Page 43 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“You know what? Forget it.” I stomp over to my own car and try to yank the door open, but Reiner’s large hand slaps against the window and pushes the door closed.

“We’re not done yet,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “You came all the way out here because you wanted to talk, so let’s talk. Why are you avoiding me, Jane?”

“I’m not.”

“Liar,” he whispers, his lips brushing against my ear. “I can smell the fear rolling off you, sugar. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that you’ll give in to me? That you’ll let me kiss you, touch you, fuck you, and you’ll love every second of it?”

“Reiner,” I whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.

He smirks, and my cheeks burn. “That’s it, isn’t it? Tell me I’m wrong. Tell me you didn’t love what my tongue felt like between your legs. That you haven’t been dreaming about it, craving it ever since.”

“Stop,” I whisper, but it’s half-hearted.

“No,” he growls, his eyes flashing. “I’m not going to stop. Not until you admit the truth. You want me, Jane. I can smell it. I can see it in your eyes. You’re fighting a losing battle, and you know it.”

“You’re delusional,” I scoff, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“Am I?” he asks, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Then why are you trembling? Why are your nipples hard? Why is your pulse racing?”

“You’re imagining things,” I insist.

“I’m not,” he counters. “And you know it. You’re attracted to me, Jane. Just like I’m attracted to you. There’s no shame in that. It’s natural. It’s normal. It’s okay to want me, to want this.”

“This?” I repeat. “What is ‘this,’ Reiner?”

He doesn’t answer. Not with words, anyway. Instead, he takes a step forward, closing the space between us. My back is pressed against the car, and his body is a wall of heat and muscle in front of me. And then his lips are on mine, and I’m lost.

I don’t even try to resist. I can’t. The feelings he stirs inside of me are too strong, too powerful. I can’t fight it. I can’t fight him.

His tongue slides into my mouth, and I moan, tangling my fingers in his hair. He tastes salty and masculine, and hisscent wraps around me, pulling me deeper under his spell. He presses his body against mine, and I can feel his erection straining against his jeans, pressing against my stomach. I whimper, and he growls, his hands gripping my hips.

It would be so easy to give in, to let him take me right here and now. But I can’t. I can’t let myself fall for him. I can’t let myself get hurt. Every ounce of me wants to, though. I want him. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything, and it physically pains me to pull away.

“I can’t,” I whisper, my voice shaky. I push against him, inching him back so I can pry my door open. “I’m sorry, Reiner. I can’t.”

“Jane,” he says, but I shake my head.

“I’m sorry,” I repeat, and I climb into the car.

I slam the door and start the engine, peeling out of the parking lot. I don’t look back. I can’t. If I do, I’ll turn around and go back to him. I’ll give him everything, and I’ll end up with nothing. I can’t let that happen.

Chapter 15 - Reiner

I’ve tried everything to get out of going to this party. I told Evan I was busy, but he wouldn’t hear of it. I even tried telling him I was still hurting from the ambush, but he just laughed and told me to suck it up. And then, when he heard I’d already gone back to work, there was no getting out of it. According to him, if I was fit enough for work, I was fit enough to celebrate my alpha’s birthday.

It’s not that I want to miss the occasion. It’s just that I know Jane will be there, and I’m not sure I can handle seeing her. She had been acting so strange, refusing to even look at me when she brought me food or changed my bandages. And then she just showed up at the shop, demanding to know why I was there.

I can’t get a read on the girl, and it’s killing me. One minute, she’s kissing me, and the next, she’s pushing me away. I don’t know what to do or what to think. It’s not lost on me that I’ve treated plenty of girls the same way. Maybe I deserve this ache in my chest. Lord knows I’ve caused my fair share of heartache.

And that’s exactly what it feels like. Like someone is taking my heart and squeezing the life out of it. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, and I can’t even enjoy being back at the shop. All I can think about is Jane and her beautiful face, her perfect body, and the way she makes me feel.

I’m pathetic, and I know it. But I can’t seem to help myself. I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and I don’t know how to break the spell.

And that’s why even though I’m surrounded by people who are celebrating my alpha’s birthday, I’m standing in thecorner, nursing a beer. I’ve barely spoken to anyone, and I can’t bring myself to mingle. I’m being antisocial, even for me, and it doesn’t take long before someone notices.

“You’re a ray of sunshine tonight, aren’t you?” Lenny comments, coming to stand beside me.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, taking a sip of my beer.

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