Page 29 of Zoe

“I was actually considering how fast I could build a Viking-style shield to protect myself. At this point, I wouldn’t even trust standing behind you,” he said.

Zoe pressed her lips together but couldn’t crush the smile that pulled them wide or the light of amusement in her eyes. “How about chainsaw juggling? I can only hurt myself with that one, right?”

“I wouldn’t lay odds on it,” he said.

Zoe couldn’t take her gaze from his; she was mesmerised by the laughter in his eyes. He took a step toward her, which jolted her back to reality, and she jerked in place. “So, something new,” she said, turning away from him.

Billy could have kicked himself. He didn’t know what had got into him, but for one long moment there, he only wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, know how her lips tasted, know her.

That wasn't good. He knew the mating pull and that if he took that first step, he would never let her go.

Billy watched her walk away; somewhere inside, it felt like a loss. That was crazy; the mating thing was crazy. He was a prisoner to his DNA.

Hell, he didn’t even want a mate. While his other brothers had spoken of mates in their future, he had never indulged in such a fantasy. He was happy on his own – lonely in a pack of people, and that was how he liked it, or maybe he’d just gotten used to it.

Robert had always been destined to be the alpha. He was faster and better at most things, and Billy accepted his role to support his brother with loyalty and honour for the rest of their lives.

But that had set a precedent within him – maybe he thought he wasn’t worthy of love, of a mate – not until the alpha had found his.

Now Robert was mated. Did that mean he could dream of his own happily ever after?

“Zoe.” Billy crossed the room fast, maybe a little too fast, because as she turned back to him, he was right there in front of her.

“You reconsidered axe-throwing?” she asked. Her smile and the amusement in her eyes drew him in.

“No,” he said, reached out a strong arm and wrapped it around her waist.

Then he yanked her towards him, maybe a little too enthusiastically. Her palms splayed against his chest and his wolf roared within him as excitement and adrenaline flooded through his body.

His mate.

His.

Mine.

Billy waited for her to say something. To kick him where it hurt. To push him away, but she looked at him with a kind of challenge – or maybe he was reading her wrong, and she’d kick him in the balls when he did what he needed to do.

Billy said to hell with it and brought his lips down on hers.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

~

Zoe held her breath. Billy’s arm was around her, and it felt like a steely cage and safety all in one. Strange.

Stranger was the way he looked at her like he wasn’t sure if he should take that next step or not. Maybe he was waiting for her to zap him, and she had time, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Curiosity. That was it. Everyone always said she was too curious, too analytical about everything – what if she just waited to see what he’d do?

What if he kissed her?

What would it feel like?

Zoe's thoughts were jumbled and yet as clear as day. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but she wanted to know – had to know – what it felt like to kiss her one true love.

A mate.

Not just for Christmas but forever.

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