Page 23 of Forsaken Desire
“It’ll be okay,” I said, trying for nonchalant even though the thought filled me with so much anxiety. “You’re more important than a job.”
A muscle jumped in his cheek. My words seemed to have reset him or something. Just as I was becoming concerned, his palms flatted on the shelves at either side of my head, caging me. His nose burrowed into my neck, and the rough graze of his teeth rasped my skin.
I quickly put my palm to his chest, stopping him and shrinking. I wanted him to claim me in every way imaginable, but what if he found out about my past and hated me for trapping him?
I shuddered at the idea of him no longer touching me with such reverence. It would shatter me. No, I couldn’t allow him to sink his teeth into me and cement our bond until after I told him, but I wasn’t ready for that anyway.
“My break is over soon. I have to get back,” I whispered.
“I’ll see you later, Princess,” he murmured, chuckling against my temple.
“Wait.” I gripped his wrist and poked my head out the door. “Coast is clear.”
The little smile on his lips gave the odd impression that he was laughing at me. As soon as he disappeared, I stumbled out of the small storage closet, my legs shaking with each step.
I clutched my chest, my heart still pounding like mad, and my legs trembling slightly. I couldn’t believe I’d done that. The farther I got away from the closet, the more exhilaration took the wheel.
I feared the grin plastered on my face would never disappear.
“Josephine,” Alex called out. I whirled so fast I teetered on my heels. He grabbed my arm, helping steady me. “Where are you going so fast?”
“I’m getting my phone.” I motioned in the direction of the lockers.
His nose twitched, and he swayed toward me, inhaling. I cleared my throat, choosing to ignore the odd way he sniffed me again.
“Ah, thanks.” I pulled my arm from his hold and kept on my path to the lockers.
“We should go see a movie sometime.”
“Like at a theater?” I hadn’t gone to a theater in years. I sped up my pace.
“Yeah, or my house if you’re down for it.” He widened his stride. If I went any faster, I’d be close to jogging.
“Sure, that sounds fun,” I said, not really meaning it. My mate would not want me hanging out with another male, just as I didn’t want him around any female, so I wouldn’t disrespect him. With a final wave at Alex, I escaped inside the locker room.
8
“Heterosexual females, Alpha?” Bruno repeated, confusion lacing his voice. I quickened my stride to the elevator and pressed the button to take me to the top floor, where my office was located.
I growled. Did I fucking stutter?
“Uh, got it.” There were sounds of clicking in the background.
“And to confirm, you want them watching every single move of one Josephine Garcia?” He paused, and it allowed more clicking to invade my ear. “And any negative interactions she has with others, if there are other males around her, or if Ms. Cierra Goode speaks with her, correct?”
“Yes.” I worked to make my voice level.
“Done, sir, I’ll find the staffing and have them report anything of concern to you via text.”
“Bruno,” I started. I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the years I’d spent separated from her, believing she was dead. “That girl I sent you and Duane on a search for, do you remember?”
Silence and then an exhale.
“Yes, I remember.” He’d been the one to deliver the news to me. I didn’t doubt he’d correlated my spiral to the girl that died.
“You’re certain you believed she died?”
“Yes, one hundred percent, the car went up in flames. Do you want me to send you the report again?”
