Chapter 61
Kai POV
Celeste was lounging in my office, looking at something on her phone with a smile on her face.
All week, the only thing I’ve been thinking about was how to be alone with Lily without anyone knowing. It seems that even the most private lounge in restaurants all had eyes and ears that might report to my mother or Briella, exactly the situation I was trying to avoid.
“Celeste” I called out to my sister, waiting until she looked up from her phone before I started talking. “Do you have any idea where couples go these days if they want to go out on days and away from the public’s eyes? You know, something intimate and small p>
She sneered. “Didn’t know you liked Lily to that extent. I heard you’ve been loitering the training ground like some lovestruck puppy p>
“Are you going to tell me or not?” I glared at her.
“You need to be careful, Kai. If Mom hears of Lily, she might not be safe anymore. I don’t even need to tell you that. You know right p>
“I’m aware,” I said quietly. “Now please, can you recommend any place for a quiet date p>
The morning mist still clung to the forest floor as I led Lily along the hidden trail. Dawn had not fully broken.
Celeste had suggested going on picnic-like dates in the forest and at first, I had frowned at the idea but after she had taken me to a clearing near a small lake I was sold. The scenery was beautiful and seemed like the perfect place to bond.
“Watch your step,” I warned, extending my hand as we navigated over a fallen tree branch hesitating for a moment before accepting it. I tried to ignore how natural it felt when her fingers curled around mine. Even after I’d helped her across, we didn’t seem eager to let each other go.
“You still haven’t told me where we’re going,” she said.
I smiled, continuing with my mysterious air. “I told you I want to spend the entire day with you. Away from the pack, away from everything else. Just you and me p>
“You’re still Alpha, Kai… what if they need you for something important p>
“I’m sure they’ll manage, I gave her a wink, come along dear p>
We continued walking until we got to the clearing. The sun was just rising when we arrived and I heard her gasp beside me. Wildflowers carpeted the ground in an array of colours and their petals still had dew drops that sparkled like diamonds in the morning light.
“How did you find this place? It’s beautiful,” she breathed, releasing my hand to walk into the small clearing.
“Someone recommended it to me. It’s not a popular place. I don’t think a lot of people in the pack have been here, so we might as well, just make it ours. I knew you’d appreciate this kind of thing p>
She turned to face me, her expression suddenly turning serious. “We shouldn’t be doing this p>
“Doing what? Appreciating nature p>
“You know what I mean, Kai,” she gestured between them. “No one goes on a date in the morning. You have work and I have school. We can’t just p>
“Lily,” I crossed over to where she was. “Can’t we just enjoy this, whatever time of the day it is? I miss you so much. I lie awake in my bed all night, holding on to my last strain of discipline, anything to stop myself from breaking in to come see you. I want to spend time with you, please p>
“I know but p>
Before she could complete the sentence, I bent down and captured her lips, loving the way she sighed before pressing closer to me as she opened herself up for the kiss. We kissed feverishly, her hand running the entire length of my body as I tried to hold back.
She teased me with her tongue, slipping a hand inside my shirt as she caressed my hard nipple. I responded with a soft moan, running my hand along her side, itching to touch her but I wanted her to permit me. I needed that first.
When we finally came up for hair, my shirt had ridden up, her hair was dishevelled and we were panting as though we just ran a full marathon.
“I… I guess I can stay since we’re here.” She stuttered looking away from me.
We moved closer to the lake where I laid out a picnic mat and brought out the picnic basket, arranging the food neatly on the mat. The basket had all the things, Lily loved – all thanks to Celeste who had recommended them to me.
By mid-morning, she was lying on my lap as we talked about everything and nothing – our dreams, our fears, our favourite things in the world. We took a stroll to a cliff overlooking the valley and I watched back in amusement as she cupped a hand over her mouth and shouted, laughing as her voice bounced back to her.
I stepped behind her, hugging her as I pulled her to me, inhaling her scent. “You’re beautiful, Lily I whispered. “And I want to do this every day with you p>
“I’d love that too,” she chuckled pressing deeper into my embrace. “But wouldn’t that be too much p>
“Too much what?” I asked.
“Temptation,” she admitted softly. “Risk. Guilt.” She looked up at me. “Pick one p>
The wind picked up, blowing strands of her hair across her face. Without thinking, I reached out to brush them away, my fingers lingering against her cheek. She closed her eyes at my touch lifting her face to me. I knew I should pull away but I couldn’t, I just found myself frozen in place.
I sighed and stepped back, steadying her as I gave her an apologetic smile. “I want to kiss you so badly, Lily but I’m worried that I might not be able to control myself once I start p>
“You’re lusting p>
“Lusting doesn’t describe how I feel, Lily. It doesn’t even come close. I want you as a mate. I want to mark you but that will have to wait p>
I reached out to her, taking her hand as we started heading back to the clearing.
“Tomorrow evening, we’ll go somewhere else,” I informed her. “If you think this clearing is beautiful, then you should see where we would go tomorrow. It’ll blow your mind p>
“Oh her eyes lit up with amusement. “I thought you only wanted to spend the entire day with me p>
“Tomorrow is another day and the day after tomorrow and maybe forever p>