“Oh, I’ve noticed,” he drawled. “Some of these get quite inventive.”
I whirled, dropping the spoon. “How many of those have you read?” I asked, my heart pounding.
His lips twisted into a smirk. “I’m quite a fast reader, and I’ve been out of new material for a while, so it seemed like a good idea to see what interested you.”
I groaned, picturing some of the scenes in those books. “Well, just know there are some things in there I may never want to try,” I warned him, turning back to my snack. Liar, liar, pants on fire, a little voice sang in my head.
“Oh, really?” He was behind me, but I hadn’t heard him move. His hands grasped my waist and his mouth move to my neck, grazing across my nape before he groaned. “Goddess help me, kitten.” A growl rumbled out of him as his grip tightened and he spun me around to face him, my bowl falling heedlessly to the floor as he lifted me onto the counter. His eyes glowed bronze as he clasped my hands, pushing healing energy into me and easing the ache between my thighs. One hand fisted in my hair as he feasted on my mouth, his tongue sweeping in to claim every inch of it. The other hand wrapped around the back of my neck, angling me exactly where he needed me as I groaned. His breathing was ragged when he pulled away with a snarl, his eyes still lit with his wolf’s power as he scraped his teeth down my neck.
“Um, hello to you too?” I gasped out, breathless and dizzy after that dominant display, and thankful I wasn’t sore anymore. How the hell had he known I was hurting?
“Alarick?” he questioned against my ear, his voice a whisper.
“What?” I pulled back, confused.
Ian smirked and tilted my chin up to place another kiss on my lips. “I figured it would be him. The twins prefer to take a female together, and that would be hard for your first time. I know it wasn’t me. You wouldn’t be in as much pain if it had been Shannon.”
I froze for a moment before I threw my hands up. “You can seriously smell that too?” I seethed, glaring at him as he chuckled.
“Yes, kitten. I can. When I smelled it, I was sure you were hurting, and I reacted instinctively.” He sobered and kissed me again. “I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to heal you.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “No, I’ll take the healing, thanks. That was just too weird to ask about.”
“Never weird. I don’t care what’s causing the pain.” He brought my chin up to look into my eyes. “Now, or years in the future, you may play in ways that cause pain. You may get wrapped up in the moment and discover it triggers something afterwards that you don’t like. You don’t owe me an explanation for it, but if you want to be healed, you come to me.” When I tried to turn my eyes away, he growled and tightened his grip. “Promise me, kitten. I don’t care what love play you get up to. Toys, knife play, anal, fisting, role play, whatever else—anything can be part of a healthy relationship as long as it’s done with both parties’ consent and both parties are having fun. Some things you’ll end up liking, some things you may not. Don’t be ashamed to ask to try things, and don’t let anyone humiliate you for wanting new things. Those aren’t relationships that are healthy, kitten. Sex isn’t about shame—anyone who wants to make you feel ashamed doesn’t love you. Just like you should never shame a partner. If you aren’t into something, tell them the truth, but don’t shame them for it. You can find other ways to play. If they truly can’t live without a fetish, then they need to know that and find another partner. But some of those games can have consequences that last longer than the session. If you are hurting, you come to me.”
When I only nodded, he growled again. “The words, kitten.”
“I promise.” His lips met mine again as his hand massaged the back of my neck. I hesitated before meeting his eyes. “Does it bother you that I went to Alarick?” Losing my virginity had been a big step, and I didn’t want any jealousy.
Ian chuckled. “No, kitten. I’m not jealous or angry.” He pressed himself against me, and I hissed when I realized how