Chapter 17: Unfulfilled Desire

༺𝓙𝓐𝓧𝓞𝓝༻

I was seated beneath the low shade of an ivy-wrapped archway, watching the sunlight filter through the leaves ahead, my thoughts scattered everywhere at once. The stone bench beneath me was warm, and the air was heavy with the scent of the surrounding flowers. I’d come here to think, to steady my constantly restless mind.

Then I saw Tara walking past.

I watched as she hesitated and glanced around, clearly sensing my presence nearby. But she didn’t see me, so she continued, her steps purposeful. Her hair was loose, flowing in the breeze. I stood and for a moment, I simply watched back as she walked away, the quiet confidence in her strides tightening something deep in my chest.

A sharp awareness snapped through me, dragging my focus wholly onto her. She was too close to ignore. I took long strides towards her, instinct taking over before reason had a chance to interfere.

She didn’t see me follow at a distance, although her occasional pauses told me she was wary. I didn’t know whether to be grateful she was alone or be furious.

As I followed her closely, I noticed she knew where she was going. Which man brought her here? The thought of her in the garden alone with another man unsettled me more than it should have… it twisted something sharp and unpleasant in my chest. I followed her quietly as she entered the small gate, every sense sharpened.

The hot springs.

I could hear the low ripples of the water and the faint hiss of heat meeting the open air. I swear to the goddess if I found any man waiting for her there…

My pulse quickened at the thought of her here, alone and unguarded.

I stood at the gates, calming my rapidly beating heart. Moments later, I heard the sound of fabrics and shoes set aside. Then, a soft exhale which instantly gave me a boner.

I closed my eyes briefly, jaw tightening, reminding myself to be respectful. That she was not something to be taken, just because my body demanded it.

When I stepped into the opening, she was in the water, leaning on the stone edge, her body relaxed. Her eyes were closed, hair damp and clinging to her skin. The water lapped gently at her collarbones, rising and falling with each slow breath she took. She looked so peaceful in a way I hadn’t seen since she arrived here.

And something in my chest ached at the thought.

I remained still, watching the water ripple around her, watching the way the tension slowly drained from her posture. Then I looked around and noticed that she was alone. Relief coursed through me.

I walked towards her, and stopped right by her head. She hadn’t realized she was the alone now. She needed to take some training.

Slowly, I bent over and whispered as my mouth hovered around her ears.

“Care that I join you, mate?” I said in a low tone.

Her eyes opened in an instant. Hazel eyes stared into my eyes and I gave a cocky smile. I stood up to take off my shirt and shoes, only keeping my pants. Although if she wanted, I could strip.

I stepped into the water, the heat slowly sending a shudder through me as it climbed my legs.

Tara turned her back at me, facing where I had stood before. The water sloshed softly between us.

“Weren’t you taught not to sneak up on a lady in a bath?” She asked softly.

“This is a public space Tara,” I replied cockily, to which she ignored. “I could leave though,” I offered, though every part of me rebelled at the idea. .

She looked over her shoulders at me, then turned again. “No, it’s fine. It’s a public space remember?”

After a few minutes of silence, I couldn’t take it anymore. I swam closer to her. I raised my hands slowly and placed them on her shoulders. I felt her body stiffen, but as I moved my fingers in a circular motion, she sighed. It felt like permission, so I continued to massage her neck and shoulders. Then my hands moved to her upper back, then slowly to her lower back.

A soft moan escaped her, causing me to involuntarily inhale sharply. If she could see through the water right now, she would notice how badly she had aroused me.

“I fucken want you, Tara.” I confessed. “I need you, in every way imaginable.”

She turned fully to face me, the water rippling around us in the process. Her gaze searched my face, unguarded, curious. The closeness made every detail sharper. From the faint flush of her skin, to the way the droplets traced slow paths down her neck. I watched as one trickled down her neck and disappeared on her bosom.

My eyes lingered shamelessly. They were perfect—not too small, not huge either, a perfect size.

I lifted my hand, deliberately slow, giving her time to stop me.

She didn’t. Instead, her eyes flicked to my mouth momentarily. Fuck.

I brushed my thumb against her jaw. Her skin was warm, impossibly soft, and the contact pumped more blood to where the sunshine didn’t shine.

“Tara,” I murmured. Her hand rose to my chest, resting there as if drawn by instinct rather than thought. The contact, though light, might have as well been a brand. I could feel it. Everywhere.

“Jaxon,” she replied, her voice laced with sexiness.

“I’m trying,” I said quietly, my voice stripped of pretense. “To do this right.”

Her eyes flicked to my mouth again. This time, lingering. It felt like a challenge, like a dare.

Unconsciously, I licked my lips. If I did this, if we did this, it was going to change things between us forever. And I was ready for the possibility.

I dipped my head, just enough that our noses nearly brushed. The space between us reduced and restraint stretched to its breaking point.

One more breath.

Just one more inch.

And everything was about to change.

Her eyes closed slowly and I felt mine do the same. It was happening. The kiss that haunted my dreams was finally happening.

“Alpha.” A voice called, shattering the moment in an instant.