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She laughs softly, but I need to swallow down a growl at her joke. My wolf doesn’t appreciate the mention of other males, but I don’t comment. My silence doesn’t go unnoticed, however, and Maya observes me intently out of the corner of her eye.
“Everything okay there, Nathan?”
She wriggles her fingers and I realise I’ve been gripping her hand a bit too hard. Turning to face her, I take her hands in mine.
“I have no right, but I don’t enjoy thinking about you and other men. It makes me jealous.”
Maya’s eyebrows fly to her hairline. She looks surprised I’d confess those feelings, probably because it makes me look like a complete hypocrite. But why wouldn’t I feel that way?
“Goddess, I wish I didn’t have to explain this, that we met differently, but I wasn’twiththat girl last night, and she’s not my girlfriend. Not that you want to hear about it, but I wanted you to know that.”
This is excruciating. Pulling my fingernails off would be more pleasurable than having this conversation, and I pray she doesn’t ask what we got up to because we weren’t playing cards. Thankfully, she merely nods and begins walking again. We’re moving in a slow circle along the edge of the woods, still in view of the party, but far enough away that we have privacy in the disappearing light. This isn’t a conversation to have anywhere near nosy shifters with excellent hearing.
“Do you always tell the truth, Nathan? With women, I mean. Will you be honest with me?”
Maya looks straight ahead, refusing to meet my eye, and I watch as her cheeks pink and her shoulders stiffen. She’s just as uncomfortable having this discussion as I am.
“Always, Maya. When I tell you that you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in my life, and I’m drawn to you in a way I never imagined, I mean every word.”
That’s one thing I pride myself on. I’ve never purposely led someone on or fed them bullshit to get them in bed. I am always clear about what is, and what isn’t. My mate should never need to question a word that comes out of my mouth. She should trust me in every way.
Maya nods before her grip on my hand tightens. It feels like acceptance and hope swells inside me. We walk slowly, still hand in hand, and I wait, knowing that’s not the end of what she wants to know.
“If we were to act on this attraction, what then?”
Her expression is earnest and vulnerable, but there’s a sparkle in her eyes. This moment seems pivotal, and I need to make sure I get this right. Words don’t seem like enough, so I step in closer, watching her startled expression carefully for any sign of doubt as I tenderly cup her face in my hands.
For a second, I think she’s going to pull away from my touch, but she doesn’t. Her chest rises and falls in time with my own. I swear our hearts are beating in sync as I lower my lips to hers, hovering millimetres away, again giving her the option of stopping this. My lips brush hers as I open my mouth to speak, her sweet breath mingling with mine as we stare into each other's eyes. Time stands still.
“Then I spend every day showing you that you made the right decision by giving me a chance.”
“Every day, eh? Don’t get too ahead of yourself,” she teases, amused by my candid words.
It seems I’ll need to show her how serious I am.
CHAPTER 6
NATHAN
As I lean in, I feel like punching the air in celebration when Maya doesn’t move away. Pressing my lips softly to hers, I fight the need to drag her body against mine. Even though I long to hold her close to me, I resist. I’m rock hard, have been all day, but that’s my problem, not hers. A case of blue balls is getting off lightly, considering what she witnessed. The fact she hasn’t flipped out at me is a miracle.
Maya softens and melts into the kiss, her breasts pressing into my chest as she winds her arms around my waist and strokes up my back. My cock nudges against her hip and her shocked gasp lets me know the second she realises exactly what it is.
“Nathan,” she murmurs dreamily, eyes still closed as I pull away, tucking a strand of silky dark hair behind her ear. She smiles at me as her eyelids flutter open, looking dazed and lightheaded. I keep my arms wrapped around her protectively as I rest my chin on the top of her head, sighing contentedly when she nuzzles into my chest. We fit together perfectly. I can’t help pressing my nose to her hair to take in her addictive scent.
“I suppose I should stop being selfish and return the guest of honour to her party,” I grumble, not happy at the thought. Maya’s lips turn up in a smile against my t-shirt at my sulky tone. Going back and making small talk is the last thing I want to do.
“Nobody will notice. There are other new arrivals…” she offers playfully, but we both know that’s not true.
“Yes. But all of them are under strict instructions to report daily to your brother and are probably searching for you right now.”
I’m not even joking about that part. Peter left me under no illusion about what their priority is while here. Protect Maya first. Integrate and learn from our pack second. Dean runs a tight ship, and they’re not about to risk his wrath if anything happens to her.
“Mmm.”
Maya’s voice sounds dreamy, and I get the impression she’s not even listening to me. She’s just enjoying being in my arms as much as I am being in hers.
“Come on. Back to the party for an hour. Then I’ll tuck you in.”
