“That’s really thoughtful of you,” I say softly.
He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Least I could do. Wynn’s family has always been good to me.”
A man who cooks is a keeper. I assumed that was just something straight women said. Watching this gorgeous hunk of wolf craft a meal from my disaster, I finally understand. Can confirm. It’s very attractive.
An ache forms in my belly, not for food, forthis.I long to be a part of his world, to come home to each other every night. To set the table while he cooks and talk about our days.
My fond feelings must be clear as day on my face. When he glances up from stirring the tomato sauce, he releases a tortured groan. “Don’t start. Don’t tempt me.”
“I know you feel guilty, but I really think we can move past what happened before.”
“No, it’s not that easy. You don’t get it, Josh.”
“You don’t think I feel terrible too?”
He looks shocked. “You have nothing to feel guilty about.”
“See, I know I never rejected you, but it doesn’t matter. YouthoughtI did.” Reaching out, I grab his arm to stop him as he stirs the sauce. I gently get him to step away from the cooking and focus on me alone. “Ihatethat people used my name to hurt you. I hate that I fed into those lies by running from you. And just like you, I hate that I wasn’t brave enough to confront you. To say, ‘Hey, dick, what’s your problem with me?’ What if that could have changed everything?”
If any one of a million little things went differently and forced us to actually confront each other, we could have figured it out much sooner. I’m trying to be grateful that everything is out in the opennow.
“Don’t think for one second I don’t know what’s holding you back,” I continue. “Because I do. I also know you never would have been cold to me if you’d known the truth.”
He looks away, his jaw clenching. “How can you think that? How can you have any faith in me?”
“Because it’s destroying you to think you hurt me,” I answer simply.
He’s gutted at the thought of being cruel to me now that he knows I was innocent. He’s afraid of being with me and hurting me again. I guess that’s what a mate is supposed to do, try to protect the other one.
And all I want is to erase his pain. That’s what mates do too.
“We can’t change the past, but do you know what I see now? Two people who really hate the thought of causing each other pain. Sounds like a good place to start from where I’m standing.”
“Josh, I-I… of course part of me wants to go forward from here and spend each day trying to make you happy. But you deserve better.”
Oh, for the love of—I throw my hands in the air.
“No, you know what I think? Webothdeserved better.” I point a finger at him and order, “Don’t be an idiot. Don’t refuse because you think that’s what’s best for me. I didn’t get a chance to respond to your courting gift the first time. I didn’t get the choice.” I put my hands on my hips and glare for all I’m worth. “Don’t you dare take that away from me again.”
Bane stares at me for several seconds, at a loss. “I, uh, I didn’t realize you felt that way.”
“I do. I get to choose this time. Okay?”
“O-okay.”
I take a deep breath. “For the record, you getting me a basket for my bike as a courting gift was the sweetest, most thoughtful gesture. I wish I could have told you back then.”
“Yeah?” he whispers. “You’d have liked the basket?”
“I’d love it.” I give a sheepish laugh. “Back then, I wouldn’t have been able totell youthat because your gift was so perfect it would have broken my entire brain. Honestly, I had zero experience with guys then, which is completely embarrassing, but it’s true. I probably would have blushed and stammered and been a total idiot. And then when you finally just asked if I liked the basket, I’d nod so hard I’d sprain something in my neck.”
His soft laugh feels like a victory. “Sounds nice.”
“Yeah.” I grin, feeling a bit bold. “So, I thought I’d get the ball rolling this time and get something for you. Um, wait. I like the gift part, but we’re not going to followallyour pack’s old customs for courting because that did not go well the first time.” A twinge of guilt stirs within me—he’s still the Alpha’s son and I’m still from a different pack. “I hope that doesn’t put you in an awkward position—”
“Oh, fuck that,” he interrupts me. “Nope. We’re not doing that again. My pack can deal with being out of the loop.”
I slide open a nearby drawer and retrieve a rectangular jewelry box, my heart hammering against my ribs. This exploded in my face last time.
