Page 13 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“We need to practice our… physical connection.”

She blinks twice before she barks out a laugh. “Wow, and there it is. This is just an excuse for you to get laid, isn’t it?”

As much as I try, I can’t hide the smirk tipping up my lips. She can see the mischief in my gaze, I know she can. But dammit if the girl isn’t cute when she riles me up.

I inch closer to her, and she backs away until she bumps into the counter. “You really think I need to create a whole elaborate scheme to get into a girl’s pants? Let’s face it, Jane. All I’d have to do is ask, and you’d bend over my kitchen table right now and drop your panties.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Dear God, who even says things like that? You’re such an animal.”

I edge closer and wait until she’s trapped, her lower back pressing against the edge of the countertop. My arms come up and box her in on either side.

“You’re right. I am.”

Chapter 6 - Jane

Reiner is standing so close to me, it takes effort not to squirm.

No, more like… it takes every bit of willpower and conscious choice not to.

I came here with every intention of ending this ridiculous charade, and I still don’t know why I’m agreeing to do it. I mean, yes, I know the benefits if we pull this off, and I guess I can admit I have a small motivation out of sheer annoyance. But I can’t stand him, can’t stand the smug grin he wears like a crown on his arrogant head. There is no part of me that believes we’re compatible.

So why the hell do my knees tremble every time he flashes that smile my way? Why does my pulse tick upward, skipping like a stone?

“You sure seemed to enjoy our kissing last night,” I point out. “I don’t recall you complaining. Especially that second time.”

“It wasn’t the kiss itself that was the problem,” he clarifies. “It was after the kiss. You can’t tell me that wasn’t awkward as hell. I’m willing to bet the only reason the others didn’t notice is because they were all so shocked that we were kissing to begin with. A terrible display like that will only work once, if that. Which brings me back to my original point. Practice makes perfect, and we need to… well…” He wrinkles his brow, choosing his words carefully. “Practice.”

Okay, he’s not wrong. About the first part, I mean. After we kissed, we sat staring at each other for a good thirty seconds. And yes, I guess that’s a little weird. A lot weird, really. If Sonya had been on her game, she would have called us out. But shewasn’t, and now we have to pull it off for real. Maybe he has a point, and we should… practice.

Yes. That’s all it would be. Practice.

So why am I squeezing my hands into fists to keep myself from trembling with anticipation? I wonder if the look on my face gives it away. I attempt to mask the excitement coursing through my veins, to temper the electric awareness crackling along my skin.

“Then, practice,” I finally say. “But none of that other shit. No touching or… or… you know…”

His rough, calloused palm curls around my throat, and I try not to shiver. I truly do. The fact that my skin erupts into goosebumps against my will is annoying at best and mortifying at worst. And dammit if my stomach doesn’t join the fun, swooping wildly at the pressure.

“You mean none of this? You want me to let go of you and not touch this…” His thumb moves to caress the artery at the side of my neck, and my face heats until I can barely take a proper breath.

I want to tell him yes, want to watch as that cocky smirk disappears from his face as I shut him down. But it’s more than a little difficult to put a thought together, let alone muster up the will to lie. Instead, I wait, shivering when he lowers his face to trace the line of my jaw with his nose.

“Nothing like this at all?” His mouth parts, and the gentle brush of his teeth skims my ear.

A loud groan slips between my lips, and I feel him smiling against my skin, satisfied. I hate that he knows exactly what he’s doing to me, but by the same token, I’m enjoying it. Truth be told, I’ve never been this worked up in my life. My arousal soaksmy panties, sending slick dripping down my inner thighs. Damn him.

I dig my fingers into his flannel shirt. Reiner’s scent engulfs me, and his presence alone feels like a flame touching my flesh. This man is fire, and I’m nothing but a match ready to be struck.

All he has to do is ignite me, and I’m gone.

Just as I think that, his hands explore the curves of my waist, and he brings his mouth down on mine. My body fits perfectly against his muscled physique, and just like that, he sets me aflame. Heat creeps through my body, igniting a slow burn of desire in my core. He kisses me possessively, like he owns me, his mouth confident and commanding.

I just might melt right into the floor.

I whimper against his mouth and tell myself I shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as I am. But when his tongue dips between my lips, I’m done for. With a low growl, he pushes me backward, not breaking the kiss, his lips greedy and fierce, his tongue expertly teasing mine. He presses his body between my legs, his hardness pushing between my thighs as he lifts me onto the countertop. Tangling a hand in my hair, he tugs my head to one side and places hot, open-mouthed kisses along my neck.

A low moan rises from deep within my throat. I’m wound up, tighter than a spool of fishing line. Every nerve ending sparks and quivers in response. I feel weightless. Like I’m floating.

I need more, so I reach for him, hooking a leg around his waist, bringing him closer. His hands leave the counter, one finding its way to my knee and pushing up my thigh, forcing my skirt even higher. Just as his fingers graze my white lace thong, I hear a low whistle that nearly causes me to jump from my skin.

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