<h4>Chapter 596: Wants To Be imed</h4>
<strong>Evaline:</strong>
I let my head fall against River’s shoulder,pletely rxing into him as his arms tightened around me.
Being held by my mates always did that - it grounded me, centered me.
His warmth seeped into my side where his chest pressed against me, solid and reassuring. One of his arms was wrapped securely around my back, his palm resting t against the side of my waist, thumb moving in slow, absent circles that made my breathing deepen without me even realizing it.
I felt him lean closer.
His nose brushed lightly against the shell of my ear before he nuzzled into my hair, inhaling slowly.
The intimate gesture sent a soft shiver down my spine.
My fingers slid down until they found his other hand resting over my thigh, and I threaded our fingers together without thinking.
He let me.
Of course he did.
And when I finally turned my face to fully look at him, I realized just how close we were.
Too close.
Or maybe not close enough.
There were only a few inches between us now.
A few inches.
That was all.
If I leaned forward... just a little... I could close that distance. I could finally taste those lips that had been driving me insane for weeks. Months, even. I desired all my mates, but River... he had been the one to tempt me the most because he’s almost like a forbidden fruit at this point because of that stupid game of his.
But I couldn’t me just him for how far this teasing hade. After all, I yed my fair part in it.
Stupid River and equally stupid me.
My gaze dropped to his mouth and once again I noticed just how soft and infuriatingly tempting his lips were.
Every cell in my body screamed at me to just do it.
To lean forward.
To kiss him.
But I couldn’t.
And the frustration built so fast it surprised even me.
A quiet, miserable groan slipped out of my throat as I dropped my forehead lightly against his shoulder again, sulking like a child denied candy.
River went still for half a second.
Then I felt it.
That faint shift in his chest.
The almost invisible curve at the corner of his mouth.
Satisfaction.
Oh, he was enjoying this.
This was exactly why I couldn’t give in no matter how badly I wanted him. If I gave in first, I would never hear the end of it. And while my desire would be quenched, my pride would be in shambles.
And I didn’t want to take that gamble.
I red up at him.
He met my eyes calmly, but the amusement was unmistakable.
"Do you want me that bad?" he asked softly.
There was no teasing tone.
No mockery.
Just curiosity... and something deeper.
I didn’t hesitate.
I nodded immediately.
Once.
Firm.
And I didn’t break eye contact for even a second, because I needed him to understand.
Needed him to see exactly how much I wanted him.
Something changed in his expression.
The amusement faded, reced by something darker.
Warmer.
His hand slid from my waist up to my shoulder, then higher. His fingers brushed over my neck, tracing the curve where it met my jaw. His thumb grazed my cheek, slow and deliberate, like he was mapping every inch of my skin.
My breath caught as I watched him lean closer.
"Do you really?" he murmured.
His voice was lower now.
Rougher.
"You have no idea," I whispered.
And I meant it.
His fingers slipped into my hair, gently tilting my head back. My pulse thundered in my ears as he closed the distance further, his forehead nearly touching mine.
I could feel his breath.
Warm.
Steady.
Mine was anything but steady.
The air inside the car felt heavier, thicker, like oxygen had been reced with something electric. Every tiny movement felt amplified... the slide of his thumb along my jaw, his fingers in my hair, the tightening of his arm around my waist, the rise and fall of his chest against my side.
My heart was racing so fast I was sure he could feel it through my ribs.
His lips hovered just a breath away from mine.
Not touching.
Just there.
Waiting.
My entire body reacted instantly. Heat curled low in my stomach. My toes curled inside the boots, while my fingers tightened their hold on his suit without me realizing it.
I knew he was about to kiss me.
Finally.
A ridiculous thought tried to push its way into my brain... telling me to remind him of his promise about kissing me when he would mark me.
For a split second, I almost opened my mouth to mention it.
Then I mentally mmed the door on that thought.
No.
I didn’t care.
I didn’t care about his promise.
I didn’t care that we were in the car with a driver separated only by a divider.
I didn’t care that we were on the way to headquarters for a council meeting.
All I cared about was him.
My mate.
And the overwhelming, aching need to belong to himpletely.
To be imed.
Forever.
His head dipped.
Closer.
Closer.
My lips parted slightly, anticipation flooding every nerve in my body.
And then...
His phone rang.
The sharp sound shattered the moment like ss breaking.
We both jerked back slightly, startled.
The thick haze of desire vanished almost instantly, leaving behind a strange, breathless silence.
For a second neither of us moved.
Then reality rushed back in.
I blinked, suddenly very aware of where we were, of the car, of the meeting we were heading toward.
Embarrassment flickered through me as I shifted, trying to climb off hisp. But his arm tightened immediately around my waist, holding me still.
I looked up at him, confused.
He had already reached to the side, picking up his phone from the seat.
His expression shifted... focused now. Alert.
He nced at the screen and his brows drew together slightly. Without a word, he turned the phone so I could see who was calling him.
Our eyes met for a brief second.
And then he answered the call and put it on speaker.