20

Caden’s POV
Gods, I hope this is real. I hope it lasts, that it’s permanently real. Lily had shown me a side of herself tonight I never expected-she’d opened up, let herself be vulnerable. It was more than I ever imagined, and honestly, it was more than I deserved.
I’d never been one to chase women. I never had to. They came to me, offering themselves, and I decided whether they were worth my time. But Lily-this woman-I wanted nothing more than to claim her, to hold her forever. When we first met, I thought the days of chasing were behind me. But she made me work for it, and damn if I didn’t feel like I’d finally caught her.
But then there was Caleb. Fucking Caleb.
I tried to push thoughts of him out of my head, not while we were running through the surf, playfully flicking water at each other. Not even when she tripped and pretended to hurt herself just to pull me down beside her. If Caleb messed up everything I’d worked for with her, I might just have to kill him.
I’d had Liam, my best friend and future Beta, slip one of my high-end cameras into the picnic basket. I wasn’t sure how Lily would feel about it, but I had to try. I’d hoped to get some shots of her before the sun set, but honestly, what we were doing at the time was so much better.
If she’d let me, I could spend days buried between her legs. I loved going down on a woman, and I was damn good at it. But not all women were the same, and I hadn’t done it in over a year. Caleb didn’t have any standards when it came to that, but for me, if something was even the slightest bit off, I wasn’t going near it. With Lily, though? There were no problems like that.
As she poured herself some wine, I pulled out the camera, adjusting the settings before taking a few quick shots of her. Her hair was damp, and there was sand stuck to her shoulder, making her look even more beautiful. She turned to face me, hand raised in protest.
I lowered the camera with a smile.
“Lily, I want you to see yourself the way I see you. You’re incredible-so damn beautiful, so charismatic. Your eyes, the way the light hits your skin… it’s breathtaking.” I raised the camera again, unable to resist snapping another shot.
She scowled, raising an eyebrow.
“Caden Ashford, are you hoping to get nudes?” she asked, her voice teasing but accusing.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“No, baby. Seriously. I just love looking at you, and I love taking pictures. Why wouldn’t I want to photograph you?” I said, snapping a few more as she reluctantly adjusted herself, allowing me to continue.
She squinted at me, her expression still playful.
“Did you take that beach photo in your bedroom?” she asked.
I nodded and took the glass of wine she offered me, enjoying the easy intimacy.
She let me take a few more shots, even throwing me some sexy poses, making me want her even more.
Then, I laid her back and pointed out some constellations in the sky, trying to impress her. But it was obvious she didn’t care much for astronomy.
Or maybe you’re boring her to death, Everett joked. He was eager, practically panting for more.
I couldn’t blame him. I was dying for more too, but I wasn’t about to take things too far. Not while Caleb might be lurking around.
I was doing my best to ignore Hade’s voice in my head, but it wasn’t easy. The more she teased, the more I wanted to take control, but I held back. If Caleb interfered with this, I’d have to deal with him. But somehow, I didn’t think he’d get anywhere near as far as I had.
My wolf would never allow anyone else to take her without me. It would be impossible.
Lily finished her second glass of wine, and I grinned as she began to trail her fingers lightly over my arm.
“You don’t have any tattoos?” she asked, surprised. “Most guys like you-big, beefy football players-are usually covered in them.”
I laughed, making a mental note to convert her to football, no matter how difficult it seemed. That was a battle for another time.
“Just never been our thing,” I said, running my fingers over her smooth skin. “How could I commit to something like that? Also, doesn’t everyone say you can’t just get one?”
Without thinking, or maybe because Hade was pushing me, I pulled my shirt off and tossed it aside. I pulled her closer, cradling her against me as my fingers combed through her hair. Her nails lightly scraped across my chest, and a growl rumbled from my throat. The ache between my legs intensified.
“I want to watch your face,” she murmured, her voice soft but commanding as she shoved me back onto the blanket.
My body went rigid. There was something about her controlling me-telling me what to do-that had me on edge in the best way. Caleb and I never let a woman take charge like this, but with Lily? I’d let her do anything.
“You can watch anything you want, babe,” I said, my voice rough with desire.
I almost called her my Luna, but I caught myself. That would have been a huge mistake. After everything she’d been through, I wasn’t about to push her too far.
She unbuttoned my pants, and I helped her undress me, the sight of my hard cock springing free making me lose control for a moment.
Hade was practically vibrating with impatience, urging me to take things further, but I shoved him back, determined to let Lily set the pace. She wasn’t anywhere near ready for me to mark her, and I couldn’t do that without my brother anyway.
I almost suggested she get into a 69 position so I could pleasure her again, but I held back. Her expression was determined, and I knew it was time to let her take control.
She straddled me, and I placed my hands on her hips as she dragged her nails down my chest. I groaned, my hips jerking up in response. The damn skirt she was wearing was in the way, making it harder to get the friction I craved.
Suddenly, I sat up, surprising her. I grabbed a pillow and propped myself up, settling back to watch her. She smiled and resumed her movements.
“Just relax,” she whispered as she kissed her way down my chest.
Easier said than done. I was on a beach, in my home at Blood Moon, with my mate, and everything about this moment felt so right. But I knew how fragile it all was, how close we were to everything falling apart if I made one wrong move.
Not tonight. No fucking way. I wasn’t going to let anything ruin this.
I closed my eyes and let myself simply feel her touch-the electricity between us so sharp and alive, it was as if the world around us had disappeared.
Her lips were soft, yet determined, her fingers light but unyielding. When she shifted her body, moving from my waist to my legs, her hand wrapped around me-steady and firm. A groan escaped me, and my hands curled into fists, unsure where to put them.
I looked down at her. Her gaze was focused, studying me like she was memorizing every detail. This evening, it seemed, had become a collection of moments more intense and erotic than I ever imagined possible.
The image of Lilith Emory, her eyes locked on me, was something I’d never forget-a new addition to my mental catalog of unforgettable memories.
I almost said something foolish, something like, “It’s all yours,” but I bit the words back at the last second.
Her eyes met mine again, mischievous, a playful grin on her lips as she stroked me. The flicker of firelight danced across her blonde hair, giving it an ethereal glow. I could die a happy man right then and there, just from the knowledge that she was here, that she wanted me, that this was happening.
She lowered her mouth to me, teasing the tip with her tongue, savoring it like she was learning it, becoming familiar with me. Another groan escaped me as she took me deeper, her tongue moving along my length in slow, deliberate strokes. My hands found their way into her hair, not to direct her, but to touch her, to feel her.
She moaned, sending vibrations through me, the sensation making my body sway involuntarily with pleasure. When she took me deeper still, her eyes locked on mine. It was clear she was enjoying herself, and I couldn’t help but wish I could touch her, to feel her in return. She was still fully dressed, and though the ache to see her was unbearable, there was something intoxicating about the restraint.
Here I was, Caden Ashford, future Alpha of Blood Moon, reduced to nothing by Lilith Emory, yet again, and this time, by nothing more than the force of her mouth.
For days, she’d kept me on edge, teasing me with nothing but her voice, leaving me frustrated and wanting. But now, I was finally getting some relief-thanks to her mouth-and it was clear she was getting off on it too. Her eyes told a story of pleasure, and she didn’t need to be naked for me to see it. She didn’t need anything, really. Just the fact that she was here, that this was happening, made me wonder how the hell I got so lucky.