I paused, considering that. Was that what I wanted? I would have been lying to myself if I said I hadn’t thought about which of them would take my virginity. A blush infused my cheeks at the notion, and Alarick arched a brow, searching my eyes as if he could read my thoughts there. I was grateful that no one was shifted at the moment, I really didn’t need these thoughts channeling down the bond. “Would… would being the one to take my virginity bother you?”
Alarick made a choking noise before leaning his head against mine. “Bother me?” he growled. “Why would that bother me?”
I shrugged, weaving my fingers through his. “You’re all experienced. I mean, I’m not an idiot. Dealing with a virgin isn’t going to be the most pleasurable thing for you.”
“Sweet,” he murmured, claiming my lips again. “Anything you gift me is pleasurable. Any touch or taste. Your experience level doesn’t change that.”
I hesitated for only a moment more before I pressed my lips to his, the kiss tender and drugging. “I can’t promise to mate with you, Ari,” I told him when I pulled back to catch my breath. “I care about you.” More than care about him, the voice in my mind screamed at me, but I pushed that down. There was only so much I could deal with at a time. “But mating is a really big deal and I’m still only seventeen. I’m not ready for that, and I don’t know when I will be.”
“I know, sweetheart,” he soothed, kissing my temple and threading his fingers into my hair. “I just needed to tell you how I felt. Just in case.” I shivered at the fear that crept up my spine. I didn’t want to think about just in case. “However long it takes, I’m here. I’m yours, Penny. I just want you to know.”
“Take me to bed, Ari,” I whispered, my gaze meeting his. “Please.”
Chapter Nine
Pixie
His eyes flared with heat, his hand stroking into my hair as his gaze searched mine.
“Are you sure?” His voice was no more than a whisper, but I heard him without a problem in the silence of the room. “I don’t want to push you, sweetheart.”
“You’re not,” I promised. “I want this. I want you.”
He groaned and scooped me up into his arms as he pushed to his feet, moving us to the bed. He set me gently on the edge, stepping back and bending down so his face was next to mine. “We can stop at any time, sweetheart. I don’t care where we are, if you get uncomfortable, you tell me to stop and we stop, understand?”
He held my chin, not letting me look away. “I understand, Ari.” He knelt at my feet, sliding my shoes and socks off before removing his own. He slipped off his jacket and his tie, setting them aside as well. His hands were gentle as he pulled my cardigan off, leaving only my tank top and leggings.
“Come here, Penny.” He tugged me into his arms, taking my mouth in a sweet, drugging kiss as he slid onto the bed with me. His arms held me tightly against his solid chest, cradling me against his body as his mouth worked against mine. His hand stroked down my back, gliding gently over my hip and across my thigh, stirring fires everywhere he caressed.
I undid the buttons on his shirt, baring this skin on his chest to my touch. He eased back and let the shirt fall to the bed, heedless of the fabric under his body as I caressed the muscles on his abdomen and back. His mouth trailed down my throat and across my collarbone as he shifted us, angling me onto my back on the soft down comforter. His touch was light as he tugged my tank top over my head, baring me to his gaze with a murmur of approval.
“Gorgeous.” His fingertips brushed against the swell of my breast, making me shiver as he leaned down to take my mouth again. He slid my leggings away, leaving me in my panties as his hands explored my body in smooth, gentle strokes. He touched everywhere but where I needed him, leaving me panting and desperate as I writhed.
“Ari!” I cried out as his fingers danced across my collarbone, his heated gaze taking in my hard nipples, the flush staining my skin, and the way my thighs pressed together.