Page 13 of Her Curves, His Fate

Rafe rose, helping. “It will come, Nora, trust me.”

“You sound so confident.”

“I am. I’m your mate, and I know you. On a soul-deep level that no one else does. And I see that part of you. The magical part. You’re special, baby. Very, very special.”

Tears filled Nora’s eyes. “Oh, Rafe, you don’t know what the means to me.”

He smiled at her. “Oh, I believe I do. That’s what mating is all about. Unconditional acceptance. Unconditional love.” His face grew serious. “That’s what I feel for you, Nora. Don’t ever forget that.”

“I won’t,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

Night fell, but it brought no relief. If anything, it made the heat stronger, hotter. Nora moved to the window. Tomorrow was the second night of the full moon and the white orb hung high in the sky. She could clearly to the field—and the haze that still hung in the air.

She turned away, unwilling to think about that just now. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Rafe sat on the couch, his big body looked relaxed, but Nora knew differently. He was wound tighter than a clock. Just like her.

“Listen,” Rafe began. “I think I should sleep on the couch tonight.”

Nora raised her eyebrows, taken aback. “You sure? I mean, I don’t mind sharing the bed.”

“No, it’s better this way,” he insisted, forcing a casual smile. “Less chance of… complications.”

“Complications?” She gave a small laugh. “Well, I guess that’s one way of describing what would happen.”

“Exactly,” Rafe replied, his eyes darkening with a mix of frustration and lust. He got up and started pacing. “I don’t trust myself around you, Nora.” “I know what I feel for you is not because of the spell, but it is. The desire, the heat, the want. It’s there because we are mates. But the damn spell is like adding gasoline to a fire. One wrong move and everything could just explode in our faces.”

“I feel the same way.” She noted the strain behind his words. But she couldn’t deny the little imp inside her that wanted to test his resolve. Wanted to drive him to the point of no return.

But she wasn’t ready for that. Not yet anyway.

“Goodnight, then,” she whispered, reaching up to press a soft kiss to his cheek. Her lips lingered at the edge of his jaw, just long enough for him to inhale her scent and feel the warmth of her body against his.

“Goodnight,” Rafe choked out, his hands itching to pull her closer. Instead, he forced himself to step back, swallowing hard as she retreated to the bedroom.

He stared at the closed door, his gut churning with desire and frustration. He knew why he had chosen the couch, though he wished it weren’t necessary. He couldn’t risk succumbing to temptation, not when he knew it could cost them both so much. No mating should be forced. Once the spell was gone, then, then he’d go to her.

Hell, he’d be lucky if he didn’t take her where she stood once he was sure neither of them was under the influence of the spell.

His thoughts swirled as he lay down on the couch, the cushions both soft and unforgiving. Sleep would be elusive, he knew, but it was the price he had to pay to resist temptation.

Nora’s fingers brushed against the silk sheets, her body sinking into the plush mattress. Leave it to Dil to make his love nest decadent on all levels. The scent of Rafe lingered in the air, a teasing reminder of their charged proximity. Her heart raced, a symphony of longing and vulnerability.

“Rafe,” she called out softly, knowing her voice would still reach him through the closed door.

“Y-yeah?” His response vibrated with tension, a clear struggle for control.

“Is it okay if I leave the door open?” She craved the connection, even if it was just listening to the quiet sounds of his breathing.

“Um... sure,” Rafe replied after a moment, his tone betraying an internal war.

Waving her hand, she opened the door with a small incantation. The door creaked open, revealing a sliver of light from the living area. Shadows made by the fire danced along the walls, casting an ethereal glow over their separate spaces.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her fingers curling around the edge of the sheets. Her thoughts swimming with images of tangled limbs and heated kisses. It was difficult to focus on anything else, especially when she knew he was mere steps away.

“Anything for you, Nora,” he whispered back, the words laced with desire.

“Rafe?” She couldn’t help herself, needing to hear his voice once more.

“Yeah?” His response felt strained, as if he were holding back a storm within.