Page 24 of Forbidden Moon

He sucked in a breath. Okay then. “I think we’ve always known we’re mates. Now that we’re together again, the bond has ignited.”

She stared at him, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her gaze hostile. “So? I’ve always like chocolate cake. I couldn’t have it every day as a kid because my mom said no. As an adult, I can do what I want but, newsflash. I still don’t have it every day. You know why?”

He eyed her warily, not sure where this was going. “No, why?”

“Because it’s bad for me. Just like you are. A Dirigo and a Saranac wolf can never work. We’re enemies. Our packs hate each other. And I’m too dominant to be the submissive little she-wolf your pack likes.”

He stepped forward. “That’s not true. My uncle was in favor of our mating. He thought you would make a strong mate, a worthy one.”

She froze, growing so still that she resembled a statue. “You told your uncle about our bond?”

He stopped, sensing the need to backpedal. “No, he suspected it and asked me about it. I denied it but he saw me try to protect you at the first meeting and he thought that confirmed there was something between us. He said he would welcome you to Saranac.”

She snort laughed. “Sure. Like he would let me be an enforcer there.”

Garrett shuffled his feet. “Would you want to once you’re mated? What if you got pregnant? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for the pups?”

“Female wolves hunt and fight until they give birth. I would modify my duties as appropriate when it’s time. I would never put my pups in jeopardy. But I’ve worked too hard for my accomplishments to leave them all behind. Would you expect me to?”

He heard the tone of hurt in her voice, and it felt like a sucker punch to his gut. “Of course not. I wouldn’t want you to be anything or anyone you’re not. I don’t want to change you.”

She smiled a little sadly at him. “You understand I can’t join Saranac, right? I’d never fit in. They would never accept me for who I am, never let me be who I am.”

He sighed. She was right, even as he had hoped it could be different. “Dirigo will never accept me, either. I’m too close to Saranac's leadership.”

She shook her head sadly. “We need to step back from this. It can never work.”

He stepped forward until she was forced to look up at him. “Then why don’t I give a fuck?”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Maya’s eyes widened as Garrett’s mouth lowered to hers, claiming her lips in a deep kiss that stole her breath and the rest of her heart. At the contact, the mating bond flared to life like a bonfire given oxygen and new life, roaring and surging, heat spreading throughout her entire body. Need pulsed hot and heavy, demanding her to seal the bond, claim her mate. But that sure as hell wasn't happening in the middle of a war, in the forest, on the side of the highway. But they could steal some time for themselves.

He cupped the back of her head and angled her to deepen the kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth to tangle with hers.

Maya wasn't passive. She tangled her hands in his thick, silky hair and kissed him back. She moaned as his taste flooded her senses, drowning out the chaos around them. Earth, fir, vanilla musk, and pure Garrett, all flowing through her in a heady elixir of bliss and lust.

She broke away from his mouth to trail kisses down his jaw. Damn, he still tasted good. Better than any man she'd ever kissed. Her hands descended to his shoulders and then shoved his jacket open.

She had to touch him. She had to feel his skin.

The kiss broke again when his jacket fell to the ground. His lips moved to her neck, trailing more kisses up to her ear. "I need you," he whispered. "Please, say you're mine."

The stark emotion in his voice sent an arrow of pain through her heart and despite her brain screaming no, she went with her heart. "I'm yours, Garrett. Always."

"Don't say them unless you mean them."

She drew back and looked him straight in the eyes. “I'll always be yours, Garrett, no matter what happens.”

His eyes glittered with emotion, and his nostrils flared. He nodded and yanked off the t-shirt beneath his jacket. "Good. It will have to do for now."

"It's the best we can do," she whispered.

"For now, Maya."

He tugged her further into the trees so they couldn't be seen from the road. He reached behind her and unclasped her bra. He pulled the straps off her shoulders and tossed the lacy garment away, then plucked at the button of her jeans. She sucked in a breath as he stared into her eyes, his own glowing with raw lust. "For now, we have this."

He pushed her against the tree, then his hand slid inside her jeans, past her panties, to settle between her legs. Then two long fingers slipped inside her. Her breath hitched at the invasion, the invasion of something alien and yet familiar at the same time. A welcome invasion.