“Why?” Kira demanded.
“The demon—”
“Is the demon even real, or are you just looking for excuses to lock me up?” she barked.
Joshua snarled under his breath. “I don’t want to lock you up!”
“Then why are you doing this?” she shouted.
“Because I’m not going to let you get killed,” he exploded, reaching as though to grab her. He pulled back and gripped his own hair instead. His golden eyes burned as they bored into her. “I can’t. I fucked up so bad, and I know you want nothing to do with me, but I am not going to let you get hurt, Kira. I can’t… I don’t know how…”
Her mouth was dry. She stared at him, trying desperately not to fill in the blanks. Because it sounded as though he felt… like he wanted…
His chest heaved as his gaze searched hers. He reached out again, slowly, giving her plenty of time to back away. She stayed still as he cupped her face with such tenderness that it made her knees go weak.
“I’ll die before I let anything happen to you,” he whispered.
He was going to kiss her. She knew she should pull away. She shouldn’t let this happen. Whatever he felt, it wasn’t enough. It wouldn’t make up for the past. Wouldn’t…
Her lips tingled even before they touched his. Kira’s resistance melted. She closed the distance between them, needing him. Her eyes fluttered shut as she molded her body to his. For the first time in years, she felt as though she was home.
Chapter 10 - Joshua
He shouldn’t be doing this. Hadn’t he been telling himself over and over all the reasons why he needed to keep his distance? Being physical with Kira was out of the question. Kissing led to sex, and sex inevitably led to babies. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t let himself get carried away.
But her lips were so soft.
Joshua groaned as he pulled Kira closer. The world disappeared around them as one hand tangled into her hair, the other wrapping around her waist. She melted against him, their bodies perfectly melding to each other’s shape. Her soft body pressed up against him, and a thrill shot through him from crown to soles as she cupped his face with one hand. The other moved down his side, ghosting over his ribs and to his hip, where she traced the waistband of his jeans. Her touch was feather-light. It elicited tingles throughout his body.
Kira ground her hips to him, and Joshua’s hand trailed down her thigh. He hitched her knee over his hip and thrust against her. His cock hardened between them.
“Wait,” Kira murmured. Her hands moved again, pressing to his chest.
“Kira,” Joshua groaned. “Kira, I need—”
“Wait!” She pushed against him.
Joshua loosened his grip on her. She pushed him further back. Her cheeks were red, eyes bright and wide. Her lips opened slightly, her chest rising and falling quickly. The heat of her palms seeped into his shoulders, her fingers digging in slightly as though she wasn’t sure if she wanted to pull him closer or shove him away entirely.
Having been so close, his wolf was going wild. He wanted more. Needed more. He couldn’t catch his breath; the desire to have her closer pounded against his chest.
“Kira, please. I want you,” he breathed.
“N-no,” Kira whimpered.
That simple, single word made the air catch in his lungs. He searched her face. She’d kissed him back. She had pressed herself up against him. She wanted him, too. He could see in the way her pupils widened, the way even now she kept swaying closer toward him as though she couldn’t quite control herself.
“Kira—”
“No!” She shoved him hard, making him stumble back. She spun on her heel and dashed toward the door. Joshua stood in shock for a moment, uncertain what was going on. It wasn’t until the door slammed behind her again did he realize she was really leaving.
His wolf was frozen in his chest, but Joshua’s feet moved on their own. He sped after her, throwing open the door just in time to see her speed off in his car.
“Kira!” he yelled as he chased after her, feet hitting the sidewalk hard.
She lurched forward, then slowed down to the speed limit. If Joshua hadn’t been so distraught, he might have found it amusing. As it was, he pushed himself harder, trying not to lose sight of her as she turned around a corner. Was she leaving town? Did she still not believe how dangerous it was? She took another left, and he nearly lost her, but he leapt over the hedge, across a porch, and burst through the alley in the back to cut back to the road, hitting it just after she passed.
She was going to Gwen and Rafael’s house. Of course! He ducked through a few more yards, angling his direction toward the Alpha’s house. He emerged from an alley just as Kira parked the car. She left the door open, engine running, as she darted up the walk. Gwen was already waiting for her and ushered her in, shooting Joshua a dirty look as he crossed the street. Chest heaving, he took a moment to turn off the car and leaned against it, catching his breath.
