Page 20 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

“I hope so.”

“I meant...”He exhales slowly.“I meant I want to help because I care what happens to you.The bond is part of that, but it isn’t all of it.”

The bakery disappears for a heartbeat.The counter between us feels too wide and too thin at the same time.

I hate how carefully he says things, how he stops when he gets it wrong and corrects himself instead of bulldozing through.My first mate never corrected himself.He never needed to.Men with power rarely think they owe language any kindness.

Daniel looks like he wants to reach for me, but he does not.

I close the folder, my fingers trembling just enough that I hope he does not notice, but we both know he does.

“Lunch,” I say abruptly, and he blinks.“I have thirty minutes.”

His face changes.Not smug or victorious.Just pleased, warm in a way that makes my wolf sigh like a dramatic idiot.

“Okay,” he says.

“Don’t look that happy.It’s suspicious.”

“I’ll try to be miserable.”

“Thank you.”

I grab the brown paper bag and head toward the tiny table in the corner near the window.It is technically for customers, but I own the place, so customers can cope.

Daniel follows, and Maisie gives me a thumbs-up from behind the counter.I show her one finger, and she beams like I have blessed her.

Daniel pulls out the chair across from me, then pauses like he’s not sure whether the gesture will annoy me.It does, but it also does not.

I stare at him for a second, then sit.“Don’t make a thing of it,” I say.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“You’re absolutely dreaming of it.”

“Every man needs a dream,” he says softly.

“Dreaming is a terrible quality in a man,” I counter.

“Noted,” he deadpans.

He sits across from me, and the table suddenly seems too small.His knees almost brush mine underneath.Almost.That word is becoming a theme, and I don’t appreciate it.He opens the bag and pulls out containers.

Chicken salad.Fresh rolls.Fruit.Two slices of chocolate cake.

My gaze snaps to his.“Where did you get cake?”

“From the diner.”

I stare at him in horror.“You brought diner cake into my bakery?”I hiss in accusation.

His eyes widen.“Was that wrong?”

“That is like bringing a stray cat into a wolf den!”

“I didn’t know.”He looks chagrined.

“It’s dry, isn’t it?”