Chapter 32

Caturix stirred, his body having rested just enough for Mika’s pheromones to start affecting him again. His eyes fluttered open, taking in his surroundings, and the memories of the previous night flooded back.

He looked down at Mika, who was still asleep, her pheromones subtly influencing him. He found himself pulling her closer, his arms tightening around her, drawing her deeper into his embrace. He didn’t resist the urge to nuzzle his nose into the crook of her neck, especially since she was still asleep.

Her scent, reminiscent of warm apple crisp, was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It soothed something within him, something dark and dangerous that he’d carried for years, something he’d thought was an integral part of him.

He moved his arm from her waist and gently brushed her curls away from her face. He’d never touched them before, but he’d thought about it countless times. Her hair was softer than he’d imagined. He brought a curl to his nose, inhaling deeply. It was the same warm apple scent that he couldn’t—and didn’t want to—escape.

Caturix wouldn’t take advantage of her while she slept, and he didn’t want to wake her if she hadn’t rested enough. So, he lay still behind her, struggling to remain motionless as his body started reacting to Mika’s pheromones again.

He gritted his teeth, forcing his body to endure the sensations. Even as his limbs began to tremble under the pressure, he persisted. He tried to distract himself with other thoughts, but that was always a challenge when it came to Mika. Especially now, with both of them naked and his arousal nestled between her thighs, pressed against her moist folds.

After what felt like an eternity, Mika’s body began to respond to her heat, much like Caturix’s, even before she fully woke. Her hips moved against him, a soft purring sound emanating from deep within her throat.

Slowly, her skin warmed to his touch, her inner thighs becoming damp, but Caturix didn’t initiate anything. He leaned against her, stroking her arm, kissing her neck. “Mika,” he whispered into her ear.

She responded with a wide smile, rubbing against him. “Mhmm?”

Finally awake. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could’ve waited. “Please, tell me you’re healed enough to continue our activities,” he said, his voice sounding more desperate and whiny than he’d intended.

A sweet smile spread across her face, and Caturix took a moment to appreciate her morning beauty. Even with her eyes barely open, sleep still clinging to them, and her curls sticking out in every direction, far from her usual neat hairstyles. He’d rarely seen her with her hair down, especially in its natural, frizzy state.

He felt a twinge in his chest at the sight of her.

“Good morning, Cat,” she murmured, stretching her arms above her head. Her backside pressed against his arousal. She glanced back at him over her shoulder, a seductive grin on her face. “Well, good morning to you too, little Cat.”

Had he not been suppressing his arousal for so long, Caturix might’ve laughed out loud. Something he hadn’t done in…maybe decades.

“Mika. Please,” he pleaded. He was always in control—always—and he dominated in the bedroom, but here he was, begging her to satisfy his needs.

She turned to face him, surprising him by wrapping her arms around his neck and rubbing her nose against his. She must’ve been half asleep, he thought.

“Mika,” he groaned. He was sure he’d look back at this moment with confusion and annoyance, as he did most encounters with Mika, but right now, he was too consumed by desire. “Please,” he begged again, his voice breaking.

She grinned and nodded. “I feel it too. I’m sure it’ll pass in a few hours,” she said, but she lifted her leg and wrapped it around his waist, positioning herself above him, yet she said nothing more.

Caturix just stared at her, waiting.

“Wanna make a bet?” she suddenly asked, surprising him.

His brows furrowed in confusion, irritation, and impatience. “Sure, Mika, what bet?”

“A bet to see who can resist longer,” she said, amusement in her voice as she noticed his frustration.

His lips formed his signature scowl, but he nodded for her to continue.

“If you make a move first, I win, and vice versa. If I win, I get one day. A whole day with you. So I can annoy you all I want and you have to skip torturing prisoners,” she said, a smile on her face, but her eyes held a hint of shyness. As if her forced smile couldn’t reach her eyes.

He let out a long sigh. “Sure, and me?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Whatever you want.”

He grinned. A full-on grin. The kind that made her stomach tighten and her legs tremble. It was far more beautiful than she ever would’ve guessed and…he had dimples. For the love of Goddess. “A million dollars,” he answered.

Her face twisted in confusion. “I’m being serious, Cat. I can’t give you a million dollars,” she said, pouting.

He shrugged and sighed before rolling her onto her back and covering her with his body. “Now this is very upsetting news, Mika, but that’s okay, as I lost the bet already,” he said, feigning sadness.

Her brows furrowed, then shot up in surprise as he entered her suddenly. She couldn’t suppress the gasp that escaped her lips. She slapped his shoulder, giggling. “Hey, I was serious about that bet.”

He kissed her neck. “I still intend to give you your day,” he said between kisses.

She nodded, tilting her head to give him more access to her neck. A part of her desperately wanted him to mark her. A part of her she had to suppress. She ignored the overwhelming desires and focused on the pleasure, letting her eyes roll back as he thrust into her, his hands and mouth exploring her body.