Page 28 of Is It Wrong to Escape My Fate? (Dealing With Fate #1)

“When things calmed down, and you never faced me afterward, I thought you hated me. Now I know you didn’t.” He wiped away an unshed tear. “Sorry. I’m not being very manly right now, and just after we kissed.”

“None of that crap. It’s very manly to express your feelings, especially to me.” I brushed my hand through his hair, remembering how I used to comb and style it with ribbons. “And there really is something you have to know.”

Eli’s gentle smile took me out for a moment. “You’re in love with my brother?”

He sensed something between us. Especially earlier … If he was a shifter, did he overhear my conversation with Amos with his supernatural hearing?

I wanted to answer yes to his question. It was easier to say than the true reason.

“Close.” I exhaled, letting him go. “I’m a little different now.

And one of those things …” I looked him straight in the eye, so he’d understand I was sincere and serious.

“I like sex, physical intimacy, and anything related to it. It’s an inherent need for me, like food and air.

I’m not ashamed to admit it. I also refuse to be locked down to one man to meet my needs. ”

Elias scrunched his face in deep thought. I appreciated his taking my statement seriously. “I understand having it as a basic need. What I don’t understand is refusing only one man to attend to it.”

That was a valid concern, and I was glad he brought it up. I was starting to think I was crazy for having three men agree to my preferences right from the start.

Aside from my experiences with previous exes and fubus who couldn’t satisfy me, I did have other reasons. “I know my limits and capabilities, and I can tell there will be issues. At the moment, I’m coping. I’m futureproofing to avoid potential conflicts.”

He eyed me curiously. “Why do you speak as if you have long-term experience?” Oh, fuck!

“I can imagine it in my mind,” I bullshitted.

“Especially with how busy everyone is with schoolwork and training. I can already foresee a lot of disappointment headed my way. And besides, it’s not viable to have an actual, long-term relationship with me as a noble daughter. I want to have fun at least, right?”

Despite having loving parents, I wouldn’t take it against them if they decided to betroth me to someone powerful. It was just the way society worked in this universe.

“What you’re saying is … now that I’m informed about your preference, I shouldn’t be surprised if I see you kissing someone else.” He fiddled with the edge of my dress. “If I wanted to kiss you.”

I got his attention and shook my head. “No. I need you to accept it, too. You don’t have to like it, but understand it’s a part of me that’s never going to change.

I’m willing to compromise on a lot of things, but this one is non-negotiable.

” I had so many conversations like this with all my ex-boyfriends.

Despite being straightforward and hammering it in, they still assumed they could “fix” me.

Then they get shocked when I break things off after they get mad and complain I had sex with somebody else while they were busy. They couldn’t understand me, despite laying it out already from the very beginning.

Elias smiled again, but this time forlorn.

“Can I be honest? I was kind of expecting this from the moment I saw you again in my hometown. Ever since I triggered my Unique, my senses heightened even when I’m not shifted.

You felt … different, you talked different, you even smelled different.

Sweeter. Like peaches and vanilla. And when you’re turned on, I can sense it several meters away, and it’s maddening because you’re constantly in need and I can’t do anything about it. ”

Eli was my horniness detector.

Oh, my god. I didn’t think — I knew for sure my thoughts weren’t always on the horny side since I kept trying so, so hard to think about my goal, my situation, and the academy life I would’ve gotten if I didn’t end up here.

But I could see my body craving extra intimacy, which might explain what Eli was sensing. I used to have sex nearly every day, compared to my one time here after a month of no action. And not enough kisses. Ugh!

Elias inhaled, shaking his head. “It’s intoxicating. There’s something raw and primal in me that wants to fuck and breed you. I’m sorry.”

Well … let’s just say I was so glad magic contraception existed, because I very much had a breeding kink.

Topic for another day. “Maybe it’s the dragon instincts?

” I tried a rationale despite having no real idea how creature shifting worked.

I did read about shifters sharing a soul with their beast. Did that mean there were actually two souls inside one body, or their souls merged, forming two halves?

That was possible?

“What instincts?”

“To reproduce,” I clarified. “Since dragons are most likely extinct. I’m not a dragon, though. Maybe it just feels that way to everyone horny around you.”

“I don’t sense this with other people, only you,” he informed me in haste, as if it was important that I didn’t misunderstand. “It’s like my grand vision. Like I’d always known I was meant for you. Circumstances didn’t matter. I am yours, Ela.”

I frowned. “Just like that — you’re swearing yourself to me despite the non-negotiable I talked about.”

“ In spite of it,” he corrected me, smiling. “I accept this new aspect of you. But I’m also new to this concept; will you take it against me if I realize it’s not for me, after all?”

“Of course not. As long as we communicate, we can be civil about it.” That was the key takeaway from my previous experience.

My relationships would’ve ended on good terms if we had been mature about it.

But no, emotions would run high, anger would take over and all hell would break loose.

And for me to repeat that all over again.

He moved closer, head only a few centimeters away from mine. “Will you tell me who the other men are?”

That was a topic we hadn’t broached yet. “I will once I have their consent.”

“You have mine. I want to know everything new about you.” He closed our distance, our lips moving in sync as his tongue quickly found its way inside my mouth, tasting me.

I braced myself, hands on his shoulders, as I kissed him back and parted my legs so he could move closer in between them. He growled lowly while he pressed his body close to mine, and I trembled at the intensity of his kiss, as if he was afraid I’d disappear any moment.

A long overdue kiss. I had always adored Eli for being my first and best friend, and it was wonderful he felt the same towards me. What better way to show our affection for one another than to make each other feel good?

Elias nibbled my lip as he pulled away. “If I could take you right now, I would. Unfortunately, your companions had found you. They’ll be here any minute. Dragon senses.” He paused before adding, “I’m just glad we established our relationship. I look forward to our future, Bea.”

I looked forward to it too, but what exactly was my relationship with him? Or with my other three men?