The Wolf Prince's Fated Heart - Page 81

She doesn’t say anything. I glance at her.

“Though I’m not in the mood to talk about having kids, I’m not against practicing how to make them,” I tease.

Cassie tries to hide her smile behind her hand.

“Thanks for talking to me,” she says after a moment of silence. “Thanks for making me feel normal again. Or as close to normal as possible, given our circumstances.”

“Are you feeling normal?” I ask. “Because you look anything but normal. Like you’re ready to conquer the world. I’m half expecting you to pull out a bat and start swinging it around. It’s hot. You’re hot.”

“That was a nice compliment,” she says with a sweet smile. “Thank you. The conversation has actually helped a great deal. I feel a lot calmer now. About everything that’s to come and that we have yet to face.”

My shoulders loosen up with relief.

Don’t drop your guard, my wolf warns. Tim’s waiting.

Right, I agree. Thanks.

It’s going to be rough seeing her with him, he says. We have to keep it together. For her.

I know, I agree with a sigh. We’re not losing control ever again.

“I’ll do anything to prove to you that I care,” I tell her, then take a turn to the right. “We’re almost there.”

“I know you care, Graham,” she tells me quietly. “I see it. I feel it. But I don’t know what to do with it all.”

“How about you try seeing me the way you used to?” I suggest.

“And how’s that?” she asks with a small smile.

“Like a hot piece of ass that you don’t mind riding every so often,” I reply with a shameless grin. “Or all the time, whichever you prefer.”

“If only it was that simple,” she sighs, but there’s a slight blush on her cheeks.

“It can be,” I reply.

She doesn’t say anything else, so I figure it’s best to quit while I’m ahead. If she agrees to the bond, then everything will be the way it should be.

I slow down to nod at the guards at the gate. They wave us through, recognizing us instantly. A minute later, we are parking in the driveway. The car in front of me belongs to Helia and Grayden. Gavin and Leia should arrive any minute now.

“I won’t be far,” I tell her. “All you need to do is call for me.”

She gives me a nervous nod. “I’m ready.”

The sound of her voice tugs at my heart. She doesn’t sound very confident. I turn off the engine and get out, walking around it and opening her door. My fingers linger at her waist, in case her knees give out. She moves past me, and I let my hand slide over her body.

Cassie doesn’t react to my touch, but her emotions flare in my senses. Before I can pull her close, she starts heading for the house. I’ve hurt her once, and I don’t want to do it again. No matter how gentle my words will be, I’ll sound like I’m smothering her again. I don’t want that either.

She stops abruptly.

“I’m in this, you know?” she says. “I’m curious and excited and annoyed at the same time, but I’m going to fight for you as long as you don’t give me a reason not to.”

I’m left speechless. Did she indicate her willingness to accept the bond?

Cassie smiles at my expression and walks toward the house.

This is our chance, my wolf tells me. We’d better not let her down.

CHAPTER 17