“Um, Quinn. I don’t know what you’re doing buddy, but I can hear your woman breathing mighty hard.”
“Fuck,” Quinn cursed and ended the call. He stepped away from the temptation of Paige. He didn’t want to stop. He wanted to wallow in her sweet vanilla smell and savor the rich honey he knew waited for him between her rounded thighs.
Paige’s body was on fire again. Just a few quick strokes of Quinn’s fingertips and the raging inferno flared back to life. God, she was such a wanton. When he stepped away and ended his call, she quickly covered herself. From the conversation, she gathered his brothers needed him at the construction company. She couldn’t help the feeling of disappointment that raced through her. She wanted to spend the night with him, the whole freaking week. It was only a blind date, Paige, she reminded herself sharply. Remember, it was only a blind date.
“I’ve got to go.”
“I know,” she hesitated. Should she be the one to say goodbye first?
“I don’t know how long this will last—”
“I understand.” Again, no expression of expectation. The night had been fun. More than fun and that was enough.
Quinn looked down at her and frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no.” She shook her head, “You’re a busy man.”
“Look, I don’t like leaving like this.” He ignored his phone when it buzzed again. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“All right,” she said, not believing for a minute that he would.
He caught her to him and his mouth descended ruthlessly. Surprised by his action, she didn’t have time to strengthen her resolve and melted beneath the onslaught of his savage kiss, the possession of his touch. She felt the hunger in the unrelenting pressure of his mouth, and little sparks of desire burned through her veins as he dragged her hard against his chest. Against her will, her hands ran up his arms, over his masculine shoulders. She tangled her fingers in the thick hair at the back of his neck. His mouth left hers, raining kisses over her cheek and down her neck where he whispered her name against the tender skin of her throat. She could have sworn she felt the sharp sting of his teeth where her neck joined her shoulder. Quickly, she forgot everything as he claimed her mouth again. His tongue plunged inside and she felt like she was being branded.
He broke off the kiss and cradled her face in his hands. “Now tell me what’s wrong,” his voice sounded tense now, concerned even.
“Nothing.”
Quinn knew Paige could see the golden fire of his gaze, and that she didn’t know what it meant. It meant he was losing control over his bear. His mate was on verge of rejecting them and the animal was going crazy. He, they, needed more time with her tonight. More time to cement the brand new bond. Damn it to hell and back. He had to go. He closed his eyes. If he continued to look at her he’d say to hell with everything and carry her to bed and not let her out for a week. Or more.
“My brothers are depending on me being there.” It was true Ryland and Ryker could deal with the threat, but with three bears they could cover more territory, faster. With shifters, finding a trail was a hell of a lot easier when the tracks were fresh. And there was a damn thunderstorm on the way. If they didn’t search tonight, they’d have to wait until the jackals struck again. Something he didn’t want to chance. He wanted this threat over and done with so he could concentrate of winning his mate.
When she didn’t respond, he muttered a curse. “I have a feeling if I leave you now you’re going to have some elaborate excuse made up to never see me again. I thought we had something special going on here.”
Paige didn’t answer. Her face turned a bright red and he knew she was remembering the pleasure of her release. He wanted to do that to her again.
“Look, we had a good time—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence. Yes, we had a good time. Are having a good time. And no, I’m not trying to ditch you now. Would I have made you come if I was? I’m not that damn selfless.” She didn’t answer, just stared at him with that innocent gaze. A gaze clearly filled with doubts about his attraction to her. He captured her hand and rubbed it against the front of his pants. Along the hard rigid of his cock. “Does that feel like I don’t want you?”
“No,” she whispered.
“I want to fuck you so badly I hurt.” He was suckling on the lobe of her ear, nuzzling her neck. “I want to feel your heat. I want to see how wet I can make you. Please don’t shut me out, say you’ll see me again.” She didn’t know it, but even if she said no, he wasn’t about to let her go without a fight. He’d woo her, court her. Oh, who the hell was he trying to kid? He’d sling her over his shoulder and take her back to his apartment. His bear roared in agreement.