Page 37 of The Alpha's Regret

“Really.”

His tone is serious, his breathing even, and his touch gentle. Nathan’s not faking. He’s not pretending he’ll give me this time to make me relax before seducing me and tricking me into it.

“You won’t try to mark me again?”

“Baby, I already told you. I won’t mark you until you’re begging me for it. And you will.”

That deep voice and his confident words, almost a growl, send a jolt of longing through me, and I clench my knees together to ease the ache in my groin. He already had me all hot and flustered, and now he’s trying to drive me insane. I like to think I’d never beg, but the way I keep reacting to him makes me doubt myself.

“Still so confident for a man I’ve already shot down once,” I tease, but the fact he is so sure makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It's amazing to be so wanted, so desired.

“I’ll be confident enough for the two of us.”

Content to stay here in his arms, I’ll happily let his certainty boost my own. Rationally, I know most mate bonds work out for the best. Hopefully, after this trip, I’ll know enough about him to trust that what he feels is really there.

“No mating, eh?” I ask.

That’s the only part of his plan I don’t buy. The chemistry between us is off the charts, and he’s a dominant alpha male with a wolf clamouring inside to claim his fated mate. The willpower required to resist marking me will be immense, to not give in to the urge to be intimate? That’s completely unheard of. And deep down, I don’t want him to succeed. I want to know what it feels like when we finally come together. Not that I’ll give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

“Only if you ask nicely.”

I laugh, his playfulness taking me out of my tense mood and stopping my tendency to overthink things. Maybe we are a perfect fit.

“Ha, never,” I scoff, shaking my head, adamant that I won’t ever ask any man to take me to his bed, no matter how much I want it.

“You asked me to kiss you.”

Shit. I did. My cheeks pink at my earlier forward behaviour. It’s so unlike me, but being close to him overwhelms me. I’m a different woman. One that I quite like. Nathan leans close and brushes my hair away from my ear, ghosting his lips across my cheek and letting his breath fan over my sensitive neck, awakening all my senses.

I shiver and twitch, my panties wet with arousal from his teasing touches and tempting words. He inhales slowly and deeply, letting me know he can scent my hunger for him, and he knows exactly how turned on I am.

“Baby, I’m willing to bet before the week is out, you’ll be pleading with me to take you. To throw you down on my bed and have my wicked way with you. To fuck you hard. Over and over until you can’t come anymore. And I’m going to enjoy every second.”

CHAPTER 24

NATHAN

Maya stares wide-eyed as the receptionist hands over key cards for two rooms, one for Ross and one for me. There’s no separate room for her. My sister-in-law is a legend.

"But…"

Maya looks from the receptionist to me and back again.

"Kim originally booked the accommodation. I couldn't ask to add two more rooms when she was changing it, but Leah called later and had us upgraded to a suite, so you'll have your own bedroom."

Maya nods but still looks nervous.She obviously hadn't thought about the sleeping arrangements. Despite having my hand between her legs a couple of hours ago, she’s anxious about sleeping near me. I hope that means she doesn’t trust herself, and not me. Leah assured me there were no spare rooms available for Maya, and the only alternative was an upgrade. I must admit, I wasn't exactly upset about it. I need her close by or I won’t be able to relax.

Maya takes in the lavish hotel, her gaze dancing from the grand chandelier in the foyer to the sparkling pool visible through the enormous glass wall at the back. Beyond, a horizon of pale sand and gently rustling palm trees paints a perfect picture of paradise.

"I don't have a bikini or anything to wear to the beach. This isn't what I packed for."

Laughing at that, I point out the hotel boutique and nudge her toward it. Where better to get beach clothes than at the beach?

"I'll bring our bags up. Get whatever you want and charge it to the room."

She nibbles at the corner of her lower lip and slowly shakes her head, a stubborn set to her jaw when she looks up at me.

"I can't do that. I don't want to spend your money."

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