Chapter 43

Caspian's POV

At first I thought I misheard her.

Then I thought I misunderstood.

But there can be no doubt now – not the way Viviane's looking at me, with big eyes full of hope, anticipation, and just a little fear. Hearing her say she loved me made my heart soar. And knowing she trusts me with this, is almost too much to comprehend, especially after everything she went through with Mordred.

Her skin is flushed bright red, and she can't truly look me in the eye. Her gaze keeps flitting up and down, almost as if she thinks I might reject her. It's adorable and astonishing all at once. Doesn't she know how crazy I am about her? How long I've waited for this moment?

Still, I don't want to push her past her limits. It's one thing to think she's ready, and another to truly take such a momentous step. Her past worries me, especially the way her PTSD tends to resurge every time we take another step forward together. The last thing I want is to end up getting so lost in the rut that I can no longer stop when she needs me to, and that's only half the battle.

I tangle my hand in her silky hair, tugging her face up to mine, "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear those words." I breathe, hoping she understands I'm talking about love and not sex. "I've loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. I wasn't sure you'd ever feel the same way."

"Well I do." She smiles sadly, "I love you so much it hurts."

I capture her lips with my own, knowing exactly what she means. Loving Viviane has been an exercise in patience, self-discipline and absolute masochism. "We don't have to do anything today, kitten." I tell her warmly, "It's enough to know how you feel, and that you're ready to take that step.

Viviane pulls away from me, shaking her beautiful head. "Caspian, I don't just mean that I'm ready. I mean I want to." She peeks up at me from beneath her lashes. "I've never had a choice before, the freedom to give myself to someone. I want you to be the first."

"And the last." I growl, dragging her mouth back to mine. She immediately opens for my tongue, her slight body shifting restlessly in my lap. When her round bottom teases my hardness, my wolf shudders from head to toe. It's taking all of my willpower not to rearrange her body or roll her beneath me, I want to give her as much control as possible, and it defies my every instinct.

I've slept with more women than I can count, but never one who meant anything to me. I've always taken care of their needs, but it's never been gentle. It's never been loving. It's been about dominance, submission and raw animal lust.

One day I plan on introducting my little mate to my darker desires. I'm looking forward to teaching her about all the different forms of pleasure, and indulging her every fantasy – but not today. Today is about trust, it's about showing Viviane that there is nothing to fear when you are with the right partner, and unlocking the ecstacy hiding within her delectable body.

With a reluctant groan, I pry the little mermaid's lips from my own, catching her wrists before she can reach for me again. "There's something else you have to understand about shifters, Viviane." I inform her sternly. "When it comes to our mates – making love is more than just sex." Her pupils dilate with arousal and fear, shiny black orbs consuming brilliant turquoise irises. "If we have sex, I'm going to claim you, I won't be able to help myself."

"Claim me?" Her body is responding even as she struggles to understand, her sweet scent transforming to something deep and alluring.

"Mark you," I ammend, "so that every shifter you meet will know you're mine."

Her teeth pierce her lower lip, curiosity overpowering her apprehension. "How do you mark someone?"

"It's a bite," Gods she's squirming again, squeezing her thighs together to ease the ache between them and doubtless thinking I have no idea what she's up to. "A deep bite." I continue, lowering my mouth to the spot where her neck and shoulder meets. "Right here"

"So it will hurt?" She's frowning, but I can also see her taut nipplies straining through the thin fabric of her robe.

"It will, but a little pain isn't a bad thing," I explain, smoothing back her hair. "Not if your mate knows how to time it right."

An erotic shiver works it's way through her body, and I know if I was to reach between her legs right now I'd find her soaking. Of course, if I do that, I'll end up taking her here on this couch, and that's now how I want our first time to be.

"Okay." Viviane gasps hoarsely.

"Are you sure?" I press, "There's no rush."

"I'm sure." She nods, leaning in to kiss me again.

I stand before she can hit her target, lifting her with me and then depositing her on the cushions. "Not right now." I chuckle, "and not with your mother in the next room."

Viviane's mouth opens and closes helplessly, and I can almost read her thoughts. She's completely worked up and in need of release, but she's also not brave enough to ask me to alleviate the ache. "But… when?"

"Tonight." I promise, smothering my amusement at her disgruntled expression. "Come to my rooms when you're ready for bed."

Her thoughts are clearly racing, but she doesn't speak. She pouts and squirms, beside herself with need yet silent as a mouse. It's giving me all sorts of ideas for this evening; I think our first lesson will be on how to ask for pleasure – Gods know I'm going to enjoy giving it to her.

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Viviane's POV

It's nearly ten o'clock by the time I work up the courage to go to Caspian's rooms. I've been desperate to finish what we started this afternoon ever since he left, and if I'd been brave enough, I probably would have gone up hours ago.

I was too anxious to eat dinner. Instead I made some broth for Mom, spoon feeding her and helping her rest with a sleeping pill before leaving the apartment. She's still in really bad shape after running into Mordred this morning, but I can relax knowing she'll sleep through the night.

I stand outside of Caspian's door for a full two minutes, my fist hovering in front of the wood, before it swings inward and my mate appears. He flashes me a mega-watt grin, looking so handsome I think I might swoon.

"Hello gorgeous." He greets, looking at me as if I'm a particularly juicy steak.

"Hi." I squeak, barely finding my voice.

Caspian pulls me inside, eyes sparkling. "I was going to let you knock but after a while I started to worry you'd change your mind." He catches me up against his chest, wrapping his burly arms around my middle, "You haven't changed your mind, have you?"

I shake my head mutely, flattening my palm against his muscular chest and blushing.

He grins, "you know you are going to have to talk to me at some point, baby."

"I know," I murmur, giving myself a little shake. "I just don't know what to say."

My pulse races as he lowers his mouth to my throat, kissing a path up to my ear before growling, "You smell like a cat again."

His scruff tickles my sensitive skin, and I wriggle in his arms, exclaiming, "I had to walk through the house!"

"Mmm," He purrs darkly, glancing in the direction of his bedroom. Through the crack in his door, I can see flickering candlelight and an ice bucket of champagne. "Well, I hadn't planned on it, but you are a mermaid, so I suppose it's fitting."

"What?" I ask, completely baffled. "What's fitting?"

"You'll see." He teases, taking me by the hand and leading me deeper into the suite.

When we enter his bedroom, I'm able to see the extent of his preparations. My feet freeze on the threshhold as my heart swells and my blood begins singing in my veins. If you'd asked me two months ago how I imagined Caspian Shaw planned a date, I never would have imagined this.

Candles line every inch of the room, and rose petals are scattered over the bed. The ice bucket and champagne are accompanied by chocolate covered strawberries, and even the air smells sweet.

Caspian pauses when he realizes I'm no longer following him, looking me up and down with so much raw adoration I think I might fall over. He extends one of his powerful hands toward me, encouraging me to follow with a tender smile. "Come on little mate."

I settle my hand in his, letting him pull me into the bathroom. I expect him to drag me to the sink and scrub the perfume from my wrist and neck like he normally does. Instead, he moves to the sunken tub in the center of the room, turning on the taps full blast. Steaming water pours into the huge basin, soon followed by scented soaps and salts which bubble and foam.

I stand transfixed while Caspian retrieved the champagne and strawberries from the other room, my overwhelmed mind still struggling to keep up.

"Tell me now, Viviane." Caspian encourages, walking towards me with predatory grace, "before we go too far to turn back. Are you sure you're ready?"

Looking at him now, I've never been more certain of anything. "I'm sure."