Page 29 of My Orc Nanny

MyKteerwas howling in glee, and I swallowed, pressing my fingers against my chest until I felt my claws trying to pierce the skin.

Hannah was my Mate.

I knew it. Iknew it.

MyKteerknew it, my heart knew it. Tarkhan had seen it—how?

Your eyes, you idiot. Your eyes are glowing.

Fuck, I’d wondered about that.

How had I not realized it?

Hannah was my Mate…and I was hers.

Now claim keep Mate forever taste lick claim Mate CLAIM.

But.

But.

But she was my employer. I was her nanny. I couldn’t afford to claim her, the way myKteerwas begging, because I couldn’t afford anything to change between us.

Hannah had shared about her past, her experience with her ex-husband. She couldn’t afford to allow another male into her life, into her heart, and risk her children. And I would donothingto risk the kitlings’ happiness.

Nothing.

I took a deep, shuddering breath and bent my head, my elbows resting on my knees. I wouldneverrisk the happiness of Ben, Tova, Joshua…or Hannah.

Don’t forget the scent of her arousal.

My lips twitched. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to forget that scent, or what it meant. Despite her trauma, despite her tears, she’d been as aroused by that kiss as I was. She’d wanted me, as much as I’d needed her.

No, maybe not.

Maybe to her, I was just a big male with nice muscles who could safely fulfill her fantasies. She’d been attracted to me from the beginning—I’d recognized that even during those first days. It had been a long time since she’d been with a male, right?

Maybe, when she looked at me—when shekissedme—she didn’t see a Mate, potential or real.

Maybe she didn’t see a forever.

Maybe she didn’twanta forever, she just wanted a night.

Or forty-eight hours alone.

With another deep breath, I lifted my head and stared, unseeing, at the half-constructed playset in the middle of the yard.

This weekend, we’d be alone. Sure, we had plenty of work to do to prepare for the party, but the kitlings wouldn’t be around. I wanted her, and she wanted me…and maybe this was our chance.

I’d let her lead. If she showed any indication that she was interested in pleasure, I would show her pleasure like shehadn’t imagined. I would prove that, even if we only had a short time together, even if she wasn’t looking forforever, I would take care of her.

Because there was no need for her to know what myKteerwas demanding. I could show her pleasure without claiming her. I could bring her ecstasy without her being my Mate—hells, Tarkhan did it frequently!

Yeah, that was it.

This weekend, if that’s what my Mate wanted, I would show her pleasure, and not think of tomorrow or next month orforever. I wouldn’t claim her. I wouldn’t pressure her.

And I would do my best to convince myKteerthat no matter how certain I felt it, deep in my chest, Hannah Woods wasn’tmine.

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