Holly
Two weeks pass without seeing him. I find it odd since he asked for four weeks and now he has burned through two without any progress. It’s like once I saw him on the steps outside of my complex, he just gave up.
I find it peculiar because he seemed so determined that I was going to be his, so why just quit and give up?
How do you win over someone when you aren’t seeing and talking to them? The full moon run is just one week away, but that is just more time between us that he isn’t trying to win me over.
“Looks like this bargain is going to fail.”
Suddenly, my phone vibrates and I look down at the screen to see who the message is from. The matchmaker has lined up several more, but I’ve ignored it because of Rex.
Then my eyes land on the message icon. It’s from Rex.
For a moment, I consider not even answering. Not after he has gone two weeks with no contact. Surely, he can wait a few minutes while I’m still at work.
I read over the message again, blinking in surprise. “What in the world is he doing? He’s where?”
When I glance up at the clock, I realize it’s time for me to go home, but now I know he is waiting at my apartment for me. Specifically, inside my home.
Just to further prove his point, he sends pictures of my home, causing my mouth to fall open in surprise. Oddly, there is something on my stove cooking.
“Is that dinner?” I look away from my phone as I look back at my computer screen. “This man is going to be the death of me. How did he even get into my apartment?
All I can think of is him climbing in through the window again.
I quickly shut everything off, grab my purse, and shove my phone into one of the side pockets. After telling everyone I’m leaving for the day, I rush to the door and step outside to begin my journey home, which is only a few blocks away.
Once I arrive at the apartment complex, huffing and out of breath, my gaze immediately locks onto the window in my kitchen. It’s small and over the sink, but I can see his shadow moving across back and forth.
The window opens slightly, giving me a whiff of what he is cooking. It’s something I haven’t eaten in years and loved it when we were younger. Mom always made it for us when he’d come over to play. He loved it just as much as I did so we’d devour a whole pan.
Instead of standing outside of the building, I quickly rush toward the doors and fling them open. Quickly running up the steps, I make it to the apartment in no time.
And right as I approach the door, it cracks, letting me know that he knows I’m here.
My hand trembles as I reach for the door and push it open. He stands just inside the door with a bouquet of lilies in his hand.
I drop my purse down on the table just inside the door and take one step inside. My gaze moves over him as I wonder why he’d do something like this.
He shoves out his hand with the bouquet, waiting for me to accept them. “I hope you enjoy your evening.”
“What do you think you are doing? How did you get in here?”
Rex slowly closes the distance between us and makes me take the bouquet. “I had to take the time to think of how to do this. Really, I should have done this ages ago. You and I had the possibility to become more all those years ago, but with our parents involved together, we took the hit. Their relationship hurt ours, but I’m not going to let that stand in the way any longer. Also, you should really keep your windows shut completely. Leaving a crack is dangerous.”
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“Rex, you and I were just friends. You said so to your friends too. That is all you and I have ever had between us. Even our wolves never wanted more and they should have known if we were mates because we were adults. If you and I were meant to be, then some sort of bond should have already formed.” Shaking my head, I dismiss the intruding thoughts and take a step back, but my wolf is furious from the separation.
She wants to be closer, but I’m not ready to forgive him just yet.
He takes a step forward, his chest rumbling with a low growl. “I can tell your wolf wants me just as much as mine wants you. Accept this fate instead of running from it. We are a fated match.”
I chuckle under my breath as I realize if we are such a fated match, then how has he stayed away from me for two weeks? “Well, I could say a few things, like how you are the one who has run from it. It’s been two weeks, Rex. What about that?”
A wicked smile curls at the edges of his mouth. “Is that longing I hear in your voice? Did you miss me?”
His fingertips suddenly touch my bottom lip, and he drags one long finger down to my chin. I follow his movement, but then he gently takes my chin in his hand and forces me to meet his gaze.
“You have missed me, and we can be together.”
I want to argue the point. This is madness. He’s been gone two weeks and just shows up like this. No, I’m not giving in that easily.
“I don’t know what you think you are doing, but we aren’t doing this. My wolf wants what she wants, but she’s not going to be just taken like this.”
He descends quickly, his lips crashing against mine, which silences me from any further protest. My wolf stirs within me, filled with excitement as I struggle to keep control. He pushes me further, backing me up until my back meets the wall. His hand lands on my waist, keeping me there in front of him.
The flowers drop from my hand to the floor with a light thump.
He breaks the kiss. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do this.”
As he leans in to kiss me again, I move my head to the side, denying him.
“Please,” he asks, his voice almost whimpering.
“Please what?” I ask, wondering where this is going. “What are you asking for?”
He leans down, his mouth against my ear. “All I’m asking for is a chance to be with you.”
I’m completely shocked and unable to speak, which he takes advantage of. His mouth moves against mine, but I can’t even kiss back. I’m too focused on the question he’s asked.
“We can’t,” I whisper softly.
“Yes, we can.”
Without hesitating, he moves his other hand to my waist and leans against me. He kisses the side of my mouth and waits.
When I don’t answer, he pulls back and his eyes lock onto mine. “My wolf demands that I don’t take no for an answer. He is sure you are mine and now he won’t let go.”
“Rex, why didn’t your wolf know that sooner, though? He was around me and could have known ages ago. This doesn’t make sense. Even mine is confused.”
He leans forward again, but doesn’t kiss me. “Why should we deny what they want? Please.”
I reach up, my fingertips grazing over his black t-shirt and feeling the hardness of his chest underneath. Everything feels surreal and though my wolf is happy about this turn of events, she is also unsure why now.
Why couldn’t they feel a bond before?
Should I care?
Suddenly, something stirs in my chest and I realize it’s me accepting the budding bond forming between us. Though my wolf is excited, there is still the question of why hanging in the back of my mind.
“So what now?”
He looks down at me and leans forward, our foreheads bumping together lightly. “Now, we give in and accept our mate bond fully. Loneliness will only eat us alive and now that we know our mate, we can’t go on. This is our destiny. To ignore it will only hurt us.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I counter.
This is happening so fast, yet I can’t deny what I feel. The bond is slowly growing, and it’s there, waiting to be fully accepted and explored.
“Say you’ll give me a chance. You can always reject me next week.”
I chuckle and look away toward the skillet on the stove. “Are you sure about that? If we accept the bond and start to actually try, there won’t be any going back.”
“Well, maybe I lied.” He gently leans in and pecks my lips lightly. “Maybe I want to keep you forever.”
When he pulls back and our gazes lock, that’s when I know. I have just fallen for him and I’m never going to get enough.
Our wolves have declared that we belong to each other and now there is no escape.
I swallow hard as I think about it more.
“We’re truly stuck together now, aren’t we?”
He nods. “Yes, love. We are.”