Twice The Growl - Milly Taiden Page 0,18

draped perfectly over her large breasts, small waist and abundant hips. His mouth watered the moment he saw her.

She’d worn her hair in a ponytail that drove him crazy. He loved her curls and wanted to see them hanging loose down her back. She pushed a long strand behind her ear and adjusted her glasses. The prim, schoolteacher look had never been such a turn-on.

How was it possible that she did that to him? She was so unaware of her beauty. It would probably kill him if she continued to bite and lick her bottom lip for much longer. She hadn’t said anything of his holding her hand the entire time they’d been walking through the massive park. He’d deliberately brought her to one that bordered his land. It was silly, but thinking of her that close to his home brought a smile to his lips. If only he could do something to alleviate the confusion he sensed in her.

“What is it that concerns you about a relationship with us?” he asked.

She sighed loudly. They went a few steps more before she finally answered. “I’ve been married to the jerk you met a few days ago. I’ve dated so many men that only wanted to sleep with me or to find a woman to take care of them.” She stopped and turned to him. “Frankly, I’m sick of it. I’m not doing it anymore.”

“You shouldn’t have to. A partner should be someone who takes what you already have and makes it better. Someone who makes you happy to have them in your life.”

Her sad smile broke his heart. “That’s what we’d like to think. And that’s what men always advertise. I’m not sure I’m the right woman for you two. I’m too bitter.”

“You’re not bitter. You have just had some very bad experiences and I understand your hesitation.” He cupped her cheek and stared deep into her troubled eyes. “All I can ask is for you to give us a chance. No pressure. If at any point you feel the need to go or that this isn’t working, we understand,” he lied. They’d probably die without their third, but he wouldn’t tell her that. She didn’t need to be pushed. She needed coaxing.

She pursed her lips and turned back to strolling. “When I was a kid, I swore my parents had the most amazing marriage ever. I mean really awesome. They were always hugging and smiling and laughing. I wanted that for me.” She chuckled. The sound came out a pained laugh. “Then I grew up. I heard the yelling behind closed doors. I saw the bruises she tried to hide. I questioned her and do you know what she said to me?”

Waves of her pain surrounded them. He had a hard time yanking back the animal who wanted to offer her comfort. He bit back the growl threatening to escape and pulled her closer to his side. “What did she say?”

“She said that cheating comes natural to everyone. That it was my responsibility to accept it and let it go. That if I wanted a marriage to work I would have to understand my place as a woman.” She shook her head. “I don’t buy that for a second. I refuse to believe it and I won’t settle for it.”

“So she feels it’s okay to have a relationship with a partner that isn’t committed to being with only one person?”

She nodded. “It gets better. She said the only way she’s stayed married this long is by having affairs herself. All her time away with family and friends allowed her the ability to meet up with men and do her own thing.”

His chest ached with the bitterness spilling from her lips. She hurt badly and he didn’t know how to stop it. “You have to understand not everyone thinks that way.”

She shrugged. “I know. I’ve met other couples who don’t have that as part of their lives. But the truth is, I have bad luck with men.” She veered off the main park path and crossed to a desolate hill with a thick grassy patch. She stopped, glanced down at the view of the forest and sat down. “I have awful luck with men. Hell, I have terrible luck in general. You both don’t need my bad luck in your lives.”

“Let us be the judge of what we need. All we want from you is a chance.”

She gazed out in the distance. “I have no experience with shifters other than