My urge is to usher Monica outside, point at Juliet, and say,Look at her! Look at that funny, gorgeous, spirited woman! She knows all the parts of me, and she is here at my side. What in this universe led you to believe she was some placeholder? Someone I’d set aside for a childhood romance?
The idea disgusts me, and something of my feelings must show on my face because Monica ducks her head and steps back. Like she still harbors some instinctual fear toward me.
Juliet would’ve rolled her eyes in response to my glare or given my chest a shove, even knowing she couldn’t budge me. Just one more reason I know the librarian is the perfect woman for me.
Go to our mate, my wolf growls.
The animal inside of me has long been done with my first girlfriend and is just as annoyed as I am that we have to dealwith this. But as a leader, I’ve learned to speak in a calm, rational manner, no matter what my emotions are.
“We had a good relationship, Monica. I’m grateful for it. But I don’t regret ending it. I never have.”
She flinches as if I struck her, blinking rapidly to clear the glimmer of memory from her eyes.
Still, I push. “I want you to be happy. And I’m not the one who can do that for you.”
“You don’t know that.” She jerks her chin up, hope rising once again in her face.
A growl of frustration almost breaks free. It’s like she thinks I’ve martyred myself because I didn’t believe I was good enough for her. Like I’m living my life with a low opinion of myself and she needs to swoop in and convince me I’m worthy of the love of a good woman.
This isn’t some young adult paranormal romance with an angsty teen and hundred-year-old monster learning to love themselves.
I’m content with the man I am, and I know exactly whose love will make my life whole.
To end this pointless back-and-forth, I meet Monica’s eyes squarely.
“You can’t makemehappy. Not like Juliet does. My future is hers.”
41
JULIET
The second Roderickpulls the keys from the ignition, I jump him. Lightning fast, I have my seat belt off, and I’m climbing over the center console to straddle his lap.
The wolf accepts my onslaught with wide eyes and parted lips. Those are what I aim for, sealing my mouth over his.
Claiming my man.
I moan, loving the taste of him. He’s better than pie. And I would know, seeing as how I had three pieces tonight. Which is Roderick’s fault because he brought a variety and I wanted to taste them all.
But none compare to the baker himself.
“Juliet.” He groans my name against my lips, fingers digging into my hips, pressing me down against his hardening cock.
The sensation brings on a rush of power. For the moment, I’m taking up every bit of his focus. He’s homed in on me. Saying my name. His body tight with arousal because of what I’m doing to him.
So, why am I still thinking about Monica?
Because they have a past and you refuse to give him yours.
Can he accept never knowing all of me?
I rest my forehead against Roderick’s, panting as our combined lustful heat fogs up the windows.
“You want to be with me, right?” Shit, I hate how that just sounded like a plea.
“Fuck yes.” Roderick runs his nose up the side of my neck, breathing in deep.
“Even with Monica in town?” And I didn’t think I could sound any more pathetic.
