Page 16 of Broken By Her Mate
Their eyes remained locked for a moment. She pulled in a sharp breath when his gaze dropped to her mouth. The underlying sexual tension between them was getting harder to ignore.
“I’ll pay you back for everything, even the groceries.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Laila picked up the dishcloth and started to wipe the counter. “Tolliver, I’m not comfortable with you buying me things, especially expensive things.” She waved a hand to encompass the jeans and silk blouse she had on. “I know these were pricey.”
He sighed and leaned against the counter to watch her. “I don’t mind. Really.”
“Well, I mind.” She could feel his eyes on her, and it set her on edge. “We’re not…”
He folded his arms. “We’re not what?”
Together anymore.The words refused to come out. She wiped the counter with more vigor. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter.”
Tolliver’s hand came down on hers to stop her energetic movements, and Laila froze. His touch sent jolts of electricitythrough her. Her breath ceased as she stared at their point of contact.
“Obviously, it matters,” Tolliver said. “You vigorously clean like this when you’re on edge.”
She gritted her teeth, annoyed by how much he knew her. “We’re not together anymore,” she admitted. “You don’t have to buy me things. I’d feel more comfortable paying you back.”
“I know we’re not together, but why can’t I take care of you? We’re… friends.”
Her eyes flew up to meet his. Friends? She couldn’t be best buds with the man she loved so intensely that his leaving almost destroyed her. Her heart pounded as they continued to gaze at each other.
Instead of letting her go, he stepped closer. Their proximity sent her spiraling into the past. They had been so good together. She could tell Tolliver had delved into the past as she had because he leaned closer as if they were their younger selves, and he had every right to kiss her… his mate.
Against her better instincts, Laila didn’t back away as her brain told her to. She listened to her foolish heart, which fluttered with anticipation and closed the gap between them. Tolliver’s lips brushed hers hesitantly as if testing the waters. She let out a soft sigh, and he responded by moving closer and wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her against him. The pressure of his lips on hers increased, and his movements became desperate and hungry. Laila matched his feverous energy, her hands gripping his shirt to pull him closer—as if they couldn’t get close enough.
It felt good to kiss Tolliver again—she hadn’t forgotten how great of a kisser he was. However, reality slammed into her, and she escaped the haze that almost consumed her.
What was she doing?
She abruptly broke the kiss and stepped back. Her chest heaved, and her body still hummed with desire, but panic clawed its way up her chest. “We can’t do this,” she said, more to herself than to him. She kept taking retreating steps as if Tolliver had become a dangerous weapon. He was dangerous to her emotional well-being.
“Laila, wait—”
She turned on her heels and bolted the door.
“Laila!”
Tolliver’s voice followed her, but she didn’t stop—she couldn’t. It was like she was trying to run away from her feelings. How could she still be so attracted to Tolliver? How could she still want him? Her mind raced with disbelief and frustration. She couldn’t afford to get wrapped up in him again. She kept running as if to run away from another broken heart.
Laila finally stopped to catch her breath. It had been a while since she let her wolf out to run free, so she felt the burn of exhaustion in her lungs. The cold night air did little to cool the fire in her chest. As she looked around, she realized how far into the woods she had run. The cabin wasn’t visible anymore. Suddenly, she felt ridiculous for running.
A strange sense of unease crept over her, but she dismissed it. Her mind was probably playing tricks on her because Tolliver’s tale of depraved shifters had made her paranoid. However, her discomfort mounted, and her wolf, which mostly stayed dormant, stirred inside her. It wasn’t paranoia. Someone was in the woods with her. She felt the presence of another wolf, and it wasn’t Tolliver.
At least it didn’t feel like him. The back of her neck prickled, and the hairs on her arms stood on end. Her animal instincts told her to stay on guard. A low growl rumbled from the depths of her chest, her inner wolf stirring to life. It had been a while since she heard her wolf. She heard the rustling of leaves and pivoted slowly, scanning the dark woods. The sound came again, but it was closer this time. She spun around, canines bared, and muscles taunt and ready for an attack. Her gaze landed on a figure stepping into the moonlight, and her entire body relaxed with pure relief.
“Tolliver…”
“Laila, get back to the cabin now.” He spoke softly, but there was steel behind his words, and his eyes glowed a feral amber as he scanned the woods.
This time, she didn’t argue about his penchant for dishing out orders. She’d felt the danger herself—felt something malevolent watching her. Maybe it was time to stop doubting Tolliver and let him help her. She took off toward the cabin, relieved that Tolliver had shown up.
Chapter 7 - Tolliver
Tolliver couldn’t believe he kissed Laila. He couldn’t believe she ran, either. Pressing the heel of his hands into his eyes, he released a torrent of expletives. What had he been thinking? Or maybe he hadn’t been thinking.