Chapter 6: The Confession

His breath against the skin of my neck makes all my remaining defenses crumble in an instant. I close my eyes, attempting to swallow the lump that has formed in my throat.

The arousal from the heat phase I had tried to suppress now explodes again, demanding satisfaction that only the man before me can provide.

"Maybe running from this torturous thirst?" Xavier whispers again. This time, his lips don't just brush my earlobe; they release a warm breath that makes the hairs on my nape stand up.

His large, warm hand creeps slowly to my waist. He doesn't grip me roughly. Instead, he pulls me with a gentle yet certain pressure, as if giving my body time to choose. And damn it, my body betrays me by moving closer, as if pulled by a magnet into his embrace.

I can feel his powerful chest pressing against my sensitive breasts. Every friction of his shirt fabric sends electric sensations shooting through my nerves, making my knees feel like jelly.

"I've been waiting for you to contact me, but you ran away here instead," he murmurs softly. There's no anger in his voice, only a possessive, intimidating tone, like a predator praising its prey's cleverness before the pounce.

I try to brace my hands against his chest to create distance. But my fingers end up clutching the fine fabric of his white shirt, feeling the intoxicating heat of his body. "Sir, please... let me go. This is a public place."

Xavier lets out a low chuckle. The vibration of his voice travels from his chest straight to my palm, making my heart beat even more wildly. He slowly tilts my chin up with his index finger and thumb, forcing me to look into the molten gold of his eyes.

"A public place? Didn't you usually care about the place? Wherever it was," he taunts in a lowered voice, reminding me of the wild passion that nearly erupted in the car that night.

Instead of pulling away, Xavier lowers his head a little more. He doesn't kiss me. He just lets the tip of his nose graze the skin of my neck, inhaling my scent deeply as if I were the drug he needs.

"You know, Rose..." he whispers right at the pulse point on my neck that makes my hair stand on end. "This magic stone of yours... it's tired of working so hard to hold back something that truly wants to come out."

He places a feather-light kiss near the stone seal, just a whisper of a touch from his lips, yet it feels more explosive than a rough kiss.

His hand slowly rises from my waist, gently stroking my back in a circular motion that simultaneously soothes and ignites my skin.

"I won't force you," he murmurs, his lips now grazing my jaw as he speaks. "I'll just stand here until you yourself beg me not to stop."

This man is truly dangerous. He doesn't use his physical strength to hold me. Instead, he uses his pheromones and temptations that attack the very core of my hybrid instinct. I should get away from him, but every part of my being screams for surrender, wanting to drown in his captivity.

Staring into his darkened eyes, I search for the last remnants of my sanity, swept away by the waves. "Mr. Sterling, this is not right."

"Then why does your body say it's so right?" he asks with a faint smirk, his fingers now touching strands of my hair, while his cedarwood scent completely paralyzes my logic.

"I..." I struggle to find the right words. I wish to assert that this is merely a biological response to this intense heat wave, yet each time his fingers make contact with my hair, the words seem to vanish.

Xavier doesn't stop. He only reduces the distance further, letting our bodies press together until I can feel his calm yet strong heartbeat clashing with my frantic one. He slips his hand to my nape, supporting my head gently, while his thumb slowly, torturously, strokes my trembling lips.

"Be honest, Rose," he whispers, his voice now sounding like dark, deep velvet. "You want me desperately, don't you?"

That question deeply penetrates my heart. I try to turn my face away, but his gentle grip on my chin keeps me locked on his molten gold eyes.

"Look at me, Rose. Tell me your body is screaming for my touch," he urges again, his voice growing husky with the desire now spreading from me. "Tell me my scent makes you want to surrender right now."

The touch of his pheromones grows denser, filling my lungs, making my head dizzy with a pleasure I've never known. I can feel the cracks in my magic stone widening, releasing a warm sensation that spreads through my chest. I want to lie. I want to say no. But the betrayal of my body is far more honest than my lips.

"Xavier, I beg you..." I moan unconsciously. I don't even know if I'm begging him to leave or to end this sweet torture with a union immediately.

Xavier only smirks, his gleaming gold eyes watching me with a look of both adoration and hunger. "Begging for what, Rose? Say it clearly. I don't like guessing people's desires."

His fingers, which were at my nape, now slowly descend, tracing the line of my neck until they stop right over my wildly racing pulse. The roaring waves behind us completely sweep away the last shreds of my sanity.

"Say it," he urges once more, his voice low and filled with logic-destroying temptation. "Admit it, Rose. Admit that you want me as much as I want you."

I stare at his lips, then back into his gold eyes. My defenses collapse completely. That cedarwood scent is no longer a threat but an addiction I want to savor forever.

With trembling hands, I grip the collar of his shirt, pulling him to erase the last distance between us.

"Yes..." I finally whisper, a confession that brings a victorious smirk to his handsome face. "I want you, Xavier."

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