23.1

“Welcome home,” Nuri said softly, a nervous smile playing on her lips. Her voice wavered slightly, eyes locked on Kalmin’s face as he stepped into the room and stopped short, his gaze raking over her form like he was seeing her for the first time. The heat in his eyes—raw and reverent—made her skin tingle. It wasn’t just desire. It was awe. It made her feel powerful, beautiful, wanted.
She stepped forward, the air between them practically crackling, and placed her trembling hands on his shoulders. She gasped when his fingertips, icy from the night air, trailed down the bare skin of her spine.
Kalmin froze. His brow furrowed, uncertainty flickering in his expression. ‘Did I move too fast? Did I misread this?’ The doubt struck hard, though he couldn’t fathom what other reason she’d have to greet him this way unless she wanted the same thing. But before he could spiral into hesitation, Nuri reached up and cradled his face between her hands, chuckling softly.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her breath warming his lips. “Your fingers are just freezing cold.”
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Sorry,” Kalmin murmured, the word muffled against her lips as he kissed her. One strong arm curled around her waist as he lifted her effortlessly, his movements fluid and sure. She clung to his shoulders, heart thundering in her chest, and he carried her to the bed as though she weighed nothing at all.
He set her down on the edge, stepping between her legs. Her fingers went to the buttons of his shirt with a sudden urgency, though her hands shook slightly. Kalmin noticed it. She seemed almost rushed. But instead of calling it out, he let her move at her pace, assuming nerves were leading her.
"Is he asleep?" Nuri asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she peeled his shirt from his shoulders, her fingertips lingering on his skin. Her hand hovered at the waistband of his pants, unsure, breath catching.
“Yes,” Kalmin answered, threading his fingers through her hair with a gentle reverence, watching her with an intensity that made her toes curl.
Nuri bit her lip, eyes flicking to the hardness straining against his pants. ‘It’s really happening,’ she thought with a squeal of panic and excitement. ‘I’ve seen him naked so many times, how am I still this nervous?’
When she hesitated again, Kalmin’s voice was quiet and steady. “It’s okay if you’re not ready. I won’t rush you.”
Her heart squeezed. That... that was exactly why she trusted him. She shook her head, inhaled deeply, and steadied herself.
Then she reached for him, wrapping one hand around his shaft, the other pressed to his hip for balance. She lowered herself, running her tongue slowly along the length of him. Kalmin groaned, a low sound from deep in his chest as his fingers instinctively tightened in her hair. He fought the urge to thrust forward, every muscle in his body taut with restraint.
His hand found her shoulder, grounding himself. “That’s enough,” he rasped, breath ragged. “If you keep going... I won’t have anything left for you.”
She blinked up at him, confused. “Was I doing it wrong?”
Kalmin’s eyes softened. “No, sweetheart. You’re perfect,” he murmured, pulling her up and into his arms. He laid her gently on the bed, brushing her hair from her face before kissing her with a fire that made her entire body shiver.
“I may be an animal sometimes,” he whispered between kisses, “but I’m still just a man.”
Nuri melted beneath him, kissing him deeply as their tongues tangled. She pushed at his chest, guiding him to lie on his back. Then she climbed into his lap, straddling him with a mixture of confidence and adrenaline. Her body trembled—not from fear, but anticipation.
She bent down, capturing his bottom lip between hers in a sensual kiss. Kalmin groaned, his hands roaming over her sides, his touch feather-light but deliberate. He tugged at the waistband of her panties, pausing only when she gasped softly, uncertain.
‘You’re making him think you’re not into it,’ she scolded herself silently. ‘Pull yourself together, woman.’ She shifted her hips toward him, inviting his touch.
Kalmin stilled again, reading her body. “It’s okay,” he said gently, his fingers resting against her thigh. “If you’re not ready—”
“I am ready,” Nuri said quickly, forcing a breathless smile as she battled her inner storm. “I’m just... nervous.”
Kalmin’s brows lifted. “Does it help if I say it’s my first time too?”
Nuri’s heart skipped a beat. “Really?” she asked, surprised. ‘I always assumed he was... experienced. Confident. A total womanizer.’
Kalmin nodded, brushing her hair behind her ear and placing a soft kiss on her collarbone. “After fighting so hard to shed the omega label... I didn’t want anyone but my mate. You were the only one who ever mattered.”
Nuri blinked back the sudden sting of tears. “That makes me... really happy.”
He smiled and gently lowered her onto her back, propping himself up as he unclasped her bra. His lips traced the curves of her body, slow and unhurried, kissing a trail down her stomach until he was nestled between her thighs.
His tongue circled her clit, teasing her, and Nuri arched against the bed, clutching the comforter with a choked moan. ‘Tempest was right... I can’t keep my feelings in check,’ she thought.
Kalmin groaned, savoring her taste, his hands gripping her thighs. “Okay, your turn to stop!” Nuri gasped, trying to pull back.
“Why the hell should I?” Kalmin growled, pulling her back down, his voice thick with desire. “Let me finish what I started.”
“You made me stop before you finished,” she teased, grabbing his hair to pull him up, her legs wrapping around him as he hovered over her again.
“Next time, you’ll let me finish,” he said with a dangerous smirk, kissing her hungrily. His hands slid down her back, gripping her hips as he aligned with her slick folds. “We’re probably going to wake them up.”
“I know,” Nuri whispered, mischief in her smile. She took his face in her hands and kissed him deeply as he pressed into her, slow and careful. A soft hiss escaped her lips at the unfamiliar stretch.
“They’ll probably wake us up when they do it,” she added, nibbling on his ear.
Kalmin groaned, hands tightening on her hips. “I don’t want to think about them right now.”
She laughed breathlessly, her body moving with his. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this.’ Her heart raced as she rocked against him, her hands pressed to his chest. The pleasure bloomed fast, making it hard to stay composed.
“I don’t think I can stop her from waking up,” she warned, feeling Tempest stir.