Page 72 of Inside the Sun

He hesitates, glancing toward the house.

"If I tell you… will you report it to Anzo Ferro?"

I tilt my head. Is this some kind of game? What the hell is he getting at? A test? Or something else?

I take a step back.

"You don’t have to tell me anything. I need to get back to work."

I turn and start to walk away, but his hand shoots out and grabs me.

The moment his skin touches mine, an intense rush of electric current shoots through my whole body.

For a second, it makes me dizzy, like being on high.

Whoa!

No, hold on. We’re both alphas, so the First Touch that happens between True Mates should be close to impossible.

But still… whatever that was, it felt so fucking good. And immediately made me want more. So I let out a loud breath, and so does he, as if we both want to release some steam.

"Listen, I need to ask you for something," he blurts out.

A favor?

Oh great. Here we go. So itisa test, after all.

I can almost taste the bitterness rising in my throat, because I’d started to hope, deep down, that maybe this wasn’t a setup.

Fuck. I can’t lose focus.

"Sorry, but I can’t accept any requests beyond my duties as a gardener."

Needing to put some space between us, I turn, but he doesn't let me! He makes another step toward me, and his fingers land on my forearm again.

The shiver is back. For a second I give in, don’t fight it. I accept the waves of pleasant heat that roll over my body, making me lightheaded.

The energy in the gazebo is shifting, getting weird. Intense. I stare at his hand, mesmerized. His scent, sweet like orange flowers, envelops me…

What the fuck?

I force myself to stir awake from this madness and almost jump back.

Our eyes meet, the intensity is incredible. Electricity seems to swirl in the air around us.

Despite putting distance between us, I still can’t shake that touch. My body’s practically on edge, buzzing, waiting for release, tingling with need. But that can’t happen. This guy’s clearly here for a reason: to figure me out. It’s starting to feel obvious.

Frowning, I step out of the gazebo, and adjust my pants. They’re uncomfortably tight around the crotch. Again!

Shit. This is ridiculous. I’ve never been struck like that before. It has to be some kind of magic. He’s beautiful, sure, but that’s the most foolish reason to risk any mission, especially one that could save actual lives.

With a low, annoyed growl, I quickly look around the gazebo to make sure no one noticed I was there.

But the moment I close my eyes for a second, I see his slender fingers wrapped around my forearm, feel that sweet shiver that ran through every cell in my body. It really felt like I would imagine the legendary First Touch! But come on, I’m onheavysuppressants. That would dull it completely anyway. So it’s probably just the sexual frustration. I haven’t been with anyone in a year, and I’m so pent-up I could explode.

Now cleaning the gazebo will have to wait. I can’t be in there with him, no fucking way.

Walking away with quick strides, I promise myself I’ll come back in the evening, just before the end of my shift, hoping he’ll be gone by then.

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