Page 26 of Purrfectly Kissed

“We won the bids on several more projects in the surrounding areas. One is the construction of a new shopping center,” Hunter began, using his computer to send updated schedules to everyone present.

The crews used tablets and laptops to communicate and evaluate projects and goings ons. Everything was computer based these days, and lucky for Brayden, he was fairly tech savvy.

Sure, he’d rather be tearing up some concrete than typing on a delicate piece of machinery, but that was just him. Bear Shifter, go figure.

“Alright, that about sums it up. You guys can go. Except you, Brayden,” Hunter said.

Shit.

He’d been so distracted with thoughts of Jessica, he hadn’t been paying attention.

Should have kissed her, his Bear growled the words at him.

He’d wanted to. When he placed her in her seat after they’d eaten that delectable Sushi, he’d been so close to claiming her rosy lips. Then he’d remembered what she’d said about kissing.

“I want deep, long kisses that last for days. Kisses that touch me inside and leave my toes permanently curled. I want to feel special. To be loved in every way.”

Now, Brayden had no doubt in his mind that once he started kissing Jessica, they’d both go up in flames. It was the way of fated mates. And she was his. A fact that only grew clearer with every passing second. Despite his past, Brayden was more than certain Jessica Maverick was his fated mate.

She was the only woman the universe had created specifically for him. In turn, he was the only male for her. Shifters who claimed their fated mates were blessed by the universe in a way others could only dream about. And now that he recognized the truth, he could not justify squandering this chance at happiness for them both.

Brayden wanted her so badly, he was resigned to spending the next few weeks bent over trying to hide the constant erection he seemed to have developed. At least, until he felt she was ready to move forward. He wanted Jessica completely in control. Needed her to be okay with this mating before he claimed her.

Fuck.

His Bear was being a total dick about it. The beast was threatening to go on a rampage if he couldn’t have her soon. Still, he had a shadow of a doubt, and that was all he needed to stop him in his tracks.

Pain from his beast had his Bear whimpering inside his mind’s eyes. The idea of mating went against the vow he’d made after the tragedy of John and Valerie.

The deaths of both his childhood friends still tore a hole through him whenever he thought of their tragedy. But Jessica was not Valerie. And he was not John. Their story could be different.

Shit.

He was being a coward. Poor Jess. She was probably feeling all kinds of rejected right now. And it was his fault. He really needed to get his head out of his ass.

Grrrrr.

His Bear scratched against his skin, and he closed his eyes to calm the beast while Hunter shuffled some papers around and returned to the seat behind his desk. A Bear on a rampage was not a good thing.

“Brayden? You seem distracted. What’s going on, man?”

“Yeah, sorry. Nothing, bro. I’m good.”

“You sure? Cause I’m here if you need to talk,” Hunter replied.

The Tiger was a great leader. Caring and wise, he was also loyal and honest. There was no other man Brayden could ever imagine filling his role as Neta. If there was ever an issue with one of his Pride, Hunter would be there in a flash. It was one reason he respected the man so greatly.

“Look, I have some things to discuss about Uzzi and what he will be doing here,” Hunter began, and Brayden waited for it.

“I know you aren’t a Tiger, but you have a coveted rank in this Pride. One you earned, and I would like to see you keep it,” Hunter began.

Brayden respected the Neta so damn much, and he was proud of the position he held within the Maverick Pride. But that was only guaranteed until the next challenge or until his Bear went crazy. Unmated Shifters had that tendency. Not that it was a choice or anything. Shifters were simply not meant to be alone.

It was the reason people like Uzzi Stregovich and his Magical Matchmaking Service fared so well amongst their kind. Sometimes Shifters needed help to find their mates. And discovering one’sfated matewas best. Uncle Uzzi’s reputation for helping Shifters was unmatched.

They were lucky he wanted to help the Pride. A fated mate was like nothing else in the universe. It was the other half to a Shifter’s soul. The one person in all the universe perfectly created to soothe the beast, calm the animal, and complete the human half as well.

“I asked Uncle Uzzi to help the Pride for many reasons. One is that numbers are low. Our Pride has not been particularly fruitful as of late, and that does not bode well.”

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