Jude

I was levitating; I was definitely floating, because everything felt like fireworks and hyper around me, and it felt like my soul was floating on a white, clear, fluffy cloud made of pure happiness and joy.

I’d never kissed anyone before, but no one had ever told me that was the after-effect of kissing your soulmate: that it would feel like this. It was pure ecstasy and I could feel blood rushing to my pants and my cock throb as I remembered last night, remembering the taste of her lips and the soft sound she’d made when I’d pulled her closer.

I’d nearly devoured her mouth after that first kiss, wanted to taste more, press my lips on hers again, and never leave, never stop kissing her.

When I’d noticed her shiver and discreetly rubbed her shoulders, I’d nearly wanted to smack my head for being inconsiderate of my mate and had immediately removed my jacket and draped it around her. My wolf had howled with satisfaction because he loved the idea of her wrapped up in a cocoon of my jacket and my scent, marked as mine even if she didn’t know it yet.

After giving her a ride back to her cottage on my bike, I’d stood at her door not wanting to leave, not wanting to cut the connection between us as my wolf started to whine, hating the distance. But I couldn’t just stay, she was human and she didn’t know about us yet, so I’d tucked my hands in my pockets to stop them from reaching for her, from grabbing her hands and never letting go.

Then Rosie had looked at me shyly under her lashes and in that soft alluring voice she’d waved me goodbye and I’d nearly groaned out loud because it sent jolts straight through my body, making my wolf purr with want.

I had cleared my throat and put on a smile, tilted my head for her to go inside and she’d turned to close the door while I stood there looking at it longingly, already missing her.

Then the door was yanked open again and Rosie ran out and pecked the corner of my lips before running back inside with a bang of the door.

My eyes had widened in shock, my breath caught in my throat from the action because my mate had just kissed me of her own volition, had wanted to kiss me, and my knees had actually buckled. My chest was thumping so hard with excitement that I’d grabbed it, feeling like my heart wanted to rip out of my ribcage and a wide smile had spread across my face that I couldn’t control. I was very sure I looked like a complete fool in love.

After getting myself together, I’d gone to my bike and rode down the road with the breeze trying to calm my raging heart and failing completely.

Now it was morning and I couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot, couldn’t stop replaying every second of last night in my head while I got ready.

I had to see her, had to take her to school, and had to be near her again.

My wolf was already pacing impatiently, wanting our mate...

***

Rosie

I can’t believe I did that.

My cheeks flamed up as I touched them embarrassingly, pulling my scarf closer to my lower jaw to hide the blush that wouldn’t go away. My head kept repeating what happened last night on an endless loop and I could feel it thrumming in my bones, this giddy happiness that made me want to squeal and scream at the same time on the pillow.

I didn’t know I had it in me to do that, to actually go back and peck him but I couldn’t leave him like that when he was looking like an abandoned puppy.

I could feel my lips tingle at the memory and I swallowed hard, feeling heat pool low in my belly from the lingering effect of his kiss, his taste, the way he’d held me, and the intensity.

No, I shook my head while resisting the urge to touch my lips as a squeal escaped despite my best efforts. I’d tossed on the bed for hours or maybe minutes before I’d finally fallen asleep because I kept replaying that sweet perfect moment over and over.

I stood in front of the mirror now and the smile on my face vanished immediately as I took in my image, and reality came crashing back in.

Did you think he’s attracted to you?

You’re so delusional.

You’re ugly.

Look at yourself... Do you even want yourself?

I blinked repeatedly, my breathing heaving while I tried not to give those vicious thoughts space but the words were creeping in like a daily reminder and mantra that I was fat, ugly, and unworthy of someone like him.

But then my eyes fell on my swollen lips and the memory of last night flashed in my mind, how he’d looked at me, kissed me and those voices crept back to the back of my mind where they belonged.

That was when I noticed I’d been clenching my fists beside me and my body was shaking slightly. I unfisted my hands and they were cold and white from how hard I’d been clutching them and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe.

I closed my eyes wanting to get that feeling of being kissed by Jude again, wanting to remember how safe and wanted I’d felt, and the earlier giddiness came rushing back in a wave that made a smile return to my lips.

I went to put on a dress, something pretty, and looked at the mirror again and exhaled. Nothing could dampen my mood now, not today, not after last night.

As I opened the cottage door expecting to walk to campus alone, I saw Jude on his bike waiting outside and my heart stuttered at the sight of him, at the fact that he was here, that he’d come for me.

He was waiting for me.

A smile made its way to my lips automatically and I pulled my bag tighter on my shoulder and walked to him, my heart racing with every step.

“What are you doing here?” I asked breathlessly while feeling shy from the intensity of his gaze, the way his eyes seemed to follow my every movement.

“I wanted to take you to school,” he responded while unlatching his helmet and my stomach did that flipping thing it always did around him.

“You should have knocked,” I said while twirling the edge of my scarf nervously, not knowing what to do with my hands.

He smiled, grabbing my hands gently and my breath hitched at the contact. Then he stroked them softly, his warm hands a contrast to my cold ones and they were so big, engulfing mine completely. He brushed a strand of hair from my face and just stared at me, his amber eyes looking deeply into my blue ones like he was memorizing every detail before he carefully put the helmet on me, adjusting it with gentle fingers.

I smiled, loving the gesture, and hopped behind him on the bike. I immediately wrapped my arms around his waist and he chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and I could feel the vibration against my cheek where I’d rested my head on his back.

He inhaled deeply like he was breathing me in and then revved the bike and we took off toward school with the morning air rushing past us and my arms tight around him.

***

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