The heat in his gaze sends a rush of warmth flooding through me, my body responding in ways I don’t fully understand. His hand trails along my arm, his fingers brushing over my bare shoulder, and my skin burns where he touches me. My breaths come faster as he leans in, his lips hovering near mine, and I’m lost in the intensity of his presence.
“Kael…” I whisper, my voice trembling with equal parts longing and fear.
His lips brush my jawline, feather-light, as his hand settles on my waist, pulling me closer. “Tell me to stop,” he murmurs against my skin, his breath hot and intoxicating. “And I will.”
I don’t want him to stop. My body hums with a need I’ve never felt before, every nerve alive with the pull of the mate bond. His hands roam lower, igniting a fire in their wake, and I feel myself leaning into him, desperate for more.
But then my insecurities creep back in, cold and relentless. How can I be Luna? How can I deserve this? Doubt crushes the heat in my chest, and I pull back sharply, my hands pressing against his chest.
“I… I’m not ready,” I say, my voice breaking. The words feel like a betrayal, and shame floods through me as I see the flicker of frustration in his eyes.
Kael exhales slowly, his hands falling away as he takes a step back, his jaw tightening. For a moment, I think I’ve ruined everything, that I’ve disappointed him. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out, my voice shaking. “I—have I disappointed you?”
His eyes soften immediately, and he reaches for my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “Never,” he says, his voice steady and full of conviction. “Talia, this is our destiny. I know it’s overwhelming. I know it’s new. But I will wait. As long as it takes, I will wait for you to trust me.” He squeezes my hand, his gaze locking onto mine. “I only want to make you happy.”