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“I didn’t realize that’s how it worked, but it makes sense. So, now what?”
He shrugged a broad shoulder and, now that he was fully dressed, gave her his complete attention.
“Would it really be so bad to spend the entire night with me?” she asked. Then it occurred to her he might have more “shifter stuff” to do.
His reluctance to answer had her biting her lip.
“I can just go back to the party and hang out there until my friends are done doing whatever, or whoever, they’re doing. I’m sure Uziel wouldn’t dare do anything stupid with that many people around.”
Oliver contemplated it for so long that Lily realized she was holding her breath. Finally, he spoke, sounding uneasy. “I have a room for the night at the mansion. We can go back there and sleep. You’ll be safe there with me until morning.”
His reluctance made her feel guilty.
“Listen, Oliver. I’m really sorry if I’m ruining your night. I’m sure you must have plans with other …” she cleared her throat as if the next words she was about to say were stuck, “…with other women. It is a free-for-all. You don’t need to shack up with me all night. So, go have fun, and I’ll figure this out. It’s my own fault, anyway.”
She flashed him a smile, trying not to let it show how desperately she wanted him to argue with her. If truth be told, she wasn’t sure she’d feel safe with anyone else other than him.
When he shook his head, she almost dropped to her knees singing Hallelujah.
“No,” he growled, pushing her up against the tree. “You’re not spending the night with anyone else. Do you understand?”
She nodded, absolutely thrilled by his response.
EIGHT
OLIVER
Oliver was so preoccupied in his mind that he scarcely heard Lily talking. When she questioned him about his distraction, he lied.
"I'm concerned about Uziel."
Her eyebrows lifted then fell with her understanding. "That's fair."
But he wasn't concerned about Uziel. He was far more preoccupied with the fact that his mate was now standing in a guest room with him at Callum’s mansion. How did this happen?
Well, realistically, he knew how this happened. The moment she explained that she was human, it all made sense. The moment he met her, his bear was scenting her true pheromones. That's why it kept repeating the word mate over and over.
Oliver had no idea how to handle this. He wasn't in the market for a mate. He even went so far as to try to convince her to leave the party and go home. But when she suggested they spend the night together, he simply couldn't turn her down.
He wanted to be with her again. He wanted to touch her, taste her, and feel her in his arms once more. He had to refrain. He had to keep his hands to himself. But he didn't want to.
Looking down at her, he took in the sight of her covered in mud. "Why don't you shower?"
She smiled softly. "That's not the worst idea."
She backed toward the bathroom, but instead of turning and heading inside, she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. His heart began pounding as she unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it.
Beckoning him with her finger, she turned and headed into the bathroom.
"Care to join?" she called out in a sultry, beckoning tone.
Oliver's eyes followed the sway of her hips and watched as she left the bathroom door wide open in invitation. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog that had taken over his brain. As he stood to follow her, the scent of her soap drifted from the bathroom, goading him on.
When he got into the bathroom, he froze. His eyes scanned her from top to bottom. She was cleaning herself, skin glistening with soap and water, but his focus remained on her perky breasts. They were perfectly shaped and not too large or too small, just right for him. She turned around slowly and looked at him over her shoulder, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"What's wrong?" she purred. "Cat got your tongue?"
She stepped forward and let her fingers brush against his chest before tracing down to his belt buckle. She pulled hard, popping it open.
