When I woke up, my head felt heavy, like I’d been running all night and slamd into a wall at the end. A dull ache throbbed behind my eyes. Even the soft morning light felt sharp, like it was pressing down on .
I groaned and rubbed my temples. The bed was warm. Too warm. And the scent around wasn’t mine. It was clean, familiar, steady. It made sothing deep in my chest stir before my mind could catch up.
"Morning," a low voice said beside .
I turned my head and froze.
Lewis was right there. Lying next to . Close enough that I could see the faint line between his brows, the calm rise and fall of his chest.
My heart jumped hard.
Why was I in his bed?
I pushed myself upright too fast. Panic rushed in, sharp and sudden. mories of last night were broken pieces his arms, his voice, the car, warmth, safety.
As I shifted, the room tilted. I nearly fell off the bed, but a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled back like it was nothing. I landed against him, my palms flat on his bare chest.
Solid. Warm. Real.
"I last night..." My voice shook. "Did we... did sothing happen?"
He looked at for a long second. His gaze was calm, but there was sothing deeper there, like he was holding back more than words.
"You don’t rember?" he asked.
My stomach dropped.
I searched my mind, but all I found were flashes clinging to him, laughing, tugging at his belt, calling him honey like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Did I... do sothing to you?" I whispered.
He nodded once. "Yeah. You did."
Oh no.
My face burned. I noticed a faint mark near his collarbone and my eyes widened. "Is that did I bite you?"
A low chuckle left him. Not angry. Not upset. Just amused. "Right there," he said, tapping the spot.
I covered my face. "I’m terrible. I drank too much. I embarrassed myself. I’m so sorry."
He leaned back, completely relaxed. "You also threw up on , tried to undress , and told I belonged to you."
I wanted the bed to swallow whole.
"I swear, I didn’t an any of it," I said quickly.
"It’s fine," he replied. "You’re my mate. Wanting isn’t a cri."
That word hit sothing deep inside . Mate. It wasn’t just a title. It was a pull. A promise.
"So... we didn’t really...?" I asked carefully.
"No," he said. "You weren’t in your right state. I wouldn’t cross that line."
Relief washed through so fast my shoulders sagged.
"Thank you," I breathed.
He pulled into his chest, holding like it was instinct, like his body knew mine before my mind ever did.
"I have control," he murmured near my ear. "But don’t test it too hard."
My cheeks heated. I nodded.
Then sothing else occurred to . "Lewis... before , you never ?"
"No," he said without hesitation. "Never wanted anyone else."
I looked up at him, stunned.
"In this world," he continued quietly, "we don’t give ourselves lightly. A bond like this only happens once."
When Lewis said that, my mind went blank.
He had never been with anyone before. Not once.
A man like him calm, confident, with that quiet pressure that made people step aside without thinking. It didn’t make sense. Anyone could feel it. That pull. That natural authority.
I stared at him, still trying to process it.
He leaned closer, a lazy smile on his lips, eyes sharp with knowing.
"You look like you’re wondering how soone like handles certain instincts," he said lightly.
My breath caught.
Before I could react, he took my hand. His palm was warm, steady, grounding in a way that made my chest tighten. My skin reacted before my thoughts did.
"L-Lewis..." I whispered.
His thumb brushed over my knuckles. Slow. Intent.
"You know," he said, voice low, "you called ’Honey’ last night."
I froze.
"I... did what?"
His lips curved, clearly enjoying this far too much.
Heat rushed to my face. I had never called anyone that. Not Julian. Not ever. The fact that it slipped out with Lewis without thought made my heart race.
"I I need the bathroom," I blurted.
I fled before my legs gave out.
Inside, I splashed cold water on my face again and again, but it didn’t help. My reflection stared back at , lips swollen, eyes too bright.
Fragnts ca back.
My hand at his waist.
The way he held like I belonged there.
The faint mark near his collarbone.
I groaned softly.
What was wrong with ?
When I finally stepped out, the room slled like tea and warm bread. Lewis sat by the table, already dressed, relaxed like nothing had happened.
He looked up and held out his hand.
"Co here."
I hesitated, then placed my hand in his. He pulled closer, guiding to sit beside him.
"Did I scare you?" he asked, no teasing this ti.
I stared out the window. "I’m just... not used to this."
"That’s fine," he said easily. "You’ll get used to it."
I snapped my head toward him. "Get used to what?"
He laughed softly. "You’re adorable when you’re flustered."
Before I could protest, he wrapped an arm around . Not tight. Just firm enough to remind I was safe there.
"You’re my mate," he murmured. "Closeness isn’t strange. It’s natural."
My heart pounded.
"You were a little bold last night," he added.
"I don’t rember anything!" I covered my face.
His tone softened. "I won’t push you. Not now. Not ever. We move at your pace."
I lowered my hands and looked at him. He wasn’t joking. There was no hunger in his eyes only patience. Control.
"I don’t know if I can love again," I said quietly. "After Julian... I don’t know if I want to."
Lewis didn’t pull away. His fingers brushed my cheek instead.
"I’m not asking for love today," he said. "Just presence. Just trust."
He lifted my hand and pressed a gentle kiss to my fingers. My breath hitched.
"If love takes ti, I can wait," he whispered. "Until then... let’s just stay close."
His lips brushed mine. Soft. Careful. No rush.
And for the first ti in a long while, I stopped fighting the pull in my chest and simply let myself feel it.
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