Page 20 of Bear Boss's Mate
Marcy swallowed. “I did. I do. It’s just... I can’t sleep with you. It’s too soon.”
Austin’s jaw tensed. “Marcy, I’m not expecting anything from you. That’s not why I asked you back here.”
“You don’t expect it?” she eyed him.
He shook his head. “No, I mean, Iwantto be with you. But I would never take advantage of you or any woman like that. I’m sorry if I came across that way. I only wanted to know what it would be like to be close to you. Tonight was never about taking you to bed.” He was regretting having kissed her at all.
Marcy’s face reddened. She glanced at him and pouted.
Austin studied her. “Is there something else going on? Have I done something wrong?” His heart was pounding so hard he thought it would explode from his chest. He had waited so long to meet his mate. It was hard to wait much longer. But he would. If that’s what she wanted.
Marcy reached out and put her hands on his. Her brows pinched. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to get hurt. I’m scared.”
He took her hands in his. “I would never hurt you.” He pressed his lips tight. He’d screwed up. Somehow, he’d made her afraid of him. The thought made his stomach tense.
Marcy’s voice caught as she spoke again. “I hope you understand. I love my job. I don’t want to jeopardize it. I really like you, a lot more than I should.” Her voice sped up as shespoke. “But we barely know one another. I usually am not so forward on first dates—”
Austin interrupted, putting a hand out to touch her cheek. A smile tugged at his lips. “Your job is not going to be affected by our dating. That’s not how this works. You are a valuable employee that we don’t want to lose. I like you very much too. I want to get to know you better. I moved too fast tonight. I’m sorry. I never meant to upset you.”
His chest hurt. He needed her, not just physically, but ineveryway.
She was his mate. He knew it deep within.
He also knew he couldn’t force her to do something she wasn’t ready to do.
“It’s okay. It’s not like I tried to stop you. I’ve wanted to kiss you all night. If we continue...” She shrugged and looked away.
He got the awful sense she had just talked herself out of being with him. He would just have to prove to her they were destined to be together.
CHAPTER TEN
WHEN THEY REACHED MARCY’Sapartment, Austin insisted on walking her right to her door to make sure she didn’t run into trouble. Butterflies had stormed her stomach on the silent ride home at the memory of Austin’s mouth on hers. She felt sure another kiss from him would send her over the edge and have her begging him to take her.
Following that thought, she internally berated herself over how the evening ended. Stopping things was difficult, but necessary. Kissing him was more mind-blowing than she ever could have imagined.
She was desperate to do more with Austin, but too ashamed to admit it in case he judged her. The excuse about not wanting to date her boss wasn’t entirely true. But fear was still her ruler, and she had to deal with that before moving forward with anyone.
There was a spark between them. She couldn’t deny it. She was drawn to Austin, yet it was too soon to trust her emotions regarding him. Wasn’t it?
When they reached the door of her apartment and she unlocked it, she held her breath. Turning to face Austin, she avoided any prolonged eye contact. He stepped closer, runninghis hand down her hair, before leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the closeness, and not realizing how much she needed it after what had happened between them.
“Goodnight. I’ll see you on Monday,” he said, pulling away and putting his hands in his pockets.
Marcy nodded awkwardly back at him. “Thank you for tonight. I had a great time.”
Austin’s lips curled up at the corners, but his eyes reflected disappointment. Then he turned and walked down the hall.
She watched him leave, unable to take her eyes off him until he was gone out of her sight. She strolled into her apartment, locking the door behind her.
As Marcy got ready for bed, she thought about the toe-curling kisses they’d shared. Her body responded to the memory of his erection pressed against her. The sensation very nearly finished her right there. How she didn’t jump his bones was beyond understanding.
The man admitted to having feelings for her, and she responded by pushing him away.Way to go, Marcy.
The guy was incredible, but he’d probably never ask her out again after what she’d done to him. She couldn’t believe Austin thought she was beautiful. Her rational brain kicked in, and she sighed.
The truth was, she couldn’t get her hopes up or allow herself to fall for Austin. It was too soon to think about getting into a relationship, even if that relationship was with a hot bear shifter.
