Alpha’s Badass Mate novel

---- Family time "How did you know it would work, though? Or did you just do all that for the minute possibility that it could? " Ashly looks expectantly at him, but Alex still has no idea what she's talking about, having a bit of a hard time thinking clearly anyway, having her so close, every part of her touching, and touched by Ashly, sending delicious sensations through him.

"Can you please elaborate?" He takes a breath to get a grip, gently and slowly running his fingers along Ashly's back, pleased to feel her skin and body and reacting to her touch as well. "You know, getting me into the heat and then taking advantage of it..." Ashly raises an eyebrow, watching him closely. A hand comes around Alex's neck, her fingers splaying over his throat. "Oh, that." Alex remembers , of course, swallowing a tiny lump down where he's intently aware of Ashly's touch.

He knows he would deserve some punishment for fooling her like that. "I told you my feelings made me do some unorthodox things." He swallows heavily again, licking his lips, his pulse and heartbeat increasing. ---- "Is that so?" Ashly smirks , her hand traveling up to Alex's chin and jaw, caressing ever so slowly. "Yes," Alex huffs out, his voice hoarse with arousal, spellbound by Ashly's burning gaze. "T guess I must forgive you, though.

That night, I realized I wanted us to be together again and that you were a good person. But then you kept fooling me." Ashly's fingers are touching Alex's lower lip, rubbing the tender skin, dipping inside, and touching his body. Alex's eyes fall shut for just a moment, trembling inwardly, but Ashly's fingers trail further , along his upper lip and nose, up along his brow, and down his temple, finally settling back on his neck.

"you know, I also fooled myself really well." Ashly sighs but smiles, leaning her forehead on Alex. "T said no one would date you, and that whoever you liked sucked for not liking you back, so sure it could never be me." Alex feels her smiling still, her breath on his skin and in his nose. "No, you really couldn't know. You weren't even aware of my liking guys or my feelings. It's not your fault, and I was desperate and shocked when you said we were friends.

I would have done anything for you, and I felt awful for misleading you at times, but even then, I thought I could somehow make it up to you again, that it was still tolerable ." ---- Alex runs his fingers along Ashly's neck and into her hair, hugging her closer , moving her head to press against Ashly's neck and shoulder , and shutting his eyes, "You mustn't feel guilty about any of that now, I swear.

There's nothing I still blame you for." Ashly whispers, holding him just as tightly, the shift of emotions palpable. "And thinking back on that particular night, I really loved it, despite being afraid of heat and you making fun of me. I fooled you too about that anyway, or tried to, because I know you knew; you just played along with me because it made your wish happen.

You cared for me, made me food, and let me talk you into sharing your private thoughts , even though it must have been really hard, and I'm sorry about that. You even sang for me, and I wished a hundred times that I would get a chance to hear you sing for me again. I felt stupid and like a coward, but you made me feel safe and gave me courage. And now, that night is one of my fondest memories." She moves back, sliding her hands onto Alex's shoulders , finding his eyes.

"So, thank you, Alex." Her smile is so disarming and lovely that Alex feels tears shoot right into his eyes, and he can't find the words. "Oh, you," is all he manages before he squeezes her, overwhelmed with emotions, and holds her until he regains some composure.

---- Ashly is still smiling, patting his back gently, a strange kind of exhaustion having taken over her body, but she's so happy, wholeheartedly , to be able to talk about all these things with him, to understand and empathize even more, to be reassured over and over that they're meant for each other, and no one in the world could ever convince him that they're not. She's so very happy and so very in love.

"Alex." She can't hide his joy, seeking out Alex's beloved face again, wiping away a couple of traces left by tears, making her heart ache and soar. "T love you the most." She tenderly strokes Alex's cheekbones with her thumbs, holding his face in her hands, willing every fiber and cell in his body to make Alex trust her and know it to be true, for every day they have together.

She notices Alex being overcome by emotions still and doesn't hesitate to grant him more time and solace, kissing his face all over tenderly. Once she reaches his lips, she keeps them there, lightly pressing, caressing , and pouring her love into him with deep devotion. She feels the moment Alex recovers, her hands stroking all over her, his mouth eagerly reciprocating, taking charge, pushing forward , his tongue licking and tasting all of her mouth, their bodies shifting suddenly as Alex is taking her down on the couch,