Ruthless Mate - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Aurora breathed in deeply through her nose to calm herself down but it was a wrong move because all she could inhale was his scent all around her.
Her heart was slamming against her ribcage hard and fast. She counted backward to divert her mind from her palms on his naked flesh and the crazy sparks. She was completely aware of his heavy muscular arm on her waist.
She wanted to squeal, jump out of his embrace, and ran back to her room. Instead, she closed her eyes for a brief second before she slowly grabbed his hand that was on her waist and shifted in his arms so that her back was to him but she made no move to get out of his hold.
Maybe he wasn't expecting her to submit so easily because his body tensed up. He was still lying straight and she hoped he would continue to lay like that but he had other things on his mind.
Within a second his body shifted behind her and she felt his arm snaking around her waist as he jerked her closer. Her heart ceased to beat when he pushed her hair up and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
His hard body was flush at her back. He shifted once more before he got comfortable and let out a deep sigh. Aurora on the other hand was stiff as a statue.
It was as if she forgot to breathe. Everything was so solid and muscular that cocooned her in.
"Breath," His raspy voice wasn't a help either. Especially when his hot breath made her heated skin more feverish. He grabbed the quilt and covered them both with it.
She forced the gulp down her parched throat as her lips parted slightly and she drew in a quick breath.
His solid humongous frame behind her body was one thing but his big veiny hand and that heavy arm around her waist had a different effect on her. It made her heart pound faster in her chest.
"Go to sleep, baby." She heard his slurred voice as if he was half drowned in sleep.
A shiver caressed every nerve ending in her body at that endearment. Perhaps a storm of butterflies fluttered in her belly at that endearment and oddly enough she liked it.
Slowly with each passing second, her body started to relax in his embrace. Sleep was still too far away from her but she was so tired.
She was aware that he was fast asleep because his breathing was normal and his heartbeat was at ease.
She peeked down through the quilt to get a glimpse of his hand and she gulped seeing that meaty arm with that veiny hand sprawled on her, embracing her in his hold.
His hand was so big and so daunting. If he ever raised his hand on her she would be a dead person.
What else can he do with those big hands and those long fingers?
The thought erupted in her mind and her eyes widened at the slightest sinful thought. She shook her head lightly and did a cross sign before joining her hands and asking for forgiveness from God for thinking about bad things.
But technically he was her mate. She can think about such things, can't she? Because the moon Goddess allows this to her but Aurora had learned most of the things through her mom. Her mom always persists for the mates to get married before anything. Emma's the Luna of her pack, a human Luna so it was apparent she would want a few things to be followed like humans.
Aurora played with her fingertips and her mind went into the lane of marriage. Would he ever marry her, she wondered? He seemed the type of a guy who wouldn't do this on his own and she had to ask him for it but the main thing was, would he listen?
Slowly sleep and tiredness consumed her as she gave into sleep in the arms of her .
The next morning she tried to change her position but something heavy was keeping her down, restraining her movements.
Groggily she opened her eyes and rubbed them to get rid of the sleepiness. She blinked to adjust her blurry vision and then her eyes widened in a flash.
Sparks.
She could feel intense sparks on her belly. She inhaled shakily when she felt a body close to her left.
His hot breaths hit her neck.
Ever so slowly she perched up and moved the quilt away to look down and her eyes widened to the size of plates when she found his arm and hand disappearing in her shirt.
Skin to skin.
Flesh to flesh.
Under her shirt.
When did his hand sneak in?
She let out a shallow breath and closed her eyes for a brief second.
It was okay. She can handle this. No need to panic.
Cautiously she sneaked her hand in her shirt and softly grabbed his index finger. Gently picking his hand she slowly pulled it out. Cautious not to wake him up.
Her free hand grabbed his arm as she placed his hand on the bed and scooted away from him. She was glad that there was a little distance between their bodies when she woke up.
He wasn't flush to her body.
She tilted her head to take a glimpse of him and her heart did a small pitter patter in her chest because he looked adorable. The lips that were always in thin lines were at rest and they looked plump. There were no creases on his forehead. No tense expression. He looks calm and at peace. His hair was ruffled, all messy and not to forget those thick brows and lashes.
This man is beautiful.
And the naive girl hasn't even seen the rest of him.
She couldn't help but think about last night. He was having a nightmare. She wonders if it was a mere coincidence or if he often has nightmares.
Looking away she controlled her breathing and slowly turned over and placed her hand on the floor for support along with her one foot. She looked like a monkey with her eyes dead set on him as she succeeded in getting out of bed.
His body was covered in a quilt and she was glad she didn't get to see that bare chest of his because she wouldn't be able to get those images of him out of her head.
Aurora tiptoed out of his room. Just as she closed the door, a sudden thought hit her. Last night she hadn't even touched him and he had put a dagger in her throat and right now he seemed to be sleeping like the dead.
Her eyes widened and without thinking much she opened the door.
And just as she thought he was wide awake sitting on the bed, his head whipped in her direction and his eyes widened.
His lips moved in a string of curses which she barely heard because she had already closed the door and hurried into her room.
He was awake all this time. He pretended to be asleep. But why didn't he open his eyes? Was he too flustered just like she was, or did he not want to talk with her about last night?
She shook her head, getting rid of the thoughts. It was a beautiful day and she had already planned the things she had to do today.
Aurora took a quick shower as she changed. She put his shirt in her closet, the shirt he gave her last night as she left her room.
Today's task was no more hiding from him and having breakfast with him.
Aurora made pancakes, and toast as she set the table for two. She waited for him but he didn't come down. She knew he was still in the mansion so why wasn't he coming out?
With a deep breath and new determination, she trekked to his room. Another quick breath and she knocked on his door waiting for his response.
"What?" His cold voice was back.
"B...breakfast is ready," She said.
"I'm not hungry," He replied instantly and her brows furrowed.
Why did it seem like he was avoiding her?
Without thinking much she opened the door to request him to have breakfast with her. But her body freezes on her spot when her widened eyes fall on him.
He was shirtless.