Page 44 of His White Moonlight (Dominant CEO Shifter Romance #1)

“Why does everything have to be a deal?”

“Because that’s the only way for me to fight for the life I want to live,” I said, throwing his words back at him. “And next time you do anything without starting a timer, I’m going to be rude. Probably with a knee. Definitely with a fist. Are we clear?”

He pulled his lips back in a silent snarl that I didn’t think was entirely directed at me, but more at the situation and my stubbornness.

“I think I need Miranda’s help getting ready after all.”

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “No. I’m okay. We’re okay. Let’s watch a movie.”

He reached for my hand and started threading his fingers through mine. He immediately let go with another scowl. I wanted to grin at the fact that he was listening for a change.

“I won’t take what you aren’t willing to give,” he said, catching the look on my face. “Ever, Wrenly.”

“Thank you.”

We settled in on the couch downstairs and started the movie. He didn’t try to hold my hand or hug me, but he did tug my feet into his lap. Since the last foot rub had been nice and I knew I’d torture my feet later with heels, I allowed it as I focused on the movie.

His fingers melted the tension I didn’t know I carried, and I found myself relaxing in a way I’d never managed before, not even while running. My heart gave an odd skipped-beat thump, and I lifted my hand to rub my chest.

“Are you all right?” Bennett asked.

“Yeah. Just a weird heartbeat.”

His hand drifted up to my calf, rubbing the muscle there. It felt so damn good. He slowly worked his way up to my knee, then returned to my Achilles to work the path up a second time. His fingers feathered over the skin behind my knee when he reached the top.

My heart gave another odd skipped-beat thump.

Without looking away from the movie, I said, “Don’t make me break a toe trying to kick you in the face.”

He didn’t say anything as he removed his touch and switched to my other foot.

By the time the movie ended, my legs were pudding, and Bennett’s fingers had teased every inch of skin behind both knees. Complete relaxation in exchange for some roaming fingers felt like a fair trade.

I knew Bennett didn’t mind. I could feel the tremble in his fingers as they skated over my skin.

“Thank you for watching a movie with me,” I said. “And for the foot massage.”

“You’re welcome.”

I attempted to lift my legs from his lap, but he caught my ankles and tugged so hard that I slid down from my reclined position to lying flat. He was on top of me a second later, his pupils completely dilated and a wild look in his eyes.

“Are you taking, or are you timing?” I asked.

“Why are those my only two options? Why can’t you just give in, Wrenly?”

“Because I’ve given enough, remember? Would you like to see the grease burn on my inner thigh?”

He jerked again. “Yes.”

Suddenly, he was kneeling between my legs and grabbing the waistband of my shorts.

“It wasn’t an invitation to be pervy, Bennett,” I said, grabbing the material to keep it in place.

“Show me, Wrenly.”

“No!” I planted a foot in his chest and pushed hard. He didn’t budge, but my shorts were starting to. Lifting my foot, I kicked him in the face with my heel.

He grunted, and his head moved. More than that, I heard a crunch. The second his hands left my shorts, I barrel rolled off the couch, sprang to my feet, and turned to face him with my hands up and fisted.

He stared at me, blood dripping from his nose onto the couch. He didn’t make any move to come at me.

“‘I won’t take what you aren’t willing to give, Wrenly. Ever.’ Remember? You said it two hours ago, you ass.”

His shoulders moved with the depth of his sigh.

“I wasn’t trying to take anything, Wrenly. You asked if I wanted to see the burn, and I said yes. If you don’t want to show me the burn, then at least tell me how it happened.”

I lowered my fists. “In the school kitchen during a power outage. They chased me in there before I knew…anything. They were good at what they did. Perfectly planned and perfectly arranged. It’s a small burn.

A lesson and a promise to know my place, nothing worth reporting, mostly because I knew the staff wouldn’t believe me, and reporting it wouldn’t change anything.

I still wouldn’t be allowed to come home because I had a brother who hated me and parents who were trying to play both sides. ”

He closed his eyes, and I could see him struggling.

“Do you understand yet, Bennett? I’ve earned my freedom already. I survived. Whatever conditions you put on me now, I’ll either meet them or fight you until my last breath because I’m done. Done giving. Done being afraid. Just done.”

He nodded and opened his eyes. I saw his anguish and hated that I felt even a hint of compassion.

“What if you don’t have to do anything but be happy? That’s all I want for you, Wrenly.”

“Then set me free.”

His gaze swept over me as he slowly stood.

“I can’t. Not without trying to show you how I can make your life better.”

“Like sending me away to school.”

He ran his hands through his hair again, showing his frustration.

“Shifters are just like humans. We make mistakes too. But I’m learning, Wrenly. I promise I am. Give me names, and we can take hugging off the list.”

“Ha! No deal.”

“Kissing then.”

“No way. I already gave the only name I’m willing to give.”

He snarled, spun on his heel, and strode away from me.

“We leave in an hour,” he called over his shoulder.

I checked the time. An hour was too early, but I didn’t care. I planned to be a pain in his ass the whole time.

* * *

Bennett glanced at me again as he pulled up to the event entrance.

“Wait for me to open the door,” he said as he put the car in Park.

“You got it, boss.”

He growled softly and got out as the valet jogged over.

“I’ve got her. Just park the car.” He threw the keys at the guy and was at my door a second later.

His eyes locked on me as he offered his hand to help me out.

I needed it. The dress Miranda picked out for me had a long skirt with a thigh slit so my shoes would be visible as I walked.

It almost posed a potential trip hazard when transitioning from a sitting to a standing position. But I was pretty. Miranda had taste.

Gripping his fingers with one hand and holding the skirt out of the way with the other, I stood with well-practiced grace. Bennett’s gaze raked over me hungrily as I moved out of the way so he could close the door.

When he tucked my hand into the crook of his arm, his hands were shaking again. I glanced at him and found his gaze had dipped to my bare shoulders and the thin, one-inch scar often hidden by my sports bras.

“If you do anything inappropriate here, the deal we made to stay ’til the end is off,” I said.

“Tell me how you got that.”

“A knife fight.”

His gaze flew to mine, and I grinned as he inhaled slowly to see if I was lying.

I wasn’t, but it wasn’t as scary as it sounded.

The knife had been my own when I’d been practicing throwing it.

It’d slipped from my fingers, and that’d been an important lesson in my quest to learn to throw a knife accurately.

A skill that had come in handy to turn the tables a few times.

I started walking, dragging him toward the entrance of the well-lit venue as his shaking continued.

“Wrenly, I need?—”

“Therapy? A one-way ticket to Antarctica? A rabies vaccine?”

His shaking stopped, and he shot me an annoyed glance. I practiced my polite yet bored smile. His annoyance turned to a scowl.

“Don’t be a baby. Let’s get this magical night over with so I can take off these heels. How long is this torture session again?”

“Four hours once it starts. We’re a little early.”

“Oh, joy.”

At the entrance, he handed over his invitation.

The woman welcomed us and passed the invitation to a waiting server, who led us through the carpeted welcome area and into a large room filled with round tables set with crystal stemware and gold flatware.

Near the front of the room, additional tables and jacketed individuals waited next to easels displaying pictures of various items, including jewelry and paintings.

“This is your table, Mr. Wulf,” the man said, showing us to one of the round ones near the front. “You’re welcome to view the auction items and mingle before the dinner starts.”

“Thank you,” Bennett said.

I waited until the man went away to say, “Mingling? Does he want you to scare everyone away?”

Bennett frowned at me.

“Yep. That right there. Your business smile needs work. Like this.” I smiled warmly.

“It’s so good to see you, Bennett. What have you been up to lately?

Please tell me not just work. You need to visit the Maldives soon.

It was magical. I discovered this little place that served the best drinks.

Speaking of, be a dear and fetch me some champagne. ”

While I spoke, his shaking disappeared, and his stoic mask slipped into place.

“One glass,” he said.

“Two. We agreed. Or you keep them coming and let me get tipsy so my guard is down.”

I saw a glimmer of concern in his gaze. “If you lower your guard to let me in, I don’t want it to be because of alcohol.”

I shrugged indifferently. “The result will be the same either way.”

He sighed, and I tucked my arm in his.

“Let’s get my drink.”

We returned to the welcome entry, and Bennett snagged a flute from a server and handed it to me.

More people were being led inside by the servers, and others were gathering.

One of the incoming guests caught sight of Bennett, clapped the server on the back, and left the man standing there as he strode over to us.

“Bennett, I’m glad you made it tonight.” The man’s gaze slipped to me. “And you, little one, have been the center of this man’s stories since I met him. It’s nice to finally meet you, Wrenly. You’re more stunning in person than the pictures he carries around.”

He didn’t offer a hand in greeting but tucked both into his pockets as he grinned at me.

I glanced at Bennett. “A friend?”

“This is Drokonnen Steele. We met when I was away at school. And, yes, he’s a friend on most days.”

The man snorted. “People who don’t know me call me Drokonnen. The ones who think they do call me Drake. Friends call me Konni, with a K.”

“Are you suggesting I call you Konni?” I asked.

“No,” Bennett said at the same time Konni nodded.

“Still moody, I see. I thought bringing your moonlight mate home would fix that.” He winked at me.

“What’s a moonlight mate?” I asked.

“A mate he’s loved since he was old enough to love. His first and only crush.”

My heart did that odd skip beat again.

“Potential mate,” I said, handing my drink to Bennett. “I’m going to the bathroom. Don’t follow me.”

Konni’s laughter sounded behind me, along with Bennett’s answering growl as I walked away.