Page 77 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

I cup his face, my thumb brushing over his jaw.“If you stop, I’m going to be very cross.”

His smile flashes.“Can’t have that.”

“No.My wrath is legendary.”

“Terrifying.”

“Ask Patricia.”

His laugh brushes my mouth as he kisses me, and I melt instantly.It’s actually embarrassing how quickly I melt for this man.One kiss, and I’m no longer a competent business owner.I’m butter in a hot pan.I’m frosting left too close to the oven.I’m every soft, sweet thing I pretend not to be.

Daniel kisses me like he knows it.Like he loves it.

His hands move under my skirt, rough palms sliding over my thighs, thumbs stroking higher until I tremble.My fingers dig into his shoulders, brushing the buttercream still smeared across his chest.

I pull back, breathing hard.

His eyes search mine.“What?”

“You still have frosting on you.”

His gaze darkens.“Then clean it up.”Bossy handyman.

I lean forward and put my mouth to his chest, and Daniel goes perfectly still.

The first taste is sugar, lemon, and him.Warm skin beneath my tongue.His heartbeat thudding hard against my lips.I lick slowly, dragging the frosting from his chest while his hands tighten on my thighs.

“Fuck, Holly,” he rasps.

I smile against him.“Sanitary concerns?”

“None.”

“Good.”

I lick him again, slower this time, because power is a beautiful thing and I have learned to enjoy mine.Daniel groans, one hand sliding into my hair, not forcing, just holding.His cock presses against the open fly of his jeans, hard and thick and very interested in bakery work.

I nip his chest lightly, and he growls.The sound shoots straight through me.

“Careful,” he warns.

“Or what?”

His hand cups the back of my neck, and he tips my face up until our eyes meet.“Or I’ll bend you over this table and make you forget every smart thing you were about to say.”

My breath leaves me before I smile.“That would take a while.I know many smart things.”

His mouth finds my throat, kissing over the claiming mark.“I know.My clever mate.My beautiful, dangerous, sugar-covered trouble.”

My eyes flutter closed.His praise still does that to me.It melts something deep inside me.Something that used to be afraid to want too loudly.Daniel knows it, and because he’s both kind and evil, he never stops.

“You like that,” he murmurs against my skin.

“Yes.”

“You like it when I remind you what you are.”

“What am I?”