Crossing Ties - Susi Hawke Page 0,10

up against me, one hand going around my waist and the other cupping my cheek as he pressed his lips against mine.

I meant to pull away. I meant to keep my walls up, keep distance between us until we could sit down and hash out the mate thing like grown, responsible men. But the moment our lips touched, heat spread from my mouth to my cheeks, and then much further south.

I couldn’t help but kiss him back.

Then his tongue parted my lips and teased my own with a brief caress. My walls collapsed and I sighed.

He pulled back slowly, his lips kiss-swollen and his smile wide and genuine. “I didn’t think you’d let me do that in front of everyone.”

“You’re bloody right I wouldn’t.” I tried to be snappy, but I felt as drunk as any of the boys who’d been downing whiskey for the last two hours.

That just made Misha’s eyes twinkle and he stepped back, his hands sliding down to take both mine. “But it was important that I kiss you.”

“It was important?”

Misha nodded. “I needed you to know that what I’m offering is without strings. You’re my mate. It doesn’t matter how many scent blockers you take. It doesn’t matter if you want me or not. We are what we are. I want to help you. I need to help you. So listen to me carefully.” He looked over his shoulder, and I remembered suddenly that we weren’t alone.

I straightened, trying to pull my hands from Misha’s grasp, but he held tight.

“I want you to hear this as well, Patrick.” And then his eyes were back on mine. “You are my mate. What is mine is yours. With my father’s permission, I’m offering you the favor we are owed by the Chen Triad. I can’t promise they’ll see things the same way we do. But I will make it clear to them that you are now part of our family, and due all respect and honor that entails.”

Holy shit. This man took my breath away with both his touch and his words.

“We accept,” Patrick said.

I glared at him. “Oy. I haven’t gone fully Daffy Duck just because I scented him. I can answer for myself.”

Patrick snorted. “Could have fooled me. And I wasn’t answering for you. I was answering for Da.”

Misha winked at me. “Sorry, Patrick, I think you’re pretty and all, but Rory’s more my type than you. And I made the offer to him. So, Rory. What will it be? Do you accept my offer?”

In his words, I heard more than lay on the surface. Of course I would accept his help for my Da’s sake. But what Misha was asking was, would I accept him?

I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer that question. But I knew we couldn’t make it past the Chens’ front entrance without the Novaks’ help.

I nodded, hoping I wasn’t making a mistake. “I accept.”

4

Misha

I hadn't intended to kiss Rory. I really hadn't. Especially after the advice River gave me on our walk back to the parking lot. He hadn't been able to ride with us since he had his own car at the park. That didn't stop him from asking why I needed advice and—after sharing a laugh with Vasily—had told me that my best move right now was to put Rory's crisis first and help him however I could.

Vasily had more to say once we were on the road. I'd hoped he'd be distracted after the call with Pops, but no such luck with my nosy-ass brother. I knew that Vasily had my back and was loyal to a fault. But damn. The man had opinions and a way of pushing them on me that really set my teeth on edge.

From the second I'd ended my call to Rory it had been a nonstop lecture about resisting my urges and how I needed to let Rory call the shots. Because nobody knew better than him the kind of pressure that Rory was under right now. Yeah… I got it. Vasily and Rory had a lot in common, both being second in command to their fathers. And I appreciated his advice. I really did. But it was up to me whether or not I took it.

As soon as I laid eyes on Rory again—and couldn't smell him—my bear went crazy. We both did. Not being able to scent our mate was fucking cruel. And then following him into the office with that firm little butt bouncing with every step?