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Crossing her arms, she said, “I don’t want to be insulted that you’re skulking out the back of Mal’s house like a thief, and it just happens to be exactly the same time that I showed up here.”
He blew out a breath and turned to face her.
Her whole body lit up, and her wolf rolled around inside her, wanting to get close and rub all over him. Only a few feet separated them, but the pull between them was so strong it was all she could do to keep her feet firmly planted.
“Hello, Mia.”
Damn, but he was gorgeous.
“Why are you taking off?”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment; simply stared down at her from a foot above her petite frame. “I don’t suppose you’d believe that I got a work-related call and had to leave.”
“No.”
“Mal told me when I got here that Nila had arranged this dinner as a cover for you to talk to me. He’s angry because he thinks I’m trying to muscle my way into your life, but I’m pissed as hell that the first invitation I get to their house since they’ve mated is because you want to have a conversation with me.”
She blinked a few times in surprise. “Are you mad at me?”
He let out a short growl. “Shit, Mia. You’re Mal’s baby sister.”
“I’m myownperson, Lucian. Nila was trying to help. I didn’t ask her to, but she offered.”
“Fine, then say your piece.”
He crossed his arms over his chest in a way that felt like he was erecting a wall between them.
Her mouth went dry, and her heart pounded. She’d had this conversation in her head a million times, but now words were failing her. This wasn’t how she’d pictured it happening, with him looking furious after she caught him trying to sneak away. She was tempted to leave, but she had a feeling that if she did, she’d never see him again. It was now or never.
“I think we’re mates,” she blurted out. Her cheeks flamed at the abrupt words, which had flown from her mouth like they had minds of their own. That wasdefinitelynot anything she’d planned to say.
If he was surprised by her admission, he was a very good actor, because he showed zero emotion at her outburst.
“I’m human, Mia.”
“So?”
“Humans don’t have mates.”
“Malachi would disagree.”
He snorted. “I’m not him.”
“I know that.”
“Then know this,” he said, stepping close. “My life is as dangerous as it gets. There is not, and never will be, room in my life for a mate or a wife, or whatever the hell you want to call it. If you believe we’re mates, then you’ve never been more wrong. You’re my business partner’s sister and of no consequence to me.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Lucian.”
His upper lip curled, and she swore she saw his teeth lengthen. “Goodbye, Mia.”
He spun and disappeared into the woods, leaving her alone in the darkness. She stared after him until her eyes watered and her heart cracked. He wasn’t playing a joke on her, rushing back and swearing he’d been in love with her since they were kids and he’d taught her how to roller skate. This wasn’t the first day of their life together; it was the moment her whole idea of love had been shattered by someone she’d thought she knew.
The screen door creaked and her brother joined her, slipping his arm around her shoulders and giving her a one-armed hug.
“I’m sorry, kiddo. It’s better this way.”
“For you?”
