begin with, so don’t.”
“It was the wrong promise,” he said. “I realize now that it was unfair of my father to ask me to continue the family legacy when he knew I’m more suited to be a lone wolf, at least until I met you. And it was even worse for my grandfather to maneuver me into this situation. I don’t want to be a pack leader. I don’t care for Allison Blackridge. I don’t even like her, but Walter doesn’t give a shit about that. He only cares about restoring the pack’s previous grandeur, even if he steamrolls my happiness in the process. There’s nothing more important to him than the Knight legacy.”
“Jake.” His name left my lips in a hot whisper as I pressed my hand on top of his and leaned into his touch, my eyes closing of their own accord. His warmth seeped into me like morning sunshine.
My heart was melting. Jake had never talked to me this way, with such honesty and openness. And as I measured the weight of his words, I realized I owed him the same.
“I’m a mess. My emotions, my body. My abilities are out of control, and I have no idea where any of it will lead. When this is all said and done, I may not be good for you. I may become the biggest mistake you’ve ever made.”
“No. That’s impossible. I already know what my biggest mistake was. I should have never left you, Toni. I should’ve stuck by you and kept you all to myself.”
My heart did a flip worthy of a ten-point score.
Overwhelmed with emotion, I took his face in my hands and leaned in for a kiss. To my surprise, he pulled back, his gaze filling with regret.
“I can’t,” he said. “I know that if I kiss you now, I won’t be able to stop. I will take you and make you mine in every way I know.” His voice was husky and full of meaning.
I pressed my thighs together as a thrill ran straight through my core, making me want him more than ever.
“It wouldn’t be right,” he continued. “Not with this engagement and pact hanging over my head. As much as I hate it, I gave my word to Allison.” He pulled away from me, looking embarrassed.
Maybe knowing that insipid blonde had a promise from Jake should have broken my heart, but instead, it made me proud of him, made me see his integrity and strength of character. He wasn’t some weak man who compromised his honor for anything. And when he became mine it would be with a clean slate, with nothing to hold him back. I couldn’t be angry with him for that. In fact, I admired him.
I scooted closer and teasingly nudged his shoulder with mine. “I totally get it, and guess what?” He glanced at me sideways. “I’ll wait. However long it takes, I’ll wait for you.”
He faced me, took off his leather bracelet, and proceeded to put it around my wrist. “I want you to have it.”
I ran my finger over the metal arrow motif. “It’s pretty.”
“The arrow... it represents you.”
I glanced up, surprised. “Me?”
He nodded.
“And the new arrow tattoo around your biceps?”
“Also you. You pierced my heart through and through like the Cupid that you are.”
My heart melted, forming a puddle at the bottom of my chest. How could I resist this man? We exchanged a smile. Tenderly, he leaned close and kissed the top of my head. Suddenly, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the bedroom.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
He laid me on the bed. “After today, you need rest. You look tired.”
“Way to get my hopes up,” I teased.
With one swift motion, he removed his shirt, muscles rippling. The sweatpants Ulfen had provided rode low and clung tightly to him, revealing his sizable anatomy and leaving little to the imagination. His chest was smooth and tanned. The swell of his pecs tapered down into a perfect six-pack and a V that dove south and made my mouth go dry.
“O-kay,” I said, tearing my eyes away from his fine body. “So what is this? The Torture Toni Thirst Trap?”
“No, it’s bedtime. Scoot over.”
“Did you forget about that pact thing you were talking about just a moment ago?”
“As long as you can control yourself, we should be all right.”
I raised my eyebrows. “As long as I can control myself?”
He made sweeping motions with his hands, a smartass smirk shaping his gorgeous lips.
Narrowing