“Youaremy mate, Allie. You can’t deny what you feel for me.”
“Really? I’m pretty sure that’s called lust, Dax. I wanted you to fuck me. You fucked me. It was amazing. That doesn’t mean we’re fated to be together.”
“Why are you pushing me away?”
“Because this thing between us started on false pretenses.”
And you’re going to hurt me, just like Blake did. I’ve worked too hard on loving myself and being comfortable with who I am to let that happen again.Her mind kept going, though she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry about that, Allie. I am. It was never my intention to deceive you. What I feel when I’m with you isn’t what you think. It’s not simple sex; it’s true connection. And you... you feel it too. I know you do.”
She crossed her arms. His confession melted her anger a little. “Really? How can you tell?”
“Because you’re in heat for me. Your body recognizes me as your mate, Allie. It threw you into heat, just for me. The sex in my truck? What the hell do you think that was?”
Her nostrils flared. He was crazy. In heat? What was she, a fucking dog? Yet, as strong as the lust had come on... as intense as her need for him to fuck her had been...
“You feel it again right now. Your scent is full of your arousal.”
She breathed hard and deep, very aware of how tight her chest was with each breath; how her nipples perked and begged to be touched.
“Why do you think I wouldn’t come inside you? We hadn’t discussed any of this and I... I didn’t want to get you pregnant yet.”
Yet? No! She wasn’t going to go there.
“You have to take a mate tomorrow night?”
“Yes.”
She steeled herself. “If it’s not me, it will be someone else? Just like that, you’ll pick another woman?”
He worked his jaw back and forth and shoved his hands in his pockets. She felt the separation between them like a physical slap.
“Yes. I have no choice.”
She looked up to the sky and took a step back. It wasn’t rational; she knew that. But damn it! Blake had wooed the shit out of her, rushed her, pushed her into a serious relationship only to turn into a horrible man when she’d acquiesced.
Dax put his palms up. “I know this is a lot to take in. I wish I had more time to chase you, date you, and let things unfold a little more naturally.”
“I’m having a hard time feeling special when you said you’ll basically take the first woman who comes along tomorrow night.”
Dax burst forward and took her arms in his hands. “Damn it, Allie! Yes, I will take another woman. If that’s what I have to do, I will.”
Her body seemed to deflate as she searched his face. “Wow, I love you, too.”
A burst of loud silence stood between them. Where was this bitterness coming from? Disgusted with herself, Allie pulled back as tears rolled down her cheeks. He tried to follow her, but she put out a hand.
He stopped, his brow furrowed and tense lines around his eyes.
“Don’t, Dax. Someone can pick up your bakery order after ten tomorrow. Have a nice party, and good luck with the mate thing.”
“Allie!”
She went inside and locked the back door, then leaned against it as she struggled with tears. Why was she being such a bitter bitch about this? Why couldn’t she just open her arms and welcome Dax in?
When was she going to stop allowing herself to be such a damn loser?
