Lily
I’m sitting on Wesley’s bed as he paces the room with his fingers in his dark hair. I can’t imagine what is going through his head. His ex-wife and first mate are back from the dead, and I think it’s finally starting to dawn on him.
Is he going to pick her instead of me?
I don’t dare to ask him that question. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget it, but Wesley is still an intimidating and powerful Alpha. His whole body is built like a weapon, and now that he is stressed, I know better than to voice my thoughts. Upsetting him right now wouldn’t be a great idea. What if he lashed out at me?
No.
Wesley wouldn’t hurt me.
But the possibility of him yelling at me is definitely there…
Eventually, though, I can’t sit quietly. “What is going through that beautiful brain of yours?” I ask softly, hoping the compliment will butter him up.
It doesn’t.
Wesley looks at me, he isn’t angry, but he isn’t happy either. That teasing light from earlier has been blown out like a candle. Left is a broken man, and I get up from the bed. I know I’m taking a huge risk to approach him, yet I don’t care when I let my hands trail up his huge arm.
“Hey,” I whisper. “How about I fill up a bath for you? It might help relax those big muscles of yours. Or at least ease the wrinkle between your eyebrows.”
There is no answer.
I try to push Wesley, but he doesn’t move. Green eyes land on mine, and his lips part, “Ask me to pick you.”
An unsettling feeling settles in my chest, and my hand falls to my side. “How can you ask that of me when you haven’t even told me how you feel about me yet?” I whisper with a heartbreaking smile. “That’s cruel, Wesley.”
I’m not sure what I expect Wesley to say, but the deafening silence wasn’t it. He says nothing, and somehow, that hurts even more. His chin lifts, and I watch him walk into the bathroom without a word.
I’m left alone with my thoughts, a heavy weight settling in my stomach. I’m not sure how long I’ve been standing there before I hear the sound of water starting to fill the tub.
I take a deep breath and walk toward the bathroom. The sight that greets me is breathtaking. Wesley is standing in front of the tub, his broad shoulders relaxed as he tests the water’s temperature. I can’t help but admire the way the water droplets glide down his back, tracing the lines of his muscles.
“I’m sorry, Lily,” Wesley says suddenly, startling me out of my reverie. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
I’m surprised by the remorse in his voice. For a moment, I stand there in silence, listening to the sound of the water filling the tub. I can hear my heart beating in my chest, pounding against my ribs.
“I know,” I reply softly, my gaze locked on his broad back. “But you need to make a decision.”
Wesley pauses at that, rolls his thumbs in the water, sighs, looks at me, sighs again, and stands up. “Alright, I’ve made my decision...”
Somehow, I’m skeptical. “Oh yeah?”
“Mhm...”
“That quickly?” What did it take—five seconds to decide I’m unworthy of being with his excellence Alpha Wesley?
“Sure did.”
Wesley stands up, and my eyes trail the waterdrops racing down his body. When he is standing inside the bathtub, I’m faced with his navel and lower abs. I take a step back to allow him room, and Wesley follows, backing me up against the tiled wall inside the bathroom.
His hands come down on either side of my head, each bicep larger around than my thighs. I can’t encircle them with even both of my hands. I shudder. Is he going to hurt me? Should I have fled while I had the chance? I’m trapped here now and holding my breath when Wesley’s green eyes bore into mine, drowning me in their depth.
“I choose you, Lily,” he says, his voice a low growl. “I choose you, and I want you. Now and forever.”
I can feel my heart soar in my chest, but a part of me is still wary. “But what about Mirelle?”
He leans in, his breath hot against my ear. “I might have loved her once, and it was nice, but...things change,” he chuckles when I gasp and moves a dark strand of hair away from my shocked face. “I want you.”
“B-but why?”
Another chuckle. “Why?”
“Yes!” I demand. “Mirelle is prettier than me and taller, and she isn’t a rogue.”
Wesley looks amused. “Do you always talk this much when a man is trying to be romantic?”
“Only when I’m nervous.”
“Do I make you nervous?”
My cheeks burn, and I pout, “O-of course not.”
His laugh is low and husky. “Always so damn dishonest. But that’s okay, you’re still cute.”
“Cute?” I growl, offended. “I’m sexy, not cute!” Cute is something you call a child, and I’m not a child; I’m a woman!
His eyes crinkle by the corners, and I shiver when his thumbs grace my cheek, stroking it gently. “Just because you’re cute doesn’t mean you can’t be sexy as well. But that’s not the point,” he smiles. “Tell me you want to be with me.”
“Oh,” I grin, avoiding the subject on purpose because I’m nervous and my brain isn’t working. “So you think I’m sexy?”
“Very,” he leans closer. “Now tell me you’re mine.”
I gulp, struggling not to tremble since he is so, so close to my lips and breathing in my face. “I want you too, but you told me you’re in love with Mirelle—”
Before I can say another word, his lips crash down on mine, and the world falls away. I guess some things are better said with actions? I’m lost in the sensation of his lips on mine, the taste of him, the feel of his strong body pressed against mine. I press my hands against his chest, feeling him up.
Wesley pulls back, his eyes blazing. “Stop trying to push me away, Lily. Say yes. Say you will be mine.”
I don’t hesitate. “Yes, Wesley. I will be yours.”
He smiles and then kisses me again, harder this time. As I feel his tongue slide into my mouth, I realize I’ve never experienced anything like this before. The sparks coursing through my body are indescribable right now. It feels entirely new, and I cling to Wesley as if I’m afraid he will slip away.
But then he pulls away from me, panting heavily, and I feel a pang of loss.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t have done that. I don’t want to rush you.”
“What? No, Wesley, I want this,” I say. “I want you.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you’re being pressured into anything.”
“I’m sure,” I say with a smile. “Now kiss me again.”
He leans in, but then just as suddenly, his expression turns grave, and he pauses.
“I have to tell you something, Lily,” he says, his voice low. “And it’s not easy for me.”
“What is it?”
“You...you were right.”
I blink. “Pardon me?”
I’m pretty sure I’m hallucinating because there is a slight blush on Wesley’s handsome face. I’m tempted to pick up my camera, but that would ruin the moment.
“When I rejected you, you said I would regret it.”
I’m still not following. “I did... What about it?”
“Well...” he sighs in defeat, slumping his shoulders before leaning down so that we are at eye level again. Wesley is seriously tall, and I bite back a laugh when he pouts at me, sticking my hands into his hair.
“Wesley,” I whisper in a teasing tone while brushing through his soft hair. “Just spell it out already. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because,” he swallows thickly. My hands are massaging his scalp, and he averts his eyes while leaning his head against my chest, muttering, “Because you were right. I do regret rejecting you.”
My lips struggle to contain their smile. “Now, was that really so hard to admit?”
Wesley chuckles and lifts his head up to look at me again, a shy but happy grin playing at the corners of his lips. “Yes, it was.” His voice softens, then as he looks into my eyes. “I’ve been thinking about you so much, Lily. You’ve been in my thoughts and dreams, and I just couldn’t keep pushing you away anymore. I want to be with you, I want you to be mine. Will you please let me take back my rejection?”