I was disturbed by a gentle swaying, a soft sigh leaving me at being disrupted. My eyes fluttered open, seeking the movement. It was a gentle lull, a swaying that came with every exhale of breath. Something warm was beneath my head as another thing stroked through my hair.

My senses came too, my sleepy brain finally realising that it was a someone, not a something. I had fallen asleep and someone was touching me. But before the panic could even start, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

"It's just me, Tulip."

Asra.

I sighed, settling my head back down on what I now realised was his thigh. His fingers returned to run through my hair and I let myself relax into his touch. I closed my eyes but stayed awake, listening to the soft chirping of crickets.

"I was not expecting to come home and find my mate asleep on a random swing on my front porch." He murmured softly. "Caleb said you planned all of this?"

I hummed a yes, too tired to speak.

"It looks amazing." He sighed, his feet pushing the swing to keep moving. "I'm glad you did it."

"What time is it?" I wondered.

There was a pause as he checked for the time. "Twenty to twelve."

"Oh... When did you get back?" I muttered.

"Around eleven." He replied. "I thought you'd be in bed, Tulip. Not surrounded by blankets and electric candles on a damn swing."

I laughed softly at that, nodding. "I bought it for a reason."

"You mean, I bought it." He chuckled, the vibrations of his voice humming against my ear.

"Eliza told me about a cute thing called an Alpha's tab." I quipped.

He hummed. "I bet she did. I'm glad you had fun."

How was I supposed to win this little game if he didn't even care I spent his money?

Sighing, I pulled myself up to sit by his side. His hand didn't stray from my body, sliding down my back as I rose. It wrapped around my hip, sliding beneath the fabric as he pulled me closer. My skin burned beneath his touch, my entire body coming alive with feeling.

Staring up at his face, I noticed how exhausted he looked. His blue gaze was soft and hooded, with dark shadows that caressed his cheeks. I found my hand moving to lightly caress the puffy tissue, my lips pulling down into a frown. He jerked slightly at the contact, not expecting it.

"You are tired." I mumbled.

His jaw tensed, my eyes following the movement as the muscle flexed. Asra didn't reply, keeping those blue eyes locked onto my face. Being so close to him, his scent enveloped me. He smelt of dewy grass, fresh wood and just plain old outdoors. His skin was weirdly smooth, the light stubble of facial hair noticeable this close up.

Asra continued to stare at me as I ran my eyes along his features. My body rose and fell in sync with the rise of his chest, our breaths falling in tandem. It was oddly calm, something I haven't felt in a while. So close to him, I could see the darkened outer circle of his iris, how his eyes lightened the closer to the pupil they got. They were a dazzling dark blue, the opposite end of the spectrum to my own. Dad always said I had the skies in my eyes, and perhaps Asra had the night.

I smiled softly at my imagery, my fingers trailing down the side of his face to trace his jaw. His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, my skin prickling with awareness as my touch neared his mouth. Taking the situation into my control, I slowly lowered my thumb along the crease of his lower lip. His breath hitched slightly, my lips parting with exasperation.

I felt so alive to his touch; I wondered if he felt the same.

The new feelings were strange to me. I wasn't truly sure of what they meant. My chest constricted, a heaviness settling in my throat and between my breasts. My stomach would twist, an unsettling feeling of fluttering that had my toes curling with anticipation.

He moved, facing me head-on. My thumb fell from his mouth, my hand dropping to his shoulder as I stared at him. His eyes slowly darkened, the familiar trait of a wolf. It was slow; the pupil expanding until the entire iris turned dark. What would usually unnerve me, didn't. It was slow, a gentle caress as his instinct took over, his hooded eyes staring into my own.

I swallowed nervously when he hummed, a soft grumble sounding in his chest. My shoulders shuddered, my eyes closing as my skin prickled with goosebumps. I had never expected my body to feel so alive at a mere sound, but here I was, covered in gooseflesh, at a mere grumble.

With my eyes closed, I allowed my body to react to his. His warm breath fanned my face, the faint scent of coffee filling my nose. My lips parted on their own accord, as if waiting for the moment of clarity. A gentle touch, a soft caress as his nose met mine. I heard him swallow as his hand touched my cheek. I had jerked at the unsuspecting contact, but his thumb brushed my lip the same way mine had his.

I licked my lips nervously, my tongue tasting him. I was sure if I opened my eyes, I would find nothing but his own. His head moved, his nose sliding across mine before the faintest touch of bliss wrapped around my heart, leaving me in a chokehold.

His lips met mine, softly testing my reaction as he pulled away. When I didn't move, he came back, pulling my mouth to his softly. The goosebumps returned as he kissed me, moving his mouth slowly against mine. My spine straightened before I melted into him. His touch grew stronger, lips parting mine as his tongue tasted me. I submitted to him completely, my body and mind turning to mush beneath the enthralling electric that coated my nervous system.

He growled into my mouth, his hand tightening around my throat. It only edged me on further, an excited gasp escaping me as he moved his mouth from mine and pulled me into his lap. The hand on my throat didn't stray far, pulling my head back to his face as I straddled him. His other hand moved, grabbing and squeezing at my supple flesh before grabbing at my hips and pulling me tighter into him.

I moaned softly, my body becoming on fire. Is this what heaven was like in the wolf-world? Endless spine-tingling sensations that turned your head to mush? Is this what drugs felt like? Because I was pretty sure Asra was becoming addictive with each firm connection of our mouths.

I felt my core burn, aching for touch as he ground me against him. I was becoming short on air, but thankfully he noticed and pulled away. My chest heaved as he tilted my head to the side, his mouth connecting with my jaw and throat. I panted in his embrace; my hands braced against his chest as he held me. His mouth sucked on my skin, teeth grazing and drawing blood that he quickly lapped up with his tongue.

Growling softly, he pulled my face back to his to stare into my eyes. I was sure my pupils were blown, my lips parted as I fought for breath. My body was alive and hot to the touch, begging for more. Asra studied me, his chest raising me up with every breath. His eyes held mine before running down my face, lingering on my lips and throat before dropping to my heaving chest. He licked his lips before moving back to stare into my eyes.

His voice was husky when he spoke. "Tulip..."

My eyes closed briefly, a moan escaping me at the gruffness of his voice.

"Tulip, look at me." He growled and I copied his demand.

Asra groaned, shifting his weight beneath me and letting me know just how much this affected him too. My thighs clenched around his thighs, pulling him in tight.

"So responsive." He groaned.

I licked my lips, watching and waiting for more. I loved the waiting, the excitement of seeing what was coming. My past relationships were always quick and over in a matter of seconds. My body had never felt this way, had never begged and yearned to be touched, to be filled...

My core tightened at my thoughts, causing Asra's nostrils to flare.

"Tulip. You need to get your head straight before I continue." He sighed. "I need you sober before I take you."

Take me?

The grip on my throat lessened, and I cocked my head curiously. My body burned for his touch, only sated by the grip he held on my body. His lips thinned as he watched me, and after a minute of silence, the fog holding me captive began to lessen. My breath evened out, my heart calming as my spine slowly straightened.

Asra released my throat; the hand joining on the other side of my hips. He held me softly, despite the hardness between us. He waited, watching and expecting my answer. It was odd to be left hanging. He didn't move to take me, didn't demand for me to drop my panties and bend over despite how hard he was. Despite how much he could.

I cocked my head, staring at him with confusion. "Why?"

He returned the gesture, his eyebrows lowering. "Why what?"

"You want me. Why not just take me?" I asked, genuinely confused.

The confusion turned to anger, his chest rumbling with frustration. As he growled, I felt his hands tighten on my hips. I shrunk into myself a little, feeling ashamed of my questions. I had become so comfortable around him. Had I finally stepped over a line?

My brain was fried.

"Why would I just take you?" He spat. "That is barbaric."

"It is?" I wondered. "I thought that... it was normal...?"

"What did that bastard teach you, Ailia?"

My heart stuttered at the sound of my name, unhappy with the lack of a nickname I was growing fond of.

"I'm just... confused. I think... my head is... I don't know what I'm doing." I admitted, bowing my head.

He was quiet as I stared down at my hands, my fingers still digging into his shirt.

"It's late... We should probably-

His hands grabbed me by the waist, keeping me firmly planted on him. "No."

I blinked, staring at him quietly as he fought for words. "I'm sorry...."

"Don't apologise, Tulip." He sighed. "I forget you have not been mine forever. I know your boyfriend had treated you unfairly, and I am slowly learning to understand how your mind works... But I have never and will never demand your body for my own pleasure. You owe me nothing."

"But..."

"No, listen to me, Tulip." He sighed, drawing my gaze up again. "You do not owe me anything like that because my body reacts to yours. You are mine forever. But your body is yours, and I want you to realise that. You shouldn't have to give parts of yourself away for others."

My breath was shaky when I exhaled, not even realising I had held it for so long. My chest warmed as the tears burned in my eyes, my throat feeling dry. Only moments ago I had been ready to bare it all for him in a moment of fiery passion, and now I was tearing up? Damn, my period had really knocked my marbles across the world.

I went to speak, but he cut me off again.

"Don't apologise. Let's go to bed." He mumbled softly.

I closed my mouth, taking his suggestion of sleep. He was tired, and I would bring this up another day.

Moving to climb off his lap, his hands tightened around my waist. I raised my eyebrows with curiosity, but he just smirked before standing from the swing with me in his grip. My eyes widened comically, a small squeal leaving me as I rose to six feet in the air. His hands gripped my hips, pulling my front against his. My legs wrapped around his waist, my arms securing themselves around his neck in surprise and pulling at his shirt and hair.

"Tulip..." Asra grunted, his voice muffled.

I glanced down at him, jerking away in surprise. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment at the fact I had just suffocated him with my breasts. He, of course, did not seem to care, a wide smirk erupting on his face. He carried me from the porch, the front door swinging behind us as we entered the dark house. There was only one light on in the hallway, illuminating the entranceway to the lift.

It dinged loudly in the quiet house, Asra's footsteps light as he entered. The whirring mechanics of the death trap sprung to life, and I found myself moving even closer to him. His hands flexed on my body, one hand moving to wrap around my entire middle and squeeze me to him. I wasn't sure how he was holding me so effortlessly, but then again... he was a wolf, a fact that seemed to be affected by temporary kiss based amnesia.

The sound of gentle breathing accompanied the soft churning of metal before we surged to a stop. I swallowed nervously, holding my breath as the doors took longer than normal to open. When they did, and Asra stepped onto solid ground, I exhaled softly, causing him to chuckle in my ear.

It was dark up here, only the moonlight shone through the end window. The full moon was the other night. I boldly rested my head on Asra's shoulder, leaning my head against his as I stared down at the ground. Asra's fingers flexed against my skin, a shaky grumble vibrating my chest. Could werewolves purr? I was pretty sure that Asra could.

A door opened, and I was met with complete darkness. I had complete trust in Asra's abilities, so when he walked into the dark room, I remained still. A click filled the quiet air, his clothes shifting as he straightened us up in the dull light of a lamp. He pulled his head away from mine, my jaw disconnecting from his shoulder.

His eyes were back to blue, gazing at me so tenderly it made me fight a blush. "I'm going to use the bathroom. Get yourself comfortable."

I nodded quietly before he set me down on the bed. I watched as he entered the bathroom, the bright glow of the light in there blinding me. Using the time alone to get undressed, I chose to sleep in just my panties tonight. It was warm now. It was nearing the end of May and with Asra's abnormal body temperature, I would die if I wore clothes.

I giggled to myself as I pulled the covers aside and slid myself into the fresh sheets. We had clean sheets every day, thanks to his employment of maids. I gasped at the realisation, remembering I wanted to speak to him about raising wages. Making a mental note, I lay and wait for him to come back in the bedroom so I could confront him.

But alas, as soon as my head hit the pillow and the quietness of the night dulled my senses, I was out like a light.

*******

THEY KIIIIIIiiiiiiiiIiiiiiiIIIIIIIIssed