Page 54 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

“All right. Motion passed,” I said. “I’ll head out to Kirsten’s place later and give her the news. I want to be clear, though, I expect everyone to welcome this woman. There will be no foul behavior toward her. Your alpha has spoken, and your pack has voted. If I hear of anyone being nasty, you will come talk to me, and it will not be a pleasant talk.” I paused, letting my words sink in. “You are all dismissed to go on back to whatever you were doing. Thank you for your time.”

The crowd filed out, murmured conversations rumbling through the building as they did. Waylan gave me a thumbs-up. As she made for the back door, Stephanie glanced back at me, gave a slight shake of her head, and rounded the corner.

Well, that was a kick in the stomach. I’d need to mend fences with her. My council needed to be on the same page. Stephanie might be upset now, but I’d have to make her see this was for the best.

I waited until that night to go over to Kirsten’s place, mostly so I could work up the courage. This was a business meeting, and I didn’t need my wolf to take over and give me a raging erection while we spoke. By eight o’clock, when I felt like I finally had myself under control, I drove over. I didn’t want to shift and give my wolf the energy to push me.

The lights were on in the cabin when I pulled up, and I turned the truck off and walked up the steps to the door. After knocking firmly three times, I stepped back to wait. My careful planning and internal discussion with my wolf vanished the moment Kirsten opened the door.

I gaped at her.

Her hair hung in wet ringlets around her neck and shoulders, black and glistening with moisture. She wore a robe that left little to the imagination, a satiny thing that clung to the wetness of her skin, the hem brushing the middle of her thighs. She must have just gotten out of the shower.

I swallowed hard and did my best not to look at the curve of her breasts. Apparently, I should have called first.

“Uh, hi,” I said, clenching my hands into fists to keep my composure.

“Jace? Is something wrong?”

Despite my warning to myself, I couldn’t help my gaze from traveling up and down her body a second time, taking all of her in. Kirsten’s breathing picked up. I could even hear her heart rate climb.

“I…” My voice was gravel. Clearing my throat, I went on. “I had a meeting with the pack. They’ve all agreed to let you into town to shop. You’re welcome to come and go as you please.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? Wow. Thanks, that means a lot. I appreciate it.” She smiled and bit her lower lip. “Uh, does that mean I won’t be getting any more deliveries from you?”

That did it. I couldn’t stop myself from taking two quick steps forward, almost pressing myself against her. Only heroic willpower and my respect for her stopped me from dragging her forward for a kiss.

Kirsten gasped at my sudden movement, but she didn’t move away. We stood like that, her breasts grazing my chest with each breath. I was hard already, my cock throbbing in my pants.

“No more deliveries,” I whispered. “Not unless you ask. But make no mistake, we have unfinished business.”

Kirsten looked up at me, pupils dilating until they looked like black pools. Her lips twitched slightly as though she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words, and her breathing came in shallow pants. God, I wanted her. All I could think of was tearing that thin robe from her body and taking her right there on the threshold, but I restrained myself. Even if her eyes, body, and scent told me she wanted me, too, I had to hear it from her mouth. Once I heard those words—and only when I heard those words—would I give her what she wanted.

What I wanted.

Reaching forward, I took a lock of her hair and twirled it around my fingers. “You’ll need to tell me when you’re ready,” I whispered. “When you can finally admit to yourself that you want me the way I want you, say the words. Tell me, and I will do it. In a second. Remember that.”

I tucked her hair behind her ear, then strode away. My wolf howled at me to turn around and go back, to take her in my arms, but I resisted. God only knew how.

When I got into my truck and backed up, I looked at the porch. Kirsten stood there, hand on her chest. If she did want me, she’d have to do what I’d done—tear down the walls that held her back. Until then, we’d both be frustrated.

Chapter 15

Kirsten

The ache between my legs remained all through the night and into the morning. After Jace left, I’d nearly tripped over myself to get to my vibrator again, but rather than satisfy my needs, it had only served to inflame them even more. Now, lying awake in bed the next morning, the sexual tension was pulled taut like a rubber band stretched to the breaking point.

Damn him, I thought. Why am I so attracted to him?

This was not something I wanted or needed right now. Hell, it had been almost four years since my last actual relationship, and for good reason. Most guys I’d been with had wanted to use me in some way. I wasn’t blind. I was self-aware enough to know I was conventionally attractive, and men saw that and wanted to be near it. Most wanted arm candy to show off or a hot body to have sex with. Every man I’d been with had been a user of one sort or another. In four years, I’d had one or two little flings that had lasted a week or two, but other than that? A desert of sex that had left me parched and desperate to quench my thirst.

Now, I had Jace on my doorstep, and I was having a hard time saying no. I wanted to say no, didn’t I? My magic was influencing me more than I could have imagined.

I glanced at the vibrator on my nightstand. It beckoned to me like a confident yet drunk suitor. I thought about it for a second, then slung my legs out from under the sheets.

“No, not again. Nope,” I said to myself as I tucked the device into the drawer.

The best thing I could do was find something to occupy my time. One good thing about Jace coming by the night before was that I now had free use of the town. I could go explore and shop to my heart’s content. That sounded like exactly the thing to get my mind off the raging fire of my hormones.

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