My Alphas' Dark Desires

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~Valerie's POV~

By nightfall, I couldn't sit still anymore.

I sat in my room at one point. After that, I got up, got into bed, and shut my eyes to sleep.

I'd been pacing my room for what felt like hours, the thoughts in my head swirling like a storm I couldn't escape.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kai, particularly his lips on mine and the way his hands had touched me earlier. The heat of it. The sweetness. The craving.

I knew what I wanted.

More than that, I was ready for him, for us to make love.

Astra and I talked earlier, and after our little talk—well, more like her grinning and saying, "Just do it already, V. You clearly want him, and you both need this bond. No more holding back,"—I'd finally made my decision.

So I took a deep breath, adjusted the silk robe I wore over my night slip, and stepped out into the hallway.

The corridor was quiet, and the lights dimmed. The soft hum of the house at night comforted me as I approached his door.

My heart pounded as I knocked softly.

Seconds passed before the door opened.

Kai stood there, his black tank top clinging to his body, with low-hanging grey shorts hugging his hips.

His black hair was slightly tousled, and his expression remained unreadable at first, until his eyes softened the moment he saw it was me.

He glanced both ways down the hallway, like he was making sure no one else was watching, and then, without a word, he reached for me and pulled me inside.

The door closed behind me quietly.

As he turned to face me, I didn't wait. I braced myself and pressed my lips to his.

Kai tensed for half a second but then kissed me back. Not as hungrily as he had earlier in the kitchen, but enough to feed the spark inside me.

Still, something felt… different. But I told myself I was just overthinking. I wanted this too much for hesitation to ruin it.

My fingers found the edge of his black tank and slipped underneath. The fabric was warm from his skin.

Without a word, I pulled it up and over his head, breaking our kiss a little to toss it aside.

Kai inhaled sharply when my hands skimmed over his chest, brushing lightly over his nipples and down toward his waistband.

I felt his arousal through the soft cotton of his shorts, and a soft, guttural moan left his lips.

His hand cradled my jaw as he deepened the kiss, his mouth moving urgently against mine. I let my palm press and stroke him through his shorts, relishing the way his body responded.

His breath hitched.

"Kai…" I whispered against his lips, stroking him again—firmer this time.

A deep groan rumbled from his chest, vibrating against my skin. His forehead dropped against mine as his hips jerked forward into my hand, seeking more.

"Fuck, Val…" he breathed, voice thick with need. "That feels—"

He cut himself off with another moan as I slid my hand lower, pressing my palm directly over the tip of his hard length. The heat of him, even through the soft cotton, sent a thrill through me.

I rubbed slow, teasing circles against the head of his cock, feeling the damp spot forming beneath my palm.

Kai's grip on my waist tightened as he let out a shuddering breath, his head tilting back slightly. His hips rocked into my touch now, chasing every bit of friction I gave him.

"Shit—Valerie," he groaned, lips brushing my cheek. "You're gonna make me cum like this."

I smiled softly, breathless, loving how undone he was becoming under my hands.

His hands moved down to my thighs, squeezing, sliding up beneath my robe to grope my ass.

"Are you sure?" he asked hoarsely, still thrusting against my hand. "Because I'm not stopping this time…"

And gods, I didn't want him to.

"I'm sure. I want you, Kai. Let's continue from where we left off."

I did not give him a chance to answer when my free hand reached into his hair and pulled him down to me, kissing him deeply, letting our tongues collide as our breath mingled.

Kai kissed me, and when my hand resumed stroking him again, he suddenly jerked and pulled back.

Shocked, I blinked as he stepped away from me, chest rising and falling with his green eyes locked on me, my lips, and my now partly exposed breast.

"Kai?" I whispered, clearly confused. I tried stepping forward again, lifting my face for another kiss.

But he shook his head and tightened his jaw.

"Wait," he said softly, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

"Wait?" I frowned. "Why? I thought we could... continue from where we left off? I thought that's what you and I wanted."

"It is. I want you, really want you, but…"

Kai looked away, raking a hand through his hair. The hesitation in his body was impossible to miss.

"I—I just think… maybe not tonight," he said finally, in a low voice.

My heart sank like a big ball in a pool. The excuse hung awkwardly in the air as my hands still maintained their position where they had once been on his body.

Against my pride and better reason to lock up and walk away. I asked, looking like a desperate soul.

My eyes narrowed slightly. "Why not?"

"It's not you," he said quickly, forcing a weak smile. "I promise, it's not. I just—there's been a lot going on. With the summit. With the guys. I guess I'm a little... in my head wanting to take you first."

His words made sense on the surface, but the way he avoided my gaze, the way he swallowed hard, and the fact that he didn't reach for me again?

Something had happened. There was something he wasn't telling me.

But what?

I gave a small nod, forcing a smile as I stepped back.

"Okay," I said, though my chest ached. I adjusted my nightwear, brushing imaginary dust from my robe. "Maybe another night."

Kai didn't respond and gave a grateful nod, but even as I turned and walked out, I could feel his longing gaze burning into my back.

And still... I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong, and I had just acted like a sex-crazed slut.