Page 13 of The Mating Need
Jamming his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he growled. “Damnit, I don’t want this. I don’t want you here. I want you with me. Safe. I want you to be mine,Jenny.”
She sucked in a breath. Time to reassure him because she feared if they capitulated to the rising passion between them, she’d follow him anywhere. Just as her fool parents followed the alpha into theirdeaths.
“I’ll be fine. I know how to survive on my own, Troy. I did long before we met. I don’t need you or anyone else to take care ofme.”
“Yeah, guess youwill.”
The guarded look on his face succeeded in doing what she’d hoped, and feared. Pushed him away. Her heart ached, but she knew it was for thebest.
A while later, his pack slung over one broad shoulder, she walked with him down the forest slope toward the ranch, where they had seen a lodge when they’d first checked out the woods a few days ago. He stopped andturned.
“I’ll say good-bye now, before anyone sees you,Jenny.”
Suddenly she was in his arms, without even knowing how she’d gotten there. Gaze smoldering, Troy bent his head and kissedher.
Stunned, she surrendered to the subtle pressure of his warm mouth, her lips opening beneath his. His tongue delved inside, lightly teasing, tastingher.
He kissed her as if she were his nextbreath.
Jenny moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding tight, drowning in the pleasure of Troy’s touch. Wantingmore.
Needingmore.
He released her as quickly as he’d kissedher.
“What was that for?” shewhispered.
“A taste of home, Jenny. What you really need. A home, with me at your side, in bed each night. Once I get you into my bed, you’ll never want toleave.”
Then he smiled, but the smile lacked his usual charm. This smile looked hungry and predatory, as if his wolf surgedforth.
Troy kissed her again, his time on the forehead, the friendly and casual kiss he usually gave out. Then he waved a hand and seemed to blend into the forest until he wasgone.
Shaken, she rubbed her mouth. That kiss… whoa. She’d almost changed hermind.
Almost.
Jenny felt a wistful tug as she stared into the thick growth of pines, aspen and oaktrees.
Troy seemed like he headed for a possible destiny, a secure spot in theworld.
While she was still a wandering soul, uncertain of herown.
