Page 42 of The Enforcers: KANE

“Is that why you wanted an arranged mating?” she asked.

He nodded, his forehead still resting on his arm. “I thought maybe if Wolf and I mated with someone we didn’t have feelings for, this wouldn’t happen.” He shook his head. “We could have killed you.”

“But it’s okay now,” she said. “Wolf’s not upset anymore.”

He paused, trying to sort out all the craziness inside him, trying to feel what Wolf was feeling.

She was right. Wolf was curled up inside him, feeling contented. Our Raven’s back. We can protect her.

Shit.

She’s worried about you, Wolf added. Make her feel better.

How the fuck am I supposed to do that? he asked silently.

Let her make you feel better.

Kane sighed. She was still stroking his back, slow calming circles. He felt his breathing slowing down.

It felt good. Which felt wrong. He didn’t do good.

He turned around and put his back to the wall. Her hand moved to his chest, over his heart, and stayed there.

He closed his eyes.

“I can’t do this,” he whispered. “I’ll hurt you.”

“No you won’t. Wolf wants to protect me.”

Yes, Wolf said. Protect Raven.

“I can’t—this isn’t—” Shit. “You don’t get it,” he said. “I was holding back all my shit for a reason. I don’t even know what the fuck was locked inside my heart, but none of it’s good. And now it’s spilling out everywhere. Trust me, you do not want me to pour that poison into your life.”

Rachelle was looking up at him with that damn trusting look she used to have when she was a kid. “Some of what’s in your heart is good,” she said. “And the rest of it doesn’t belong there. Let it go.”

He shook his head. “You don’t know me anymore,” he said. “You have no idea who I am now.”

“I know you better than anyone,” she said.

She moved in and slid her hands slowly up his chest. He closed his eyes again. Letting her see his feelings felt too vulnerable. He wasn’t ready for that.

But he let his arms curve around her.

She was so warm, so soft. She felt so good against him. She rested her cheek against his chest, over his heart.

It was beating a mile a minute, but he felt less breathless with her there. All the chaos in him started to settle.

She slipped one arm around his neck and pulled his head down, tilting her face up to his. Once again, their lips found each other’s as if they were magnetized. He moved his lips softly against hers, giving himself the time to taste her, to take in the sensations.

She gave a small sigh and parted her lips, like an invitation. Her tongue just barely brushed his lower lip, and desire rushed through him.

He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, exploring her tender mouth. His cock grew stiff between them, pressing against the soft skin of her abdomen. He held back a groan.

He could scent her arousal now. He wanted to touch every part of her—worship every inch of her skin. But he’d lived so long with the terror of Wolf coming out, the desperate need of his own arousal always at war with his fear of losing control.

Was it possible it didn’t have to be like that?

Rachelle ended the kiss with a soft smack, and rested her head in the middle of his chest for a moment. Then she took his hand and led him out of the bathroom.