Page 32 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

“Daniel,” she says again.

This time, my name sounds different.Like a question.Like permission.Like trouble.

I turn her slowly, carefully, giving her every chance to push me away.She does not.

She faces me, eyes wide and dark, lips parted.Flour dusts one cheek.A stubborn little streak of pink frosting clings to the corner of her mouth.

I lift my hand and stop inches from her face.“Can I?”

Her gaze flicks to my fingers, then back to my eyes.“Yes.”

I wipe the frosting from the corner of her mouth with my thumb and her lips part wider.My thumb lingers.Every rational thought in my head falls silent.Then Holly rises onto her toes and kisses me.

It’s soft for half a second.Only half.Then the bond detonates.

I groan against her mouth, my hands locking on the counter on either side of her instead of her body.Her fingers fist in my shirt, dragging me closer, and I go because I’m only so strong.Her mouth is warm, sweet with sugar and frosting, and sharp with a need she has been fighting as hard as I have.

She kisses like she argues.Bold, defiant, a little mean, and completely addictive.

My wolf howls, demanding more, but I keep my hands firmly planted on the counter.

Holly notices.She pulls back just enough to breathe against my mouth.“You’re not touching me.”

“I’m trying very hard not to.”

“Why?”The question comes out confused and slightly insulted.

“Because if I start, I need to know you won’t regret it.”

Her eyes search mine before she takes one of my hands and places it on her waist, and my control fractures.Her body is warm beneath my palm.Soft and real.

Mine, my wolf snarls, but I shove him down because not yet.Not unless she says it.Not unless she wants the word.I kiss her again.Deeper this time.

She melts against me with a tiny sound that ruins whatever remains of my sanity.My hand tightens on her waist, the other sliding up to cup her jaw.I keep the touch careful, but there’s nothing careful about the way she presses closer, her breasts against my chest, her fingers gripping my shirt like she needs an anchor.

“Good girl,” I murmur before I can stop myself.“Just like that.You tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you.”

She trembles and her scent spikes.That reaction nearly ends me.

“Daniel,” she whispers, cheeks flushed, eyes stunned.

Too much.Maybe not for her body.But for her heart.

I see the moment old fear creeps in around the heat.The sudden tension.The tiny hitch in her breath.The way her eyes flick toward the door even though she’s the one who kissed me.

I step back immediately.Every instinct screams in protest, and I ignore all of them.Holly blinks as if I have slapped her.

Pain cuts through her expression.“Oh.”

“No.”The word comes out too sharp.I soften it, even though my body is shaking.“No, Holly.That is not rejection.”

Her eyes glisten with anger or hurt or both.“You pulled away.”

“Because you got scared.”

Her mouth opens.Closes.

I take another step back, giving her space, even though the distance feels like tearing skin from bone.