The Unwanted Mate (The Mate Series: Novel 3)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Special

    Ty lead me to a private spot on the beach. It turns out my father owns a small section of the beach. Ty and I ate our breakfast and talked then when we were finished I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. His arm hesitantly wrapped around me, and when I didn't pull away Ty pulled me so I was between his legs and resting back against his chest. We sat there watching the ocean from the shady outer piece of the beach we had found. Ty sighed and rested his chin on top of my head. His fingers moved back and forth, stroking my hip lazily. This moment had to be heaven.

    I thought back, wondering if I'd died, but I couldn't remember anything that could have killed me... besides heart break- I shoved that thought away. Wishing I could drown it in the ocean and never have to deal with it again. But even as I thought that Ty's hands gained pressure but they moved down my thighs, there was nothing sexual in the act, he just massaged my legs. Even so I was picturing him. And for a moment... I had almost convinced myself. Then I heard Ty's voice in my ear and guilt washed over me.

    "I wish this could last forever. It's so... beautiful." I nodded and looked over my shoulder at him.

    He was smiling brightly, "Good food too, yeah?"

    I laughed at him and nodded, "The best." He chuckled and when we were finished he stood up and pulled off his shirt, "Uhm, what are you doing?"

    "I'm going to burn off some calories." I shook my head smiling up at him, as shifters we burned calories left and right. We didn't really even need to exercise. "Come on, the water will feel amazing." I stood up beside him and then reached to pull my shirt off my body, I felt his eyes on me as I did. When I reached for the button on my cut-offs his hand stopped mine, brushing them away and unsnapping the button himself.

    I swallowed hard and his eyes looked back up at mine. I read the challenge there. Saw the wonder in his gaze, I reached for the waist of his jeans and unsnapping them. I expected him to tug my shorts down my legs but instead I felt his fingers gliding upward, his palms grazing my sides as if it was his right to do so... and in that moment I didn't want his hands to leave my skin. I steeped closer to him out of instinct and my hands began their exploring as well. I may not be a virgin, but this was untouched ground for me.

    I felt something I never thought I'd feel towards Tony. Hatred. Pure hatred, for taking something from me that he wouldn't cherish, for taking what someone like Ty was working so hard to have the opportunity to have.

    I realized in that moment that when tony had falsely mated me, taking my virginity, he'd taken all I'd made myself into as well. The girl I saw in the mirror when I woke up... she wasn't the same girl I used to see. I was changed. And I'd begged him to change me. Begged him to take from me. I'd begged him to take what I wasn't fully ready for yet. What I hadn't understood.

    Ty's larger, warmer, stronger, sexily calloused hand cupped my cheek, "Don't be sad. It hurts." He tried to smile but I saw the pain in his eyes- when he said it hurt... he meant himself. It hurt him. I stepped closer to him he let out a huff of air, that was almost a whine. My heart broke for both of us. My arms twined around his neck at the same time I raised on my tip toes needing to in order for my head to rest on his shoulder. Ty's arms wrapped securely around my body and held me closer, tighter.

    "I won't hurt you. I know... what he did to you. I would never do that." Ty's voice was soothing, but still strong.

    With those words my mind was made up. I would try to forget Tony. I'd try to move on. i'd find out if Ty and I could ever be anything more. If I could fall in love with him- more then I already was. I turned my head into his neck and pressed my lips to his warm sun-kissed skin. He shivered and I felt him bury his face into my hair and inhale deeply.