Page 36 of Plus-Size Bullied Mate

Tessa doesn’t move away. Rather, she looks at me with the anger still there, the hurt, and the wariness she earned through years of being at the receiving end of scrutiny. Yet, she doesn’t dodge me as I expect her to, and the bond pulls like a tide that I can’t fight anymore.

Reaching up slowly and giving her every opportunity to object, I touch her jaw with the back of my fingers in a gentle caress.

She goes very still, more like she’s holding her breath than with fear.

“This doesn’t fix anything,” she murmurs, low like a warning, but I don’t know who she means it for. Maybe both of us.

“It doesn’t,” I agree again, too focused on how beautiful her eyes look in the low light. The very eyes I spent years convincing myself I couldn’t care less about.

“I’m still angry.”

“I know.”

Even so, she searches for something in my features, be it deception, an angle I’m playing at, or confirmation of insincerity to justify pulling away. All the while, I hold still and let her look because I have nothing to hide in this exact moment.

I watch as her eyes soften fractionally, like she’s allowing herself the chance to see beyond whatever warped image she has of me. At least, the image she remembers from years ago, and the one I’m trying so hard to erase.

When I can’t take it anymore, I close the distance slowly, and her breath catches.

Before I know it, my mouth is on hers, careful of the way I press against her. We both hesitate, as if we’re checking if this is actually happening, then it’s less careful.

It’s not careful at all when her hand comes up to grip my shirt while the bond simultaneously lights up like something that has waited a long time to finally be acknowledged.

Right now, I’m not thinking about what’s wrong or right, or how this moment might change the future for both of us.

For as long as I can, I let myself feel.

Chapter 13 - Tessa

I’ve never had anyone overwhelm all of my senses so completely before, but Hunter is pressed against me, and I can’t ignore how every inch of me wants this.

His mouth is on mine, lips melding together so thoroughly like he can’t get enough of me, and it’s making my head spin. So much so that I don’t pull away, even if I should.

Instead, I’m kissing him back and silently begging for more.

Giving in to the longing that has been tugging at my chest for far too long is the last thing I should be doing, and yet, the opposite doesn’t feel like an option anymore.

Hunter adjusts himself on the rocks, angling closer to me while his hands settle against my hips, and my body reacts immediately.

Warmth floods my system as I instinctively bring a hand up to cup his jaw in return, and I deepen the contact because I can’t help myself. Already, I’m too far gone to look back now.

He exhales through his nose as he pushes even further into it, like he’s losing his mind just as quickly. Then he pulls back suddenly, blue eyes darkened by the surrounding night.

I blink back at him, dazed and quietly questioning why he stopped, but I watch as he pulls back enough to stand.

“What are you doing?”

Hunter’s gaze rakes over me, still just as heated as before, but a vaguely knowing look settles on his face, and he reaches for the hem of his shirt. “I’m taking advantage of the hot spring while we’re here.”

Before I can stop myself, I take in the sight of his physique, and it pulls the breath straight from my lungs.

He was always one of the bulkier males in the pack, but during his time away, it’s like he doubled his muscle mass. More tattoos litter his shoulders and down his arms, with some across his chest too. They stand out against his tan skin, making him look more rugged than ever.

That, paired with the way he looks at me, all fire and wanting, I can hardly take it.

Pulling myself together enough, I pull my gaze away when he strips out of his pants and boxers, dropping them aside carelessly before he gets in. The tips of my ears burn while I deliberately prevent myself from getting even more attached to this moment.

“Join me,” Hunter murmurs once he’s in the hot spring and surrounded by steam. He slowly approaches me while the warm water laps against his toned body, extending a hand.