Chapter Twenty-Five – The first time

Three orgasms and an hour-long nap later Talia finally managed to roll herself out of bed, take a quick shower and get dressed for dinner. The scent of Monica’s roasted chicken and vegetables filled the hallway, seeping under her door and making her stomach grumble.

Tip-toing out of the bedroom she checked the hallways before closing the door behind her. She didn’t feel like running into someone in this state of post pleasure haze, but of course. There he was, standing at the top of the stairs, like he was waiting for her.

“Adam” Talia said, her insides curling into a big knot. “Talia” He responded flatly. The warmth she had felt from his earlier was all but gone. And it left her feeling a little lost and alone. And shameful. He knew, of course he knew. In her enjoyment she hadn’t even stopped to consider him, to consider what her frolicking around with someone else would do to him. Most likely the same at it would have done to her. It wasn’t a good feeling.

“Did you wait for me?” She tried to sound casual, but her voice failed her. “I did” Adam answered, his back turned against her. Talia went to stand beside him, both of them looking down the stairs in silence as everyone filled into the hallways beneath to enjoy dinner in the company of the others. But Talia had suddenly lost her appetite.

“I’m not hungry” She turned around to go back to her room but was stopped by Adam’s hand wrapping around her wrist, his face turned towards her, his expression unreadable in the dim light of the hallway. “You should eat something” Adam simply said.

“Maybe later” She tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn’t let her go. Instead, he pulled her closer, and she couldn’t help but follow with. He was much stronger, and she didn’t have the energy in her to fight him, not physically at least.

“I know you’re hungry – I heard…” He stopped himself. “You heard everything” Talia finished, feeling a sting of guilt in her heart. She hadn’t even given that a second thought. She’d never heard anyone in this house, but then again, she didn’t have enhanced hearing.

“Are you mad?” She asked worried. The last thing she wanted was to anger the alpha. But he didn’t seem mad, more disappointed maybe. “No” Adam shook his head. “Disappointed then?” She suggested, but it wasn’t that. Adam shook his head on all of her suggestions. He wasn’t mad, disappointed, hurt, or even annoyed.

“What is it then?” Talia wondered.

“I’m trying to be understanding. Trying to see reason with you wanted to explore and discover new sensations and what not. I just…” He trailed off, his hand letting go of her wrist. “You’re jealous” Talia’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped a little.

“Hearing you get pleasured by someone else was – difficult. For both of us. And I can’t help but wonder why? Why going to bed with someone else? Why didn’t you come to me?”

Talia was a little taken back by that question. Out of everything that had crossed her mind of reactions that wasn’t one of the possibilities she had even considered. Looking up she closed the small distance left between them so she could look into his eyes. They were somber, and the guilt punched her in the gut this time.

“I don’t know – it kind of just happened. And I was enjoying myself for the first time in a long time. I had forgotten how great that feeling was, and Katlyn helped me remember” Talia wanted to cup his face with her hands, but she didn’t think her touch was something he wanted at that moment.

“And…” Talia bit her bottom lip. “I want you. The feeling of your arms wrapped around me, it makes me feel loved and protected. Whenever I can wrap myself around you in a hug I feel at home. You’re the one person that makes me feel calm and collected when I want to trash everything. But…” How was she going to explain this?

“Whenever I look at you, I’m also reminded of all the things you hid from me. Of all the things you didn’t tell me. And I can’t help but wonder why. I want to believe you had good intentions, that you did it to protect me from harm. And I’m thankful. I’m so grateful for everything you have ever done for me. You took me in, kept me safe, helped me create new memories when my old ones had vanished. But I’m your mate – and there is this voice in the back of my head telling me you did everything to keep me close, to ensure you didn’t lose me. And I hate that voice, because deep down I know it’s wrong. If that had been the case, you wouldn’t have let me travel at my own will and desire. You wouldn’t have made sure I could do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to do it. You’re the most amazing person I know, and I love you. And that scares me. Because I love you because I’ve gotten to grow into that. But you have the mate bond, you’re destined to love me just because of the bond. And it just feels – wrong. I don’t want to be loved and desired because of a bond. But because I am me, and me is pretty great”

Talia took a deep breath and looked down, scared to face his eyes yet again. She had laid it all out there, bared her heart, thoughts, and feelings. Spelled everything out loud and clear for him, and probably three dozen others, at least. Sometimes she really hated that hearing of theirs.

“Talia” Adam put his hand under her chin, tiling her head upwards to meet his gaze. To her surprise the somber look was gone. He didn’t look sad – just, relieved maybe?

“I don’t love you because some Goddess told me ‘this is your person, and you have to love her and be with her for the rest of your life’. I love you because you are you. And you are the most fascinating, impressive, damn amazing person I have ever met. I love you because you are you. And I don’t know how to prove that to you – so you’ll just have to trust me on this. The bond is there, it makes me want to protect you with my life. But it doesn’t force me to love and care for you” He leaned down, their foreheads resting against each other.

“You love me” Talia said in a pleasing town, a smile presenting itself on her lips.

“I love you” Adam confirmed.

“Kiss me” Talia commanded before her hands found the color of his shirt, pulling him down so their lips could meet. First soft and gentle, the kiss had taken Adam by surprise. But once he woke from the haze the kiss deepened. His arms wrapping under her butt to lift her up to his level, pinning her against the wall as her lips parted, giving his tongue access.

Talia’s arms wrapped behind his neck and her legs around his torso, feeling his length grow and pressing against her. And her desire grew, her pussy swelling and pulsating. She wanted him. Needed him.

“I want you – now” Talia broke the kiss to catch a breath, her eyes darting to her bedroom door just a few doors down. Adam took the hint, pressing soft kisses on her jawline and neck as he carried her to the bedroom, pausing only to get the door open, and kicked it shut with his foot.

Talia could feel her private parts grow hot with desire, lips pulsing as her pussy got wetter. The mere thought of Adam being inside of her made her moan as his lips caressed her neck, placing firmer kisses as his own desire grew.

“Adam” Talia moaned, hands tangling with his hair as he pinned her to the wall again. Adam was rougher, more driven – and she enjoyed it. The thought of him taking here then and there, pinned between his body and the wall was driving her desire to new levels.

“Take me” She commanded.