Page 30 of Moonlit Choosing Ritual

“You’ll waive ten thousand dollars for each night I stay with you?” I asked, needing to hear it again. When he nodded, hiseyes warm and soft, I pushed a little further. “Can we make that twenty?”

He narrowed his eyes, his tongue pressing against his cheek as if fighting a smile. “Okay.”

“And any time you touch me, that’s another five thousand off?”

He chuckled softly. “Fine. But if you add one more condition, I’ll make it zero.”

I shut my mouth.

He leaned forward, taking the toast from my hand. “There’s another part to this deal.”

Oh.

“When do you turn eighteen?” he asked, his eyes curious.

“In ten days. At your Moonlit Choosing Ritual.”

His lips curled into a lopsided smile. “That’s when the other part of this deal will begin.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You have to tell me now.”

“Do you trust me, Kimble?”

“No,” I breathed in an instant. “You’ve hidden so many things from me.” Inhaling sharply, I blurted, “Why didn’t you tell me you’re a werewolf? Why didn’t anyone tell me they’re werewolves? I—” I stifled the sudden rising of emotions in my throat. “So no, I don’t trust you.”

He nodded. “It seems Liam has already filled you in on the details.”

“He has.” My reply was clipped, accusatory.

After a few moments of silence, he said, “I was afraid you’d be horrified if we told you about us. And I was sure I’d get rid of you soon, so there was no need for you to know our truth.”

I stared at him, trying to process his words. Was he trying to protect me? “But you’ve just given me a way to leave.” The idea of being apart from him again was stupidly unsettling.

“I’m hoping you’ll start liking me.”

I pursed my lips, finding it hard to suppress my smile, and ended up blushing hard. He said it like he was fifteen years old, there was desperation in his voice. Hah. My imagination.

In order to dissipate the awkwardness, he said, “You’ve got everything you asked for from this deal. I deserve one condition.”

This cutesy side of Talon was doing something to me. I mean Liam tried hard to be sweet and charming and caring toward me, but Talon was winning the race. I don’t know why, but a wave of relief was flooding through me. “Okay.” I shrugged, not wanting to give away my emotions. “What’s your condition?” I picked up the melon juice and sipped it.

“I’ll let you know soon,” he said, taking my juice. “I’ll have Kenzie draw up a legal contract for the next ten days.”

“Okay…”

“Now, would you like another bath?”

Chapter 16

Kimble

“Oh yes!” I responded instantly, my cheeks flushing. What was it with him and me—always asking if I wanted a bath?

I glanced at him coyly. With his unshaven, rugged appearance, he looked like a wild, untamed wolf—dangerous yet irresistibly beautiful. Heat pooled low in my stomach, and I crossed my legs, trying to rein in the sudden rush of desire. His gaze sharpened, curious, head tilting as though assessing me, like a predator sizing up its prey. “Do you need my help?” His voice, a low growl, sent shivers down my spine.

“No! What? No!” I laughed nervously, the sound high and unnatural. “Why would I need your help?” I bolted from the table without having even touched my food, practically galloping across the vast room toward the bathroom—surely to put some space between us, not because I was feeling lusty. Just as I was about to shut the door, he slid his foot between it and the frame, wedging it open.

“I need to brush my teeth,” he stated, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

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