The Awakening Aidan - By Abby Niles Page 0,17
O’Connell.”
He brushed his lips against her ear and took satisfaction in the way her body trembled. Her desire for him was a weakness that she hated, but he’d use it against her. “Say my name, Jaylin, and I’ll consider it.”
He slid his palm up her stomach to tease the underside of her breast. Almost helplessly, her chest pushed forward, seeking more. He smiled. “Say it, Jaylin. Just two little syllables.”
As if his words gave her a renewed sense of strength, she shoved his hand away. “Get out of my office, Mister O’Connell.”
She started toward the door. Caterwauling, his beast pounced, driving Aidan forward. Without thought, he grabbed her wrist, spun her around and yanked her back to him.
Her eyes widened, hands pushed at his chest. “Oh, God! Aidan! No!”
His name registered a split second before his lips crushed hers. Then her words no longer mattered. Their game no longer mattered. All that did was the rush of spiraling emotions sweeping over his body, rocking him to his very core.
Belonging. His. Forever.
Heat bloomed in the area above his heart and spread across his torso, filling him with contentment, happiness…peace.
The restlessness he’d felt ever since he’d met Jaylin eased. His beast purred, rubbing the side of its head against Aidan’s ribs as the heat slowly faded, leaving behind a current that vibrated in its wake. Such an odd sensation. Not unpleasant. Not in the least. He felt…awakened.
The Drall.
Without a doubt, he knew Jaylin was his. After he marked her that current would become her—the eternal link.
At the thought of leaving his mark on her, the tip of his canines tingled. And when she returned the gesture? The tops of his shoulders burned in anticipation of having her tiny bruises of ownership branded on his body. He would be hers, as she would be his.
Together. One unit. Everlasting.
He gathered her closer, completely lost in the warmth of her mouth, her sweet taste, lost in her—his other half. Then he felt it, tasted it. The stiffness. The salt.
He jerked back. The tears streaking down her face felt like a fist to the gut. She pressed one hand to her trembling lips. “Aidan. What have you done?”
“I kissed my mate.” Even with her less-than-enthusiastic reaction, his voice was strong, firm, no hesitation, no confusion. Jaylin was his.
She shook her head. “I’m not your mate.”
“Yes, you are. There is only one for us.”
“Don’t you think I know that!” She shoved at him until he finally stepped back, smacking his body as he held up his arms in defense. “You weren’t supposed to kiss me! Damn it, I was trying to protect you.” She froze, then stumbled back, hand covering her mouth again, staring at him. “What have I done?” she whispered.
The sight of her horror made him want to comfort her, wrap her in his arms and assure her that now that they had found each other, everything would be fine. But when he moved to do so, she flinched.
“Jaylin—”
“Don’t come near me!” She fled behind her desk, fingers clutching the back of the leather chair until the knuckles turned white, staring ahead at nothing. “Oh Dea, why?”
She’d barely breathed the words, but he heard them crystal clear. Heard the despair. “Why are you so upset?”
Her gaze snapped to his. “Upset? I’m horrified. Appalled. Dismayed. Sickened. Take your pick from any of those much stronger adjectives, because upset doesn’t even begin to define how I feel.”
He jerked back. “You make it sound like the end of the world.”
“Oh. Not my world. Your world. You have no idea what you’ve awakened, and how it’s going to change you forever.”
Melodramatic much? Yet, he knew when to retreat. And now was the time. Pressing the issue would only upset her more.
“I see you need time to think about this. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“No. We won’t. I’m there for Liam. Not you. You will stay in your office and give me a wide berth. Do you understand?”
His beast growled at her demand. Aidan pressed his lips together before saying. “I have no intention of leaving my office.”
With that he turned and strode out of the room. His beast caterwauled, again, demanding he go back. But he kept his motion forward, remembering she’d finally said his name. Twice.
In horror.
What would it take to hear it said in a way he truly wanted?
…
As soon as he left her office, Jaylin collapsed into her chair and cradled her head in her hands, allowing the tears to break free.
Everything he was about to endure was