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“Like what you see?” Sage raised his eyebrows and smirked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Maelíosa said smoothly. “I don’t need your manky socks. I’ve got heaps of my own.”
She smirked, trying to cover her mortification. Her cheeks were starting to redden and burn. She tossed her long, dark hair over one shoulder and tried to turn away.
Sage dropped the socks on the floor and stepped closer. Maelíosa was suddenly aware of his scent surrounding her, overwhelming her senses with clean, fresh sweat, a bit of sunshine, and something spicy that could only be American cologne. She was flustered. Her heart was pounding, and her skin prickled with heat. No one in the clan ever got to her the way Sage did, and he exceeded all her expectations of a mate, at least in the looks department. She certainly wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating crisps.
“I wasn’t talking about the socks,” Sage said. He was grinning, and there was a lusty sparkle in his eyes. “I was talking about me.”
Maelíosa’s mouth went dry. For fuck’s sake. What was wrong with her?
“Aye...” Her heart slammed against the wall of her chest. “Were you now?”
Her words sounded stupid to her. She’d never been very good at flirting. She was much more familiar with turning down advances.
Sage stepped even closer. There were mere inches of space between their bodies and a heated buzzing between them, almost like a crackling of electricity.
“Yeah,” Sage said with a roguish grin. He jerked his head to the side. Maelíosa’s heart skipped a beat as she saw the muscled tone on the side of Sage’s neck, the thick cords of muscle on his shoulder.
She realised he could pick her up with one hand, and a strange thrill went through her body. Maelíosa was used to being around the strongest of men and women, but there was something different about Sage. He wasn’t sleek like the male púca in the clan, but hunky, cut like a bodybuilder. As she glanced down at his hands, her breath caught in her throat. It seemed like maybe he’d lost some muscle mass, probably from the cancer. She swallowed hard.
“So,” Sage said with a smirk. “Do you see anything you like?” His voice had dropped down to a lower pitch, becoming something close to a growl.
Shite. He’s not letting me off the hook. “Maybe,” Maelíosa said coyly.
She shuddered as Sage reached up and touched her lightly on the shoulder. It was their first contact, and she almost jumped back from the intensity of the moment.
“What about you? Do you like it here so far?” Her voice came out breathy and low.
Sage glanced around the room before turning his grey eyes back to her. “The room’s okay, but I think I like you more.”
He wrapped a muscled arm around her waist, pulling her close. Maelíosa gasped as his body crushed against hers. Her skin tingled. She arched her back and looked into his eyes. Up close, Sage was larger than life. She could see his pulse throbbing in his throat, and his muscled chest pressed against her body felt strong and safe. His grey eyes were all pupil, and Maelíosa took a slow breath. No matter how calmly she tried to breathe, her mare was pawing to the surface, eager for him to ride her in the most undignified way possible.
“I’m glad,” Maelíosa said with a gulp. “I’m pleased you’re finding everything so comfortable.”
Without replying, he lowered his face until his lips were brushing hers. Not innocently or teasing, but hot and demanding. She wanted to pull away before she lost herself, but couldn’t seem to do anything other than respond to his soft, warm lips. She couldn’t think straight.
Her arms wrapped around his neck automatically. The kiss was slow, an exploration and intermingling of breath. Sage slipped his tongue inside her mouth, and Maelíosa shivered with pleasure. She tangled her fingers into his hair. When Sage kissed her it was a salvation and a torment she was completely unprepared for. After that, she was addicted. Her mare dedicated her life to his, her mate, from the moment of that first kiss. Her knees threatened to give way, and just as Sage began to suck on her lower lip, there was movement and a startled sound coming from the doorway of her chamber.
“Dad!”
Maelíosa and Sage leapt apart. The blood drained from her cheeks. She cleared her throat, but before she could say anything, Carina and Darcy stepped into the room, and the intimate moment was broken.
“Dad,” Carina said again. She hopped from one foot to the other, clearly full of energy. Beside her, Darcy had a wicked grin on her face. “Dad, Darcy took me up the tower. The view was awesome! You have to see it!”
* * *
SAGE CHUCKLED. “I BET,” he said, casting a glance over at Maelíosa.
She was standing straight and tall with her hands by her sides, looking only slightly flustered. He had to admire the way she was able to compose herself so quickly. His cock was throbbing in his jeans, and he was feeling short of breath. Maybe this whole mating arrangement won’t be such a bad deal. He cast an admiring glance at Maelíosa’s lean-but-curvy body. If only Carina hadn’t chosen right now to come tell me about that damn view. He ran a hand through his hair. Sage had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to bury his cock inside her and ease his frustration anytime soon.
Darcy giggled. “Carina,” she said, turning toward her new friend. “Are you hungry?”
Carina shrugged. “I could eat. Why?”
Darcy’s eyes widened and she grabbed Carina by the hand. “You’re going to die over the kitchen.”
Maelíosa stepped forward. “Darcy, I’ll take you lot downstairs.” She glanced back at Sage. The hunger in her dark eyes made his heart leap. “Why don’t we let Sage finish unpacking?”
“Okay.” Carina smiled and stepped gingerly over a pile of clothes on the floor. “See you later, Dad.”
“Yeah, see you,” Darcy echoed.
The two girls skipped out of the room, their laughter bouncing off the high ceiling in the hallway.
Maelíosa walked to the door, then turned around. “You need anything?”
You.
“Nope,” Sage said instead. “I’m good for now.”
Before he could say anything else, she was gone.
