Page 51 of Unbreakable Bond
Chapter 20
“Stop it.”
Rafe’s hand tightened on hers and she shot apologetic looks to the three men that had just crossed the street to avoid them. Luckily they were pack and they must have understood because they lowered their gazes and didn’t glance back once. She let out an uneasy breath, thankful they hadn’t taken Rafe’s growling as an excuse to start afight.
“Stop what?” His voice was low as he tugged her against his side and nuzzled herhair.
“Growling at literally every person we see.” She softened slightly at the affectionate gesture and squeezed his hand reassuringly, “Nobody here is a threat tome.”
“I don’t like them looking atyou.”
Zoey glanced up to see his mouth curve into an adorably sexy pout and hid a smile against his shoulder, “They’re not looking at me, Rafe. They’re looking at you because you’re emitting a low-key warning growl like a bomb about to go off. Now cut it out before we get to the shop because if you scare all my customers away I’m going to bepissed.”
“The men were looking at you.” Heinsisted.
She sighed, “So what if theywere?”
“You’remine.”
“Exactly. I’m yours. They can look if they want but all they’re going to see is how much I want my mate.You.”
“I warned you what would happen if one of them touchesyou…”
“And nobody will touch me but you.” Zoey cut him off with a shake of her head, trying to reassure him for what felt like the millionth time since they left the cabin, “I chose you.Remember?”
Rafe’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, “I don’t want you to regret that. I know I’m…overbearing.”
“You’re protective.” Zoey stopped walking and faced him, “You’re also sweet and sexy and you’re mine. I don’t want to share you with the world any more than you want to share me. But our life is here and we have to live it. We talked aboutthis.”
“I know.” Rafe’s free hand came up and gently traced the mark on her neck, sending goosebumps racing over her skin and heat straight to her core, “I’m just on edge about tonight. The full moon and my wolfand…”
Zoey caught his hand and brought it to her lips, kissing his knuckles softly, “Let’s not worry about tonight right now. Let’s just focus on getting through the day.Okay?”
“Okay.” Rafe finallynodded.
She went up on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. Rafe immediately growled and swept down to claim her mouth. He hauled her against him and the heat between them sparked. She opened her mouth when his tongue demanded entry and whimpered when he teased her with it, pumping in and out in a filthy, suggestive way that made her want him inside her so bad sheached.
“Holy. Fucking.Shit.”
The words snapped her out of her fantasy and back to reality. Where she and Rafe were making out on the sidewalk just in front of her bakery. Where people were walking past and cars were driving by. Where her assistant and friend was gaping at them with wide-mouthed astonishment from barely two feetaway.
Zoey felt her cheeks flush and began to disentangle herself, “Uh, heyApril.”
Her friend’s eyes stayed glued to Rafe , unblinking for a long moment before she shook her head and glanced back at Zoey, “I heard the rumors I just… I thought Michael… I didn’t believe… holy fuckingshit.”
Zoey managed a slight chuckle and nodded to the stuttering woman, “Rafe, soak it in. You’ve officially left April Warner speechless, a feat I thought was impossible.” Her friend managed to pull her jaw shut and Zoey continued, “April, you remember Rafe Hudsonright?”
“Right. Yeah. How could I forget?” April fidgeted slightly, looking between them, “So you two are really… like… togetherthen?”
“Mated.” Zoey nodded and squeezed Rafe’s hand when he remained stock still at her side. “Rafe’s mymate.”
April looked even more astonished at the confirmation, as if that had even seemed possible, “Well, uh, congratulations. And… welcome back to Noir,Rafe.”
“Warner.” Rafe finally spoke, his head tilting slightly, “You’re Ethan’s…sister?”
“Ouch.” April blinked and laughed, “No. Ethan’s sister is Isla and she’s about ten years older than me. I’m Ethan’smate.”
“April used to be a Kellogg before she mated with Ethan.” Zoey tried to dig her new mate out of the hole he’d steppedinto.
