His fingers tighten, digging into my hips, almost hard enough to bruise, but not quite. “That’s true.” From the way he growls the words, I know Manny wants to add something. After sweeping his tongue over my pounding pulse, he snarls, “Fuck the bet.”
For a moment, I consider giving in. Doing as he suggested.
But again, I speak from a place of self-preservation. “One night doesn’t change everything.”
Lies. Last night changed a lot of things.
But I’m terrified the changes were huge for me and only passing for Manny.
The wolf pushes forward, crowding me, pinning me in place with his hips. “It changes enough.”
All I give him is a shrug, trying to keep the intense way I want him to myself.
Manny’s eyes glare into mine. “You belong here.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
I’ve wanted that since I was thirteen. Since I started smelling good, apparently. I’ve ached for this man who always acted like I was a bother. He claims I’ve had the scent of a mate all along, but despite that, he’s only ever teased me.
And there are the other people who smelled like mates to him that couldn’t hold his interest.
Why should I trust that his longing reflects mine? Why should I tear down my defenses just because we had good sex?
Really good sex.
But the physical isn’t all there is. I need more. I need to trust him.
I need to know that my returning to Folk Haven, that letting myself fall for Manny Ramirez, won’t end in devastation.
But of course, instead of saying that, I go defensive, the way I always do around him.
I scoff. “Excuse me if you changing your mind yesterday isn’t enough for me to upend my life.”
Manny grasps the sides of my face, fingers delving into my hair, but he doesn’t dislodge my crown. “I told you I’ve wanted you since I was sixteen.”
“Youlustedafter me since then. I smelled good. But I don’t let my pussy make my life decisions.”
“If that’s the case, then maybe you should stop humping my thigh.”
Am I? Shit.
But he’s the one that shoved it between my legs, pressing up against my greedy clit. I glare up at him.
Manny sucks in a deep breath and lets it out slow.
Then, he rests his lips against my forehead in a gentle kiss. “I’ll be in the orchard again tonight. Come find me. Even if it’s to say good-bye. Even though you don’t have to.”
The wolf steps away, releasing me. His face is in the shadows, so I can’t read his expression.
“The crown was always meant for you,” he says.
Then, he’s gone, disappearing into the woods, leaving me behind, achy and confused.
No part of me wants to rejoin the festivities, so I turn my feet toward my father’s house instead, mind reeling with longing and doubt as I stomp through the dark forest.
Once I’m alone in my childhood bedroom, I stare at myself in the mirror. Ridiculous neon-green outfit. Hair dried in random waves after the dip in the lake. Skin still flushed from being so close to the man I want.
