Page 26 of Confusing Hearts

“I forgot the champagne,” he said regretfully.

“Save it for next time.”

He grinned and pulled me into his lap. “So, you’re saying there will be a next time?”

My breath hitched from his smoldering look, and my mouth went dry as I nodded. I recognized his movements and knew I was about to be kissed. It didn’t surprise me this time, but the moment our lips met, a new kind of energy jolted us. It was stronger than a static shock, but pleasant and warmed me all over. God, that boy could kiss.

I was lightheaded when he finally ended it. It all felt so dream-like, and I didn’t want to leave the peaceful cocoon we had formed in the middle of the snow overlooking the beautiful lake and the mountains beyond. The day had been more perfect than any fantasy I had ever read or dreamed. Going back to reality wasn’t going to be easy.

“Are you coming to the party tonight?” I asked him as we started packing up the picnic basket he’d brought.

I saw him cringe and knew the answer was no before he even spoke.

“Matt’s insisting on hitting up Theta tonight, remember?”

Theta? After everything he’d confided that was the last place I wanted him to go. A hiss escaped me before I could stop it. I was too embarrassed to even look at him, so I just continued packing as fast as I could.

“Hey,” he said, stopping me and taking both of my hands in his. “I’m only making an appearance for my frat brothers. I know you have no reason to believe me after everything we talked about, but I swear to you, you have nothing to worry about. I am yours. Only yours. Even if I wanted to be with anyone else, which I absolutely don’t, my wolf would never stand for it. You’re it for us.”

“I don’t have the right to even ask that of you.” I truly felt that way too. I knew we couldn’t be together in the end, so all of this was just torturing the both of us.

“You’re my mate. You have every right to ask, and if you don’t want me even stopping by the Theta house tonight, I won’t.”

“No, that would probably just cause rumors and questions anyway. Go, have fun,” I said. A terrible wave of hurt washed over me. “Okay, not too much fun,” I admitted.

“Can I walk you back?” he asked.

I looked to the woods. “Not all the way back. Here, let me help you with that.”

Chase was loaded down with the two large baskets and the portable heater, but he brushed it off and refused to let me carry anything.

“I’ve got it,” he insisted.

We were mostly quiet on the walk back, but just before the clearing that would lead to my house we stopped. He dropped the stuff to the ground and hugged me.

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

“I have to study tomorrow. Calc test on Monday, remember?”

“Library at two? I do believe I have to study for that same test.”

I pulled back and gave him a look. “You could take that test with your eyes closed, Chase. You may have everyone else fooled into believing you’re some dim-witted playboy, but I know better.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Caught on to that, did ya? Well, I can help you study for the test at least.”

I knew I should have said no, but the idea of not seeing him for an entire day did not sit well with me, or my panther. “Okay,” I agreed.

“Tomorrow then,” he said, kissing me playfully on the nose. It did all sorts of things to me on the inside. I could tell he had no idea, either. Cats were hypersensitive on the nose, and until then, I had no idea that it could cause such pleasurable sensations. I was hyperaware of my mate, and my skin was tingling all over as I turned and headed for the house. At the edge of the woods, I looked back and gave one final wave before disappearing.

Back at the house I plopped down onto my bed, still in a dreamlike trance. Chase had a way of doing that to me. He was a dog. None of it made sense. Daddy would never approve, and yet there was something so romantic about a forbidden love affair. Even knowing my heart would someday be crushed, when I had to give him up, I was walking right in with my eyes wide open.

Anita knocked on my door, and peeked her head in. “Hey girl, sisters meeting in the lounge in five.”

I sighed. I wondered if love was written on my face.Love?I thought. I couldn’t be truly in love with Chase. I examined my feelings thoroughly.Oh boy. I was already falling in love with Chase Westin.

“Jenna, let’s go,” Tessa yelled from the hallway outside my room.

Begrudgingly I got up, checking myself quickly in the mirror before walking to the lounge on the other side of the house. All my sisters were already there waiting.

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