He’s breathing so heavily as we stare each other down.

Lady Fate must have a real sense of humor if she put two stubborn people like us together.

“You’re mymate,” he says in a forceful tone. “I don’t want to see you in danger.”

“Then send your grizzly bear instead,” I say, glancing at his chest. “I’ll probably get along better with him than I do with you.”

“He’s even more protective than I am.”

“Of course he is,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I need that drink.”

I walk away from him and head to the ice machine with my heart pounding. This would be so much easier if he wasn’t so hot. If I didn’t want to shut him up by grabbing the back of his head and pulling his mouth to mine.

I storm over to the ice machine and of course he follows me and of course I like it.

He hovers beside me as I yank the cover open and shove the bucket into the ice.

I’m trying not to look at his big chest and those sexy muscular arms practically ripping out of his T-shirt, but my traitorous eyes keep betraying me.

“We’re going to have to figure this out,” he says as he leans on the machine and crosses his arms. “We’re mates whether you like it or not.”

“If you’re going to be my mate, you’re going to have to be okay with me doing things like this. I have a career that will put me in danger from time to time.”

“I’ll never be okay with having you in danger.”

“Well, you’re going to have to get okay with it,” I say. “Because I’m not stopping.”

He steps forward, towering over me. I suck in a breath and swallow as I look up at his gorgeous face. He’s so big. So imposing. So fucking hot.

Stay strong, Gracie. Don’t give in.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“I’m going.”

“Gracie…”

He says my name like he’s been saying it for years. It feels so natural. So right…

We’re arguing, but all I can think about is kissing him. My eyes keep darting down to his mouth. My body wants to submit to him while my mouth is going toe-to-toe with this frustrating man.

“You can’t stop me,” I tell him as I raise my chin, staring him down.

“Oh, yes I can.”

He steps right up to me and my whole body shivers. Why does he have such a strong effect on me? It’s like I don’t have a handle on my body anymore. He’s taken over the controls.

I stare him dead in the eyes. “What are you going to do?”

“How about I tie you to the bed?” he says, staring back at me.

Of course my mind immediately goesthere. I can feel my cheeks flushing. Heat blooms in my core and swirls between my legs.

“I can keep you busy for two days until your flight.”

Busy doing what? Why am I so tempted to find out?

I fight back a moan as I look at his mouth.