Page 66 of His White Moonlight (Dominant CEO Shifter Romance #1)

I snorted. “That sounds about right. Why are you calling?” I glanced at the clock. It was about the time I normally got up for work.

“To see if you’re coming in today or if you want to play hooky.”

“Both. I’m coming to work to play hooky. Why?”

“Just checking.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why? What’s going on?”

She hummed into the phone. “Your paranoia is cute. Are you going to tell me what happened that has you acting like that, and why Bennett wanted me to call you to see if you were going to work? Because my imagination is running wild, and I can’t wait to set my nose to you.”

“Thanks for the reminder to wash well. Pack running clothes.”

I hung up before she could say anything else and closed myself in the bathroom to scrub every inch of my skin without getting my arm wet. When I reemerged wrapped in a towel, my bed had been changed, and a fresh set of clothes waited for me. Professional clothes.

“Is there a reason for a pantsuit instead of more comfortable clothes?” I asked.

Bennett answered from the hallway. “Before lunch, Dad is going to announce the challengers, set the date and time, and say you won’t be there.

Mom wants to take you out somewhere to lunch afterward so you’re not in the office.

She suggested you wear something dressier, but wouldn't say where she planned to take you.”

I thought of the plans I’d made with Sophia and knew I’d need to cancel. With the announcement forcing those plotting against me to change their plans, I didn’t want to potentially put Sophia in danger.

“Is there another option than this one? It’s pretty, but I’m going to have a hard time going to the bathroom in a one-piece with the stitches still in.”

“There are more options. Do you want to see them?”

I could hear the hope in his voice, and I glanced down at the towel covering me.

He knew I was wearing it. Other than the clothes on the bed and what I’d slept in, I didn’t have anything else in my room.

If you run, he’ll chase you, I warned myself.

With a steadying inhalation, I started for the hallway.

He was leaning against the wall beside my door. His gaze swept over my face, trying to read my mood even as he slowly inhaled.

“I’ll give what you want so I can get what I want, okay?” I asked.

His frown was still flickering in his expression when I closed the distance between us and hugged his waist.

“Good morning, Bennett. Thank you for last night.”

For several heartbeats, he didn’t move. Then his arms wrapped around me, and he kissed the top of my head. I felt his frayed control in how his shaking fingers smoothed over the damp ends of my hair.

“You don’t hate me.”

“Not currently, but we both know that’s subject to change depending on my circumstances, right?”

He kissed the top of my head again. “How did you know a hug and reassurance is what I wanted?”

“You’re pretty easy to read.”

He hummed his agreement. “Tell me what you want in exchange for giving me what I needed.”

I looked up at him.

“Your word that you won’t mate me, no matter how willing I might seem, so that I won’t need to break both our hearts after.”

His gaze swept over my face as my words sank in. His shaking increased as he leaned in toward me. I read his intent, tipped my head back to better offer my lips, and stood on my toes.

The gentle way he kissed me had an edge to it.

He was barely tethered.

I stood on his feet, taking a few more inches to kiss him more aggressively.

He growled, and one of his hands captured the back of my head to meet my demand.

When I withdrew to look up at him, I could see I’d eroded his control just a bit more.

“You are what I fear most, Bennett. Or what you represent. I don’t want to lose any more of my life to someone else’s misguided plans for me. I’m not saying my way will be perfect, but it can’t be any worse. And if I’m hurt doing things my way, then I have no one else to blame but myself.”

He closed his eyes and nodded once.

“I promise,” he said.

“Good.” I moved to get off his feet, but he scooped me up into his arms and carried me to his room.

I didn’t miss his side glance at his bed, and I knew he was considering taking me there, even as he strode toward his closet. My new clothes were neatly lined up, taking up half the space, and the old uniforms were gone.

“Letting go of your old stalker ways?” I asked as he set me down.

He turned me toward my options and started kissing my shoulder.

“You know the rule about this in public, right? Not allowed. It would embarrass me and make me want to run and hide.”

He hummed an acknowledgment as his teeth scraped my skin.

Rolling my eyes, I reached back to swat his head. My towel slipped. I grabbed for it at the same time he did. While I wanted to keep it in place, I could feel the pressure in his hold to pull it away. If he really wanted to, he’d win.

I turned my head to meet his heated gaze.

“Are you willing to risk my mood the morning after you pressed for more after I said wait? I wonder what Mom’s reaction will be to that news.”

He released the towel and stepped back.

“You don’t fight fair.”

“I only fight dirty when warranted. Now, are you going to step out so I can change without provoking you, or are you going to tempt your control by staying behind me so you can watch me bend over to put my underwear on?”

A tortured sound came from him, and I watched his skin ripple.

“Don’t wreck another closet, Bennett. Go for a run.”

He spun on his heel and was gone.

Shaking my head, I closed the door and dressed with purpose.

After last night, Bennett would be dangerous today.

So, I needed to be more dangerous. Wearing comfortable summer clothes wouldn’t meet the dress code for work, but I didn’t care.

However, I did pack the clothes I would need to go out with Mom. I didn’t want to embarrass her.

When I opened the door, he was standing there, completely naked, breathing hard, and very sweaty. Refusing to look at anything except his eyes, I tilted my head as I studied him.

“Did the run help at all?”

“Not really.”

“Yeah, I thought that might be the case. Last night made it worse for you. And each concession will only make you more desperate. That’s why I asked for your word.

Because I’m not going to fight you anymore.

If you want me on that bed right now, fine.

Then that’s where I’ll be. I’ll give you my body.

I’ll even give you my heart. But I will never again give up my freedom, and that’s exactly what you’ll want as soon as you mate me.

“I’m not talking about the freedom to go to the school of my choice anymore, either. It’ll be the jealousy over who I sit next to. Who I talk to. Who I accidentally make eye contact with across the room.

“I’ve already lived a life where I walked around in constant fear of making a mistake. I won’t go live in that cage again. If freeing myself means rejecting you, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

“I understand,” he said. But his hands were already shaking.

“You should go shower. I’ll meet you downstairs. If we have enough time, can we stop somewhere for pastries? I’m in the mood for Pain au Chocolat.” I said it with perfect French pronunciation.

“You make me want to—” He closed his eyes, breathed deeply, then closed himself in the bathroom.

I moved closer to the door.

“And you make me want to say yes,” I said softly. “It’s dangerous for both of us.”

Something cracked inside the bathroom.

I left with a smirk and sent a quick reschedule text to Sophia.

If Bennett thought it’d been hell waiting for me to acknowledge him as a potential mate, he’d seriously underestimated what it would feel like to know his mate wanted him but would still walk away to get what she wanted out of life.

He came downstairs, looking dangerously composed, fifteen minutes later.

“Do you want a kiss before we leave, or would that be counterproductive?” I asked.

His steps faltered, and his gaze searched mine. Then he stalked toward me. I retreated a step before I could stop myself, and the corner of his mouth tilted. A second later, my back was against the nearest wall, and his lips were skimming my earlobe.

“Do you know what Grandma told me the day after you came home?” he whispered. “She said she told you to compliment me and that I shouldn’t react. I should let you play your games until you come to the right conclusion on your own. Are you still playing games, Wrenly, or is this your conclusion?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” I hated that the words sounded breathy and unsteady.

“Are you purposely doing things to break my control so I mate you and break my promise? Are you so determined to leave me?”

I reached for his jacket, gripping it at his sides and turning my head to kiss his lips lightly.

“When I withdraw, you hold me tighter. When I’m accommodating, you’re less smothering. When you start smothering, I go to extremes. It’s that simple.”

He sighed and set his forehead against mine.

“Your words tear through me better than any shifter’s claws, Wrenly. Why can’t you just let yourself want me? I know you do. I can smell it.”

“Basically, you’re asking why I can’t just sit down, shut up, and do what you want me to do. Do you really want a lifeless puppet? Because that’s what you’ll get with your method. You told me to fight for a life I love. That’s what I’m doing.”

He growled and pushed back from me. But he didn’t walk away. He threaded his fingers through mine and led the way out to the car. We held hands all the way to the pastry shop. I refused after though.

“If you want my continued affection, you need to let me eat,” I said, already reaching into the bag.

“Don’t you want to wait until we reach the office?”

“Hell no. I want to get crumbs all over your expensive car so you can find one weeks from now and think of me gorging myself on pastries.” I gave him my most innocent grin then bit into the buttery flakiness I’d been craving.

He watched me for several seconds, then darted in to lick the corner of my mouth.

“What was that?” I asked after I swallowed.

“Crumb control.”

He started the car and drove the rest of the way to the office.

Miranda was waiting at the desk by the time we arrived. She frowned at my casual clothes.

“Where are the clothes from yesterday?”

“Getting washed. Don’t worry, I have different clothes.” I pointed to the bag Bennett was carrying for me.

Miranda gave me a disapproving look. Grinning, I held out a pastry bag to her.

“I brought you a bribe.”

She looked at Bennett. “Before I accept her bribe, what are the rules for today?”

He snorted. “Rules? What rules?”

Miranda and I watched him walk into his office and close the door. The blinds stayed open, though.

“It doesn’t smell like you two are fighting. What happened? Why did I need to bring running clothes? I thought the doctor’s instructions said no running until the stitches were removed.”

“They do, and I plan to follow them. But I think Bennett is going to test me every way possible today, which might wear on my nerves. So the jogging clothes are my Plan B.”

“And your Plan A?”

I grinned. “I’ll tell you about it when I drag you away for a much-needed break at ten.”

The office door opened.

“Wrenly, I need to speak with you, please,” Bennett said.

I winked at Miranda and turned toward Bennett. “About what?”

He gestured for me to go into his office. I complied and found myself pinned to the back of the closed door.

“I said no kissing at work.”

“You said no kissing in public. We’re not in public. The door’s closed.” He reached over and shut the blinds, too.

“She’s going to know what we’re doing.”

“So?”

“It’ll embarrass me.”

“Then don’t leave.” He dipped his head and kissed my neck.

It felt really good and brought back memories of last night. How far would he push this today? How far would I let him? My body was saying as far as he wanted.

He inhaled with a groan, and I knew I was in trouble. If I didn’t distract him, he was going to press, and I was going to give. So, I did what I did best. I threw a verbal grenade.

“I’m not wearing any underwear.”

The phrase was like a bomb in the room. He flung himself away from me as he shifted, and I bolted out the door.