Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 117

Chapter 117

Iris’s POV

I woke up slowly, my mind was still foggy with sleep. The first thing I noticed was how warm I felt, like I was wrapped in a cocoon of warmth. The second thing I noticed was the dull ache between my legs.

My eyes snapped open instantly.

Memories from last night came flooding back. Rowan’s hands on my skin. His mouth on mine. It was not a dream.

Heat crept into my face before I could stop it

I turned my head and there he was. He lay on his side facing me with one arm wrapped loosely across my waist.

His dark hair was messy. His face looked younger in sleep. He looked so peaceful in a way I had never seen when he was awake.

The urge to reach out and brush his hair away from his face was almost overwhelming. I wanted to trace the line of his jaw, to feel his skin again.

He looked beautiful.

That thought made my chest tight. Last night he had made me feel beautiful too. Th way he looked at me, touched me, like I was something precious.

He had knelt before me with admiration in his eyes as he trailed kisses down my body. “You’re beautiful, Iris,” he had whispered.

Almost like he could feel my anxiety, my fears, my insecurities.

But his words, and his touch, had eased them all, they made me feel seen, desired. The memory of his lips on my breasts sent a shiver through me.

Rowan murmured something in his sleep and pulled me closer. For a heartbeat I let myself stay there, relaxing into his hold.

But then reality crashed over me like a bucket of ice water.

Rowan was engaged to Chloe. The same Chloe who hated me with passion.

My stomach twisted. What had I done?

I had sworn to myself after Evie died that I would never get involved in complicated situations again.

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Chapter 117

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And here I was, tangled up in sheets with an engaged man.

I squeezed my eyes shut. What had I done?

Panic started to rise in my throat. I needed to get out of here. I needed to think.

Rowan shifted again. My heart jumped wildly. I inched backward, trying to slip from under his arm without waking him.

His grip tightened.

“Iris.” His voice was still thick with sleep.

I froze.

He blinked a few times, then when he remembered where he was, a slow smile spread across his face. “Good morning.”

The warmth in his voice made my chest ache even more. His eyes were a very soft shade of brown.

“Good morning,” I said quietly, pulling the sheet up to cover myself.

He rested himself up on his elbow, studying my face. “You okay? You look upset.”

I swallowed hard. “This was a mistake.”

The smile faded from his face immediately. He pushed himself up on one elbow wi confusion on his face. “What?”

“Last night. What happened.” I gestured between us. “It was a mistake.”

Rowan sat up fully now, his expression darkening. “A mistake? Are you serious right now?”

“Yes, I’m serious.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “Iris, I asked you multiple times if you were sure. You said yes. You wanted this just as much as I did.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. He was right, of course. But that didn’t change anything.

“I wasn’t thinking straight,” I said, avoiding his eyes. “I had just woken up from a sex dream, and then you were there, and I was still… affected by it. I wasn’t in the right headspace to make that kind of decision.”

Rowan’s jaw tightened. “So what, you’re saying I took advantage of you?”

I shook my head instantly. “No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

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Chapter 117

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“Then what are you saying?” His eyes were getting darker. “Because it sounds like you’re trying to rewrite what happened last night.”

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “I’m saying it shouldn’t have happened. It was a mistake. You’re engaged, Rowan. To Chloe.”

Something flickered across his face at the mention of her name, and his jaw tightened.

“My relationship with Chloe is complicated,’ he said carefully.

“Complicated or not, you’re still engaged to her,” I shot back. “And I promised myself I would never get involved in situations like this.”

“Situations like what?”

“Messy. Complicated. The kind where people get hurt.” My voice cracked slightly. “I can’t be the reason someone else gets hurt again.”

Rowan frowned. “Again? What are you talking about?”

I shook my head. I couldn’t tell him about Evie. Especially not now.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “The point is, this can’t happen again.”

“Iris-”

“I mean it, Rowan. Last night was a mistake. We both got caught up in the moment, but it’s over now.”

He stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching my face. “You’re really going to sit there and tell me that meant nothing to you?”

My heart clenched. It had meant so much to me. That was the problem.

“Yes,” I lied.

Rowan’s expression hardened. He got out of bed and started pulling on his clothes.

“Fine,” he said coldly. “If that’s how you want to play this.”

“It’s not about playing anything,” I protested. “I’m trying to do the right thing here.”

He whirled around to face me. “The right thing? The right thing would have been saying no last night if you didn’t want it. Not leading me on and then acting like I forced myself on you.”

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Chapter 17

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