Cruel Kiss (On Hold)

Chapter 13- Morning After

The early morning sun spills through the window, making bright slashes against the wall. My head rests against Emir's chest, my breath coming out in soft puffs against his chest. My hair spills across his pillows and our limbs are tangled in his dark sheets.

I'm sore in places I wasn't even fully aware that I had, my every movement sending small tinges of pain rippling through me. I do my best to simply relax into Emir, allowing his warmth to envelop me. His chest rises and falls evenly, and I nuzzle into him.

I know that last night shouldn't have happened. Werewolves aren't like humans in their approach to relationships. They seem to be a little old fashioned, especially regarding their females. The female's innocence is meant to be protected and saved for their mate. This is especially important for Alpha's mates, which I apparently am. I don't regret a moment of last night though, it was perfect. I just hope that Emir feels the same.

He stirs, breaking me out of my thoughts. He lets out a husky groan as he shifts, reaching his arms up to stretch. I feel his muscles tense and flex before he brings his arm back down to rest against me. I lift my head up to look at him, giving him a soft smile.

"Morning." He mumbles, the sound causing shivers down my spine.

"Good morning." I reply, eyes looking away before I pull my bottom lip between my teeth.

His hand reaches out, fingers tracing my lip. He watches as it releases from between my teeth. His eyes linger before lifting to meet my gaze.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" He questions.

"Last night. It was-it was," I begin.

"Amazing? Earth shattering?" He supplies, his head leaning in to nuzzle against my neck.

"Emir," I giggle, "it was all of those things."

"Why do I sense a but in there somewhere?" He pulls away, a light frown pulling on his mouth.

"There isn't one. I just wasn't sure how you would react when you woke up." I say, my cheeks heating as his expression changes.

He shifts, lifting up onto his forearm. A few strands of his shaggy hair falls into his eyes, but he brushes them away.

"What? Really?" He asks, surprised.

"Yeah, I was worried that maybe you wouldn't, ya know." I mumble, my words barely reaching above a whisper.

My fingers twist in the sheets, and my gaze becomes unfocused. I didn't know what to expect in these types of situations. I wasn't even sure what to hope for.

"Kenna, last night was amazing. I don't regret it if that's what you were worried about." He tells me sincerely, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.

My gaze shoots up, eyes connecting with his. My surprise is evident in my expression and he gives a soft chuckle.

"No. I just, well, you were keeping you're distance before-" I start.

"I was keeping my distance because you aren't my mate, Kenna. I was trying to keep you're innocence safe for him." He tells me, something dark glittering in his eyes at the mention of my mate.

"So then why did you sleep with me?" I question.

"I saw you sprawled on my bed and heard you moaning my name, and I decided that I didn't give a shit about anything else." He tells me, a wicked smirk lifting his lips.

"So it was just an impulse?" I demand, hurt lacing my tone.

"No, Kenna, I've been wanting to get inside you from the moment I saw you. I'd say it was a long time coming." He reassures, his fingers running lightly along my arm.

"Oh okay, good, I think." I say, confusion lacing my words as I tried to sort out everything in my head.

I move and the sheets shift away from me. I inwardly cringe as I catch sight of my thighs. The evidence of last night has dried and it sticks to my skin. Shit, I'm going to have to go find some kind of morning after pill. I stand, intending to go to the bathroom to clean up.

"Where do you think you're going?" Emir asks, his arm snaking out to make a grab at me.

"To clean up? Then, I should probably go back to my own room." I call over my shoulder as I make my way across his room.

"Kenna...I still mean what I said about your mate." He calls earnestly.

"Hmmm?" I hum, walking through the doorway to the bathroom and flipping on the light.

"That I don't give a shit about anyone else." He says from behind me.

"That's kind of a big statement, don't you think?" I tease, rustling through the cabinets to find a wash cloth.

"I'm serious. We obviously feel something for each other. I don't want to fight it." He says, reaching over me to pull out the cloth I was looking for.

I hum my thanks, going over to the tub to turn on the faucet. Hot and steamy water shoots out and I place my legs in. When the tub fills up, I slip inside. I nearly moan when the heat hits my sore muscles. It feels incredible.

"Kenna?" Emir asks.

"Yes?" I reply, my eyes focused on scrubbing my skin clean.

I grab a bottle  of shampoo and squirt some in my palm. The masculine, spicy scent of it invaded my nostrils as I lather it into my hair. I get nice and soapy, before taking the shower head to rinse off. My muscles are already starting to feel better as I clean up and keep them under the hot water.

"There is something we need to talk about, though." He tells me, a frown pulling at his lips as he comes to sit on the edge of the tub.

"What is it?" I ask, suddenly feeling nervous.

"I'm going to have to take you to Russia." He tells me, his eyes growing dark.

Say what? I think to myself.

I look up at him, sure that he's joking and will crack a smile at any moment. When he doesn't, I frown at him and narrow my eyes. This has better be a joke. He kidnaps me and now he wants to take me out of the country? Oh, hell no. That just isn't happening.

He must see the rejection I'm about to serve, because his eyes widen a fraction and he raises his hands in a placating gesture.

"Now, hear me out. Please, Kenna, just let me explain." He exclaims.

"No, I'm not going to Russia, Emir. No way." I tell him, my annoyance clear in my voice.

"As the Sacred Omega, you need to-" he begins.

"I don't have to do anything. I'm not even sure if I'm going to accept this whole Omega thing." I say, interrupting him.

"What? I thought you understood that-" he starts again, but I quickly shut him down.

"No. I don't understand. I didn't ask for all of this." I say, my lip wobbling as I begin to panic.

I didn't want to go to Russia. I wasn't even fully used to being here, and now he wants to throw me in deeper with his kind? All the events of the past few days came crashing into me, and a tear escaped my eye. I quickly brushed it away with the back of my hand.

"Kenna...please just hear what I have to say. Please." He pleads.

The animal in me begins to urge me to do what he asks, to listen. It stirs in the back of mind, coming across as almost a whisper. Listen, it says, stay. I take a deep breath.

"Fine. I'll listen to what you have to say, but that doesn't mean I'll change my mind." I tell him, already regretting my words.