Chapter 223

“I just want to hold you, Daisy,” he said. “I know you well enough to know you aren’t ready for us to be intimate. That’s okay.”

“Really?” I asked. “I don’t mean to be nervous, but you make me feel things. Things that my body wants that I don’t understand. It scares me a little.”

I bit my lip as my face turned red. I couldn’t believe I said that to him.

He kissed my hair. “Don’t be afraid. Someday, when you’re ready, we will explore what our bodies want from each other. But I promise I won’t rush you.”

“I had no expectations when I offered to bring you here,” he added. “I want to hold you, sit quietly, and talk. I’ve missed you so much, Daisy.”

I relaxed into his arms and put my head on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you too. Talking would be nice.”

“Did you enjoy your prom?” he asked.

“It was wonderful because I was with you,” I said. “It was a miracle when I saw you walk into the foyer wearing your tux.”

“William made it happen. He is a good man,” he said. “As soon as he realized we belonged together, he came to me and asked me to take you to the prom. I’m glad he did, but I don’t think I could have given you up so easily.”

I tilted my head so I could look into his incredible turquoise eyes. “I thought you did. I haven't seen you for such a long time.”

“I was giving you some space,” Victor confessed. “But I hadn’t given you up yet.”

“William wants a rejection ceremony,” I told him.

“They can be rough,” Victor said. I could tell he was surprised. “Do you want to go through that?”

“I think I have to, for William’s sake,” I replied. “He found a medical lab that saved Alex. I owe him for that. And I felt his and his wolf’s pain through Diana. I can’t keep letting them suffer like that.”

“Think about it before you commit to anything,” Victor advised. “Talk to Alex and Diana about it. If you decide to go through with it, I’ll be at your side during the whole thing.”

We sat quietly, holding each other until I began to yawn.

“You’re tired,” Victor said. “I should take you home.”

“What about Amy and Justin?” I asked.

“I’ll check with them to see if they are ready to go,” he replied. “If not, I’ll leave them with the limo and take you home in my car.”

Amy and Justin wanted to stay at Victor’s a little longer, so we went down to the garage and got into the Lamborghini. Victor put the top up to keep out the cool night air, and we were soon racing out of the city.

It was a thrill to be riding next to Victor in this sleek, marvelous machine again. The drive woke me up to the point that I was sorry when Victor pulled into my driveway and parked.

I waited while he walked around the car and opened the door for me. Then he took my hand and helped me out of the car before walking me to the front door.

“I enjoyed the evening, Daisy,” he said. “Thank you for letting me be your escort.”

“It was a magical night for me because I was with you,” I said.

Victor put his arms around me and smiled into my eyes. “I feel the same way. Every time we are together is magical.”

My body began to tingle as his mouth closed over my lips. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, I felt his tongue touch mine.

I gave in to the moment and the delicious sensations that ran through my body as his tongue explored my mouth. I clung to him and pressed my breasts against his hard chest.

There was something that only he could give me, something that I craved with my entire body and soul.

His mouth left mine and began making a trail of kisses down my neck.

“I want to make you mine,” he groaned.

“I want to be yours,” I panted. “Ooh, yes, Victor, I moaned when his tongue lightly trailed down my neck and across my chest to the tops of my breasts.

His mouth and warm breath on my skin made my nipples swell as a pulse came alive in my nether regions.

He groaned again, and his mouth moved upwards to reclaim mine.

Our bodies pressed tightly against one another as his lips and tongue made fire race from my breasts to my belly to my womanhood.

I wanted more, but he began to ease away.

He looked into my eyes. “Soon, my love,” he whispered as he brushed his fingers over my cheek.

Feeling shy again, I nodded and blushed. “Soon,” I agreed.

Victor kissed me once more before making sure I was safely inside the house, and he left. I watched his car disappear down the driveway through the window before holding up my dress and running upstairs.

After getting ready for bed, I climbed under the covers. My mind instantly returned to thoughts of Victor. I hugged myself as I relived those passionate moments in his arms.

I was frightened at his apartment, but when he kissed me, I forgot about everything but him. Did it make me bad to wish Victor was here with me now in my bed?

“Daisy, what you’re feeling is normal,” Diana said. “Wanting to make love with your true mate does not make you bad. Making love is a wonderful, natural thing. Don’t fear it or think it’s wrong for a female to enjoy it.”

“You belong with Victor,” she said. “But do you know that if you are intimate with Victor, it can cause William pain because of the mate bond you also share with him? He will know.”

“No, I didn’t realize that,” I replied. “William wants a rejection ceremony. Will that stop him from feeling more pain?” I hoped so. He didn’t deserve to be hurt any more than he had been.

“Yes,” Diana replied. “A rejection ceremony will sever the mate bond between you. But it has its risks.”

“What risks?” I didn’t think a ceremony could cause any danger.

“In some cases, a rejected wolf can take over the host body. Their intense pain and anguish as the bond is severed can make them stronger. Some have been able to shift without being called forth. They then hurt the person rejecting them or even someone else.”

I sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. “Are you saying that Mark could overpower William during the ceremony and hurt me or Victor?”

“Yes. It has happened,” Diana replied. “Victor should stay away during the ceremony for his own safety. And we need a way to keep you safe. I’ll talk to Mark during the ceremony and try to keep him calm. ”

“William wouldn’t harm Victor,” I argued. He was a good and decent man.

“William wouldn’t hurt him, but William might not be in control,” Diana said. “You have seen how strong Victor’s Adam was that one time in the field. Well, Mark has been just as jealous, and the rejection ceremony could push him over the edge to violence.”

“But William, Victor, and I all want to move on with our lives,” I said. “If that is to happen, we must have the rejection ceremony.”

“I also believe you must do it, but I wanted you to be aware of the danger involved with the ceremony,” Diana said. “The danger must not be ignored. Mark and I are connected almost as strongly as I am with Adam.”

Lying back down, my mind returned to the moments I spent tonight in Victor’s arms. He is my true mate, and I wanted to move forward with our relationship.

I wanted to belong to Victor fully; I wanted to be his mate and someday have his children. But I didn’t want William to suffer for it to happen.

There was no choice. I had to go through with the ceremony as soon as possible. It would be the best thing for everyone involved.