Read A Mate's Wish (Ouachita Mountain Shifters 0.5) for Free Online Page B

you…” Once again, her question didn’t make it out whole.
    He nudged her back against the wall, anchoring her there with his hips. “Why am I what?” he asked, against her skin.
    He heard her swallow and her rapid breathing. “Kissing me.”
    “I’m not kissing.”
    An almost imperceptible whimper left her as his lips nibbled a trail up her arm. His tongue swirled at the crease of her elbow.
    “That,” she breathed. “Why are you doing that?”
    “Because. I’m holding back.” He sucked until the spot turned pink. “I want to do more. So much more.”
    Her scent intensified, transforming into something darker, secretive. His throat rumbled with a purr. She wanted him too.
    Too fast. This was too fast. There was too much between them right now, and he needed to think about what he wanted from her. Could he actually do what Magic suggested? Could he be with her and then let her go all over again?
    He pulled away to look into her hooded eyes. “Dinner?” he husked.
    She blinked away the fog of arousal. “I can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    Her chest heaved, brushing against his with every labored breath. His eyes dropped to the open collar of her polo shirt. He’d lick her collar bone next. And get this shirt off so he could—
    “No food,” she murmured.
    Reluctantly, his gaze went back to her eyes. “No food?”
    Her teeth came down on her lip as she seemed to be considering something. “We can talk if you want. But I won’t do dinner.”
    Renner frowned. Odd. But it wasn’t a ‘no’. “Deal. Meet me by the nativity after dinner?”
    She nodded.
    He released her hands and stepped back. The void he felt when their bodies were no longer connected was deep and wide. He had to find a way to change Magic’s mind. He’d make this mating work if she’d have him. Somehow.
    ***
    Bethany went through the rest of the day in a haze. It was like she’d never been touched before. Like, she’d been asleep until Renner’s mouth woke her. And now that he was gone, she was only part there.
    What the hell?
    This was a dangerous feeling. She knew that much but felt powerless to stop it. If talking things through, as he’d suggested, helped her overcome this breath-robbing sensation, then she’d do it. But dear god, how was she going to stop from letting him have his way with her? And how could she reconcile this Renner with the boy from her past.
    The boy hated her. Called her names. Made her life miserable. Laughed when she cried. Left her. Forgot her.
    The man wanted her. Pursued her. Kissed her. Licked her. Like she was his favorite flavor.
    Beth took a deep breath, hoping to stop the trembling she hadn’t been able to shake since the conference room.
    But the man also wanted her to forget their past. Forget what he’d done, how he’d made her feel. How he’d shaped her beliefs about herself and her relationships. She didn’t know if she could.
    She made her way to the back of the lodge restaurant where employees gathered for dinner. Layna was already there at an empty table. She waved Beth over.
    “Sit,” she commanded. “I’ll get your food.”
    “No, I can get—” She stopped Beth with a single look. “Okay. Thanks.”
    Layna brought back a plate filled with Eagan’s meatloaf, homemade mashed potatoes and parsnips, and rolls the size of a baseball. The salad bowl was small but Beth went at it first even though she knew the meatloaf was the star of the meal.
    “How are you?” Layna asked, using her straw to stir the ice in her cup.
    “Fine.”
    “Ren? Did you two work things out?”
    Beth stuffed three forkfuls of lettuce in her mouth before she answered. “Not exactly.”
    Layna eyed her, seeming to see past her short answers. “Damn. This is going to be trouble isn’t it?”
    “Not if I leave,” Beth snapped.
    “That’s not what I meant.”
    Beth ate as fast as she could. She needed some time to unwind before she met with Renner, and this conversation was uncomfortable.
    “It