Page 17 of Sanctuary

Eric stared down at her and was aware his eyes missed nothing. “If something’s bothering you, it’s not nothing to me, Gemma. What is it?”

Knowing she had to move away from him in order to speak with any sense, because he smelled so freaking good, she sat down at the kitchen table, setting her coffee in front of her.

“I’m used to just a little help.” She gave him a small smile. “I guess this much help is a little overwhelming.”

Eric remained silent as he watched her intently.

“Not that I don’t appreciate it,” she added quickly, not knowing what his silence meant. “I really do.”

“Are you second-guessing us?” Eric asked, a low growl ending the sentence.

“No, I mean…” What the hell did she mean? When he was gone, he was all she thought about, and after last night, she shouldn’t be second-guessing. But now that he said it, she realized she was. “Maybe. A little.”

Eric didn’t move, just stood still as stone letting her talk. His mouth was slashed in a straight line, and his eyes so intense it set her on edge.

She finally opened her mouth to ask the question that burned in her gut. The question she wanted answered most of all. “Why me?”

He remained silent, and that said so much. He didn’t know why. It was the mate thing. It had nothing to do with physical attraction, love, or whatever people who spent months dating and spending time together learned to feel for each other. They had spent only days and were total strangers.

“It’s purely the mate thing, isn’t it?” She heard the sadness in her voice so knew he heard it also. “It’s okay. I understand more than most what that’s about, but I really don’t think I can do this based off—”

“Are you finished?” Eric finally opened his mouth to speak and sounded pissed off.

“I guess so since you cut me off.” Her mood quickly switched gears with a touch of pissy attitude. She hated being cut off, whether with words or in their car.

“Thatright there is why you.” He gave her one nod before pulling her up from the chair and turning her toward the window and pointing. “Thatis why you.”

She looked out over the yard to see the busy hustle still happening outside her tiny house. Once again, she let him turn her to face him. He tilted her face up to his before taking his hand and placing it over her heart.

“Thisis why you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I know everything is confusing, even with your understanding of shifters and mating, but this is the way I’m made.”

Unsure what to say, Gemma remained silent.

“I’m going to walk out to give you space, but I want you to know that you are mine. Whatever you decide, I will honor it, but know I’m going to fight for you, your heart and soul. Never doubt my devotion to you, Gemma. I knew you were mine the minute I saw you in the enclosure facing down a caged wolf.” He stepped away slightly before leaning toward her. “You, Gemma, are mine.”

She let him kiss her, then watched him walk out the door, her feelings more mixed than before. His words were sweet, made her knees weak and yet, there was no mention of love. He never once said he loved her. The funny thing was she was human without the mating phenomenon, and she knew without a doubt she loved him.

Heading toward her room for a quick shower, Gemma realized that with love one-sided, this would never work because she was notmadethat way.

******

Eric drove back to the Sanctuary still wondering if he’d done the right thing leaving Gemma after her doubts of their relationship. Cursing, he glanced down at the truck clock. He had been gone longer than he wanted, but by the time he’d finished with the bank and talked to the realtor who was selling the land next to Gemma’s, time slipped by.

He had no idea what had changed between last night and this morning, but something had, and he was determined to show her how he felt about her, no matter what it took. He also knew that he would hold off telling her that he was buying the property aligning hers for expansion of the sanctuary as well as living quarters for some of his pack members. Eric had set that in motion when he’d left to collect his pack. He didn’t want it to look as if he were trying to buy her because that was far from his motives. He believed in what she did, respected it, and wanted to be a part of her life, and this placewasher life.

Pulling into the sanctuary, a sense of urgency overcame him. Slamming the brakes, he was out of the truck and headed toward the trailer, his eyes scanning for Gemma, but she was nowhere to be seen.

“She’s not here, lover boy.” Kile grinned as he carried a bucket of meat toward an enclosure.

The sense of urgency he felt before turned into dread, making him stop in his tracks. “What?”

“She left a few hours ago.” Kile also stopped, looking at Eric. “What’s wrong?”

Eric shook his head knowing his brother felt his concern. He didn’t understand it, none of them did, but once one found their mate, they had a connection. And right now, the connection he felt with Gemma had him wanting to find her and find her fast. “I don’t know, but something’s off.” And if there was anything Eric trusted, it was his sixth sense; it never failed him. If anyone knew where Gemma had gone, it would be Larry. “Where’s Larry?”

“Last I saw him he was down by the lower enclosures.” Kile nodded that way. “Let me feed Samson real quick and I’ll be right there.”

Eric didn’t answer; he rushed toward where Larry might be. Within two steps, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Stopping, he took it out hoping it was Gemma.

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