The Alpha King's Contracted Luna by Nelson Claudia

Chapter 166

-Ava POV

a

“And what you said afterward. That you loved me.”

The words lingered on the tip of my tongue, but as soon as I said the word sex, I saw the subtle shift in Grayson’s expression. His entire demeanor seemed to sharpen, his hackles rising ever so slightly. It wasn’t that he was angry–just alert, his focus zeroing in on me with an intensity that made my throat dry up. I stopped there.

I wasn’t even sure he realized he’d said those words during one of our more… passionate moments. And even if he had, I didn’t know if it was something he meant or just something that slipped out in the heat of mind–blowing sex. But for me, it wasn’t something I could just brush aside. I’d clung to it, turning the words over in my head more times than I cared to admit.

Still, this didn’t feel like the right time to bring it up. Not yet.

I realized he was staring at me, his piercing eyes making it impossible for me to think straight. My entire body heated up under his gaze, and I didn’t need a mirror to know my face had turned completely red. I suddenly regretted bringing up this entire conversation, silently cursing Isabella for planting the idea in my head in the first place.

“What about it?” he asked, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, yet curious.

I bit my lip, searching for words, and the corner of his mouth twitched in a way that made it clear he was holding back a smirk. That simple expression was enough to make me blurt out a rushed explanation.

“It’s not anything bad. Actually, it’s great–like, thinking–about–it–all–the–time great. I was just talking to Bels, and she had this stupid idea, and now that I’ve brought it up, I don’t even know why I did. Just forget about it.”

Grayson arched a brow, his lips tugging upward just slightly. “You want me to just forget about it? You said it’s about sex and now you’re telling me to forget about it? Would you?”

I groaned inwardly and looked down at the napkin in front of me, fiddling with the edge. “Well… no.”

His voice softened, coaxing. “What was the idea?”

It

gaze. neck as I avoided his way down my If I was red before, I was sure I resembled a tomato now. The heat spread all the didn’t matter how far we’d come as a couple–sometimes, Grayson still had the ability to completely unnerve me with just a look.

“She said I should… make a list. You know, of things I wanted to do. During… sex.” My voice faltered as I stumbled over the last word, shifting uneasily in my chair. “This was a bad time to bring it up.”

a moment. Then his voice broke the silence, amused and low, “Did you make the

to meet his, and I glared at him.

full, amused smile. “Of course, it’s not funny,” he said, his tone laced with humor that he didn’t bother hiding anymore. “And I’m not laughing at you. I

expression shifted, his eyes softening as he leaned slightly closer. “You can talk

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Chapter 166

doing,” I blurted out, the words rushing together in my nervousness.

I looked away, staring down

again, but this time, he didn’t laugh. Instead, he stayed quiet, letting me gather my thoughts.

the courage to speak again. “Its stuff I think I’d like to try. You know, to see

to open up and swallow me whole. Just as I was about to bury my face in my

our table, his gaze locked on Grayson as he asked, “What can I

wanted to burst out laughing. Grayson ordered without even glancing at the menu, his tone polite but firm. The waiter nodded, still avoiding eye contact

died down at that. Ten

a buffer. I

eyes were back on me. “Did you make the list?” he asked, his tone casual, as

would let it go, but his expression told me otherwise. He wasn’t going

I reached into my bag, fumbling through its contents until my fingers brushed against the folded piece of paper. Pulling it out, I handed it to him with reluctance, my eyes

I caught the briefest flicker of surprise in

page, moving slowly as he took in every word. My heart pounded in my chest, each

It was a comprehensive inventory of every dark fantasy, every curiosity that had ever crossed my mind. It wasn’t just one

done with her, I

didn’t say anything as he finished the first page and flipped it over to the next. His expression didn’t change–not a smirk, not a frown, not even a raised brow. That made it worse. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and the

his eyes. Then, slowly, a smile

he said, his tone

in my hands, groaning.

firm. “It’s not a bad idea.

even more. There was no