Shock swept through her body and froze her where she stood. Had she suffered a concussion? Was she hallucinating? Alphas didn’t say sorry. As much as she dreamed of this moment, she never expected it to happen.
He waited expectantly.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked, biting her lip.
He narrowed his eyes at her.
Maisie perked up.
“I’m sorry I was immature, and my actions hurt you. I wish I could change the past.”
She wanted to say he hadn’t hurt her, that she hadn’t cared enough for his actions to cut deep, but that would be a lie. And who was she trying to fool? The apology, though years late, warmed her more than the roaring fire.
“I hope we can use this time to catch up,” he continued as if oblivious to the impact of his words. “You might’ve left without looking back, but I always wondered what happened to you. We have nothing else to do, so why don’t you tell me what you’ve been up to?”
Brenna almost laughed. He thought she hadn’t looked back? That she’d gone off without a second thought? That she hadn’t figured out what he threw away when she turned eighteen? What would he think if he knew she replayed their first and only kiss more than a few times? More than she cared to admit? That she used that moment, though fleeting and short lived, as a benchmark for all guys? That she sometimes dreamed of confronting him to demand he somehow revoke his refusal of the bond and take her back.
Or beg. She thought about doing that, too.
But even as a null, she had her pride. She had value and she wouldn’t, couldn’t, bring herself to throw away the last of her dignity.
Instead of laughing, Brenna made the mistake of looking up. Eric’s green gaze bore into hers, and something flopped around in her chest. Maybe it was her heart. Maybe it was her resolve to stay pissed at him.
Crap.
Less than an hour with the guy and she was falling under his spell all over again.
This wouldn’t do. Despite her dreaming, rejections couldn’t be revoked. She might’ve survived a broken heart once, but that didn’t mean she planned on repeating the experience. Ever.
Chapter 6
Eric listened to Brenna as she sat on the opposite end of the faded blue couch. She’d curled up to lean against the armrest with her feet tucked under her. Worn jeans and a purple button-down shirt fit her snugly, leaving little doubt to the perfection of her body. She’d cleaned the cut on her forehead and although it looked red and a bit angry, it wasn’t deep. Her cheeks flushed with a ruddy red from the harsh conditions outside.
Outside, she’d worn a bulky jacket, and her features had been shrouded in shadow. There’d been no time to truly take in her appearance. Now, in the warm light of the cabin and flickering fireplace, her natural beauty stunned him.
She’d always been good looking, but since he’d last seen her, she’d transformed from a pretty girl with a boyish figure to a remarkable woman. The stylish bob of her white hair framed her pixie nose, pouty full lips, and those large, soulful blue eyes that haunted his dreams. Surrounded by thick dark lashes, her elfin gaze expressed every thought and feeling. She’d be terrible at poker.
As she talked, Eric struggled to keep his gaze from drifting, but occasionally she’d look away or turn, and his gaze travelled down her body, catching a glimpse of her womanly curves before he corrected himself.
Despite his roaming gaze, he hung on every word she said, banking the details to his memory. He knew bits and pieces about her already. He always made a point to ask Brenna’s parents about her when he ran into them during their seasonal vacations to the cabin. Though he hadn’t seen Brenna in a long time, he still carried the feeling he knew her well.
Mate, his wolf crooned.Mate, mate, mate, mate—
Shut up!God, he was sick of listening to his stubborn wolf. Was he the only one plagued with such an ornery beast? Why was the mutt still going on about it, anyway? Brenna refused the mate bond, and he didn’t blame her. Neither of them could change the past, but maybe, with time and patience, he could mend their relationship. Maybe even have a friendship. Hell, maybe even more, though he doubted it.
They’d covered the basics. She worked in the health field, he was a project manager for the provincial energy company. He wanted a job where he could move out of the city, and she wanted to travel more. They both lived in Vancouver, only thirty minutes apart. All this time and she lived so close.
One question kept replaying through his mind as she discussed becoming a cardiology technologist, and the places she’d visited when she caught the backpacking bug urging her to discover new places and people. Why had he been such a stubborn jerk?
Why hadn’t he chased after her that night ten years ago? Why hadn’t he sought her out since then? Why hadn’t he pursued her? With or without the mate bond, it wouldn’t have mattered. Wolf or no wolf. Ericlikedher.
“Do you want another hot chocolate?” she asked.
He palmed his warm mug and sat up. “Sure, but why don’t I make this round?”
She bit her lip. “No, that’s okay. I’ll do it.”
“Are you sure?” He held out his mug.
