From Rejected Mate to Luna Chapter 86

Julia's POV

He didn't answer, but something in his expression changed. His eyes darkened, and I suddenly realized what I'd done—I'd essentially thrown myself at him in the hallway, and now I was standing just inches away, practically demanding he explain his intentions at my bedroom door.

My own face heated as I slid out of his arms, my feet firmly back on the ground. "Oh," I said softly, understanding dawning.

We stood there for a moment, neither speaking, the air between us charged with something powerful and unspoken. His eyes met mine, and the longing I saw there mirrored the ache in my own chest.

Taking a deep breath, I reached behind me and turned the handle of my door, pushing it open. Still holding his gaze, I gently took his hand in mine. His skin was warm against my palm, his fingers automatically intertwining with mine.

Slowly, deliberately, I led him inside my room, closing the door behind us with a soft click. I turned the lock, the sound impossibly loud in the quiet room.

Matthew pulled me into his arms immediately, his kiss deeper and more urgent than before. His hands remained respectful, one at my waist and one cradling the back of my head, even as his lips moved hungrily against mine.

When he finally pulled back to catch his breath, his eyes were dark with desire, but I could see the control he was maintaining. Even now, he was holding back, unwilling to push too far.

I looked directly into his eyes, gathering my courage. "I'm wearing matching underwear today," I said softly. "The lace set."

Matthew's eyes darkened instantly, pupils dilating until only a thin ring of blue remained. A low growl rumbled in his chest as his hands slid firmly to my waist, pulling me against his hard body. His lips found my neck, hot and insistent, trailing fire down to my collarbone.

"You have no idea what you do to me," he whispered, his breath warm against my sensitive skin.

His hands slid up my sides, thumbs grazing the undersides of my breasts through my dress. I gasped at the contact, arching into his touch. We moved toward the bed, his fingers working the zipper of my dress with surprising dexterity. As the fabric slid down my body, his breath caught audibly.

"God, Julia," he murmured, taking in the navy lace that barely covered my skin. His fingers traced the edge of my bra, sending shivers across my flesh. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

He lowered me onto the bed, his weight pressing me into the mattress as his mouth captured mine in a deep, hungry kiss. His tongue swept against mine, tasting, exploring. His hands were everywhere—tangling in my hair, sliding down my sides, cupping my breast through the delicate lace.

When his thumb brushed across my nipple, I moaned into his mouth, my back arching involuntarily. He smiled against my lips before trailing kisses down my throat to the swell of my breasts. His fingers found the clasp of my bra, pausing as he looked up.

"Yes," I breathed, lifting slightly to help him.

As the lace fell away, Matthew's eyes darkened further. "Perfect," he whispered before his mouth closed over one sensitive peak. The sensation of his hot mouth and gentle suction sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. My fingers threaded through his hair, holding him closer as his hand moved to attend to my other breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers.

I tugged at his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against mine. He sat up just long enough to pull it over his head, revealing the toned muscles of his chest and abdomen. I ran my hands over the hard planes, feeling the heat radiating from his skin. My fingers traced a scar that ran along his ribs—evidence of his role as protector.

His mouth found mine again as his hand slid down my stomach, fingers toying with the edge of my lace panties. When his hand finally slipped beneath the fabric, I gasped at the intimate contact. His fingers moved with deliberate skill, finding exactly where I needed him most.

"Matthew," I moaned, my hips rising to meet his touch.

He watched my face intently as he continued his ministrations, seeming to memorize every reaction, every gasp and sigh. When I was trembling on the edge, I suddenly placed a hand on his chest.

"Do you have protection?" I managed to ask, my voice husky with desire.

Matthew paused, reaching for his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans. "I do." His eyes searched mine, serious despite the passion. "Is that what you want?"

I nodded, but then bit my lip. "But Matthew... I want this—I want you—but I don't want to be marked. Not yet."

His expression flickered with hurt. "Why?"

"I'm still in university," I explained, my voice soft. "If you mark me, everyone there will know I'm mated to an Alpha. I'm just not ready for that kind of attention yet."

Matthew sat back slightly, running a hand through his hair. "So you're asking me to wait... three years? Until you finish school?" His voice was strained. "I don't know if I can resist that long, Julia. Not when every part of me wants to claim you."

I reached up to touch his face, then let my hand slide down his chest, across his abdomen, and lower. His breath hitched as my fingers found him through his jeans.

"You can. I know you can," I smiled, unzipping his jeans and slipping my hand inside. "And I promise to make it worth the wait."

His eyes widened as I pushed him onto his back, trailing kisses down his chest as I moved lower. My tongue traced the defined muscles of his abdomen while my fingers worked nervously to free him from his remaining clothing. When I finally took his hard cock in my hand, Matthew hissed with pleasure, his hips jerking involuntarily.

"Julia," he groaned, his voice strained as I stroked him tentatively. "You don't have to—"

"I want to," I whispered, looking up at him with uncertain eyes. "But I've never... I mean, I haven't really done this before." I bit my lip, feeling vulnerable yet determined. "Will you show me how? Tell me what feels good?"

The expression on his face shifted from surprise to something tender and deeply aroused. "You're sure?"

I nodded, maintaining eye contact as I lowered my head. "Consider this my independent study, Professor Collins," I said with a shy smile. "And don't worry—these lessons are exclusively for you."