Page 9 of Wilder Obsessions

“It’s nothing,” I protest, trying to pull away.

“Nothing?You’re cut.Besides, you don’t get to tell me what to do,” he mutters, pulling a first aid kit from beneath the sink.His tone is firm, but there’s something tender in the way he handles me.

“Where did you even learn how to patch up a wound?Are you a doctor or something?”I ask, watching him closely.His broad shoulders tense as he focuses on my hand.

“No, just learned a few things along the way.”

“And what does that mean?”Wilder glances up at me, his expression softening, the anger from earlier dissipating for a moment.

“I’ve survived a lot,” he says quietly.A thick silence settles in as he cleans my hand, making my heart race for reasons beyond the sting of alcohol.

“Why do you care?I’m just a bartender.There’s nothing special about me.”

He puts his hand under my chin and tilts my head so that my face meets his gaze.My legs part willingly, a subtle invitation, as he steps closer, wedging me against his solid chest.His eyes linger on my neck, and a shiver works its way down my spine as his hand wraps around my throat—gentle, yet possessive.Nothing like how Jarrod does it.This feels ...hot, erotic, forbidden.

Before I fully realize what’s happening, his lips are on mine.Electric currents race through my veins, igniting every nerve ending.I feel the desperation of the moment, my heart pounding with adrenaline.This doesn’t make any sense and yet I can’t make myself pull away.His kisses are firm, and the scruff from his beard creates a delicious friction against my cheeks.He lets out a low groan and bites my lip.

“Fuck, you taste as good as I imagined,” he murmurs between kisses.

His lips are raw with passion, but their intensity is underlined by something I can’t quite name.Something tempting.It’s like the universe planted this man before me purposely, but I stopped believing in fairy tales long ago.No, reality is harsh and deadly.

“S-stop,” I whimper.“He’ll kill me.”

Wilder growls, pulling back just enough to make eye contact.“I told you already.If he hurts you, I will murder him.”His voice is low, fierce.He presses his forehead to mine, taking a sharp, labored breath.“I won’t let anyone hurt what’s mine.”

“I’m not yours!”I protest, trying to shove him away, but every fiber of my being resists.The heat between us is intoxicating, and I’m overwhelmed by his advances.Wilder tightens his hold, defiance flickering in his eyes.

“So innocent, so sweet,” he murmurs, nuzzling my hair, his hot breath ghosting along the nape of my neck.His teeth graze my skin, sending a thrill coursing through me.He inhales me, like I’m the most precious smelling flower.

“What the hell?”I squirm, flipping around to face him, searching for rationality in his gaze.

“Stop fighting this, Starlight!It’s happening.“

“I ...no...We can’t—”

“This is not a debate.”His voice darkens, filled with a fierce resolve.Wilder’s hand is still on my throat, keeping me locked in place as if he’s afraid to let me go.Almost protectively.My heart is brimming with confusion, excitement, and most alarming arousal.

“What do you want from me?”I implore, attempting to decipher the intensity welling in his gaze.

“Everything, Arwen.Everything.”

“I have nothing left to give,” I whimper.He cups my face, running his thumbs along my cheeks in tantalizing circles.My breath hitches in my chest at the sheer intensity of his gaze.I’ve never been this close to a shifter before.Are they all this ...consuming?I feel like he can see into my soul and it’s both terrifying and comforting.Clearly, I’m not in my right frame of mind because nothing about this makes any sense.

“I can’t do this!”I slide off the counter and storm out of the bathroom, the sound of my heartbeat echoing desperately in my ears.

“Kit, I need to go,” I call out, making her look up with startled eyes.

“Of course, hun.Go, I’ll see you next week.”She smiles brightly, oblivious to my entire world disintegrating.I don’t mention that I probably won’t be seeing her again.I’ve got to get my money and leave tonight.

I grab my purse, almost spilling its contents onto the floor as I rush out the door.Each step feels heavy, and the whole walk home, I feel like I’m being trailed by shadows, an ominous presence lingering behind me.But when I look back, no one’s there.

“Just get home,” I mutter to myself.

I slip through my front door quietly, praying that Jarrod’s asleep on the couch like he normally is at this time.Silence envelops the house.

Maybe he went out?I hope.I rush to the back of my closet and slide the brick aside, revealing my stash—a small fortune I’d been collecting for months, enough to help me vanish.I shove everything else into the duffel bag, fingers trembling as I reach inside, my heart beating frantically.

“Well, well, well.What do we have here?”Jarrod’s voice drips with venom, slithering through the stillness like a serpent.I freeze at the sound, recognizing the tone I have learned to dread.I see the crazy look in his eyes that he gets before he attacks.

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