Chapter 37 : Sweet Time 1

Karenina

She tried to ignore the fact that he had been making teasing comments and acting out of character lately. He knelt beside her, her knees resting on her left side. However, the wound on her back was still sore and itchy from the scabs that had formed, so she refrained from leaning against the tree.

Raine had gone to play with Flynn, who had approached them, and she smiled at the scene. Although she still had a number of questions she wanted to ask Xavier, such as whether he had heard the news about her friends, why he seemed to be a cold man and yet cared for children, and what about his new mate? Although she was eager for answers, she didn't want to ruin this peaceful moment with answers she might not want to hear.

She glanced at the man out of the corner of her eye. He was sitting with his back to the tree, one knee bent and the other on the ground nearby. His right arm was draped over the bent knee, creating a very impressive pose. He looked like an extraordinary living sculpture. She was aware of the wind rustling through his clothes and his hair moving gently in the wind. He was so handsome and breathtaking. She found herself mesmerized as she gazed at him and then turned to Raine, barely noticing that they were both lost in their reverie.

Soon, fatigue began to set in, and she felt herself falling asleep in the warmth of the sun. Unbeknownst to the sleeping Karen, she slumped over and unconsciously rested her head on Xavier's strong shoulder. She slept peacefully and did not notice that he was looking at her with a deep sense of longing in his golden yellow eyes.

She was fast asleep. She didn't know that her actions made him feel warm. The sun made her dark brown hair shine, making the highlights of the sunset color in her hair even more vivid. Karen was an enchanting creature, so pure. He frowned, fighting his own thoughts. A woman like her should not be involved in his harsh world. Yet the wolf part of him screamed for her, called out to her as a true mate should. His breath caught and his eyes widened as he heard her whisper his name in her sleep.

"Xavier."

Then she moved her body closer to nuzzle against his chest, giving his heart a strange touch of warmth - even though he didn't know what the meaning of that feeling was. Xavier turned her over and lifted her in his strong arms, his chest again exposed by his heavy robes. She felt so light in his arms, so soft and fragile. Xavier was afraid he would break her, but he also knew with certainty the courage and strength within her. She barely reached his chest when she was standing, but her small body made him want her even more, admire her even more.

She awoke from her sleep as she felt herself being carried in someone's arms. She realized that she was leaning against a warm, strong chest and heard a soft heartbeat in her ear. Her eyes widened as she realized it was Xavier on top of her. His arms around her knees and lower back, he was very careful with her injuries, while his comforting chest gave her a sense of security. Was his charm going to keep her under its spell forever?

She felt embarrassed as she was carried through the corridors of the mansion, and her embarrassment grew as they passed the household servants paying their respects. To end the increasingly uncomfortable silence, she tried to change the subject with a simple question, "Where's Raine?"

Her voice was soft and she felt her cheeks warm.

"I told her to go inside and continue her lessons," he replied quietly.

She was curious, "Does she have a teacher?"

"Several teachers," he replied curtly.

She was somewhat frustrated, "What is she studying?"

He led her steadily to her room and gave a little information, "She is learning writing, basic math, geography, as well as etiquette and riding lessons."

She smiled, "She will be a well educated woman."

"Hn."

They finally reached her room where Helga was waiting at the door. Helga paid her respects by bowing until her head touched the floor, then opened the door for them. She barely had time to greet her friend before the door closed, giving them privacy.

She knew what would happen next as he placed her on the bed. However, she had important business to take care of first.

"Um, Xavier? I have to go to the bathroom for a minute," she said sheepishly, refusing to look at him as she made her desire to go to the bathroom known.

But instead of nodding and looking away as usual, he said, "I'll wait." He stood next to her, allowing Karen to get up and walk past him, but still close enough that they could feel the contact of each other's skin. The vibrations from that touch made her nervous, reminding her of his strong arms that had just wrapped around her.

Karen respectfully said "thank you" in her heart and went to the bathroom to finish her business. When she returned a few minutes later, she saw that he was still standing. He quickly approached her and they collided again. She began to feel that he might have done it on purpose and hurried back to her bed.

She felt uncomfortable with her blanket. She didn't know why she was still so shy about kissing him. She was afraid of his reaction if he found out that she enjoyed his touch more than she should. She was also afraid that he wouldn't be happy to know her true feelings.

Xavier sensed her discomfort, but he wanted her to be comfortable. He also wanted her to get used to his touch and presence before Rylan came along and possibly messed things up. He didn't understand why she was so in love with his half-brother, who wasn't worth the fight for her. But he had no intention of expressing his feelings either, knowing that it might not be well received.

"Karenina, can I help you with your nightgown?"

Karen was startled and tried to avoid him, waving her hands in the air, "Oh, no need! I can do it myself."

But to her surprise, he gently took one of her hands and pulled her to her feet. They approached each other, almost touching, their eyes locked. Her breath escaped her lungs as she felt helpless, caught in the gaze of his golden eyes. Xavier took her hand and she felt helpless to stop her heartbeat. Her body was so aware of his presence and she felt like she was on fire from the warmth they shared. How could he have that effect on her? Make her forget herself, who he was, who she was supposed to love? But he did, and she couldn't resist his sexual charms.

She felt her body move cautiously, but her eyes were glued to his, unable to tear them away from such an intense expression. She felt something different in his gaze, perhaps a tenderness she had never experienced before. But of course, that wasn't quite the right word. Then she felt his hands grasp the obi straps of her nightgown and slowly release them. Her right hand was still caught in his, raised in the air near his shoulder.

She felt the obi fall to the floor between them, and her kimono-style pajamas fell open, revealing the inside of a thin light blue camisole. He placed her hand over his heart, letting her feel the strong heartbeat and the muscles hidden beneath the clothing. His hands slipped slowly from her shoulders, lowering the pajamas to her feet.

Her breathing quickened as his clawed hands reached out and untied the inner strings of her camisole, letting the fabric slide down her arms as well. At the last second, embarrassment overcame her and she bent her arms to keep her clothes from falling to the floor, her hands also breaking away from his firm chest to clasp her other hand in front of her breasts.

Although her breasts were covered by a white bandage, her lower body was naked except for the lingerie she kept nearby.

" Wait-wait..." she whispered, unsure.

Seeing how uncomfortable she was, Xavier did not try to undress her any further. Instead, he placed his clawed hands on her bare arms and told her to sit on the edge of the bed. Without saying a word, he lowered his arm and placed the clothes on her lap, preserving her modesty but not making her aware of her passion. He was sure that, if allowed, he would find the girl in a wet state for him.

"Thank you," she whispered shyly, looking up at him from behind her long, black lashes. It was a seductive look, a look that called to him. He ignored it, knowing she wasn't consciously tempting him to take the chance she hadn't given him yet. Resisting the urge, he turned and walked to her closet and grabbed a fresh white nightgown for her to sleep in.

Returning to her, he stood up straight in front of her and placed the nightgown next to her. He would help her put it on after checking her wounds and their bonds. He had already waited for about an hour longer in order to bond with her.

As he bent down in front of her to equalize their positions, he saw her eyes widen in surprise.

"Your wounds should get some fresh air tonight," he said. Sometimes fresh air helps to heal and is good for wounds.

Nodding her head, she didn't know if she should stop him as he began to remove her bandages, but why should she? Hadn't he done it before? But last time he had been behind her - although the mirror in front of her would have given her the same view as now. She remained silent as a strange faux pas came over her. Somehow, she wanted him to see her as a woman and not as a means to a purpose. It hurt her to know that she meant little to him as a human being. But that was stupid, wasn't it?