Page 37 of Love That Sass

She sat in his SUV outside the shitty motel she’d been living in, and she knew she should get out, leave him in peace. But she couldn’t. Her body just wouldn’t listen, and her mind had so many more questions.

“I, uh, that is, you probably have to go,” she mumbled.

“I don’t have to do anything, Gwendolyn. What’s on your mind?” he whispered, careful to keep himself small, she realized.

Oh, he was good. Aware of her emotions, it seemed, and tender with his actions. Weylin Scott was a mystery to her before she knew his big secret, and now, well, now he was a total enigma.

Why would a big, powerful man like that be interested in a curvy little nobody like her? Only one way to find out. Turning herself to face him, Gwendolyn straightened her shoulders, drawing in a deep breath.

“Why me?”

“Why you what?” he asked, green eyes wide.

“The kiss, well, both of them. The keeping guard at this shithole motel. You look like a man who has his pick of women, so why me? Is it because of what I said about saving myself for marriage? Am I just a challenge to you?”

“Hold on,” he said, exhaling slowly. “First off, why not you? You’re gorgeous, Gwen, and that’s just a casual observation. Second, even if I could have anyone I want, I only want you. We have a legend,” he began.

Gwen really started listening now. She was not going to be sidetracked by those emerald eyes, or his multifaceted hair, the muscles straining beneath his clothes, and his incredibly soft, exceptionally skilled pink lips. God, she could get lost in those lips.

His kisses were consuming. They were the kind of thing she’d read about but never expected to find in real life. It was like all his attention was on her when he pressed his mouth to hers, and her promise to remain chaste until marriage abiding, Gwen was dying to indulge again.

What would it be like if she let go of that vow she made? If she gave herself to a man, no,a Shifter, like him? She’d had her heart broken before, and sex had had nothing and yet everything to do with it.

Would Weylin break her heart? Even if he did, she’d bet the farm he would make it worth her while. There was something so primal about her need for him. Gwen could not help her reactions to the man. The way he looked, the way he smelled, the way he moved—everything drew her to him like some invisible magnet.

Wait. Was he talking? What was he saying?

“I said, we have a legend,” he murmured, a hint of a grin playing at the corner of his mouth. “That is,supernaturalshave a legend.”

“About what?” she asked, curious about legends that had their own legends.

“About fated mates,” he said, his voice so deep and rumbly it sent chills traveling up her spine.

“Fated mates. What’s that?”

“A fated mate is like a soul mate. It’s the one person or persons the Fates created just for you. The soul that can make yours complete. Fated mates are everything to each other.”

“Wow. That’s a fantastic notion,” she said.

“Yeah. It is. A lot of folks believe it is pure fantasy, and it gets confusing, and lines get muddled. People think having a fated mate means you have no choice, but that isn’t true. And it isn’t just a supernatural thing, humans have fated mates as well. Supes are just better able to spot them, is all.”

“So, are you saying I have a fated mate?”

“Yeah, you do, Gwen,” he whispered, eyes glowing in the darkness of the vehicle.

“What about you? Do you have a fated mate, Weylin?”

“Yes,” he hissed the word.

The air seemed electrified, with whatever awareness was sizzling between them. Her skin burned, seeming to want his touch. Gwen swayed slightly towards him. She was so close, tiny specks of gold glittered in his green gaze, dazzling her with their depths.

“My Dire Wolf knew the second I spotted you. You were always meant to be mine, Gwendolyn Hoffer.”

“How can you be sure?” she whispered, scared to raise her voice lest it break the spell weaving between them.

“Oh, I’m sure. It was like the whole world had been slightly askew my entire life, then you came into it, and everything was right, for the first time ever. The Fates set you right in my path, and I am so fucking grateful. You make everything right, Gwen.”

“But where’s the choice in that?” she murmured, swallowing softly.

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