Page 20 of Purrfectly Kissed

“No, that’s not it,” he growled, and ran a hand over his face.

His beard had already doubled in length, though he’d trimmed it that morning. No doubt it was due to the tension he was feeling.Being a Shifter was complicated.

“Let me take you out to lunch,” he surprised himself by saying.

“I mean if you want to. But I would really love the chance to explain myself without sticking my foot in my mouth,” he added with what he hoped was a tempting grin.

He held his breath, waiting for her to reply. So much hinged on the next word that would fall from her plump pink lips.

Shit. How had this happened so suddenly? When did his future happiness depend on one woman?

Uzzi Stregovich was one powerful fucking Witch. Had he bespelled the Bear? Or maybe the truth had been right in front of him for years, and his inner beast was just tired of waiting for him to figure it out.

Ya think?growled the Bear inside his mind’s eye.

Brayden could see the big animal rolling his eyes and covering his face with his paws. It was long past time to admit his feelings. Truth was, Brayden had been curious about the beautiful She-Cat for a while now. How could he not be?

Just look at her, he told himself.

She was gorgeous. Warmhearted and sweet. Not to mention sexy as hell. No wonder he wanted her like mad. And if Uncle Uzzi was to be believed, this incredible little Tiger wanted him too.

Fated mates were rare and wonderful in the supernatural world. Everything inside him was buzzing with energy at the prospect that she, Jessica Maverick, was destined to be his.

Mine.

Not yet, big guy.

He reined in his Bear and stood with baited-breath while Jessica bit her lip and weighed her decision to give him another chance. His pulse raced, heart pounded, and breath became jerky as his eyes remained glued to her sweet face.

One glance down at her body in the silly yet clingy sweater and skintight leggings had his cock throbbing with need.

Oh yeah. He had it bad. Maybe having a mate would be a good thing. And not just to strengthen the Pride, but to heal his wounded heart. Maybe Jessica Maverick would be good for him.

He just had to convince her to give him a chance while proving to both himself and the Tiger thatthiswas worth a shot.

“Well, Jess? What do you say?”

After another pregnant pause, she lifted her incredible teal eyes to him and, once again, he was struck by her beauty. The background was mostly gray and white. Winter in New Jersey was pretty monotone, if not for the deep wooden structure that was the Pride House and the rich greens of the pine trees in the woods behind them. But none of that could hold a candle to the fiery redhead with the teal eyes.

She positively glowed. Dazzling him with the reds and golds in her hair, and that icy teal gaze that sent shivers down his spine.

“Alright,” she said.

But Brayden still didn’t move. Not sure he heard her right.

“I’ll go to lunch with you,” she reiterated.

Brayden had no idea just how much hope he’d had pinned on her saying yes until she did. Then his Bear bellowed in triumph and his heart beat double time.

The slightest hint of a smile started slowly on her sweet face, and it was all he could do to stop himself from picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder like a cave-Bear.

“Yes? I mean, uh, yeah, good,” he added in a softer tone of voice.

Was he ever going to act normal around her? Before he could answer his own question, Jessica laughed. A real belly rumbling sort of sound that he liked. A whole fucking lot. And Brayden had the answer to his own question.

He would make an ass of himself repeatedly just to hear that sound. A happy Jessica Maverick meant a happy Bear. Brayden never felt so good as he did, seeing her smile because of his idiocy.

So yeah, if he had to be a clown, he would. For her. Shit. This was real. His heart thudded, blood boiled, and body tensed. Brayden was dumbstruck staring at her, red hair dancing in the breeze like flames on a bonfire.

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