Chapter 8: Moving Day

GIANNA

I sat in my room in shock, and my phone buzzed again. I checked it. I had hundreds of messages from the girls.

I opened a group chat with Emily and Liv. After running out on them, I owed them an explanation.

Gianna

Hey girls

Liv

Gia! Omg hi girl! Are you okay? You ran out on us! It’s been 3 days! Where have you been?

Emily

yeah girl! What’s going on?

Gianna

can’t explain over text, can we meet for coffee? Our usual spot?

Emily

yes queen I’m omw

Liv

meet you at Rios’s babe 😘

Gianna

❤

I let out a sigh. Thank God for my girls. They’d help me sort this out. I grabbed my coat and walked out of my room. I bumped into Mom in the hallway.

“Gianna, darling, we need to talk.”

“Not right now, Mom,” I snapped. “I need space.” I bolted out of the house into my car. ~God, get me to the girls, now.~

“Gia! Babe! There you are! Finally!” Liv gave me a big hug, and Emily followed suit. “You okay, babe?” she asked. I nodded quietly.

“You won’t believe the last few days I’ve had,” I said, sitting down. Emily’s eyes widened, of course. I rolled my eyes internally; she loved drama and gossip.

I took a sip of coffee and braced myself to tell them everything.

I sat in silence while the girls processed what I had just told them with open mouths. I signed, “Can one of you just say something?” Emily recovered first. That didn’t surprise me.

“So you mated with Alpha Kol, and now your father is forcing you to move in with him?” I saw a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Everyone wanted Kol; why wouldn’t they? He was the alpha.

“Maybe this will be good for you; you always talked about finding your mate,” Liv said reassuringly. I smiled at her. She always knew what to say.

“I mean, it will be good to get to know my mate, and now that I’ve found him”—I paused, blushing, remembering the haze I’d felt—“I get to experience the haze in full effect.”

“Yas, queen!” Emily cheered, imitating humping. “You know it!”

“Jeez, Emily, calm down!” I laughed. We all giggled like small schoolgirls. It felt so good to be back with my girls again.

My phone buzzed. It was my father.

Dad

Gianna darling. It’s time. Come home.

I sighed. “Girls, I gotta go.” We exchanged goodbyes, and I drove home, not knowing what to expect. Why did it bother me so much? I was going to live with my mate.

~I should be excited! Yes, I’m excited. This will be good!~

KOL

I waited at the house nervously.

What was I supposed to have said when the king told me his daughter would be moving in? I mean, I was excited to spend time with my mate, but what if she didn’t like me?

What if she rejected me? I shook my head, pacing. I couldn’t bear the thought.

My ears pricked. There was her car coming up the drive. I took a deep breath and opened the door.

~Here we go.~

I saw her get out of the car. She was wearing a black blouse and dark denim jeans.

~Fuck.~

~She looked insanely beautiful.~

I smiled. “Hey, you,” I said. I offered to take her bags.

“Hey,” she gushed, handing me her suitcase. I motioned for her to go through the door first. She obliged, her eyes taking in my home.

~God, her body. ~Fuck~, I need her now.~

I gulped down my haze. ~Now’s not the time, Kol.~

“Would you like a tour?” I asked her. She glanced at me, blushing.

~Shit, she’s so beautiful.~

“Yes, please.”

I showed her each room in the house. I watched her eyes light up as she wandered, taking it all in.

~God, I could look at her all day.~

“And this is your room,” I said, opening the guest room door. She looked at me, kind of baffled.

“~You don’t want me to sleep with you~?” she whispered.

I licked my lips and looked at her. ~Like you wouldn’t believe~, I thought. “Of course I do! I just thought you would be more comfortable in your own room, until—until you were ready.”

I looked at her; she nodded understandingly. “That makes sense,” she said confidently. “Thank you.”

We looked at each other, eyes locked. Then it hit; molten-hot lava trickled down my body. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. My hair stood on edge.

I heard her gasp. My eyes snapped open, and I looked at her. She was feeling it too. The haze had hit. We lunged at each other.

GIANNA

I lunged at him. I was feeling this haze like you wouldn’t believe. I needed a release, and I needed it now.

I felt his hands on me, his lips on my neck. I moaned, melting into his arms. He scooped me up and walked me to the bed.

He threw me down on it, and I looked deep into his eyes. His deep, hazel eyes were ablaze with lust and passion. They looked me up and down, waiting for my invitation. Our eyes met, and I nodded.

He climbed on me, ripping my shirt open and kissing my neck.

~Fuck.~

~Shit.~

~Oh fuck.~

I couldn’t help it. I moaned at his touch. His hands roamed my body; my hips thrust up toward his; I wanted it all. I needed it all.

~Wait.~

~No.~

~Take me.~

~Yes.~

He was at my jeans now, undoing them, I groaned in anticipation. His hands wandered over my legs; his hot breath was on my panties, which were damp at the thought of what he was about to do.

~Yes.~

~Please.~

~Take me.~

He stroked me with his thumb through the fabric of my panties, his other hand cupping my breast. My eyes rolled in my head, and I moaned. It seemed to spur him on.

~Wait.~

~Are you sure?~

~Shut up. I want this.~

~Yes, but now?~

“~Yes~,” I panted as he removed my panties, gliding his tongue into me, in and out. He sucked and kissed my clit. I squealed in delight, “Ooooh yes.”

My back arched, heels digging into his back. His hands wandered my body. “You okay?” he asked, kissing his way up my body.

“Why’d you stop?” I panted.

He smirked, kissing my neck. “Were you enjoying it?”

“Oh yes,” I panted, my hands wandering his body, roaming over his abs and strong back.

~God, he’s hot.~

I knew he was well-built, but I’d never realized before just how strong his arms were.

He continued kissing me; the electricity shot through my body. Was I really going to sleep with him on the first night?

Was Diego right? I felt this man was my mate; that was obvious from my now very strong haze, but did he just want my power?

His hands wandered down my body, stroking my inner thigh. He fluttered kisses down my neck.

~No, Gia, fight this.~

~Wait.~

~Not today.~

“Wait! Wait! Stop!” I shouted, pushing him away.

He looked at me, baffled. “What’s wrong?” he asked. My heart panged, but I had to be honest with him.

“I’m… I’m sorry. I’m just not ready yet,” I whispered, looking down at my hands. I peeked a look at him through my lashes. His face went from bafflement to confusion to realization.

His mouth dropped open.

“~Gianna~,” he whispered, looking me up and down, “~are you a virgin~?”

I gulped, still looking down.

He put a finger under my chin, bringing my eyes up to meet his. “~Answer me~,” he whispered. I could see the golden flakes in his hazel eyes. I gulped, not breaking eye contact, and nodded.

“Yes,” I responded.