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He sighs softly. “I can see how you would have assumed so, based on last night. But no, Eve. You’ll be my mate. You can’t change that, neither of us can—butwhenthat happens is up to you. I want you tochooseme. So until you tell me you’re ready, I will simply court you.”
“Seriously?” I whisper, the memory of his dominance from last night refusing to let me fully trust in the absolute sincerity on his face. “What if I’ll never be ready?”
His expression darkens and his hand tenses against my chin, and for a moment I want to slap myself. What if he changes his mind? What if he forces me—
But the darkness on his handsome features fades, replaced by a small smirk. “Oh, I think you’re underestimating the lengths I’m prepared to go to to make you mine, baby girl. I can be very,verypersuasive, and Ialwaysget what I want. Don’t mistake my desire for a loving bond with leniency; I’m going to shower you with gifts and affection and orgasms until you get on your hands and knees and bare your pretty little neck for my claim."
“You think superficial things will make me love you?” I’m pretty proud of the haughty tone I manage, because the word "orgasms" has my sore pussy clenching with the memory of my sweet surrender last night.
He kisses me—soft and deep, his hand cradling the back of my head, making sure I can’t pull away—not that I have the mind to try. His lips taste like sin and warmth and safety, and I moan despite myself.
When he pulls back, his eyes bore into mine. “You already love me; you just don’t know it yet. But don’t worry, darling, it’s my job to make you accept the truth, and I won’t rest until I have.”
I don’t respond. I simply stare up at him, at the alpha who’s swept into my life, determined to change everything I thought I know about myself and the future I had ahead of me. Somewhere deep in the core of my being, the truth of his words echo faintly.
As if he sees the first reluctant seeds of acceptance in my eyes, Adam’s expression softens. Gently he cups my face and kisses me again—light brushes of his lips against mine. When he pulls back, we’re both breathing hard, and I’m halfway expecting him to carry me up the stairs, but to my surprise he asks, “Do you have any leftovers from dinner? I’m starving.”
“Um, yeah. Loads. Youdidget me enough food to feed a small army,” I say. Then, biting my lip, I add, “Thank you. For the food, and for the cookies. And the coffee. And just…”
Adam brushes his fingers over my cheek. “You don’t have to thank me for taking care of you. It’s my job now. And one I’m more than happy to do.” Then he takes my hand in his and leads me to the kitchen, opening my fridge as if he already feels at home in my space.
I wrap my arms around myself as I watch him pull out trays of leftovers. It’s…odd,seeing the mighty Adam McCain move around my modest kitchen. He looks so out of place in his expensive clothes, his huge frame taking up most of the room. And yet there’s something undeniably comforting about it.
It’s Christmas, and in the end, I’m not alone after all.
“Did you not have holiday plans? Family to visit, or some fancy rich person event?” I blurt.
“You asked me that in the elevator too,” he hums, head still halfway inside my fridge.
“And?” I prod.
“And you’re my mate.” Adam reemerges with the final trays of leftovers, piles them next to the others on the crowded kitchen counter, rummages through my cupboards for the plates, and pulls one out. “Being without you is literally torture. I canceled what I could and wrapped up whatever obligations I couldn’t as fast as possible, so I could return to you.”
I raise both eyebrows as I watch him pile turkey and trimmings on the plate. “What if I hadn’t let you in?”
Adam gives me a patient look before returning his focus to arranging green beans next to the piles of meat. “Then I would have spent the night outside, watching over you. And it would still have been a better Christmas than being at afancy rich person eventwithout you.”
His words stir that stupid, soft thing in my chest I can’t seem to get rid of when he’s near. “Adam?” I ask softly.
“Yes, darling?”
“Did you… Were you looking for a mate? When we… met?”
“No.” He takes the plate and lifts his chin toward the cupboards. “Grab us some wine, hmm?”
I obey on autopilot and follow him into my living room, whereHome Alone 2is still paused and fairy lights twinkle around the window frame, as well as from within the branches of my neatly decorated tree.
“Then why—”
“Because as much as you don’t get a choice, baby girl, neither do I,” he interrupts me, turning that dark gaze of his on me with all the smoldering intensity of a predator. “It doesn’t matter what either of us want. This is what Fate has decided, and we have no fucking choice but to obey. Understood?”
My wide-eyed expression makes his features soften. He sighs and puts down the plate on my coffee table, then turns to me and cups my cheek in his large, warm hand.
“No, Eve, I didn’t plan to meet my mate that day in the elevator. But I did. And I’m not sorry it happened; I’m thankful, even if every second I’m not burying my teeth in your neck to claim you feels like having my fucking guts squeezed like a wrung-out washcloth. Being around you is like… like the world finally makes sense. Like I’ve finally found my purpose. And it’s you, Eve. So please, let me take care of you. Eat with me.”
My heart melts entirely in the wake of the alpha’s admission. I’ve never felt wanted before. Not truly. Not like this. And it’s… overwhelming.
I close my eyes for a second, pushing back the prickle of tears, before I nod and place the two wine glasses next to the plates. “Okay,” I whisper.
