Page 30 of Wrong Mate

“Could you not do that?”

“I sense your upset, child.”

She rolledher eyes. “I’m not a child. We need to set some boundaries for when you can just wander into my life like this. There will be a time when I’m being naughty, or dirty, with a man, and you can’t be here.”

Lucinda smiled. “I will respect your wishes when thetime comes. Tell me what is wrong?”

Leah removed the clip from her hair and shrugged. “Nothing is wrong. I’m fine.”

“But?”

She nibbled her lip and tried to look everywhere and nowhere. “Being with him, okay, it’s hard.” She didn’t see a point in lying to her friend, her guide.

“I know.”

“I didn’t want to come on this super-secret mission in the first place, and now I…”

“You don’t want it to end?”

Leah shrugged. “When he’s not being a dick or trying to protect his pack, he’s amazing. He’d be a wonderful mate.” Lucinda took a step toward her. “You can’t comfort me, remember?”

“I know. Why not try to show him that you can be everything he needs? Killian has known a great deal of loss. He has spent his whole life searching for his mate.”

Leah snorted. “Yeah, and when she arrives, he rejects her. The jerk.” She leaned up against the sink. “He can’t hear us, right?”

“No, I’ve made sure of it. You love him?” Lucinda asked.

“How could I not?” Leah asked. “I don’t know if these feelings are real or something the fates have installed.”

“Mating is a feeling. You’re attracted to Killian, and there is nothing you can do about that, but love can take time. That is something that doesn’t always come naturally. Trust me, I’ve seen my fair share of mates struggle.”

“Any mates in the past reject the other?”

Lucinda wrinkled her nose.

“Yeah, I figured as much. You better go. I want to shower. You’re not here, but trust me, you’d complain so badly.”

Her friend chuckled. “It will be all right, Leah. You will see.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I’m never wrong.”

Lucinda disappeared before Leah could dispute it. There were times the other woman was wrong, but she didn’t want to cause a problem. There was no point.

Stripping out of the clothes, Leah stepped beneath the shower, turning on the cold water. She loved the icy bite of the water as it hit her flesh. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes, and her thoughts were focused on Killian. His rough hands—she wondered how they’d feel against her skin. The feel of his hard body against hers.

She had felt the touch of his lips, but now she wanted more. It was easier not knowing. Now she knew he was an amazing kisser, and his tongue felt so good. He would be awesome at everything else.

She washed her body, aware of the time she had already taken. Stupid Lucinda. Turning off the water, she climbed out, wrapping a towel around her body. She didn’t linger in the bathroom, and stepped out to find Killian sitting on the edge of the bed.

He glanced over at her and cleared his throat.

“It’s, er, it’sclear,” she said.

He got to his feet and brushed past her, entering the bathroom. He didn’t close the door and Leah didn’t have a clue whatto do with herself.

They were alone, once again. Not that they hadn’t been the past few days, but this was the first time in an actual bedroom. In a rather sensual cabin. One that seemed designed for couples who wanted to create a little more romance and mystery.

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