CHAPTER 12
Celise entered the bedroom with a pounding heart. Wind walked in after her and closed the door. The sound made her jump.
They were alone now.
“Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked as he came closer.
Celise turned around and looked at him. “Yes. Diane is a good cook.”
He smiled. “Yes, she is. She enjoys cooking.”
“Do you?”
Wind shrugged. “I don’t mind it, but I can’t say it’s one of my favorite things to do.”
Celise gazed at the bed. She couldn’t help but notice that Wind was looking at it as well.
A gentle smile decorated his face, a smile that made her nerves grow.
It’d been a strange day. After the kissing game, they’d taken a break and had spent a few hours together, all three of them. They’d talked, laughed, and eaten as if nothing serious was going on. It had made them all relax, but night had finally fallen, and with it, the tension returned.
She’d brushed her teeth and taken care of her needs, and now, as she stood in front of him, the reality of what was about to happen sank in.
Her body trembled. She’d never touched him like that before. What they’d done earlier was nothing compared to what they would try to do now. “Do you really believe Diane is all right with this?”
“She is because she has to be.”
Celise could only nod, but the feeling that she was intruding refused to go away.
“Should we try to get some sleep?”
She tensed. “Just sleep, right?”
Excitement flashed in his eyes, and Celise could swear Wind had changed since yesterday.
He’d gone from being completely uninterested in a relationship with her, to not having anything against her touch. Was he starting to feel things for her? Like now, when she looked into his marvelous, aluminum-colored, shining eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder.
There was ... something.
“Is that all you want?” he asked.
Celise held her breath. “Um ... I don’t know. I mean ... you’re not ready yet ... are you?”
“We won’t know unless we try.”
She’d imagined many times what it’d be like to sleep with Wind, and now, the time had finally come. It felt surreal, and in her mind, Wind still belonged to Diane. Getting pass that was not easy.
He grabbed her shirt.
Celise jerked away. “What are you doing?”
“Undressing you.”
“What for?”
He chuckled. “So that we can ... sleep.”
Heat traveled to her cheeks. “Oh.”
Wind moved closer, invading her personal space. “You’re so nervous. Are you afraid of me?”
She shook her head and swallowed. “No, it’s not that.”
“Please, tell me.”
His gentle voice was like the sweetest honey, caressing her chaotic emotions, calming her.
“Being this close to you—” Her words didn’t come easy. “What happened today is more than I could’ve ever asked for.”
He nodded. “Being finally touched by the one you love after so many years must be overwhelming.”
She cleared her throat. “You can say that.”
He studied her for a while without a word. He was thinking. About what, she couldn’t guess. “I have no idea how far we can take this, but let’s try one step at a time, and see where we’ll end up. If it doesn’t work tonight, if my eyes won’t flash, we can always try tomorrow or the day after that.”
Celise blinked. “You’re really willing to go through this, to make me your bound one, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I thought it’d take longer for me to reach this point. I thought it’d take weeks to feel what I feel now, but my bond has been more co-operative than I expected. Maybe it’s because we know each other, and maybe because I’ve kissed you on the cheek a few times in the past.”
Celise inhaled deeply as hope awakened within her. “What does your bond tell you now, compared to yesterday?”
Wind hesitated. “It doesn’t mind me touching you anymore. That’s always something, but kissing you is obviously not okay yet.” He lowered his gaze. “But I also feel like I’m not fair toward Diane. She’s in another room, well aware of what we’re about to do. It’s tearing me apart that she has to go through this even if we all agreed to this.”
Celise’s heart clenched. “I understand.” She looked down.
He put a finger under her chin, making her look at him. “You have the same look in your eyes you had yesterday when you thought I’m doing this only to survive.” He cupped her cheeks. “Please, trust me. That’s all I’m asking.”
She swallowed. “I trust you, I really do, but it’s hard when I know you’d rather be with Diane than me, and I don’t blame you for it.”
Hesitation lingered in his expression. “Something is pulling me to you now, Celise. Don’t you see it? I enjoy looking at you and holding you in my arms.”
She nodded, trying to see the positive in all this. “That sounds promising.”
“It does.” He nodded to the bed. “Shall we?”
Celise stared there again. Heat grew, making her lower parts clench. Her body burned for his touch, but the image of a sad Diane was hard to put aside.
Somehow, she had to.
She wanted Wind badly. He’d been her whole world for so many years. Excitement had filled her every time she’d seen him, making her long for the times when she’d been invited over to examine him. Only then could she touch him, and now, here she was, about to do so much more.
When he grabbed her shirt a second time and stripped it off, she didn’t jerk away, but it made her more nervous than ever before. He draped the shirt on the stool.
Celise covered her breasts with her arms. She felt exposed even if most of her clothing was still on. At first, she didn’t dare to look at Wind. She didn’t want to see the lack of interest in his eyes. What if he didn’t like her body? She was shorter than most women and didn’t have a fit figure like Diane. Instead, she had a few pounds too much. Wasn’t overweight, but it was enough to make her feel uncomfortable.
He gave a reassuring smile before he grabbed her arms and turned her around.
She gasped when his hands went for her bra. Feeling him open it sent a shiver through her. She couldn’t help the squeak that fled her mouth as he tugged it off.
Wind wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. His hands traveled around her stomach and arms, feeling her.
The heat from his warm fingers against her naked skin was beyond amazing. “Shit,” she said, unable to stop herself.
He chuckled. “I’m not going to eat you.” He nipped at her earlobe, making her wince. “Well, maybe a little.”
Celise closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder. She loved being touched by him like this. It almost made her forget all her worries.
She allowed herself to drown in everything he was willing to give.
“I actually like this,” Wind said. “You have such soft and pale skin. My bond doesn’t mind at all. Strange, huh? Who would’ve guessed it’d be this easy, this fast.” His right hand went farther, toward the waistband of her black leggings. His fingertips slid in under them. “Do you want to find out if my bond will behave if I touch your pussy?”
She lost her capability to speak. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Wanted to protest, to say she wasn’t ready for that yet, but her body told another story. His words alone turned her on, and everything inside her screamed for more.
Wind’s touch slowly moved under her pants when she didn’t answer.
Celise was unable to stand still as he kept moving down slowly, torturous inch by torturous inch.
He was testing his bond.
His hand shook, and it didn’t take much for her to realize he was nervous too, but nothing seemed wrong. His bond seemed to behave.
It was bliss. It was torture.
Especially when he finally reached his goal.
“This is fascinating.” His voice shook. “I can touch you. I can actually touch you.”
Celise smiled, glad his bond didn’t object, but when his palm cupped her private area, she gasped. She arched her back against his chest when one of his fingers parted her and reached for her sensitive nub. “Oh my God,” she squeaked.
He pressed his finger against her clit, circling with a gentle pressure, making her body quiver harder. It was becoming difficult to stand.
She’d been with other men, but she’d never had a serious relationship. None of them had ever made her feel like this, either.
Wind’s caress made her world spin, and her need for release was almost painful. If he’d stop, she’d scream.
“You’re ready to fall apart in my arms,” he whispered in her ear.
“Yes, please,” she moaned and licked her lips. Celise wrapped her arms around his neck, leaving her completely exposed to him.
His other hand went for her breast as he added another finger and increased the pressure against her clit.
Celise closed her eyes and allowed her body to take over. Her need for him was so great there was no other way to go. She was lost in the pleasure.
She inhaled when Wind grabbed her nipple and pinched it, making it harden between his fingertips. She jolted and longed for more.
Everything around her faded. All there was was him. He placed gentle kisses on her neck. It made her shiver, awakening goosebumps on her skin.
His breathing seemed to become ragged along with hers. She felt his hot breath against her ear as he increased the pressure on her sensitive nerves. Wind went from being careful, to intense and determined. He knew what he was doing, and when she couldn’t handle more, her body ignited.
Celise’s knees gave out beneath her as she came, but Wind didn’t allow her to fall as he worked her mercilessly. She was unable to hold back her scream.
Wind made her feel so good, and he’d made her come so hard it was impossible to hold back.
When it was over, she collapsed in his arms. A thin coat of sweat had broken out on her skin. There was no strength left in her, but she’d never been happier.
He lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her on the sheets and gave her a gentle smile, but she didn’t miss the sad look in his eyes.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry.” He grabbed his shirt and tugged it off.
He had satisfied her, but the sight of his bare skin stirred her desire again. His broad shoulders, muscular chest, and perfect fair complexion made her realize she hadn’t had the chance to really touch him yet, to explore his body.
She met his gaze, studying him. He’d always made her feel like she could turn to him, no matter what. He’d always cherished their friendship, despite her feelings for him. Wind had never turned his back on her, and she’d never seen him angry.
These last two days were the first time she’d seen him frustrated, but it was understandable. He was losing his bound one and was forced to bind himself to another woman to survive.
Celise sat up and grabbed his hand, making him sit on the bed. “I’m so sorry, Wind for all you have to go through. I’ve always had your support, and I promise, you’ll always have mine. No matter what happens, you can always turn to me. I’ll always be there for you.”
He blinked and surprise crossed his face.
“I mean it,” she went on. “I’ll be the bound one you deserve to have.”
Wind smiled then. “Thank you, Celise. I believe you. I know how strong your love for me is. Even if I wasn’t sure at first, I do believe now that you’re the one for me. Only you can replace Diane. No one else.”
His words warmed her heart, but they made it ache, as well. She was still a replacement, but she couldn’t focus on that. She blinked away tears. “You don’t want me to—?”
He hesitated. “I’m not there yet. I enjoyed touching you, but—”
Celise’s heart fell to her stomach. “I understand.” Her cheeks burned from embarrassment, hurt radiated.
“Don’t be ashamed, Celise. It’s not your fault.” He squeezed her hand. “We’ve come further than I ever dared to imagine in just one day. If it continues like this, my eyes will flash soon.” He looked at her lips. “I want to kiss you.”
She winced. “Why?”
Amusement filled his eyes. “Because I feel like it. I’ll pull back if the bond protest.”
Celise prepared herself for the worst as Wind leaned closer.
He stopped just inches from her face. He tensed and seemed to be preparing himself as well. Then he pressed his lips against hers for two seconds and pulled away.
Their gazes met.
“Well?” she asked.
“I didn’t feel any objection from the bond.”
She smiled. “Try again.”
Wind didn’t hesitate this time. He perched over her on all four and pressed his mouth to hers.
She loved the feeling of his warm and gentle lips. If she hadn’t known he wasn’t in love with her, the kiss would’ve fooled her.
Butterflies danced in Celise’s stomach. For the first time ever, she got to experience what it was like to lie beneath him. He wasn’t directly on top of her, but close enough. It became almost impossible to resist the impulse to wrap her arms around him.
His eyes were closed, and Wind rested his hand against her cheek, kissing her slowly without pushing his tongue inside her mouth, but it was enough to get her worked up again. Especially since he seemed to be enjoying himself.
But then Wind jerked away with a groan. He pushed off the bed and grimaced. “Fuck, that hurt.”
Celise flew up, ready to comfort him, but he raised his hand.
“Give me a moment.”
His words hurt. Not because they made her feel rejected, but because the kiss hadn’t worked.
Almost a minute passed before he finally relaxed. “I’m all right now.”
“I don’t understand why this is happening. You should be able to kiss me if you can touch me.”
Wind remained silent for a few seconds. “I think the bond finds the kissing too intimate. It has accepted that I touch you, but it seems like kissing is a completely different thing.”
Celise blinked. “That sounds strange.”
He undressed but left his underwear on.
The sight of him made her almost speechless. She could do nothing but stare. He usually had loose pants on, hiding his long legs, but now, when she was able to see them, she was amazed by how muscular they were.
“Let’s go to sleep.” He encouraged her with a smile.
Her shyness returned as she took off her clothes too. It didn’t matter if he’d had his hands on her or seen her upper body naked. Letting him see the rest of her made her hot all over, even if she’d kept her panties on.
Celise hurried under the linens. It only made Wind chuckle.
He lay behind Celise, spooning her. His body heat instantly surrounded her, and she was in heaven.
She could stay like this forever. It was a dream come true, and the best part was that he didn’t seem to mind being here with her.
Wind held her tightly pressed against his body. “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes,” she said with a lazy voice. “Are you?”
“Yes, very much so. Sleep now. I’m not going anywhere.”
She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. Sleep slowly swept over her as exhaustion encouraged her to rest. The silence in the room and Wind’s body heat made her drowsy. She felt safe, she even felt loved and cared for. A feeling she hadn’t felt for a long, long time, but as she slipped into the world of dreams, Celise could’ve sworn she’d heard a silent cry coming from afar.