Page 134 of Rejecting his Mate

I don’t want to talk about the danger we are facing, so I pull her to her feet and press a kiss to her mouth. I love the feel of her skin against mine, my hand sliding around her back to rest on the globe of her ass.

My tongue meets hers, the flames of my desire growing hotter as she reciprocates, showing me a confidence that has been growing since our mating bond snapped into place.

I’m reluctant to pull away, but I do eventually, needing air. Resting my forehead against hers, I don’t want to part from her, but we need to face the day.

“Time to shower,” I tell her.

She smiles, and I want to capture this moment forever, no matter how pathetic that sounds. “Okay.”

I lead her into the bathroom and turn the water on. Once it is hot enough, I pull her under the spray and take my time washing her body. My fingers linger over her pussy, stroking through her folds as my mouth finds hers again.

“We’re never going to get clean if this is how we shower every time,” she jokes.

“I don’t give a shit about being clean.” I turn her around, placing her hands against the tile of the wall, and then I fuck her again.

The water is tepid by the time we get out. I wrap her in a towel before slinging one around my own hips andleave her to get dressed in the bedroom. I stay in the bathroom, tidying up my beard, and when I step out, she's sitting out on the porch. It is her favorite spot, and I understand why. The views and the quiet are unreal.

Quickly, I dress, pulling on a pair of jeans and a thick knit sweater.

I watch Halle through the window of the cabin as I make coffee for us both. I can feel her emotions through our bond, a mix of sated from our lovemaking, but something else too—a sadness that has been there since she found out what happened to her mom.

I figured she’d talk to me when she was ready, but she hasn’t, which makes me think I might have to push her about it.

A lot happened on the night of the attack that was hard to digest for all of us, especially Halle. I know she is desperate to find her mom, but there is also a part of her that understands her mother is not who she remembers.

I pour the coffee into the mugs and her creamer and sweetener before I carry both out. It has snowed overnight, and a blanket of white covers the sanctuary. I can’t deny it looks pretty, but it is deep enough to be annoying.

Halle glances up as I approach and hand her the coffee mug. She’s got a blanket wrapped around her legs, which she lifts as I sit next to her, placing it over both of us. “Thanks,” she says in that voice that stirs my heart to life.

I place my coffee on the little table in front of us, putting hers there too so I can kiss her unencumbered.The way her lips move across mine is perfect, and so is the love I feel throbbing through our bond.

When I pull back, she has a dreamy look in her eyes, and I like that I put it there. Halle sighs, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I love this time of the morning,” she admits. “It’s so quiet.”

“The perfect time to talk,” I say.

Her nose wrinkles as she peers out over the snow-covered ground. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”

I’m glad she hasn’t tried to sidestep or avoid talking about this issue. “Okay then,” I let it go. “When you’re ready, I’ll be here.”

She snuggles against my side, and I pull her against me. “I just feel so much guilt.”

“For what?”

“Not knowing she was out there and leaving her to face whatever she has alone.”

“Are you ready for today?” I stroke her hair off her face.

She gives me a weak smile, and I feel the apprehension rolling through her. “I’m not sure what I’m going to say to her.”

“You say whatever you need to,” I tell her. “You don’t need to protect Adeline’s feelings, Halle.” Her aunt sure as fuck didn't protect hers.

“I feel scared. Isn’t that weird?”

“You don’t need to be scared. I’ll be there.”

Halle snorts. “I didn’t think there was a chance of meeting her without you there.”

“There isn’t.” This woman risked my mate’s life with her actions, and I need to know if they weregenuine or if she truly meant to hurt Halle. “When is she coming?”

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