Page 79 of Rescued By the Beast
My nervousness increases, and I feel a heat rising to my cheeks. When the anxiety tightens, the first thing that comes out of my mouth is:
"Have you been going to Pandemonium?"
I already know the answer, of course. He hasn't been going out after work, except for that night when he went after the source of the evil energy. He spent the whole day out, searching through everything he could, and only returned to the cabin late at night, exhausted and immersed in his own thoughts.
And that idea makes me feel a kind of jealousy.
He shakes his head, his expression softening a little.
"No, the last time I went to the tavern was the night I saw you. And I see no reason to go back."
"Why not?" I raise an eyebrow. "Did Char change the drinks menu since I left?"
He shakes his head and seems to hesitate for a moment before answering.
"No. Actually, now that I know you won't be there, I have no reason to go..."
I bite my lip to try to hold back the broad smile that threatens to appear, but it's impossible to contain my happiness.
"Oh, so you were going because of me, were you?" I ask, with a mischievous smile, a hint of defiance on my lips.
He looks back at me, a slightly shy smile playing on his lips, and it affects me in a way I didn't expect. Seeing that imposing, powerful man blushing because of me is exciting...
It's exciting to know that I have that power over him.
"You were the best thing about that place." He takes a step closer, his gaze becoming more intense.
"Better even than the beer?" I joke to hide my nervousness.
He raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth pulling into a more confident smile.
"Definitely." The tip of his tongue slides over his lower lip, and I'm mesmerised.
Suddenly, my smile fades, and silence settles between us, thick and heavy, as if the air around us has become denser.
We stand there, just looking at each other... and something inside me begins to stir.
I feel an overwhelming need to get closer, as if an invisible magnet is pulling my body towards him. I want more of him. I want to feel his big, firm hands on me, I want to lose myself in the warmth of his touch, I want to purr against his chest, sink into the warm, masculine scent that emanates from him...
My body acts before my mind can process it. One step back, a disguised stumble, and I gasp softly when I feel his hands fly to hold me.
His fingers, warm and firm, close around my waist, stabilising me. The touch is instant, intense, and sends a pleasant shiver down my spine. He holds me with a firmness that makes me dizzy, pulling me towards him, as if he knows that, deep down, I am completely surrendered.
My eyes rise to his, and my mouth goes dry as I realise how close we are. His chest brushes against mine, and his face is mere inches from mine. Mark opens his mouth slightly, his wolfish eyes sliding down to my lips.
My heart races.
I hold my breath, waiting, wanting so badly to feel the pressure of his mouth on mine that my whole body burns, feverish, my cheeks on fire.
The silence becomes almost unbearable, and I tilt my face slightly upwards, my lips begging to merge with his.
Then, just as he leans in, his mobile phone rings.
Mark lets out a quiet curse and runs his hand through his hair, visibly irritated, before pulling the phone out of his pocket.
"I have to take this."
"Of course," I whisper.
