Page 62 of Saving Stella

She inhaled a deep breath, then blew it out. “What am I going to do? I thought … I mean, to be honest, I’ve never given it a thought. The whole Lycan thing. Charley asked me if I’ve ever shifted or felt my wolf, but I didn’t know how to answer her. The truth is, I think I’ve always felt it. When I was a kid, I thought it was my imaginary friend. Then I grew up and forgot about it, but ever since I found out, it’s like it came back again.”

“You feel it, don’t you? Like it’s lurking inside you?”

She nodded. “Yeah. But it’s never tried to come out before. What am I going to do? W-what if you’re not around next time and I accidentally shift? What if I hurt someone for real?”

“There are ways to control it. All of us train to control our wolves when we’re young.”

“But what about me?” Lifting her head, she gazed up at him with those shimmering blue eyes. “Does that mean I’m too old?”

“No. Devon learned a couple weeks ago, and it didn’t take him too long. If you want, I can ask my Uncle Jackson—he’s the one who trained Devon—if he could help you.”

She bit her lip. “But I should probably consider it.”

“Yeah. For now, you need to restrain your emotions. Extreme stress, emotion, and trauma have been known to cause a Lycan to lose control. Find out what triggered you and avoid it.”

“Trigger? Like—” She squirmed in his arms, and her face flushed.

“What’s the matter?” He loosened his grip around her.

“Nothing.” She turned around, hiding her face from him. “I mean … never mind.”

“Do you know what triggered you? Is it—oh.”

Madelyn.

That’s what—or who—triggered her.

“I’m so sorry you had to run into her.” Stella was so kindhearted, she was probably mad at Madelyn for his sake. “Listen, you don’t have to worry about her. It’s in the past. She ruined my career and my life, but really, I’m much happier now. I don’t even think about her. Bumping into her was pure coincidence.”

“I know. But it’s not that.”

“It’s not?”

“No. Not just that, I mean.” Her teeth chomped at her lips. “I was … jealous.”

“Jealous?” He felt like he’d been struck in the head with a brick.

“Yeah. It’s silly, right?”

Warmth spread across his chest and all over his body. “You don’t have anything to be jealous about.”

“No?”

“No. Why should you? You’re gorgeous and kind and—mmmph!” This time, he was the one caught by surprise as Stella launched herself at him and pressed her lips to his.

Holy shit.

But the kiss was over as quickly as it started as she let go of him and shuffled backward. “Sorry … I shouldn’t have. I mean, you’ve already been forced to kiss—Cliff!”

His arms snaked around her waist, and he hauled her against him. “I would never feel forced with you.” To show her he meant it, he leaned down and brushed his mouth against her.

“Cliff …” she murmured against his lips. “Please … I don’t care about the future or where you want to live or don’t live, whether this is just for now. I just want to be with you tonight. I promise, if this is all you have to give, then I’ll take it.”

“Stella … you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Still, he pressed his mouth to hers and drank from her lips. “Stella, Stella … what am I going to do with you?”

“I can think of a few things,” she replied saucily, then pressed her hips against him, causing his cock to harden instantly.

“I can’t. We can’t.”

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