Page 105 of The Alpha's Protective Mate

“You don’t care about him?”

His question is odd. “Why would you think I care about Terrence? He’s part of the Nelo Clan.”

“But he has feelings for you,” Robert presses.

My lips curve, but my jaw is tight. “A few sweet words aren’t going to make me swoon at somebody’s feet. Terrence is my past. Even if he means well, I don’t want anything to do with him. I’m not something that needs to be fixed, and I don’t need anybody making decisions for me.”

“He can give you a family, Charlotte. Children. Everything you might not be able to have otherwise.”

I get to my feet, flustered and annoyed. “What is this, Robert? Why do I feel like you’re trying to push me into Terrence’s arms? I don’t want him! Get it into your head! I stopped dreaming about having a family years ago, and just because someone is dangling that in front of me doesn’t mean I’m going to jump at the chance. I’m happy with my choice!”

When Robert stands up, he towers over me, making my heart skip a beat. “And who is your choice?”

His voice is deceptively soft. I push down the instinctive shyness, letting my fury dictate my words.

“You. I already chose you. I’m in your house, aren’t I? I’m no longer pushing you away. So, for however long I can hold on to this particular happiness, I will. And when you have to leave me, eventually, I’ll accept that, too.” My heart burns with an emotion that is hard to suppress. “I’ve tasted the harsh realities of life, Robert. I know not to expect anything from anyone. I know that love, in all forms, is conditional on one thing or another. Right now, what we have, I’m happy with it. But I also know that this thing between us has an expiration date. You don’t have to keep checking to see which side I’m loyal to, because I’m loyal to you. I’ve chosen you. And when you leave me, don’t think I’m going to go running off to Terrence. He is never going to be an option for me!”

Robert’s eyes narrow, and I expect him to say something harsh. I don’t know why. Perhaps it’s the way he’s looking at me, that raging emotion in his eyes.

His fingers wrap around my jaw in a firm hold, his voice silken. “You don’t know anything about shifters when they are in a relationship, do you? My wolf chose you, little vampire. It has staked a claim on you. And once a wolf stakes a claim, there is no going back. There is no choosing another. You have no idea how far I am willing to go to keep you tied to me. You’re not going to be able to walk away from this now. You had your chance to do so.”

My heart quivers in my chest at the sheer weight of what he is saying, but I refuse to back down. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

The tension between us is a vivid, physical thing.

I know he’s hurting from the loss of his friend. My own pain is different; I’m angry that he seems to think I value myself so little that I’d go running back to the people who hurt me so viciously.

I turn around, wanting to go calm down, but Robert has other plans. Spinning me back into his arms, his mouth crashes against mine in a mixture of heat, desire, and need, and I feel myself sink into him.

His body is hot to the touch, his kiss hard and punishing. I don’t mind, needing the contact, the roughness, to soothe my own anger at his words.

However, it’s never easy to stay mad at Robert. As he relaxes his grip on me, his kisses become gentle, and he whispers hoarsely, “I need you.”

My anger fades away with the next heartbeat as I see the raw grief in his eyes. My arms reach out to wrap around his neck, and I pull his head down for a deep kiss.

As he picks me up and carries me to the bedroom, I make a mental note to apologize to Jazz for not showing up to work today.

******

“You’re walking funny again,” Jazz observes, grinning as she empties the dishwasher. “I know what that means.”

The kitchen door opens, and Gina walks out with a tray of glasses. “So, I take it things are going well with you and Robert?”

“I’d say they are,” Jazz laughs as I try to ignore their sly teasing. “She called in again yesterday. You’re lucky I’m such an accommodating manager. I take my employees’ love lives into consideration.”

“I’m glad you’re happy, Charlotte.” Gina sets down the tray and pats my shoulder, smiling at me. “Everyone needs a little love in their life.”

“And speaking of love, your boyfriend is here.” Jazz points out the window. “See?”

As I look over to see Robert crossing the street, I hear Jazz whisper, “She doesn’t even deny he’s her boyfriend.”

“I hear wedding bells,” Gina chuckles.

Just then, Robert opens the door, and when he sees me all flushed, he grins. “Happy to see me?”

Jazz proceeds to start whistling “Here Comes the Bride,” and I feel my face burn. “Jazz!”

“What?” she asks, innocently. “Am I bothering you? I’m sorry.”

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