he leans towards me and all traces of play vanished from his eyes. “It is the truth. I want you, Rowan. I want to know you, learn you, know what makes you tick and what makes you laugh. I want to fight all your enemies and tear them I to tiny, tiny shreds. This is new for me too, the strength of his… emotion, it scares me. How easily and far, I am willing to do anything for you. And it hasn’t even been up to a month.”
“Louis… I… we…”
“Give me a chance, Rowan. To prove to you that I am different. That I am serious when I say that I want you. All of you.”
“Even if I am damaged goods?” I ask the dreaded question.
“You are not damaged goods!” He snarls. His tone is so vehement, and harsh and righteous Indignation flashes in his eyes.
For me.
“You have surpassed what most men couldn’t even achieve. If there is anyone who is damaged and worthless, it is the pathetic piece of shit who in his demented mind thinks it is okay to hurt a woman who was under his protection. He is no man and he is a disgrace to all wolves everywhere. I know you do not want to tell me his name but if you do ever change your mind, please let me know. I would be more than honored to kill him.”
I give a small laugh at that as I up his cheek before smoothening the frown lines from his face.
“And what about the fact that I have a daughter? Jhenelle.”
“Jhenelle is a delight to be with and I would not only be honored but immensely delighted to call her mine.”
“Do you mean that?” I whisper as I mean closer to him. “You are not just saying that to win me over?”
I see the glazed look come over him as his eyes focus on the movement of my lips.
“Yes. Yes, I mean it. Just… give me a chance. To prove it to you.”
“Very well, then,” I say as I close the distance. “You have one chance.”