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If he’d realized one thing when he’d been flying down the highway on his way to rescue her, it was that he might not have known the dryad long, but he felt something for her.
More than annoyance.
More than attraction.
Garou said it best. Mine.
The problem being, he had no idea how she felt about him.
The cabin he rented was the one furthest from the rest. Bathed in a late afternoon sun that filtered through healthy green trees, the A-frame didn’t have much room inside, not that Daphne cared.
She sat outside, lotus style on the picnic table. Eyes closed. Hands on her knees. Face uplifted to the sun. She looked peaceful.
Beautiful.
As she communed with nature, he kept watch from the porch. Guarding. Admiring. But nothing more.
He’d almost forgotten why he didn’t deserve pleasure.
He most certainly wasn’t worthy of someone like Daphne.
But that didn’t stop the yearning.
Chapter 14
Daphne felt the beast’s gaze on her. Anyone else she might have snapped and told them to look elsewhere or lose their eyes. But with Baptiste, she found a certain measure of satisfaction in knowing he watched.
Someone coyer might have simply assumed he did it to safeguard her meditation, however, the tingling awareness in her body claimed otherwise. Add in his previous smoldering interest and the protectiveness, all signs that indicated he cared for her as more than simply a companion on a quest.
He wants me.
At the same time, she knew he’d never actually do anything about it. He remained too busy flagellating himself.
She, on the other hand, saw no reason to abstain. On the contrary, she found herself thinking of him, wondering what it would be like to take him as a lover.
The man had come to her rescue. A novelty. Daphne had never had anyone save her intentionally before. Usually, Daphne had to be the hero, the one risking her life for others. It felt nice to have someone who cared enough to put themselves in peril for her.
As the sun set, he approached and draped a blanket around her shoulders. The simple and kind gesture drew her gaze to him.
“Hungry?” he asked.
In that moment she realized she was, but not for food.
Daphne had never learned the art of flirting. She didn’t know how to be subtle, hence why she launched herself at his body and mashed her mouth to his. A kiss that lacked finesse and caught him by surprise.
He recovered quickly, his hesitancy lasting only a second before he returned her embrace. His hands drew her against his solid frame. He hummed as he kissed her, a low, growling sound that sent shivers throughout her body.
Being Baptiste, he pulled away. “We shouldn’t.”
“Why not?” she complained.
“Because.”
The one word arched her brow. “That’s not a reason.”
His lips flattened. “Because I’m not worthy.”
At that reply, she snorted. “According to you.”
