The First Fae Mate

Twenty-five | Ticklish

"I love you, Gideon."

The smile that spread across her mate's face was stunning. Gideon lifted Visena in his arms, and she straddled his waist.

"I will not have sex with you for the first time in a lake, Visena, but you are killing me," he whispered, wadding back to shore. Visena's low laughter mingled with the sloshing warm waters around their bare skin. Then, with one last forehead kiss, Gideon untangled her legs from his waist and lowered her gently on the earth. "Shift."

Visena complied and sat patiently, waiting for him to join her. The forest musical continued as their wolves reunited and nipped at each other playfully. They eventually trotted off into the forest, occasionally licking each other's muzzles affectionately, before they finally made it back to the castle. Visena was glad she removed her clothes before shifting because the Fae air was crisp. Gideon only managed to save his pants and walked back to their room shirtless. He caught many Fae eyes, but one stern look from Visena had them awkwardly shuffling away.

"I like it when you're jealous," Gideon murmured in her ear.

"No one needs to be ogling at my mate," she retorted.

The low grumble in his chest made her heart flutter. Every step closer to the castle made Visena tremble in anticipation. Gideon paused, eyes glazed over as he communicated with Jed. He blinked and turned a small smile to his mate. "First door on the right after the throne room." 

They walked down the echoing halls until they reached their destination. The door was heavy and groaned beneath Gideon's hands. Visena suppressed some seriously wicked thoughts before trailing in after him. The room was sparse; its only feature was a queen-size canopy bed—billowy sheer curtains framed charcoal coloured bedding. The opposition was stunning.

Her thoughts were whisked away as her body was lifted into a warm, bare, chiselled, magnificent torso. Visena nuzzled into Gideon's neck as he lay her down on the satin sheets. He hovered above her on his forearms and let his gaze carve a trail down her face. "You are so beautiful." His husky voice sent shivers down her spine.

 Visena's smile beamed up at him as she used the opportunity to curl her fingers in his hair and rub her finger pads in small circles. "Mmm..." He lay his head down on her chest as the massage continued. She almost giggled, imagining him in wolf form, kicking his hind leg from a good scratch. Her fingers traced down to his nape and squeezed gently before rubbing slow, deep circles across his broad shoulders. His weight on top of her increased, and she drummed lightly on his back."Can't breathe!"

"Shit, sorry." The weight was lifted immediately, and Gideon's drowsy face was oh so forgivable.

"It's fine, lie down on your back. I'll do your chest instead." Visena wouldn't let the devilish smile dance across her lips just yet. He gave her a quizzical look before sprawling across the bed, hands behind his neck. With unexpected bravery, she dragged her knee across his waist, intentionally brushing against more of him than she needed to and sat across his hips. 

Gideon swallowed beneath her, and his body warmed a few degrees. Visena resumed the massage, starting at his sternum. She dragged her thumbs across his collar bones and squeezed down his arms. Her hands hardly fit around his biceps. Lingering eyes gawked at his sculpted chest before small, calloused hands caught up. They gingerly rubbed across his pecs and down his sides, reaching his lats. 

A small chuckle escaped Gideon's lips, startling them both.

"Are you ticklish?"

"No." The answer was so abrupt; it held the truth more than his words ever could.