hapter 88
KASMINE.
+25 BONUS
“What do I do to keep you this happy, Kasmine?” Kester’s question was on constant replay in my head as we drove home.
We had spent the whole day at the beach, and we had gone to the convenience to fuck three times, which left my legs weak and my body aching in ways that were both delicious and inconveniencing
Now, exhaustion crept in, dragging my eyelids down.
June had made new friends, and she was totally oblivious to all that was happening between me and Kester.
She was a bit materialistic, I must say. And a show–off, too. She displayed all that in full today with her new friends, wrapping her hands around Kester like he was a prize.
And even though jealousy wasn’t supposed to be part of my emotions tonight, the stupid feeling still tried to crawl its way where it wasn’t needed. But I did well to hide it.
June liked being the center of attention–the one with the best things, the best stories, the best man. And Kester? He wasn’t just a man. He was powerful, untouchable, and wanted. Having him would give her the status she craved, the ultimate bragging right over every girl who had ever dreamt of spending a single night in his bed
Too bad he’d already spent the entire day fucking me.
Now she was out cold, her head lolling against the seat as her soft breaths filled the car. Who wouldn’t be exhausted after talking for hours about all the things my brother has never and will never do for her?
I almost pitied her. Almost.
I had decided to be happy today. I pushed every worry aside and decided to enjoy my vacation. I couldn’t stay angry at him forever for so many things he’d done because of me They only taught me to be more careful around him. Until I find my mate and he marries June.
At least for now, I let myself enjoy him.
The car rolled to a stop in the parking lot, and I barely stirred, my limbs way too heavy and my mind too foggy with sleep.
“June. Get down.” He tapped on her thighs roughly, and she groaned, mumbling something incoherent before sighing and settling back into the seat, completely dead to the world.
“Come on, baby,” he said when he came to my side of the seat at the back of the car. His strong hands slid beneath my knees, another arm curling behind my neck.
I wasn’t awake enough to protest before I was lifted and cradled effortlessly against his chest.
My head lolled against his shoulder, the scent of salt and him wrapping around me, pulling me further into sleep.
“I can walk,” I murmured, slow and lazy. “Carry June instead,” I said drowsily, but he ignored me.
“She knows her way inside,” he said, and honestly? I was too tired to fight him.
The warmth of his body lingered long after he laid me down on my bed.
I barely registered the softness of the bed beneath me, only that I had been in his arms a moment ago, and now I
wasn’t.
My eyes fluttered open just a fraction, catching a glimpse of him moving through the dim room..
Chapter 08
126 BONUS
I heard a click. It was the door.
He locked it.
The knowledge barely stirred anything in me. I was too tired, too drained, my limbs refusing to cooperate. Sleep curled its fingers around my consciousness, pulling me under, but then he came back.
The side of the bed beside me dipped, and I felt his presence His fingers gently brushed against my cheek.
“Kester…” My voice was sluggish.
“Shh.”
His fingers drifted lower down my arm to the zipper at my back. I felt the slow tug, the fabric loosening around me, slipping down my shoulders.
“I can do it,” I murmured as I attempted to lift my arms, but he caught them effortlessly.
“Relax” He commanded softly.
A soft shiver rippled through me as my gown slid away, pooling at my waist before he guided it down my legs and tossed it aside.
I should have felt vulnerable and bare with the thin scrap of lace between my thighs, but the look in his eyes made me feel… safe?
It wasn’t hunger I saw in his eyes this time.
It was something deeper. Something tender.
His gaze traced every inch of me like he was seeing me for the first time.
My breath caught when he reached for my thong, hooking his fingers around the sides. He tugged it down agonizingly slow, and I felt the brush of his knuckles against my thighs as he removed it completely.
Then, my bra.
He unhooked it at my back and slid it away just as gently, his touch featherlight.
His hand came back to my face, tracing my cheek with the back of his fingers as he stared at me so intently that the sleep faded instantly.
“What do I do to keep you this happy, Kasmine?” He asked again, and a lump formed in my throat.
He’d asked me before, and I just laughed it off. But something about this moment and the way he said it now made my chest feel tight.
“Tell me, Mine. I loved how happy I saw you earlier today. want to keep you that happy,” He explained, his eyes peering into the depths of my soul.
“Never take a life because of me again,” I said, and he paused, a flicker of amusement in his expression.
“You want me to promise you that?”
“Yes”
His fingers dragged absently over my bottom lip, slow and thoughtful. “You know I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
“But that’s what I want, Kes. If you ever want me to stay this happy.” I replied.
23
Chapter 55
There was a long silence before he exhaled, the harest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
“Since that’s what you want…” he said and shrugged.
Why do I feel like this wasn’t a promise? Or… Was that his own way of saying he’d do it as long as that’s what wanted?
“Really?” I asked, my voice laced with excitement, needing to hear him say it again just to be sure.
Something softened in his gaze while his eyes drank me in Then, unexpectedly, he smiled–a real smile, which was rare and breathtaking.
“Thank you,” I sat up, wrapping my arms around his neck, squeezing him into a hug before pulling away slightly and kissing him.
He kissed me back with a tenderness that sent butterflies bursting through my stomach.
“Come on,” he murmured against my lips. “Let’s get you a bot bath.”
Before I could protest, he scooped me into his arms, carrying me into the bathroom as if I weighed nothing.
Not in a thousand years would I expect Kester to be this tender and loving. The thought made me smile as he shampooed my hair ever so gently, massaging my scalp as well as my shoulders, helping me relieve the stress of the day.
We both sat naked in the bathtub, with my back resting on his chest. I melted into him, my body utterly spent, my mind drifting in the haze of his care.
We had spent more than an hour in the bathroom. By the time he finally wrapped me in a towel and carried me back to bed, I was too exhausted to do anything but sigh as he dressed me, tucking me under the covers with more care than I ever thought he was capable of.
Kester, wrapped in nothing but a towel, strode out of my room, and my heart almost fell because he hadn’t said a word to me before leaving. Not even a ‘good night‘. But just as soon as he left, he came back with his briefs and a black singlet in his hands.
I watched him put them on and tossed the towel to the couch before climbing onto the bed beside me.
“What are you doing?” I asked, turning to face him.
“Sleeping. What does it seem like?” He arched a brow, “Unless you want us to fuck?” Heat flooded my cheeks.
“No!” I laughed, shaking my head.
He chuckled lowly before pulling me against him, my face pressing into his chest. His scent wrapped around me- warm, musky, intoxicating.
His lips brushed against my forehead, lingering there for a moment longer than necessary.
“I love you so much, Kasmine.” He whispered in a voice too tender that I almost missed before he kissed my forehead tenderly. “I love you.”
Chapter 89
HIVE!
