Chapter 62

Phoenix

I can feel my anger rising, bubbling just beneath the surface. I also can't help but feel guilty and frustrated. The last thing I ever wanted to make her feel was inadequate.

She's all I'll ever need and more.

Even if she's only ever been with Zack, every time I've had sex with her, it has felt like ecstasy. No other woman has ever made me feel like that—like making love could be better than fucking someone into the mattress.

She taught me that. And she's teaching me so many more things, even if she doesn't realize it yet. But I'll make sure she knows.

I continue caressing her face, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her forehead. "Look, I don't have much experience expressing my emotions. And I know you haven't been with anyone other than Zack, but that doesn't mean you lack experience where it truly matters. You have experience caring for others, putting their needs before your own, and giving a part of your heart to someone one."

Her eyes fill with tears again, and I find myself having to clear my throat, trying to keep my own emotions in check.

"Little wolf, if it's experience you want, I'll give you all the experience you need. That woman...her name is Kate, by the way, if you wanted to know that for whatever reason, is my past. Right now, and forever, I only want you."

The wave of happiness and love that flows from her is overwhelming, making my heart swell, and all I want to do right now, is show her how much I love her.

I lean in, gently pressing my lips against hers. With my eyes closed, I feel her hands go to my wrists, but instead of pushing me away, she pulls me closer, deepening the kiss, her tongue brushing against mine.

The kiss is electric, sending shocks of pleasure traveling all over my body, making it feel like I'm on fire.

I love her.

I love her so fucking much.

Can't she see that?

When we pause to catch our breath, she smile at me, her eyes half-open. "You keep teaching me how to make love, and I'll teach you how to fuck," I say with a grin.

She lets out a shaky laugh. "Deal," she breathes.

I can't help but kiss her again, and she climbs into my lap, straddling me as we kiss with fervor.

"So, what are we going to do tonight?" I whisper against her lips. "Are you going to teach me how to make love, or am I going to teach you how to fuck?"

I nip her ear as I ask her the question, feeling her shudder in response.

"Let's just, uh, see where things go," she answers breathlessly, grinding herself harder against my cock.

The night is just beginning, and I'm ready to show her just how much she means to me—no matter where things go.

The tension is thick between us, and it lingers even after our lips part, leaving us breathless and clinging to each other. I can feel her desire, making my own just that more intense.

She leans back, searching my eyes. "Phoenix..." Her voice trembles, and worry twists in my gut. "I don't want to lose myself in this, in us. I need to know that you're falling just as much as I am."

I cup her face. "I'm falling with you, little wolf. You're never alone when you're with me," I reassure her.

"I've never been this close to anyone," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm afraid of getting hurt. Everything is just moving so fast, and we have so much going on."

I wrap my arms around her as I fall back against the mattress, stroking her hair as she rests against my chest. "I'll protect you always, Selene. Your heart, your soul, is mine. And I will fucking cherish it until my final breath."

I know it might sound corny, but it's how I feel right now, and I won't apologize for that.

She closes her eyes, nestling her face against my chest. "I think you're doing a better job at this love thing than you think," she murmurs.

I smirk. "Oh, is that right?"

She glances up at me. "Yes." She recaptures my lips in a slow, tender kiss. There's no rush, no urgency. Just the two of us, taking our time to explore each other, to reconnect after a shitty-ass day.

Her hands wander, tracing the lines of my muscles, and I continue cradling her face as our kiss becomes more desperate. The heat between us rises again. I can't explain it, but it does.

When we finally pull away again, both of us are gasping for breath, our hearts pounding in sync. I rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes as I try to figure out how to breathe again.

"I love you, Phoenix," she whispers, a slight tremble in her voice, but her words still make my entire world pause.

My breath hitches, and I swallow hard at the intense emotion her words cause. Slowly opening my eyes, I find her staring back at me, her eyes filling with emotion.

"I love you too, Selene," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "More than anything."

I mean it. I've felt it for so long, but saying it out loud like this feels different. I thought it would have felt more intense marking her, but these words...these three little words, make my heart swell like it's about to fucking explode.

Holy shit.

She loves me. The woman that I'm in love with feels the same way about me, and she's not afraid to show it.

Her entire face seems to light up. "Then show me," she says, her tone growing more confident. "Show me how much you love me."

I chuckle. "That might take a while. Get ready for a long night, little wolf," I tease, nipping at her lip.

And just like that, we lose ourselves in each other, letting the rest of the world fade into the background of our love.