Chapter Eight
Frustration filledQuinn as the bookcase closed behind them after they entered the hidden passageway. She could smell Luke’s desire, and it would have been impossible not to notice the log burgeoning from his groin. He obviously wanted her, but he was not making any moves. He already said he wasn’t with Marigold, and he admitted to liking Quinn, so it had to be something else.
“Why are you holding back?”
“I can’t tell you.” He hesitated. “I don’t want to tell you. I’m … not ready.” Luke’s breath brushed over her skin like an erotic breeze. He gripped her upper arms. “I didn’t expect it to be like this.”
“Like what?”
“Being consumed by fire. I burn for you, Quinn.” He pinned her against the wall. His darkened gaze held her hostage. “I feel like I need you as much as I need my next breath.”
“I want you, too. Isn’t that enough?”
Luke looked away, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard.
“Is it your bear? He doesn’t want me?”
He faced her again, his blue eyes narrowed on her. “There’s not a single part of me that doesn’t want you.”
“Are you already married?”
“No.”
“Engaged?”
“No.”
Frustration made her bear roar.Take the man now,cried her beast. “Are you an ax murderer, a drug dealer, on the lam from the law for tax evasion?”
“No, no.” The corner of his mouth tugged up in a smile. “And no.”
“Then whatever it is can’t be that bad.”
“Yeah. This … well, it’s pretty big.”
Quinn screwed up her courage and placed her palm over his rigid cock. She gave it a squeeze through his jeans. “Yep,” she said. “It’s pretty big.”
Luke let out a ragged breath. “You make it hard to do the right thing.”
“If loving me is wrong, I don’t want you to be right.” She wiggled her brows and gave his package another caress. “And I’m definitely making it hard.”
Luke growled, his hands still on Quinn’s upper arms, as he pushed her back against the wall, a puff of dust shaking from the wood beams. “I can’t resist you,” he said. He fisted her hair and pulled her neck to one side, his lips brushing tiny kisses along her skin. When he got to her earlobe, he said, “You taste like honeyed wine.”
Quinn turned to him, her lips skimming his. “Oh, Luke,” she sighed into his mouth. It had been too long since she’d had a man hold her in his arms. If her bear wanted Luke—and Luke’s bear wanted her, then she could think of no better mate. Surely they were compatible in other ways, too. But … she’d gone to Mrs. Wilder. She’d asked for the matchmaker’s help. Her clan was too important to risk on the wrong man.
But Luke felt right. He smelled like a bear—and heaven knew he was acting like one. Her alpha instinctively knew that Luke was an alpha, too.
A mate.
Could he be the one Mrs. Wilder sent to her?
Did she give a shit?
Luke released a shuddering breath. His fingertips caressed the side of her breast in direct opposition to his words. “Christ, you’re so beautiful.”
She leaned her head back as he nibbled on her collarbone, his thick, wavy hair tickling her skin. She slid her hands through the silky strands, moaning as his thumbs brushed over her nipples.
“I need…” He kissed her neck again. “I need…” He kissed her jawline. His hands moved on her body, tentatively, as if she would shatter beneath him. “I…”
