Page 35 of Just a Friend for the Lion
And if it wasn’t for the occasional guy giving me a once over and the odd sniff here and there, I’d have run right out the door.
I’m angry now because Date to Mate was supposed to help me avoid this kind of thing. This kind of public spectacle that could so easily turn into rejection.
Carter was supposed to be my it, but he rejected me before he even said hello. So why is he here now? Why hasn’t he unmatched us on the app?
Damn it.
Damnhim.
And maybe me too.
“MJ,” he says, voice low and rough and intimate in a way that makes my thighs clench.
“Carter.” I keep my tone cool. “Surprised you’re here. I didn’t think this was your bag.”
“I’m not here for the mixer.”
“No?”
“I’m here for you.”
Cue my ovaries detonating like confetti bombs.
“That’s rich,” I say, tilting my head. “You finally log in after days of silence, send one half-assed message, and now what? I’m supposed to swoon?”
He smiles, slow and wolfish.Or is that cattish?
“You don’t swoon, do you, Kitten? You glare. You lecture. You tell me off with pink cheeks and flashing eyes and then walk away like you didn’t just set my whole body on fire.”
I blink.
Dina wheezes behind me.
Carina fans herself.
“Well, the thing is, I’m not interested in half measures, Carter,” I say, clutching my clutch a little tighter. “You already said you don’t want a mate.”
“I don’t,” he says, stepping closer, eyes dragging down my dress like it’s edible. “But I want you. And I’m not walking away again.”
My heart stutters.
My body hums.
He’s too much.
Too big.
Too honest.
Too everything I don’t trust right now.
“I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I need someone who’s all in,” I whisper.
“Then let me earn it.”
God, that voice.
But no. Nottonight.
