Chapter 26: Roses??? Bubblebath??? Condoms???

Roman

Nathan left just after twelve, keys in hand and a smirk on his face, when he asked if I needed anything.

“Roses??? Bubblebath???Condoms???” he asked with wagging eyesbrows.

I scowled at the fucker – showing him the middle finger.

He laughed, knowing exactly how to rub my fur the wrong way. “Don’t burn anything,” he tossed over his shoulder.

“Get out,” I muttered.

The door shut. Silence. Peace at last. And then— A soft knock. My body went on high alert before my mind even caught up.

I opened the door. Sienna stood there, bouncing on her sneaker clad feet. And her scent—

It hit me like a physical force, rich and intoxicating, wrapping around my senses so hard my knees nearly buckled.

Heat surged through me instantly, sharp and demanding.

Mate, Reaper growled, rising fast.

I dragged in a breath, trying to steady myself, forcing a crooked grin. “You might need to supervise me,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “After the kitchen disaster this morning… I think I’ve lost all cooking privileges.”

She giggled. That sound—light, warm, completely unguarded—undid something in me.

“Come on,” she said, turning and heading toward the kitchen. I followed like a puppy, already fighting for control.

She moved with easy familiarity, opening the fridge, pulling out greens, setting bowls on the counter, reaching up for spices.

Every small movement—every stretch, every bend—dragged my attention in ways I couldn’t stop.

The way the jeans outlined that delicious ass when she bent. The way her shirt rode up exposing a creamy strip of skin when she reached high up.

The way her top strained against her full high breasts threatening to pop a button…I closed my eyes to try control my wayward cock that was getting more and more turgid.

Her scent only grew stronger in the small space the closer I got. It was driving me insane. And having a catastrophic effect downstairs….the bust a zip and fuck her silly effect.

“Can you rinse these?” she asked, handing me a bundle of leafy greens.

“Yeah,” I managed, my voice rougher than I intended.

I stepped sideways to reach the sink—And that’s when it happened. My body brushed hers. Too close. Too real.

The hard line of my erection pressed against the curve of her jean-clad backside. A low groan slipped out before I could stop it.

She gasped. Everything froze.

She turned slowly, eyes wide, breath catching as she looked up at me—and then, involuntarily, her gaze dropped. To me. To the very obvious effect she was having.

Color flooded her cheeks, deep and sudden. And her scent—It deepened. Sweetened. The ripe peach musk overshadowing the vanilla and honeysuckle. It thickened in the air until it was all I could breathe.

That was it….my control snapped. I moved without thinking, one hand coming up to cup her face as I kissed her.

Hard. Hungry. Like I’d been starving and she was the only thing that could ever satisfy me. The sparks flared on contact.

She made a small, startled sound against my mouth—hesitation flickering for just a second—And then she gave in. Completely. Mouth softening under mine, allowing me access.

But our height difference was frustrating. I picked her up one handed and her legs wrapped around me instinctively.

Her hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer as she kissed me back with a heat that matched my own.

Softness turned to urgency in seconds, her lips parting, her breath mingling with mine as the kiss deepened, grew more desperate, more consuming.

Mine. The thought roared through me as I angled her closer, my other hand sliding to her waist, anchoring her against me.

She tasted—God. Warm. Sweet. Addictive. A quiet whimper escaped her, and it nearly drove me over the edge.

Reaper surged, wild with it. Ours.

I dragged my lips from hers just long enough to breathe, only to find her chasing me, closing the distance again like she couldn’t bear the separation either.

I palmed a full breast with my free hand, brushing over her t-shirt and her body arched, nipple pebbling. So responsive.

The world narrowed. Just her. Just this. I kissed my way from her glossy swollen lips, down her chin, to her neck, peppering them with hot wet kisses.

Her body felt too warm…like it was overheating and searing me with it.

Until finally—she made a distressed sound and I stopped immediately.

We broke apart. Both of us breathing hard, chests rising and falling, the air between us charged and heavy.

Her hands loosened in my shirt, but she didn’t move away. She seemed to be in shock, needing a moment.

She leaned forward slightly, her face pressing into the crook of my neck.

I stilled. Her breath brushed my skin.

Then—she inhaled…Once. Twice. And her body went completely still. “…Hero,” she whispered, shock threading through her voice.

My heart slammed against my ribs. Reaper went dead silent.

Because that—That wasn’t just a word.

That was recognition.