Page 30 of The Bookseller and the Alpha (Witch Twins #1)

Luc

I could scent Caly’s sudden anger through the change in her scent.

Was she angry because we’d been interrupted?

Or was she angry at me? Had I fucked up somehow?

She wriggled in my arms. I tightened my grip on her even as I thought about putting her on her feet.

If I put her down, she might run. Beast purred.

I knew, without a doubt, that if she ran, I would chase her.

And I wouldn’t have the excuse that the Beast was in control.

He wanted it. But so did I. Just as much.

Lust surged in my blood. Dark and hungry.

My chest tightened with anticipation. I could see it as if it were a movie playing out in my head.

It wouldn’t matter that Billy was waiting in the hall.

It wouldn’t matter that Caly was angry. I’d chase her.

Herd her into the bedroom. Catch her. Rip off the shorts that kept her cunt from me and I’d fuck her till she came so hard she’d forget to be angry.

She’d forget everything except that she belonged to me.

An elbow poked me in the chest. Cute, said Beast. She thinks she can hurt us .

“Put me down,” Caly said. She couldn’t hurt me, but her little love tap was enough to bring me back to my senses.

Fuck. I’d almost done it again. Caly wasn’t a Shifter.

A Shifter would understand my need to chase.

To dominate. Would feel the same urge as part of the mating frenzy.

But my little mate had no idea. Until yesterday, her life had been safe and predictable.

Human. And I was pretty sure that she had no idea of how it was going to change.

Or, to be precise, had changed already. Until yesterday she hadn’t had me in her life.

And now she did. It was as simple as that.

But I had to proceed carefully. Very carefully.

I wouldn’t frighten her. Not ever. I couldn’t pursue her the way I would pursue a Shifter female.

She was going to need time and space. Not too much space.

There was no chance I would let her go and I didn’t want her to think that.

Just enough space that she didn’t panic.

She needed to be intrigued. Unbalanced. Seduced.

Be patient , I told Beast. Our little human mate is skittish . He didn’t reply immediately but I could feel his curiosity. He wasn’t going to fight me.

I reached the bedroom on autopilot. I nuzzled her hair, unable to stop myself.

And then I did the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life.

“I’m putting you down now,” I told my mate and carefully helped her to stand.

My jaw was clenched so tightly that I almost couldn’t get the words out.

I kept my face blank as I eased her to the floor, looking over her shoulder, toward the wall.

Not at her eyes. If I let her see my eyes she might be afraid of what she saw.

“I’ll get your clothes and leave them outside the door.

I’m sorry, but I have to go.” Stepping back.

Dropping my hands from her shoulders. It fucking hurt.

My chest ached. It had only been a day. The pull was going to drive me insane until I’d claimed and bitten her.

But for her, I’d rein in my own personal crazy. Only for her.

She’d turned her back. Her body was stiff and tight. I wanted to wrap her back in my arms. I forced myself to take another step back. I had to leave. “Wait here until your security detail arrives. I'll see you tonight.”