Page 48 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

I grin.

“Don’t,” she says.

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You thought something smug.”

“I’m a simple man.You looked at my dick.I’m allowed a moment.”

She makes a strangled sound.“I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

“No,” she says, tying her robe with aggressive little motions.“But I’m deeply annoyed by how much I don’t.”

We walk back to town hand in hand.That small contact feels more intimate than it should.Her fingers are laced with mine, and every now and then, she tightens her grip like she’s checking that I’m still there.I always squeeze back.

The bakery is dark when we reach it.Holly unlocks the back door, and we slip inside.The kitchen smells like sugar and yeast and home.I have no right to think that word in relation to this place, but it comes anyway.

Home.

Holly turns on one soft light above the prep table, then looks at me.The quiet changes.In the forest, the moon and wolf run carried us.Here, surrounded by counters and ovens and the life she built after surviving hell, the choice feels sharper.

She unties her robe, and my breath leaves me.

“Holly.”

Her chin lifts, but her hands tremble.“Don’t make me be brave alone.”

The words break something in me.I cross the space slowly.Not rushing.Not pouncing.Even though my body screams for both.When I reach her, I cup her face and kiss her with every ounce of restraint I have left.

Not to tame her.Not to claim her.Just to make sure she knows she’s not alone.She clutches at me, hands sliding over my chest, nails scraping lightly.I groan into her mouth and lift her onto the prep table.She gasps, then laughs against my lips.

“This better be sanitized.”

“I watched you clean it twice.”

“Good.Hygiene matters.”

“I’m about to lose my mind, and you’re discussing food safety.”

“I contain multitudes.”

“You contain trouble.”

Her smile turns wicked.“You like trouble.”

“I like you.”

The smile falters for a second, but I kiss it back into place.

My mouth trails along her jaw, down her throat, careful over the unmarked skin where my wolf wants to put his teeth.I feel her pulse racing beneath my lips as her hands slide into my hair, holding me there.

“No claiming,” I whisper.

She shivers.“I know.”

“Not until you’re ready.”