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Bound by Nature
Quickly deciding to make things easier for his mate, Hayden gave a gallant half bow and rose to his
feet.  Let s forget about lunch, he said quietly.  You make that call.
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Chapter Thirteen
 This feels familiar, Hayden said softly, turning to face Josh in the front seat of his mate s Tahoe.
 The two of us together, here in the front seat of your truck. Me dying to make love to you. You looking
flushed and gorgeous.
Josh lifted an eyebrow.  We re both wearing clothes this time.
 And you re not climbing on top of me, ready to go to town. Of course, that could be arranged,
Hayden added in a sultry voice, patting his lap in invitation.  My wolf want to come over and be petted?
Josh said nothing, just grinned, running his hands along the steering wheel in a sweeping motion.
Totally shy, all over again, Hayden thought. And totally charming because of it.
 You re nervous again, Hayden observed.
 A little bit, Josh confessed, staring at the house and still sliding both palms along the steering wheel
in a back-and-forth motion.  I mean, it s like it was that night, the first time. I want you so bad it s killing
me, Hayden, but it s getting down to it that s kind of hard to tangle my way through.
Hayden lifted a hand to his mate s cheek, stroking it slowly with his knuckles.  You don t need to be
anxious. Not with me.
Josh seemed to catch his edgy gesture with the steering wheel. Stopping himself, he let his hands fall
loose against his thighs. Josh cut his eyes sideways.  I still am, though, and not just because I ve spent so
long aching for you. I mean, five years is an eternity, but it s more than how long it s been. Josh blew out
a sigh, staring straight ahead at his house at the door that their attackers had broken down.
Hayden reached for his mate s hand, and drew it against his own thigh.  Baby, we don t have to make
love yet. We can go as slow as you need. I know what happened to you.
Josh s eyes slid shut, his jaw tensing visibly.  I hate that you know. I despise that you& that you think
of that dirty, horrid shit when you even consider touching me.
Hayden grabbed Josh s arm, forcing the wolf to turn in his seat.  Joshua, he commanded firmly, but
Josh kept staring away.  Joshua, look at me. Now.
With a staggered inhalation, Josh slowly turned his gaze on Hayden. Tears shone in his eyes and he
swallowed hard. Such vulnerability was a striking contrast to his crisp police uniform, an outward image of
his strong Alpha strength.  I hate that you know I was touched by anyone other than you, he admitted,
 but especially that you know it was them.
 Them? Hayden blinked.  It was both?
Bound by Nature
Josh flinched and then nodded.  I guess& yeah, you were unconscious. How could you have known?
 I remember all that they threatened, Hayden said tightly.  I just didn t know it was both of them.
 It doesn t matter, Josh said dully.  What does matter, though, Hayden, is you associating that with
me. With loving me& with touching me.
 My feelings for you have absolutely nothing to do with those men. Don t you understand that I have
to be gentle with you? I would be no matter what. Which has got absolutely nothing to do with what
happened to you. It s about how much I love you. How I want to make you feel when we re together like
that.
Josh scowled, a disgusted look coming over his features.  But why else would you keep talking
about& well, being so careful with me? Josh asked quietly, still staring up at the door to his house.
Hayden reached for Josh s hand, taking it into his own.  Because you only ever had me one time, and
that was a long while ago. It hurt you enough then. Of course I m going to take my time with you, going to
make it sweet for you, baby. So sweet.
Josh nodded, staring into his lap.  Okay, I ll admit it straight up. I am totally terrified. He burst out
laughing, meeting Hayden s gaze.  It s like& like I m twenty-two all over again, and you re gonna get me
drunk, but this time I already know you re going to make me see fucking constellations and exploding stars
just by touching me. I already know you re going to start slow, and then work me into an absolute frenzy.
It s all the same awkward terror, you see, but this time I realize exactly how it s going to be. Which just
makes it even more& overwhelming.
Hayden slid as close to Josh as he could and pulled him into a tender embrace. Josh folded into it, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]