My Fated Mate Can Have Her-Chapter 122: Quiet Yearning

Violet

I had glanced at Tow, expecting her to object or point out how it might or might not backfire, but she agreed.

Now, alone in my room, the pleasant hum had faded, and was replaced by a cold knot of anxiety.

Whether he announced it or not, I still wanted to find myself.

Should I tell him now that I wanted to leave later?

The thought of how he would react made my stomach twist.

I stood abruptly, unable to sit still any longer, and moved toward the door connecting our rooms.

My hand hesitated on the handle for just a moment before I pushed it open.

Kael looked up immediately, genuine surprise flickering across his features. Papers were spread across one of the protruding wall tables in front of him, and he had been leaning over them.

"Are you leaving already?" The words came out before I could stop them, surprising me.

That wasn’t exactly what I wanted to ask.

Confusion replaced his surprise. "Leaving?"

"I just..." I trailed off, then forced myself to continue. "I wanted to ask if you were leaving after this... I was wondering if you also wouldn’t be available tonight."

Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by something that looked like guilt.

"No. I will be getting some rest tonight," he answered, a gentle look coming over his features. "How are you feeling?"

I shifted my gaze. "I am fine..."

Immediately after answering him, I closed the door behind me and made my way past him, my bare feet silent on the cool floor. I climbed onto his bed and the mattress dipped under my weight as I settled down to pull the covers over myself.

"What are you doing?" His voice held confusion and a tense wariness that I expected.

I didn’t even know where my boldness was coming from.

"I would like to sleep in your room tonight," I said, closing my eyes. "Since apparently the only time you come into these quarters is when I am asleep."

Silence.

I could feel his gaze on me, along with his shock.

Guilt prickled at my conscience, but I didn’t take it back. I wasn’t wrong. I had only seen him once since I had woken up and this was the second time. But I have sensed his presence a few times when I wasn’t fully conscious. Brief visits while I was resting.

Or should I just ask him?

I turned onto my side to sit up. "Can I—"

Before I could finish, he was there, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me. His hand came up to cup my cheek, gentle and warm, and he leaned in to press a soft kiss to my lips.

It was brief. Tender, and it felt like the kind that said more than words could.

When he pulled back, his eyes searched mine with an intensity that made my heart start doing strange things in my chest.

"I don’t mind," he said quietly. Then, with what looked like genuine reluctance, he stood and returned to the table, his back turned to me as he continued sorting through the papers.

I lay back down, my fingers grazing my lips as I watched him work. The scratch of his pen filled the silence, along with the occasional rustle of paper.

Minutes stretched into what felt like an hour. My eyes grew heavy watching him, but I fought to keep them open, not wanting to fall asleep before...

Before what?

What was I waiting for exactly?

Eventually, he arranged the papers and stretched sightly. I immediately closed my eyes just so he wouldn’t think I was watching him.

Another door opened and my eyes opened when I heard the sound of running water a few moments later. The drowsiness vanished from my eyes and I immediately turned to the other side, my heart slightly racing.

I heard the faint sounds of him washing and then dressing up after. My imagination filled in details I tried not to focus on.

When he emerged from the bathing room, I kept my eyes closed, and my breathing carefully even.

The bed dipped as he climbed in behind me. He seemed to be sitting up, his back leaning against the pillows as he maintained a careful distance from me.

’Hold me.’

I squeezed my eyes shut, annoyed at the sudden intrusive thought.

I didn’t come here for that, and just sleeping side by side like this was perfectly fine with—

His fingers slid gently through my hair in a gesture that was achingly tender.

"I did come to see you," he murmured. "Whenever I could. I just... didn’t want to wake you from your... rest."

The softness in his voice made my chest ache.

I opened my eyes and sat up, the covers shifting as I turned to look at him.

He looked surprised. I wasn’t sure why. I knew he was aware I hadn’t fallen asleep.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I reached for his hand, which had already slid down my hair as I was sitting up. I sat still, holding his wrists as his palm pressed against my cheek. I could feel the warmth seeping through parts of my hair pressed to my skin.

I guided his touch down slowly, deliberately, until his palm pressed against my breast.

He went completely rigid.

His hand instinctively tightened, fingers moulding around the soft flesh through my clothes. I flinched, surprise rippling through me along with the familiar sensation. His eyes widened, shock and surprise and something much darker all flashing across his face in rapid succession.

"Violet—" My name came out strangled.

I didn’t give him time to think or talk himself out of whatever he was about to say. I leaned closer and kissed him.

For a heartbeat, he remained frozen.

Then his mouth moved against mine with sudden urgency, kissing me back with a desperation that stole the air from my lungs. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. The kiss deepened, became consuming, and my body hummed with pleasant warmth.

I felt like a mess, but I think I missed him...