“Why?” I demanded.
“You’re a wolf and I’m a lion!” Xander snarled.
Once again, he said it like it was something awful and taboo. I didn’t understand what he was talking about. My brothers’ mates were a hare and a deer. His species meant nothing to me. Did mine botherhim?
I reached out a hand to caress his face. He stilled but wouldn’t make eye contact with me. I could tell he was trying his damned hardest not to jump on me. Even now, with my heat scent pouring right into his nose, he was controlling himself. It only made me more attracted to him.
“Xander,” I breathed. “Why does that matter?”
He bit his lip, looking conflicted. His fang glinted in the darkness.
I suddenly recalled something he’d said before.
“You said your parents were two different shifter species,” I murmured. “What were they?”
When he turned to stare at me with pain in his eyes, I knew the answer.
“A wolf and a mountain lion,” I said.
“Yes.”
I didn’t want to be insensitive, but I didn’t get the big deal. Still, the hurt in his expression was enough for me to understand that it was hard for him to talk about. It was holding him back.
I would never force Xander into anything, and I knew he wouldn’t do that to me either. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” I said, starting to get up. “I’ll just… go.”
As I rose, Xander grabbed my wrist.
“Wait.”
A silent beat passed where the only sound was my thudding heartbeat. In the moment, it seemed to last an eternity.
Xander let out a long breath. “I want you, Sage.”
My heart did a hopeful flip. “I feel the same.”
He looked almost surprised. “But I’ve done nothing but push you away.”
“I know.” I smiled. “You think I didn’t notice?”
“Then why keep trying?”
I laughed. “You’re saying dumb stuff again.” I kneeled back down. “I kept trying because I wanted you, Xander. And I knew you didn’t really hate me or anything, you were just being a big stubborn cat about your feelings, ‘cause it’s scary. Right?”
Xander blinked slowly. “Yes.”
“I got scared, too,” I murmured. “Before you saved me, I was scared. I didn’t wanna admit it ‘cause I’m not good at that. It’s easier to act like everything’s a joke. And then, when you ran away all those times, I was scared too, because I didn’t know if you’d come back.” I blew out a breath. “And having feelings? Phew, that shit’s scary as hell.”
Xander’s mouth curled into a wry smile. “Yes. It is.”
I sat there, restless and unsure of what to do. Up close, I was intoxicated by the masculine musk of Xander’s natural scent. I wondered if I smelled as good to him as he did to me. I swallowed thickly.
“Sage,” Xander growled, his voice breathy. “Is this what you want?”
“I want you,” I answered immediately.
“What will happen if you get pregnant?”
He sounded eager, but hesitant, like he didn’t want to get his hopes up in case they were shattered.
