Page 8 of Seducing His Mate

The bag dropped onto the floor by her feet with a thud. The plan to run dissolved into mush and her heart turned over in her chest. Trent proved a chameleon at every turn, throwing her off guard and making her feel things she didn’t want to feel for him. Tenderness and calmness emanated from his soul. When his gaze sought hers once more, and held her spellbound, she thought she might melt into a puddle of nothing right there on his floor.

The other two whimpering pups broke the moment, and she quickly scooped one into her palm, grabbed a bottle, and offered it to the pup while snuggling it to her chest. She giggled when the pup latched onto the bottle and grasped it with its small paws. “Would you look at that? I always wanted a puppy.”

“Looks like you’ve made a friend for life in her.”

A bright, genuine smile graced her face for Trent. His intake of breath surprised her, so she refocused on the puppy in her arms. “Dogs always ran from me. It would hurt my feelings when I was a kid. Eventually, I quit trying. I never had a pet.”

Trent deposited one full puppy on a blanket and gathered the last in his hand. “They sense the bear in us. We are natural predators. With pups like this, it’s easier to gain their trust. They just want to be loved like anyone else and don’t care who’s offering the love. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”

Was that the real heart of the man, or something else she caught in his voice? Emotion hung thick in the air and when her gaze slowly lifted to his, she could swear there was something shining for her from the depths of his hazel eyes. In that brief moment, she glimpsed the real man…not the bitterness of a woman’s heartbreak and not the playboy, but the man who could be her mate in this life. “I’m sorry Trent.”

One eyebrow arched, a sheepish grin spread on his mouth, and his head tilted. “Sorry for what?”

“Sorry for judging you so harshly. There’s more to you.”

Trent grinned and chuckled. “Careful now. You’ll tarnish my wicked reputation.”

“Is it true?” She had to know.

“Is what true? That I’m a single man who enjoyed the company of other women in the past? You’re an extremely beautiful woman, Jenna. Don’t tell me that you’ve never felt alone and sought comfort from another?”

“If so lonely, why not move one of those beautiful women in? What are you waiting for?”

Lips firmed, but his gaze bore into hers with an intensity that set her on fire, causing a blush to heat her cheeks. His eyes dropped to her mouth before locking with hers once again. Time seemed to halt for what seemed like an eternity. “Maybe I was waiting for you.”

She was thankful when Trent turned his attention to the pups because she honestly didn’t know what to say. Loneliness was something she’d dealt with for a long time. At 28-years-old, she’d never experienced true love. Maybe it wasn’t possible with anyone else? She’d had brief relationships, but nothing that lasted. Sex was pleasurable and she had enjoyed it with a couple partners over the years.

Images of Trent naked and looming above her brought more heat to her cheeks and caused her sex to spasm. She found his honesty refreshing and she did understand him better now. This man was lonely and searching for something deeper. Could she be that person? Was she willing to take the chance? Hundreds of scenarios ran through her mind, but each one led back to Trent. They were fated mates in every sense, the pull magnetic and impossible to ignore. She didn’t know that she could walk away from thewhat ifnow. “I can’t say I’m experienced, but I have been in a few short relationships.”

He only nodded, and she let the topic of conversation die on a breath, but deep inside she wanted to know more about this man who was seducing her heart, her mind, her body, and her soul.

Chapter 10

The thought of Jenna in the arms of another man made him shift in his seat and his bear uncomfortable. Was he jealous?It sure felt like jealousy, Trent mused to himself. No wonder Lucas was so protective over Diana. The idea of another man’s hands on Jenna’s body caused a low growl to rumble from his chest. The pup whimpered, but with a couple of pets and soft murmurs it settled. Jenna’s wide eyes studied his every movement. She was so beautiful, and that smile sent his bear into a crazy fit of lust. He had to find a reason to convince her to stay and to give him a chance.

“Stay, Jenna. Don’t run anymore. Give me time. Give me a chance. If you still want to go in a month, I won’t argue. What do you have to lose?”

“My heart,” she barely spoke, but he saw the raw fear in her eyes. “It’s all I have left.”

Trent took the puppy from her arms and placed it with its siblings, not missing the unshed tears in her eyes or the deep inhale of breath. He offered one hand, palm up, hoping she would accept it. “Trust me. That’s all I’m asking for now.”

“Why me?”

The bear inside lifted its snout at that exact moment and Trent rolled his shoulders. Muscles tensed and flexed with the urge to gather her into his arms and demonstrate exactly why they should be together, but he resisted. It wasn’t time yet. Jenna needed to know him better, feel cherished, and protected. “I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.”

A blush spread over her cheeks as her gaze dropped to his extended hand and a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He thought she might refuse, but then she placed a dainty hand in his. “Okay.”

Once again, she shocked him. That she would give him her trust humbled him to his very core. He didn’t deserve it. She’d obviously experienced too much hurt for one person. Maybe he could carry some of the weight? And, maybe, in the process, he could claim that heart she so fiercely protected.

His long fingers linked with hers. “Would you like to see your family’s restaurant now?” Trent glanced at the puppies. “We will have to take the pups with us since the staff is off for the weekend.”

Jenna’s bright smile caused his heart to stop and restart in a different rhythm, one that matched hers. “I’d like that.”

After loading the puppies in a carrier and refilling three bottles, Jenna followed him from the office. It felt good and it felt right to be with her. A peaceful harmony established between them the moment she let go of the stereotype playboy image and saw another side of him. Trent wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless but rushing things would ruin everything. He wanted a relationship with Jenna. He wanted to know everything about her.

One finger tapped against the steering wheel while a popular ballad played on the radio. He hummed with the lyrics, glancing back and forth between her and the oncoming traffic. Jenna didn’t seem to mind. She quietly looked out the window as he drove them into town, and it killed him. He liked hearing her voice. “Tell me about your life, Jenna.”

“You already know I lived in Alaska and my family is gone.”

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