Page 143 of Those Who Are Bound

“We need to clear out of here; the Buddhist service will be starting soon.”

“Buddhist?”

He took her hand. “The building serves many purposes, many beliefs. Manyshows.” Leading her through the door and back to the lobby, he asked, “Where are you parked?”

“On the street out front.” She’d struck a nerve.

He acknowledged her words with a slight nod. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he led her out the large front doors. He stepped close, protectively, as others jockeyed to get into the building—she presumed for the other service. They weren’t rude, but it was an automatic gesture for him: a wolf protecting his mate.

Jesus, the thoughts she had.

At her car, however, the thought proved valid because he pushed her against it and kissed her with so much heat, the scalding metal behind her couldn’t compete. Whatever reservations or concerns he may have about her revelations inside didn’t dampen his enthusiasm for her. A sound of surprise escaped her at his urgency and the thoroughness of his… well, she likened it to a possession.

Maybe he was trying to possess her; he’d have one hell of a battle with her own demon.

He gripped her waist, holding her firmly to him; his mouth demanded—and received—surrender. It was a chastening, she decided, of her disregard for his beliefs; it felt like a punishment. A wickedly delightful one, and she was willing to traipse into the church every Sunday if he was going to do this to her afterward.

He lifted his head and bit her bottom lip enough to sting—yep, punishment—before pulling back to look at her. “Regardless of the reason, I’m glad you came.”

Cheekily, she responded, “That kiss almost had me coming.”

He looked both proud of himself and ready to swat her ass. Both, please!

“Follow me home?” She hoped her beg didn’t sound as desperate to him as it did to her.

Jonah shook his head as his gaze dropped down to take note of every indication her body presented to him that he had, indeed, lit her on fire. “I have a lot to do before the trip.”

She was consistently baffled by his restraint. Baffled and frustrated. She should be happy; relieved. The less they connected physically, the easier it would be to walk away.

The idea was bullshit, she knew, because his challenging her—and that’s all she saw it as—made her determined to see him humbled, begging at her feet. But she had to cling to something.

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