Chapter 50: Chapter 50

JASMINE

“I’m going to keep you from those books,” I joked, my arms draped around his neck. My robe had slipped open, my nightgown barely covering me. His eyes darkened, and I could tell he’d noticed by the bulge in his pants.

“You’re done working for tonight.”

He let out a soft chuckle, his hands finding my waist, sending a shiver up my spine.

“Oh, really? And how do you plan on stopping me?”

I leaned in, my lips brushing against his ear.

“By being a distraction.”

His breath hitched, his grip on my waist tightening just a bit.

“You’re already doing a good job of that,” he said, his voice rough from fatigue—and something else. His gaze dropped to where my nightgown clung to my skin, the thin fabric leaving little to the imagination.

“Aaron,” I whispered, my hands cupping his face, forcing him to meet my gaze. “You need to rest. Please.”

He sighed, his eyes closing briefly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

“I know you’re right. But I hate feeling like I’m not doing enough. I always feel like I should be doing more…for you, us, for the packs.”

His vulnerability touched me. He always took on more than his share, always shouldered the weight of responsibility alone.

“You’re doing more than enough,” I reassured him, my thumb brushing over his cheek. “You don’t have to do it all tonight. You always carry this weight, always striving for perfection, but you’re doing the best you can. You’re leading us, finding the answers. Don’t forget that you have me, Erik, and Sebastian. We’re in this together.”

“There’s always more to do. I’m the one who’s supposed to figure this out, to lead us, and—” His voice was quiet, rough.

“Stop,” I whispered, pressing a finger to his lips. I could feel the tension radiating off him, the weight of the world he carried on his shoulders, his need to be perfect, to fix everything.

His brow furrowed, and I saw the internal struggle.

“But what if it’s not enough? What if I miss something? I can’t—”

I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me.

“You’ve done more than enough, Aaron. You found the key we needed. You rallied everyone when we thought hope was slipping away. I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you.”

His eyes softened, but the doubt still lingered.

“I should be doing more, faster—”

“No.” I gently interrupted, leaning in so close that my breath brushed against his lips. “You’re giving everything you have, and I’m proud of you. We all are. You’re the reason we’re still fighting. You’re such a great alpha because you always put everyone’s needs above yours, even something as basic as sleep. But I need to be here to make you stop, to make you see yourself. If you won’t do it for you, do it for me. Rest for me.”

His eyes opened, and for a moment, I saw something raw there, something he didn’t show often.

“You always know how to get to me,” he said with a small, tired smile.

I leaned down, my lips grazing his in the lightest of kisses.

“That’s because I know you.”

I felt him relax just a bit, but the tension remained in his rigid shoulders, the way his hands still clung to the edge of the table.

“Aaron,” I whispered, my voice soft but firm, “if you keep pushing yourself like this, I’m afraid you’ll break. I need you whole. We need you whole.”

His gaze met mine, searching as if he didn’t believe my words. I could feel the shift in the air between us, the vulnerability in his eyes.

“I won’t break, I promise,” he whispered.

I leaned in, my lips brushing against his neck, my hands sliding up his chest.

“Let me take care of you. Just for tonight.”

He exhaled, a shuddering breath, his hands gripping my waist as I pressed closer.

“I…I don’t know how to stop.”

I smiled softly, pressing my forehead against his.

“Then let me help you.”

And I brought our lips together. The tension began to dissolve as I kissed him, a gentle, sweet kiss that gradually intensified. His grip on my hips tightened, drawing me nearer, and his breath hitched as my nightgown slid up a bit. I could feel the heat between us intensifying, the desire in his eyes igniting something deep within me.

I kissed him again, this time with more depth, and felt him soften beneath me. His determination to keep working was fading.

“Let me take care of you tonight.”

His hands moved up my back, pulling me in closer.

“Jasmine.” He exhaled, his voice a blend of surrender and longing.

I shifted in his lap, feeling his warmth through his clothes.

“You need to rest, Aaron,” I whispered, my voice wavering, my breath hitching as his fingers traced my spine.

“And yet,” he replied, his lips finding the sensitive spot just below my ear, “you’re making it very difficult to think about resting.”

I let out a soft gasp, my body responding to his touch, his lips, the tightening grip of his hands. The tension between us was escalating, the air heavy with the anticipation of something more.

“You know what I mean,” I managed to say, my voice shaking as he kissed my jawline, teasing me, his lips brushing against the delicate fabric of my nightgown.

“I know exactly what you mean,” he murmured against my skin, his hands sliding down my waist, pulling me even closer. “But maybe I don’t want to rest just yet.”

Aaron let out a deep sigh, as if finally giving in to the comfort I was offering. He pulled me fully into his lap, his arms enveloping me. He buried his face in my neck, inhaling deeply as if drawing strength from me. His lips brushed my skin, gently at first, but then his kisses became deeper, more desperate.

“I’ve missed this,” he whispered, his voice rough with fatigue and emotion.

I ran my fingers through his hair, gently tugging to bring his face back to mine.

“Then stop working yourself to death and come to bed with me.”

A low chuckle resonated in his chest, and he gave me a weary, crooked smile.

“I don’t deserve you, you know that?”

I kissed him gently, slowly, savoring the warmth of his lips.

“You deserve everything.”

Aaron’s hands moved from my back down to my hips, his touch firm yet gentle as he pulled me against him. I could feel the hard contours of his chest beneath me, the heat emanating from his body as his hands traced the curves of my waist. His eyes darkened with desire, but there was still a hint of vulnerability in them—a need for reassurance as much as he needed release.

“I need you, Jasmine,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, but the rawness in his tone sent a shiver down my spine.

“I’m here,” I breathed, my lips brushing against his as I spoke. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Our kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more consuming. His hands roamed my body, exploring with a desperation that mirrored the hunger I felt building inside me.

The warmth of his touch, the strength of his grip, ignited something in me—something primal and fierce.

I shifted in his lap, feeling the evidence of his desire pressing against me, and a low moan escaped my throat.

Aaron’s grip on my hips tightened, his breath ragged as he moved his hands to the hem of my nightgown, sliding it up over my thighs.

I shivered, my pulse quickening as he kissed me again—harder this time. The hunger in him was evident.

And I knew, in that moment, that resting wasn’t in the cards for either of us tonight.