THE SUBSTITUTE LUNA (IRIS and DRACO) novel Chapter 14

IRIS.

I let my eyes roam around his office. It was big, way bigger than Constantine’s, and I could tell the furniture was expensive. The cabinets and his desk were huge. They were of wood color and sparkling, like they were new. The whole floor was carpeted, and the curtains were a dark shade of red, making the whole room cozy and warm. And then the sofa—I wondered if the brass color was really made of brass or just imitations like in my father’s home.

“Are you done assessing my office?” The Alpha’s voice snapped me from my thoughts as the coffee was taken from my hands.

My eyes went to the Alpha, who was already sipping it but kept his eyes on me.

“I got distracted, Alpha. I’m sorry. Your office is beautiful.”

“Thank you.” He nodded. “This tastes good. I should ask you to make me a cup every morning.”

I couldn’t help but smile widely. “I’ll be happy to make you one, Alpha, any time you like.”

He turned around and set the cup on his desk before looking back at me. “I want to put up a wall clock, but I don’t know where I should. Do you think it would fit there?” He pointed to the wall near the big window and then to the wall directly in front of his table. ”Or there?”

I licked my lips. “I suggest near the windows, so you don’t see it every time you look straight ahead, and it won’t distract you unless you need to check the time. But if I may also suggest, Alpha, a grandfather’s clock would look beautiful against that wall. I think it’ll complement your couch and the curtains if you can find one that’s the same tone as the rest of the furniture.”

“I can order a custom one.” He said.

I nodded and didn’t say anything. The room fell silent, and I had no idea what to do next. I knew I should excuse myself, but I also didn’t want to go. Besides, I had no idea what else I should be doing.

“I’m busy today…” The Alpha said, and my shoulders slumped. He was kicking me out.

“... but I already asked Liam, my Delta, to accompany you to the center. You can buy clothes and personal items.”

“Alpha, I don’t have my money yet. Once Beta Roman is able to get the money from my room, I can…”

I was not able to finish my words because he had already cut me off. “I’ll give you money to buy things.” He said as he pulled out his wallet and handed me a credit card. “Take this. The code is written at the back.”

I shook my head.

“Iris, I don’t expect you to have money. I would rather you buy your own clothes than have someone lend you theirs.”

“I don’t know how to use a bank card.”

His forehead creased as he raised it between us. “Have you never used one?”

I shook my head. “Constantine pays all the time, and I have never gone shopping with my family before.”

His jaw tightened, and I regretted saying the last part. I didn’t want him to think I was bad-mouthing his mate.

“You just need to insert the card and enter the code. Sometimes, you just swipe it over the terminal.” He explained, but I was glad he didn’t push for it. “Will you be more comfortable with cash?”

I nodded.

He took out bills from his wallet, handing them to me.

I took them, eyes widening as I looked back at him. “This is too much, Alpha. I don’t think I need that many.”

The smell of his breath—coffee and peppermint filled my nostrils and made my knees weak. Heat rose from my stomach to my chest, and my heart definitely skipped a beat as I watched the Alpha’s lips closing in.

Then it happened.

He crushed his mouth against mine as his hand moved to the back of my head and pushed me toward him. My hands on his chest crawled up and snaked around his neck as I kissed him back.

The Alpha was holding me tightly that my body was arching as I clung to him, kissing him hard—harder than I did on our first night together.

Soft moans escaped my lips, and he responded with grunts coming from his throat. I could feel his erection against my front, and I was sure he could smell my arousal.

My whole body was on fire, but just as I was about to melt, he stopped kissing me. But this time, he didn’t totally pull away. His lips parted mine, but he rested his forehead against mine. He was panting, and so was I.

“Iris… I have things to do.” He said in a low, hoarse voice, his breath fanning against my skin.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” I mumbled back.

Our faces were still closed, lips almost brushing against each other. I didn’t mind that I was standing on my toes so I could reach his face. I wanted to remain in this position.

We were too close—too intimate, and it was giving me too many emotions I had never experienced before.

But our moment was cut short when the door to his office opened.

My heart thundered as I prayed to the Goddess that it was not Felicity, that she didn’t catch us in this position.