A Mate's Wish(14)

Too fast. This was too fast. There was too much between them right now, and he needed to think about what he wanted from her. Could he actually do what Magic suggested? Could he be with her and then let her go all over again?

He pulled away to look into her hooded eyes. “Dinner?” he husked.

She blinked away the fog of arousal. “I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Her chest heaved, brushing against his with every labored breath. His eyes dropped to the open collar of her polo shirt. He’d lick her collar bone next. And get this shirt off so he could—

“No food,” she murmured.

Reluctantly, his gaze went back to her eyes. “No food?”

Her teeth came down on her lip as she seemed to be considering something. “We can talk if you want. But I won’t do dinner.”

Renner frowned. Odd. But it wasn’t a ‘no’. “Deal. Meet me by the nativity after dinner?”

She nodded.

He released her hands and stepped back. The void he felt when their bodies were no longer connected was deep and wide. He had to find a way to change Magic’s mind. He’d make this mating work if she’d have him. Somehow.

***

Bethany went through the rest of the day in a haze. It was like she’d never been touched before. Like, she’d been asleep until Renner’s mouth woke her. And now that he was gone, she was only part there.

What the hell?

This was a dangerous feeling. She knew that much but felt powerless to stop it. If talking things through, as he’d suggested, helped her overcome this breath-robbing sensation, then she’d do it. But dear god, how was she going to stop from letting him have his way with her? And how could she reconcile this Renner with the boy from her past.

The boy hated her. Called her names. Made her life miserable. Laughed when she cried. Left her. Forgot her.

The man wanted her. Pursued her. Kissed her. Licked her. Like she was his favorite flavor.

Beth took a deep breath, hoping to stop the trembling she hadn’t been able to shake since the conference room.

But the man also wanted her to forget their past. Forget what he’d done, how he’d made her feel. How he’d shaped her beliefs about herself and her relationships. She didn’t know if she could.

She made her way to the back of the lodge restaurant where employees gathered for dinner. Layna was already there at an empty table. She waved Beth over.

“Sit,” she commanded. “I’ll get your food.”

“No, I can get—” She stopped Beth with a single look. “Okay. Thanks.”

Layna brought back a plate filled with Eagan’s meatloaf, homemade mashed potatoes and parsnips, and rolls the size of a baseball. The salad bowl was small but Beth went at it first even though she knew the meatloaf was the star of the meal.

“How are you?” Layna asked, using her straw to stir the ice in her cup.

“Fine.”

“Ren? Did you two work things out?”

Beth stuffed three forkfuls of lettuce in her mouth before she answered. “Not exactly.”

Layna eyed her, seeming to see past her short answers. “Damn. This is going to be trouble isn’t it?”

“Not if I leave,” Beth snapped.

“That’s not what I meant.”

Beth ate as fast as she could. She needed some time to unwind before she met with Renner, and this conversation was uncomfortable.

“It wouldn’t matter if you stayed or left. I know my brother and he’s… well… this is going to be complicated.”

Beth dropped her fork on her plate. “What do you mean by ‘this’ exactly?”

Layna stood and collected her empty plate. “Stick around and you’ll see,” she threw over her shoulder.

“Hey, I thought you wanted me to stay,” Beth called after her.

She glanced back. “I do.” A mischievous grin slid into place. “I never said I couldn’t appreciate a little bit of trouble. Just… be careful.”

“What’s she going on about?” Eagan scooted into Layna’s empty chair as she made her way out of the restaurant.

Beth shrugged and spooned some meatloaf into her mouth.

“How is it?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. The man took pride in his food. And his body. His arms were sculpted and she suspected the rest of him was too. But that knowledge didn’t leave her weak in the knees. She knew his tongue wouldn’t have her still trembling hours later as Renner’s had.

“Delicious,” she said, smiling. “Your best yet.”

“Ah, I believe you. A smile like that can’t be hiding a lie.”

Eagan was also a voracious flirt.

“Lookie there.” He reached forward and ran a finger across her cheek. “My favorite color.”