Tarnished(10)

“I’m wasting your time,” she told the window and the day at large. Her voice hovered above a whisper. “I don’t want this. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have led you on like I did. I—”

“Couldn’t help it. I know.” He used all the willpower in his possession to keep from reaching for her. She was plastered to the door, her fingers wrapped around the handle.

If he could just spend as much time with her as possible, maybe she would warm up to the idea. She might actually like him if she gave him a chance. He needed that chance. Right now he wasn’t convinced he’d ever get her back if she stepped out of his cab and walked away.

Was the connection solidified enough? Could she deny him and go on with her life?

“You make it sound so simple. I hate that. Detest it. Life isn’t simple.”

“You’ve fought this notion a long time. Why?” He really didn’t understand. Sure, he too hadn’t wanted a woman. He loved being alone, having his own home. No one to answer to. No one to tell him what to do. No one to mess up his space.

But the second Mackenzie Davis had stepped into his day, all that previous baggage had disappeared. Poof. Into thin air. He had no idea now why he’d ever thought his life was complete without a woman. Without Kenzie. Her smile. Her scent. Her hair. Her sexy body—albeit hidden under a bulky sweater.

She didn’t answer. Did her parents have a rough relationship? It was unusual, but not unheard of. What had pushed her to this extreme?

“I should go.” She didn’t move. Her knuckles were white with her grip on the handle.

“Stay. Spend a little more time with me.”

“Why?” She turned to him, releasing the door. “So you can convince me to let you fuck me by turning me into a pile of goo with your damn pheromones? No, thank you.”

Wow. Jesus. She had some hang-ups. But at least she recognized what was happening. If she could verbalize her predicament that well, she was feeling as much for him as he felt for her.

“Stay for entirely different reasons, then. Stay because you enjoy my company. Stay because you trust me to keep my hands to myself.” He held both palms in the air. “Stay to let me prove I’m worthy,” he muttered.

“That’s just it. It doesn’t matter if you’re worthy. I don’t want this … thing.”

She was scared. That was it. Frightened beyond belief.

She whipped around and grabbed the door handle to yank it open. In moments, she’d jumped down from the cab and jogged away from him. He’d heard the catch in her voice, the near sob.

It took every ounce of self-restraint he had to keep from going after her. It was exactly what she expected. That she wouldn’t have her own choices anymore. That she’d lose herself if she let him claim her. She was wrong. He adored her for who she was. He knew it even after only this brief time.

He even respected her decision and her supposed choice to deny this mating.

No. He had to let her go. For now. All he could do at this point was pray to every sort of god on earth that she wouldn’t be able to run very far or very fast before she caved. Preferably today, or at least tonight.

If she went home and went to bed, would she be able to sleep? He knew he wouldn’t. His dick needed assistance in the worst possible way. It was going to be a long wait. Two minutes was too long to wait for Mackenzie. But he suspected his torture was going to last way longer than that.

Please, gods of the universe, make her see the light before this weekend is over. I don’t think I can go home without her.

— • —

Mackenzie ran. She ran past the buildings, where she envisioned everyone laughing inside, reuniting with friends and loved ones, enjoying the weekend of finding new love and falling for their mates. She didn’t want that. Not now. Not ever. It was stifling. It sucked the air out of her lungs and the life out of her body.

She ran toward the tree line at the back of the property.

When she got to her destination, she glanced back. He hadn’t followed her. Nobody had. She was alone. Always alone. She sobbed. It was her own fault she was alone. This time and every other time. She didn’t need anyone. Did she?

She stepped between the trees, already pulling her sweater off.

Spotting a stump, she dropped her sweater and tugged off her shoes. Her jeans followed. In no time at all, she’d divested herself of her tank top, panties, and bra. It took only seconds to shift, and she tore into the woods at warp speed. There could be others out here. It wasn’t unheard of. After all, the entire area was swarming with shifters. But most were occupied with meetings and greetings. Few would come out to run in the middle of the day.