Page 52 of Shifters' Fated Summer
“Do you trust me, wildcat?” Luca murmured. I nodded. “And you want to get him to accept the bond andnot be such an asshole?”
“Yeah,” I said, lines forming around my eyes as I frowned at him.
“Just do what I say. I’ve got a plan.” He sounded a little too smug for my comfort, but I nodded again and allowed him to pull me into the office.
The door was cracked, and Luca pushed it open. Cade sat at his desk with his legs stretched out. His head was tipped back, showing the sharp line of his jaw under his short beard. I wanted to lick along that line and nibble at the tender skin until he lost control.
I blinked, shocked at myself. This fated mate bond was no joke.
His head rose and his brows furrowed as we stepped in and Luca closed the door behind us. Those golden brown irises flashed gold before he folded his arms over his stomach and clenched his jaw.
“You missed breakfast,” Luca said, drawing out his words obnoxiously.
Cade’s jaw ticked. “Sorry, I was busy.”
I felt Luca’s eyes on me, so I cleared my throat. “I can feel you’re stressed, through our bond.” I cringed. “Sorry.”
With a dramatic sigh, Cade’s head dropped back.
Luca’s hands gripped my waist, and he urged me closer to the desk. “There’s no hiding it. I can feel it too now. So we are here to help.”
Cade scrubbed his hand over his face. “Not necessary. Just planning a dangerous mission, no big deal.”
“Well, asyour mates, we want to help you relax,” Luca said.
Cade’s eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. “My mates?”
Luca narrowed his eyes, challenging him with a bold stare. “Yes, meandSummer. You can’t deny it. Ignoring the bond isn’t helping you.”
For a moment, Cade’s lip curled and a wave of distrust rolled through our bond, but then our connection dulled and he looked away.
When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “Not interested. I’ve got way too much to handle right now. I don’t need a second mate.”
“Oh, you don’t?” Luca asked, cocking his head. “You don’t want to have a beautiful fated mateandyour chosen mate to support you?”
Cade growled. “There’s too much at stake right now, and I still don’t trust her.” He waved a hand at me.
I tensed, ready to defend myself, but Luca stopped me with a squeeze on my hip. “I think we both know that isn’t true. You can tell she’s being honest through the bond. So now you’re just being stubborn.”
“Why are you pushing this?” Cade said, and I felt his irritation surging.
Luca stayed cool and collected. “Because you need this. You need me and you need her. That’s how fate works.”
Cade shook his head. “I’m serious, you two can enjoyyourselves, whatever. I’m not a part of it.”
Instead of arguing further, Luca slipped his fingers under the edge of my waistband, playing with the edge of the fabric.
“Alright, we will have our relationship, and when you’re ready to stop denying the mate bond, you can join in.” Luca’s voice was velvet, sending my pulse skittering.
“What are you doing?” I asked softly, turning to face him.
“Remember what I did to you earlier with my mouth?” He bushed my hair back and stroked my cheek. “Do you want to do that to me?”
My breathing stuttered. An eager heat curled through me, sending tingles between my legs. “Um, yeah,” I said, licking my lips.
“Right here, right now?” Luca whispered.
My fingers clutched his arms to steady myself. “In this room?” I didn’t say,In front of Cade?But that was obvious.
