“Yeah, before things go too far. In case we’re not compatible.” Not compatible? We’re freaking mates. “Casual doesn’t seem like your kind of thing.”
Oh. He doesn’t want to lead me on. And he isn’t wrong. I’m not really the no strings attached type.
However, casual isn’t the worst idea.
Recognizing him and seeing tantalizing glimpses of the man hiding underneath all his bravado has my mind skipping right to happy endings and fairy tales, but not too long ago, he was just Bane the jerk. Asshole Bane. The idiot who destroyed my bike when we were younger.
Seeing where this goes without any pressure sounds like the best option. There are no guarantees, even with fate, but just because something starts as casual doesn’t mean it has to stay that way forever.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “I can handle it. No strings attached.”
Before he can reply, I lean in again, capturing his lips with mine. Bane sucks in a sharp breath. His hands land on my sides, fingers tightening, like he’s tempted to pull me closer, before they gently push me back. “You sure about this?”
I nod, my heart racing. “Yeah. I want this.”
The night is silent around us. It seems to take forever before he speaks. I resist the urge to scream at him to make up his mind.
“Okay,” Bane says. “I’m in.”
10.Backseat Bane
Josh
Bane finds a secluded place to park, hiding his car near the tree line.
“This isn’t exactly private,” I point out. It’s better than being right at the front entrance, but we could still be discovered if any wolves are out running near the edge of our territory.
“It’s fine.” He kills the engine, confident our hiding spot is good enough. “Your pack is pretty chill. A defensive team isn’t going to swarm us, claws out and ready for war, just to investigate the suspiciously parked car.”
“No, of course not.” That was a pretty specific scenario he had ready to go. “Wait, is that what your pack would do?”
Instead of answering, Bane reaches over and cups my face, pulling me in for a deep kiss.
What was I worried about? His lips crash against mine, hungry and demanding. I don’t notice anyone nearby, and itfeels likewe have privacy here. I forget everything else.
All I can focus on is him. How his strong hands frame my face. The scent of worn leather from his favorite jacket. And the taste of him. God, it’s addicting. I need more.
A needy sound escapes my throat, and Bane growls in response, the vibration rumbling through me and sending heat pooling low in my belly. Kissing him makes my knees weak.
Maybe he’s the best kisser in the world. Maybe it’s because he’s my mate. Maybe both.
The only issue—”Ah, gearshift!” The stick jabs right into my belly.
“Come on,” he says, beckoning me to follow.
We climb into the backseat, the cramped space forcing us into close proximity. How convenient. His lap isexactlywhere I want to be. The instant I’m settled, his hands are on me, pulling my hips flush against his.
“You, uh. You’re wow. I have no idea what to do first.” My hands roam restlessly, mapping the hard planes of his chest and shoulders through his shirt.
“Got some ideas about that.” Bane’s hands slide back to cup my ass. Like it’s natural, our growing erections line up and we start grinding against each other.
The friction feels incredible, but too many layers separate us. I need skin against skin, need to feel every inch of him with nothing between us.
Bane must agree, tugging my shirt up while my hands attack the button on his jeans.
“Wait, ow, let me just—”
“Hold on a second.”
