Page 63 of The Wolf's Mate
“I did. And, unlike you, I didn’t run into the woods because I actually listen to what you say.” Not completely the truth, but Rip doesn’t need to know it took Tallie to talk me out of doing just that.
“You were a dick, Rip,” I continue. I’ve never been one to beat around the bush. He needs to see he’s upset me, but more importantly, he needs to know I deserve better. “You embarrassed me in front of your commanders. I felt like a pretty object you wanted to show off but not hear. Do you understand how awful that feels?”
His cocky smirk finally vanishes. His shoulders sag as he crosses his arms over his chest again. He almost looks…embarrassed? Remorseful?
Good.
“I never meant to make you feel that way, Hettie.”
“Well, your intentions mean shit. That’s how I felt. I’m not sure what you expect from me, but if it’s to keep my mouth shut and go along with everything you say, you are in for a rude awakening.”
“No, no, that’s not what I want.” Rip runs a hand through his disheveled hair. He has dark circles under his eyes, making me wonder if he got any sleep last night.
“Then you need to figure that out, because I need us to be on the same page.” I grab the soap. If he’s going to stay here, then he’s going to watch me clean myself.
I rub the bar of soap on my arms, up to my shoulders. I feel Rip’s eyes on me, and it sends a thrilling tingle down my spine. Although I’m mad at him, I also can’t help but tease him. Just a little.
I bring the bar of soap to my chest, rubbing it across my breasts. I pay extra attention to my nipples, rubbing and pinching the sensitive nubs between my fingers. An involuntary moan leaves my lips.
“Are you punishing me, Dove?” Rip’s voice is low, almost a growl. I wasn’t planning on punishing him, but I think I’m rather enjoying it now.
I ignore his question. “What do you want, Alpha? A meek wife who will blindly follow your rule? Or one who will challenge you without fear?”
When he doesn’t answer, I move the bar of soap down between my breasts. I draw a slow, tantalizing line down my stomach, inching closer to my pussy.
But my hand never makes it there. Faster than I thought him capable, Rip is on me, hauling me out of the tub.
I scream, “Rip! What the fuck?”
The bastard doesn’t listen. Again. And carries me, dripping wet, to the counter. When my ass hits the dark granite countertop, Rip pushes his way between my legs, forcing me to open for him. I’m stuck between the hard wall and my large alpha.
“What I want is you. Your sass, attitude, and opinions. I want to make decisions with you, and I want you to put me in my place when I fuck up. I want everything you are willing to give me, Dove.
“I shouldn’t have dismissed your concerns like I did,” he continues.
“No, you shouldn’t have.” My voice goes breathy because Rip cups my pussy, his thumb rubbing against my seam. It makes being mad at him incredibly difficult.
“I’m sorry, Dove. Will you accept my apology and end this torture?”
I scoff. “I hardly tortured you. I just didn’t let you into the room last night.”
“I beg to differ,” he growls. “Knowing you were in here, naked and bathing alone, doing goddess only knows what to yourself drove me positively feral. I was so hard thinking about you, Hettie. So fucking hard.”
Moisture pools between my legs, and I bite my lip. “That wasn’t my fault.”
“But it was. It was very much your fault.” He moves his thumb to my clit, and I suck in a breath as he moves in slow circles. “Like an untrained dog, I had to relieve myself outside the door.”
I take a moment for his words to register, and when they do, my eyes widen. “I knew that was fucking cum on the door! You’re so damn gross.”
Though, thinking of Rip outside the door, working himself up to an orgasm for me is so fucking hot. I shouldn’t be into it, but I am.
He applies more pressure to my clit, and I moan, wiggling against him. “Say you forgive me.”
“I forgive you,” I say in one breath, arching into his touch.
“Good girl.” He hums like he won. Honestly, he probably did, but a girl can only think so hard when a sexy man is playing with her clit.
“I will do better. Make sure I listen to you and your reasonings. And you will continue to stay out of the woods. We will find wolfsbane together once our men come back from their journey to Dragon’s Keep.” He marks his words by pushing two fingers inside of me, curling them.