Chapter 51: Breathtaking

She didn't have to wait for long.

That night lying in bed Netayah became increasingly curious about what it'd be like to be locked in the arms of her other mate. Having no doubt in her mind it'd be the complete opposite of what she'd shared with Xavier. Where Xavier was everything sweet, gentle and loving in the world, his brother was wild, passionate and reeked of danger. Two sides of the same coin.

She'd hoped when she'd been escorted to her bedroom following their movie she'd be able to experience that level of intimacy. She was wrong. Rather than the heated embrace she'd been expecting, Xios had gently kissed her cheek and wished her a good night. Netayah couldn't deny the sense of disappointment that flooded her being watching him walk away. Wishing that for once the man would put aside whatever was holding him back, and finally kiss her. And not know peck on the cheek she'd grown used to in the days since she'd left the hospital.

She wanted a kiss.

A real kiss.

One that made her toes curl.

That made her heartbeat in response.

Her breath caught in wonder.

That shook her world.

Alas, she continued to be disappointed, as none of the above had turned out to be the outcome. Netayah lay in the center of the bed, tossing and turning, frustrated at his inability to give her what she wanted. His brother had, so why hadn't he? Could it be he didn't know about the kiss shared with Xavier? Was there the chance his brother hadn't informed him of the liplock the two of them shared? No, unlikely. Xavier didn't seem like the kind of guy who'd withhold the truth, always being upfront and honest.

Maybe he didn't want to. Her heart clenched at the thought that could be the reason for his actions, that he simply didn't feel the desire. Just because the both of them seemed to have accepted the bond, didn't mean he had desire to bond that. After all, Xios hadn't really given her any indication outside of calling her love and gentle treatment. That could always be something he did to all women, nothing indicated that she was somehow special.

Stop that, she scolded herself. You know better. Xios might not have come right out and said the words aloud, but he truly did care about her. His actions spoke loud enough of his intentions where she and the mate bond between them were concerned. Just as Lucy had cautioned her in the car, she was simply allowing things to get the best of her. Her own anxieties and fears were controlling the thoughts in her mind, terrified of things that were never gonna happen.

He was simply waiting.

Netayah didn't have a clue as to what the man could be waiting for exactly, but knew that to be the truth of his hesitancy. Xios would kiss her just as she wanted him to, just as he found the right time to express himself. He wouldn't be like Xavier who'd simply do it in the heat of the moment, but would plan and coordinate. Which was rather strange to her, as Xavier had more of the plan everything in advance, but in this aspect that was wrong. When it came to their first kiss Xios was the one that was thoughtful and calculating, wanting it just right.

Sigh.

The following morning she awoke a bit later than usual, having spent half the night tossing and turning in bed. For this reason alone the alphas were already gone from the suit, having work that needed their attention. Given this to be the case Netayah didn't bother taking the time to change, as she was all alone. Just as she knew neither of them would make an appearance back in the alpha suit until following lunch. Their routine was the same every day. A dawn workout, eating breakfast their mate prepared, a hard day of work, lunch with their mate, more work, then dinner, then finally a movie and bed.

Yep, very structured.

There was no room for deviation.

Or so she told herself. Which is why Netayah felt no embarrassment for leaving her bedroom dressed in her nightgown though she wore a silk robe to cover herself, barely reaching to the middle of her thigh. Silently walking downstairs she made a beeline to the kitchen, planning on making her something to eat. Deciding not to forego having a meal simply due to the alpha's absence, she scanned through the fridge. Seeing how groceries were low Netayah grabbed eggs and a few essentials, electing to make an omelet.

Finished polishing off the breakfast she'd made for herself, Netayah cleaned up the dishes she'd used. Having nothing much to occupy her time she saw to tidying up the place, as it'd been a few days since she cleaned. Listening to the music she'd turned on the radio, singing as she saw to dusting the place. So engrossed in her cleaning of the suite, Netayah failed to hear the front door come open.

"Netayah, I brought you..." That's as far as the man got because he came to a grounding halt at the scene awaiting him. A breath catching in his throat, Xios bore witness as her dancing around, dressed in a bathrobe.

Netayah was completely unaware of the audience she had, until she collided face-first with his chest. Gasping at the sudden collision of their bodies, she began falling backward, only for those arms to grab her. "Xios!" she shrieked, shocked at having been caught. "What are you doing here?"

He chuckled. "I live here, doll."

Yanking out of his hold as her embarrassment floored her, at having been caught half undressed in his presence. Too ashamed at the lack of clothing she stomped into the kitchen, returning the cleaning supplies. All the while berating herself for coming down in such attire, that was surely gonna have him thinking bad thoughts about her. After all, what kind of girl tramps around a suite in her nightgown and bathrobe, with two men? A slut, that's what.

Oh goddess, what must he think about her?

Coming up behind her where she stood at the counter, large hands came down on either side, barricading her. Leaning into the curve of her neck, Xios openly nuzzled the flesh, his lips a hair's breadth away. "There's no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed love, I quite enjoyed the show you were putting on."

"I'm practically naked," she whimpered.

He leaned into her. "I'd prefer you all the way naked."

Netayah trembled within the enclosure of his arms at the wealth of meaning hidden in those words. She had no doubts about the thoughts going through his mind, of what he'd want her naked for. She dropped her head. "I'm not a slut."

Xios growled threateningly at the thought. "I never said that you were and the person that dares say otherwise will find themselves without a tongue." He leaned fully into her then, his arms wrapped around her slender waist, as he pulled her to his chest. "You're as pure as they come, Netayah. Though by the time I'm finished with you, all the naughty things I want to do to you, you definitely won't be pure or innocent."

Groaning as arousal slammed into her from out of nowhere, at the thought of what he wanted to do. A heat built up between her legs unbidden, simply wanting to submit to the desires of this man. Those strong arms of his slowly turned her around in his embrace, hands came to cup her face. "Netayah," her name came out breathlessly, a moan of want and desire neither of them could deny.

She wasn't certain who moved first. All Netayah knew in the next moment her back pressed to the counter and his lips were on her. Moaning at the contact of those lips on her own, she didn't fight against the desires inside of her. Willingly opening up to the rough contact of those lips, a small cry of pleasure escaped. In the next moment he was devouring her mouth, his tongue plunging deep inside, demanding a reaction. One he readily got. Unable to hold back in the face of what was happening, Netayah pressed fully into him, kissing him in return.

Biting off a growl of approval at the response he got from her, Xios deepened the kiss between them. Then those large hands of his slid down her back sending sparks of electricity, until they cupped her behind. Finding herself hefted up off the ground, she was then placed on the counter and Xios planted between her thighs. Crying in excitement at what was happening, her fingers thrust into his arm, as she yanked him closer. Netayah freely gave into the thrill of the moment, allowing all her insecurities to fade as she lavished in his hold.

Those hands then disappeared in the limited space between their bodies, loosening the rope holding the robe together. As it came undone and the ends thrown to the side, he then pushed open the folds of the silk robe. Xios took a step back as his eyes feasted on the sight of her body, hunger growing in his blue eyes. "Fuck you're gorgeous. I don't know how I waited so long."

Then before she had the chance to come to her senses, his mouth went to the curve of her neck. Netayah moaned in pleasure as she fell backward onto the cabinet, feeling those lips kiss her flesh. Lips that then trailed kisses along the curve of her neck, across her shoulder, then down her chest. Each new touch caused a cyclone of emotions and desire inside of her, more profound than anything she'd experienced. Thrusting fingers into his hair, she yanked him closer still, needing to experience everything he offered.

A door opened somewhere.

Immediately snapped out of her arousal craze, that opening door was like a splash of cold water in the face. Jerking away from him at the thought of being caught, horrified at the naked state she was in. "Oh god, what am I doing?"

Then while he was too stunned by the change of tact to react, she jumped off the kitchen counter. Then skirting around the man too dumbfounded by her actions, Netayah raced out of the kitchen. She didn't stop running until she disappeared inside of her bedroom, snapping the door closed. Throwing herself down onto the bed Netayah groaned, unable to believe what'd just happened.

She'd almost had sex with Xios, in the kitchen of all places. She wasn't a fool to think that things would've stopped at simple kissing and petting. Oh no. Had it not been for the door opening and the fear of Xavier catching them in the throes of passion, they'd have definitely had sex. Granted Netayah had been wanting to experience kissing the man, but hadn't intended for it to go so far. Yet, neither could she find it in herself to regret what had happened between them in the kitchen. Oh goddess, the things he'd made her feel, the way he touched and kissed her body, it was breathtaking.

When the door to her bedroom came open Netayah didn't attempt to look up, already knowing who stood there. "I'm sorry," she quietly apologized, unable to meet his gaze in the face of what the two had done. "I didn't mean for things to go that far."

"Do you regret it?" Xios wondered.

"No," she told him honestly, the side of her refused to allow him to think she could have doubts about the sexual things between them. "I absolutely loved it, but I have to think about the logical side of things."

"Fuck logical," he growled, seeming irritated that she would think to hold him back because of being logical. Stomping across the room Xios towered over her, then leaned down he pinned her to the bed. "I'm done being logical, being patient, holding myself back, pretending being away from you isn't killing me. I will kiss you again, being able to experience the full splendor of your body and I will fuck you to my heart's content. And you want to know what my precious little mate, you won't lift a finger to stop me."

With that warning, he left.