My gaze swept over her face, taking in every minute detail, as I unconsciously muttered, “Because that herb was poisonous, even to touch. No one touches them without wearing gloves.”
Her eyes widened as she turned to look at the herb once more.
“What the fuck?!” she gasped.
“Where did you learn to curse so much?” I raised an eyebrow, frowning at her choice of words.
“Why do you care? Just let me go, Alpha,” she clenched her teeth, her frustration evident as she gritted out her response.
With a sigh, I released my hold on her waist, allowing her to step away. She quickly turned and began to walk away.
“You and your fiancee still want to kill me,” she muttered under her breath, her words barely audible. Yet, they reached my ears with crystal clarity.
My temper flared instantly.
“Excuse me!” I growled in a low and dangerous way as I appeared in front of her in a blink, blocking her path. “What did you say?” I demanded, my tone laced with anger and disbelief.
How dare she accuse me of such a thing?
Startled by my sudden appearance, she came to an abrupt halt, colliding with my chest. Her eyes widened, and her voice quivered with apprehension.
“I… I have a lot of work. Please, let me go,” she pleaded meekly.
“Are you here to kill me?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking the question this time.
A scowl creased her features, and she shook her head vehemently.
“What?!” she exclaimed. “No!” she declared firmly, her expression turning stern as if daring me to doubt her words.
“Selena, don’t lie. I can’t stand liars,” I warned, my voice laced with frustration.
She snorted, a mocking expression on her face, and nodded exaggeratedly.
“Oh really? And why would I want to kill you?” she challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I couldn’t help but smirk at her audacity.
“Give me just one good reason why you wouldn’t want to kill me,” I countered, the corner of my lips curling up mischievously.
She nervously bit her lip, seemingly lost in thought. But my attention was captivated by the sight of her enticing plum lips caught between her teeth. The way they glistened under the sunlight was mesmerizing.
“Because…” Her voice quivered as she swallowed, and her enchanting big eyes locked with mine. “… because I don’t feel anything for you.”
“Then prove it,” I whispered, gently encircling her waist with my arm and drawing her closer to me.
“What… what are you doing?” Selena’s eyes widened, her words stumbling out.
“I’m giving you a chance to convince yourself that you don’t feel anything for me,” I responded. “That you’re not turned on and don’t become wet with desire when I’m near. Your body doesn’t melt under my touch, and you don’t yearn for me when I kiss you. Prove to me that I don’t cross your mind on those impassioned nights and in your dreams.”
I leaned closer, my lips hovering just above hers, our breaths mingling, my self-control waning.
“Are you… are you serious? Why would I feel anything for you when… when we’ve both rejected each other?” she stammered, her voice breathless.
“You rejected me,” I snapped.
“And you rejected me too,” she retorted, staring back at me defiantly.
Fueled by anger, I pressed her against the nearest tree, pinning her beneath my body as the painful memories of that unfortunate day resurfaced. She flinched at first but soon glared at me, refusing to back down.
We stood there, locked in a mesmerizing gaze, our chests rising and falling with rapid breaths. Our bodies were pressed tightly against each other, and her delicate hands found their place on my bare chest, igniting a surge of sensations that coursed through me.
“Selena,” I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of longing and caution.
“Hmm,” she exhaled, her breath mingling with mine.
“If you mix that herb in my food, I will die,” I sighed, looking at her hopelessly.
She blinked, once and then twice, clearly taken aback by my statement.
“What do you mean?” she furrowed her brow, her expression filled with confusion.
“You could easily kill me if that’s what you…” My words were cut off as her hands swiftly covered my mouth.
“I can’t… kill you,” she whispered, her gaze fixed on my eyes.
A smile curled upon my lips as I softly kissed her palm.
It was as if she suddenly snapped out of her trance, pulling her hand away and averting her eyes.
Goddess, now I truly desired to kiss her.
“I love it when you’re writhing beneath me, moaning my name,” I blurted out, unable to restrain myself.
Her eyes snapped back to mine, her lips parting in surprise.
“You asked me yesterday about my favorite position in sex when I made love to you,” I smirked, my hands caressing her soft, enticing curves. She shivered, desire flickering in her eyes, but she blinked and tried to appear angry.
“You’re always so domineering, always craving control,” she murmured irritably, making me furrow my brow.
I swiftly changed our positions, rolling her so that she was now pressed on top of me, my back against the trunk of a tree.
“Happy?!” I asked, a delighted grin spreading across my face as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.