Chapter 27

~Grace~

Alex’s hot breath breezed across my skin as his wet tongue licked my cut. I stared at him, dumbfounded.

What was he doing? Tasting the blood? Cleaning it? There was water for that!

“A-Alex-” I finally stuttered out, not sure what to say.

His eyes were closed, and he only gave a gentle “hm?” in response as he continued licking.

It felt strangely soothing, and I could actually feel the pain subside where he licked. Was it because of the sensation of licking?

“A-aren’t there… don’t you have medical supplies? Like a bandaid or rubbing alcohol or something?” I stammered, looking towards the bathroom.

He opened his eyes, his keen, golden gaze piercing right through me, my arm still pressed against his lips. My face immediately flushed. God, he looked so hot right now.

Wait, what was I thinking?! Get a grip, you shouldn’t think things like that about him!

“I don’t need medical supplies. My saliva is far superior to their capabilities,” Alex said, keeping eye contact as he moved onto another cut and began licking that one as well.

“Your- what?” I asked, bewildered. His saliva? Was this a joke?

“Lycan saliva has healing capabilities,” he continued, as if this was common knowledge. Maybe it was, but I didn’t know that.

But it made sense. I leaned forward to look at the cut he licked. Not only had the pain stopped, but the skin had mostly pieced itself back together, now only a faint, jagged line ran across my skin, where a bloody cut was moments before.

“Don’t believe me?” Alex mused, taking my other arm to work on that one as well.

“No, I- I believe you. I just… I’ve never seen anything like this. I was just curious.”

He laughed softly. “Alright, now lay back. Relax. I’m going to take care of all your wounds. Can’t have you injured under my care, can I?”

I stare at him for a moment with nervousness, but slowly lean back, sinking into the soft mattress. It felt strange, laying on Alex’s bed in his room, his tongue on my skin.

My face flushed. Now that I thought about it, it was a strangely intimate thing, wasn’t it?

I stared at the ceiling, feeling Alex’s tongue move across my body, and the sound of his breathing filling the room. How long would this take? I felt so awkward just laying here. Should I try to talk to him?

No… he was using his tongue and he couldn’t really talk back without stopping, and that would make this whole thing last so much longer…

“Take your dress off,” Alex commanded.

“What?” I sat up suddenly, staring at him with wide eyes. What kind of woman did he take me for! Ordering me around like this! Maybe that’s all this was, to get me on his bed and take my clothes off.

Maybe he really did take me for a plaything after all!

Alex sighed. “Relax. I just need to get to your wound,” he said, motioning to the cut on my side.

I looked down at it, a little embarrassed for jumping to conclusions. “Oh. Yeah. Can I at least put on a shirt or something?”

“You’re wearing underwear, aren't you?” Alex asked, looking at me seriously, as if that was an appropriate question to ask.

My face turned red. “That’s none of your concern! What is your concern is making me feel comfortable, and to do that, I’d like to change my clothes!”

Alex rolled his eyes and put his hand on my chest as I tried to stand up.

“You can just put on some of my clothes if you’re that concerned,” he said.

Standing up, he walked over to his closet and threw a T-shirt on the bed. “Is that good enough?”

“Yes, that will work fine,” I told him shortly, holding the shirt to my chest. I gave him an expectant look.

He raised an eyebrow at me, giving me a “what?” motion.

“Um, some privacy? Turn around,” I say, making a twirling motion with my finger.

Sighing, Alex folded his arms and turned around.

I watched him a moment longer to make sure he was really going to stay turned around, then slid my dress down to my hips. I grabbed his T-shirt and quickly slipped it on over my head.

“Okay, you can turn around now.”

Alex turned around and looked me up and down with a slight frown. Was he disappointed I had actually put the shirt on?

I looked away as he walked toward me. He sat back down on the bed, and I lifted the shirt enough to expose the cut. Looking at it now, it was definitely deeper than I expected.

Alex’s brow furrowed as he realized this, too. He leaned down over my stomach and placed both hands on my hips, beginning to lick.

I immediately felt heat rise to my face. My stomach was more sensitive than my arm, and I had to try not to squirm as his tongue tickled me. His face was so close to my hips, and he looked so… gentle and seductive in this position…

I turned away. It was too much. I could feel my heart beating in my throat. It was dangerous to have feelings like this…

After a moment, he looked up at me. His eyes carried a desire I’m sure I matched with my own, and my stomach twisted into a knot.

Alex slowly slid his hands up my waist, underneath the shirt, and I could feel blood rush to my face. I watched him, my eyes nervously darting back and forth between his face and his hands.

My body ached with desire. He looked so tempting right now… I leaned back into the bed, my head softly resting on the pillow as Alex leaned over me, his hair falling over his eyes.

His lips looked so soft, so full…, I closed my eyes, tilting my head as his face neared, my heart beating fast.

Wait!

I quickly slipped my hand between our mouths, and my eyes flew open. His lips hesitated, brushing against my knuckles. He slowly pulled back, looking at me with confusion.

I kept my hand on my mouth, my face red and in shock of what we had almost done.

It wasn’t that I didn’t like Alex, I really, really did. I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t deeply attracted to him.

But after having a three year marriage fail, I… I didn’t think I was ready to move into another relationship so quickly. I couldn’t handle the hurt again.

“I-I’m still married, you know!” I laugh nervously, slowly pulling my hand away from my mouth. “It’s best to keep our distance…”

Alex lowered his brows, looking away. He stared at the ground for a moment in silence.

My heart dropped. Had I insulted him? That’s not what I meant at all-

“I need to go,” he said suddenly, standing up.

“Alex, wait-” I say, trying to form an apology, but he shook his head.

“It’s not you; I just received a mindlink. I’m needed at the border.”

I sighed in relief, glad he wasn’t upset at me, but my gut had a sinking feeling. Something was wrong about this.