Page 21 of The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate
His gaze lowered to her lips. “Don’t leave tomorrow, Sophie.”
She sighed. “I have to. I have a job back home.”
“Can you take more time off?”
“No, but…”
He perked up. “But what?”
“I have my MacBook with me. So technically, I could work remotely if I wanted to stay longer.” She shook her head and touched her temple. “Still, I didn’t bring enough clothes for the week.”
That sliver of a possibility filled him with hope. “That’s not a problem. I’ll take you shopping.”
She glanced at the brick building. “I only booked our place for the weekend. I don’t even know if I can extend it longer.”
He raised his other hand to cup her other cheek and his gaze dropped to her lips. “Don’t worry about that.” Instinct overrode reason, driving him to lean forward. Her mouth was there. Right there. Just inches away. He had to taste her again.
She sucked in an audible breath and stilled as if waiting. His body seemed to move in slow motion as he moved closer.
And then his lips brushed hers.
She exhaled, and it was like feathery warmth on his mouth. Electric currents singed beneath his skin. Her lips were as soft as petals. His heart pounded in his ears.
Yes, his wolf yipped and wagged his tail.
Hunger for more urged Damon to kiss her again, deeper this time. He yearned to pull her against him and claim her mouth, but had to refrain from coming on aggressive as he had in the club. After all, she’d run away from him. That was the last thing he wanted, not when he wanted to convince her to stay.
He forced himself to pull away, leaving them both with just a small taste to hint at what could come.
He caressed Sophie’s cheek. “You don’t have to book anywhere. You can stay with me.”
Chapter 7
Sophie
Still dazed by Damon’s lips, Sophie blinked at him. “Stay with you?” she repeated.
“Yes, with me,” Damon replied as if it were the most logical suggestion in the world.
It was nothing of the sort—although it had a delicious appeal. Her body urged her to scream yes, her mind, however, insisted she be more logical about this. “But I barely know you.”
“It’s the perfect way we can learn more about each other, don’t you think?” His voice was pure velvet seduction. He lowered his hand and traced her bottom lip before moving it down to brush her collarbone.
It was almost impossible to think when he affected her like that, not just with his hands, but with his luscious voice and hungry eyes. No one had ever looked at her with such desire.
Sophie blinked a few more times. Sure, what he said made sense, but still—she didn’t go off shacking up with guys she barely knew. She’d only had two boyfriends and didn’t know how to be carefree. “It seems super rushed, like we’re jumping into something too quickly.”
“I’m not saying you have to sleep with me. You can have the guest room, which you’re already familiar with. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” He raised his brows and followed with a decadent smirk. “Unless you don’t want me to be.”
Her mind jumped to visions of Damon being as naughty with her as his words suggested, and a swirl of heat funneled in her core. The reaction was far too prevalent, happening when he was nearby. Her mouth fell open. “Damon, I uh—” Where was she headed with that sentence?
When she didn’t complete it, he asked, “What’s holding you back, Sophie?”
“So many things.” She took a step backwards and ran one hand through her bangs. She searched behind him to the vast mountain peak covered with snow, seeking clarity. “I don’t just run off with a guy I barely know for a spontaneous getaway in the mountains.”
“You’re here already. And I’m greatly enjoying getting to know you better.”
She sure as heck enjoyed the time they’d spent together so far.
