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Ryan tilted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to meet his gaze so that she could see his sincerity. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He whispered the words again as an apology to her hurt feelings before he claimed her mouth with his own.
His lips slanted over hers and his tongue teased the seam, seeking entrance. When she granted it he devoured her uncaring of their audience as he claimed her.
The scent of her arousal exploded in the air around them, but it was tainted with the flavor of her tears. Her fingers spread against his chest curling into the fabric of his sweater.
Done playing around, Ryan bent his knees and scooped her off the chair, finally breaking their kiss when she was securely in his arms. He carried her to the door, ignoring the shocked expression of the others around them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“You can put me down now.” They were outside and halfway to his house before she spoke. She could still feel the heat of her blush coloring her skin.
“No.”
Kelly sighed, annoyed by his tone and unwavering resolve, but she didn’t struggle in his hold, afraid that if she did he might drop her. He didn’t think she was alpha enough for him. He found her lacking. The knowledge made her sad and increased the turmoil she was already feeling.
She was about to demand to be put down again when he swung her over his shoulder making all the blood rush to her head. It wasn’t the least bit romantic, and she was ready to scream before she realized he’d done it to remove his keys from his pocket.
Once he had the door open and they were both inside, he returned her to her previous position cradled against his chest as if she were precious to him.
He kicked the door shut with his booted heel. It banged closed with a loud thump that startled her making her jerk in his hold.
“Goddamn it, Ryan put me down.” She gave his shoulder a solid wack with her fist, knowing it wouldn't hurt him but unable to restrain her anger towards him.
Would she ever be enough for him?The thought stalled as he tossed her down on the bed. She bounced once before settling into the soft mattress.
She glared up at him, unable to suppress her anger. “I’m not a sack of potatoes you can just throw around whenever you feel like it.” She pushed up on her elbows intending to leave the bed.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“So you’ve said. Three times now. It doesn’t change that you thought it...”
The rumble of displeasure started low and grew in volume and strength, a clear indication that he was frustrated and upset and losing his patience with her.
He came over her on the bed caging her in with his limbs so that she was trapped under him.
“Is this what life will be for me now? Me disappointing you? You controlling me with sex?”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“Feels like it.” She wiggled underneath him trying to put space between them, unable to miss the hard ridge of his erection when she squirmed against him.
“Then you haven’t been paying attention.” He bumped his crotch against her so that their bodies were more tightly aligned. It had the urge to fight draining out of her.
“You are my mate, Kelly.”
“Yeah but not because you want me to be. You find me lacking. You did when I was fifteen, and you do now.” She turned her face away from him, unable to maintain eye contact as she fell apart on the inside.
She felt tears burn in her eyes. She squeezed them shut not wanting to cry in front of him.
RYAN ROLLED TO his side, taking her with him so that she was no longer pinned by his weight. “Kelly, look at me.” He softened his tone when she scrunched her eyes more tightly closed as if wishing him away. “Please?”
His breath caught when she turned back to look at him. Her eyes held a golden light in them; they glowed like treasure sucking him in with an almost hypnotic quality.
“Our wolves, we are part of nature. Mates are a gift. Do you honestly think we could be so mismatched?” He kissed the tip of her nose, unable to resist the adorable slightly upturned slope and the smattering of freckles across its bridge.
She shook her head but didn’t speak. He captured her chin again refusing to let her escape the intensity of his gaze.
“I love you.” He felt her tremble where he held her and knew she would deny his claim. He moved and pressed his finger against her lips to keep her silent.
