Page 76 of Choosing the Rejected Mate

His mouth curves, slow and wicked.“I’m very persuasive.”He knows he already has me.

“You’re very naked-adjacent.”

“Part of being persuasive.”

Daniel reaches for me, but I dart away, laughing when his fingers miss my waist by an inch.His eyes flash wolf-bright, and my whole body answers.

Oh, this is going to become a problem.But I like this problem.I bolt around the prep table, and Daniel follows.Not fast.Not yet.He stalks, all loose-hipped confidence and hungry amusement, while I hold the spatula like a weapon.

“Stay back,” I warn.“I’ll do it again.”

“Promise?”

“Daniel.”

“Holly.”

“You’re interfering with business operations.”

“I’m your business partner now.”

“You fixed shelves and seduced the owner.That is not a business model.”

“It’s working so far.”

I snort, then make the mistake of glancing at his chest.Buttercream clings to warm skin, right above the hard muscle I know far too well.My mouth waters, and Daniel notices.

His smile turns smug.I hate smug, so I throw the spatula at him.He catches it easily.Stupid sexy fucking predator with his damn wolf reflexes.

“That was rude,” he says.

“That was strategy.”

“That was a declaration of war.”

He places the spatula down with terrifying gentleness right as he lunges.I shriek and run, but I’m laughing too hard to get far.He catches me near the sink, one arm banding around my waist, lifting me off my feet like I weigh nothing.

“Put me down, you oversized cinnamon roll thief.”

“I paid for that cinnamon roll.”

“You stole the second one.”

“I’m your mate.Community property.”

“That applies to emotional burdens, not baked goods.”

He sets me on the prep table.

I gasp.“This was sanitized.”

“I know.”His hands slide up my thighs, spreading them gently.“I watched you do it twice.”

My laugh dissolves when he steps between my legs.Heat blooms low in my belly.Just like that, the play shifts.Still fun.Still light.But also sharper now.

Daniel’s fingers trace the hem of my skirt, teasing the skin above my knees.His eyes stay on mine, warm and hungry, the bond glowing between us.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he says.