Page 17 of Rejected Pregnant Mate

We both laughed a little, but I was grateful when she relaxed. We began to move in a slow circle, our bodies moving together as if we'd done it a million times before. There was something so intimate about it, holding her like this. I wanted to kiss her, to take her back to my room and strip that dress off her body.

I let out a slow breath. The bond made me want her, and there was no denying it. And sure, she was attractive...but I'd seen attractive women before. I'd had plenty of them too, when I needed the distraction.

But Nayeli wasn't just attractive. There was something more about her than just her beauty. A kind of light that drew me in. As if she could tell what I was thinking, her blue eyes met mine, and I couldn't look away. I wanted to touch her. I wanted to do so much more than touch her. I wanted to claim her. My wolf wanted to mark her skin with my teeth, to make her mine in every way.

The song came to an end, and I realized we'd stopped moving. Our faces were only inches apart, close enough that I could feel the warmth of her skin. I forgot what the hell I was pretending for, because everything sure as hell felt real.

Kiss her, my wolf demanded. The bond snapped tight, and I could feel her breath against my face. She was looking up at me, and there was something in her eyes that made me want to kiss her. Something that said she wanted it too.

Then, a new song started, and I stepped back, letting her go. We weren't here to kiss, or to give in to the bond. This was just for show. Just for the pack.

I cleared my throat, "Okay. We should get back to mingling."

Nayeli blinked, "Yeah...that would be a good idea."

We left the dance floor together, and I forced myself to enjoy the rest of the night. We spoke with everyone who wanted to come up to us, laughing and smiling and putting on a goddamn show... and I'd never been more confused in my life.

***

Once all the guests had gone, Nayeli and I walked side by side, up the stairs that led from the beach to my home. Our home, for the time being at least. Having people around us had somewhat diluted the magnetic tension between us, but now that we were alone, I couldn't stop looking at her.

I'd never been one to believe in fate or destiny. I'd always considered myself to be in control of my own life and future. Even when I rejected Nayeli years ago, I felt as if it was my decision. Sure, I had feelings for her, and there was a pull between us...but I'd been determined to find the perfect wife for an Alpha, and if I couldn't, never marry at all.

I'd thought I made the right choice, and I was sure I'd never regret it.

But now that I was married to her, I wasn't so sure. It was as if she'd changed somehow. She'd always been beautiful, but seeing her in that dress and having her kiss me like she needed me made me want her in a way that was new. That was undeniable.

Nayeli looked over at me, "What are you thinking about?"

"Just..." I shook my head. "How did we end up here?"

"You mean because I'm a magical accident magnet?"

I chuckled. "Yeah. Something like that."

Nayeli paused, looking up at me once we reached the front door. Her eyes were soft. "Do you think it would have ever happened? Us?"

The question surprised me, and I wasn't sure how to answer. I knew what I wanted to say, but I didn't want to tell her the truth. It sounded cruel to tell her that if I had the chance, I wouldn't have ever accepted her as a mate. I'd never wanted an awkward woman like her. I liked control, and I'd seen Nayeli as anything but in control of her life.

But now...she looked like a different woman. Her confidence was new, her happiness seemed real. And that damn kiss…

I didn't want to hurt her.

"Maybe," I finally said, offering a small shrug. "It's hard to know."

She bit her bottom lip, the motion catching my attention, and then nodded. "Right. Of course. It doesn't matter now."

"No, it doesn't."

I unlocked the front door, and we both stepped inside. As soon as we crossed the threshold, her scent hit me all at once, ripe peaches with a hint of the ocean we'd been in front of for hours. My eyes dropped to her lips, still glossy, and I wondered what she'd do if I kissed her now that we were finally alone.

"Don't look at me like that," she said, and I dragged my eyes back up to hers. Nayeli looked annoyed but flustered.

"Like what?"

"Like you're about to eat me alive."

Oh, sweet Nayeli, you have no idea how much I want to do exactly that,I thought, surprised at the intensity of mythoughts and how powerfully erotic the urge was. She smelled like peaches, would she taste like them, too?

---