Page 6 of Mated

Really looks at me.

“Is… is there something wrong?”

“What’s your name? Your full name.”

“Kira Smith,” I say.

“Smith?”

I nod.

He frowns slightly, as if that’s an unacceptable answer. “Where are you from?”

I don’t want to answer that question.

“The city,” I say. It’s vague, but also he has no right to ask me questions like that, especially not in that kind of tone. I feel as though I’ve done something wrong, not just today, but in general.

“You disappeared on your first day of work, didn’t manage to follow simple instructions, and I’m not convinced that you are a fit for this job. I’m sorry, Kira Smith, but I am going to have to let you go.”

Heat flashes through me. I am shocked, and horrified, and wet. Why the fuck am I so damn wet? I certainly don’t have a thing for being fired by big mean men who haven’t given me a chance.

“What? No.”

“No?” He cocks his head to the side and gives me a slightly sardonic look.

“No,” I repeat.

“I know you don’t have an extensive employment history, but just so you know, when your boss fires you, it’s not customary to refuse to be fired, Kira.”

I like the way he says my name. It feels like molten heat rushing through the very core of me. It’s hot. I’m hot. Every part of me. It’s like I have some kind of sexual fever. I can suddenly feel my nipples against my bra. I can feel my underwear clinging lightly to my sex. I am aroused as hell, and I am not going anywhere.

“Well, I am refusing, because I have tried to follow your orders, but frankly, nobody here has been very helpful. It is as though the entire company is set up simply to get me fired, which feels like a waste of all our time.”

It’s hard to form a coherent sentence in this state, and I know I shouldn’t be arguing. I promised myself before I started this job that I wouldn’t argue. People don’t like it. It’s one of my very worst habits that I’m trying to change. But I guess I got fired anyway, and now my clit is just…mnngghh. I can feel it like it’s… what the hell is happening?

I look at him with a mixture of annoyance, longing, and confusion bordering on fear. This isn’t normal. Feeling this level of attraction for a complete asshole who hasn’t even been nice to me is not okay. Have I been drugged?

CHAPTER 2

Cain

She’s my mate.

I smelled it on her the minute we met.

There’s just one problem.

I don’t want a mate.

But now she is in heat. Every part of her body is calling to me. When she walks, the sway of her hips, the subtle movement of her hair, it is irresistible. Her scent especially is threatening to drive me mad. To anybody else it would be a light fragrance, barely noticeable. To me, it feels like a damn compunction, an order from the universe to fuck her immediately and claim her as my own.

The last thing I expected to do today was to meet my mate. I’m busy. I have contracts to negotiate on multiple continents. I have a dinner tonight that I need to attend. I have a meeting in halfan hour with one of the executives from… fuck it. None of that matters, and I know it.

She’s looking at me with those bright, hopeful, innocent eyes that are close to brimming with tears. She’s trying to be brave, but her lower lip has just a hint of a quiver. I know I am being an asshole. Usually that doesn’t bother me. Right now, it bothers me a great deal.

“This isn’t fair,” she says, her tone softening into heartbreak. “I tried my best.”

I didn’t think I could feel worse.

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