Lying to her made his gut churn. He swallowed the steak and washed it down with a gulp of red wine. What did any of it matter? She was leaving tomorrow. The briefest encounters with her had proven him right—mates were nothing but trouble. They were the source of anguish. A wolf was better off living a solitary life on his own. She’d leave town tomorrow, and he’d have to deal with the consequences of angering the Sacco pack.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden.” Sophie’s voice pulled him out of his introspection. “What are you thinking about?”
You. And all the reasons why I can’t have you.
“How we found each other again here on the mountain. It’s almost like it’s—” He smashed his lips together before he uttered nonsense.
“Fate?” she supplied.
“Yes.” He shook his head. “But I don’t believe in that. Do you?”
“No.” She cocked her head. “Although of all the people to have found me, it does seem to be more than a coincidence that it was you.”
She stared at him from across the table and he couldn’t look away. Locked in her gaze, he swore that nothing would tear him away from her.
Can’t you sense how right it is? His wolf insisted. It’s obvious—she’s the one for us. You can’t let her go!
She broke eye contact and let out a small laugh. “But that’s all it is, a coincidence. Since I’ve been here, it’s been one strange thing after another. As if this mountain has some strange magic that drifts over it like falling snowflakes.”
His voice caught in his throat before he could answer. How could a human be so close to the truth? Magic suffused the area. The shifters and other supernaturals who lived here used spells to protect those within. Damon peered closer at her. Maybe she wasn’t human after all.
He inhaled her scent. No, definitely human. But sniffing her was like infusing him with euphoria.
He reached across the table and took her hands.. “Maybe that’s what’s connecting us.”
Her eyes widened. “Magic?”
“Yes.”
She laughed. “That’s a good line, but no, I don’t believe that.”
He furrowed his brows. “You don’t feel anything between us?”
“I do,” she admitted.
“Then what do you think it is?” Why was he saying these things? He should just keep his lips closed, and after dinner, they’d each go on their way.
She bit her lip as she appeared to consider his question. “What drew us together the night at the club—physical attraction.”
Ah yes, sensual tension hovered between them for sure, but it seemed as if it were more than that. Was it simply the fates pulling at his strings and messing with his life? Although conversation continued without any awkward silences throughout dinner, during which time he’d learned more about her and her work as a graphic designer, he wrestled with more questions about their inexplicable connection.
After dinner, he held her hand and walked her back to her condo. The feel of her warm hand in his convinced him that whatever was between them was indeed magical—and just as impossible to understand. It just was.
Outside the front door of the mountain villas suites, Sophie thanked him for dinner. He stared into her eyes, reluctant to let her go. He couldn’t let her go. If he did, this might be the last time he saw her.
Make her stay, his wolf insisted.
I can’t ‘make’ her do anything.
You can’t let her leave us!
Damon ignored his wolf. He’d shift tonight so his wolf could run free in the mountains and release the tension brewing inside.
He stepped closer to Sophie and placed his hand on her cheek. It was cool from the February mountain air, but with a fire underneath that warmed him. She leaned into his hand.
His gaze lowered to her lips. “Don’t leave tomorrow, Sophie.”
She sighed. “I have to. I have a job back home.”
“Can you take more time off?”
“No, but…”
He perked up. “But what?”
“I have my MacBook with me. So technically, I could work remotely if I wanted to stay longer.” She shook her head and touched her temple. “Still, I didn’t bring enough clothes for the week.”
That sliver of a possibility filled him with hope. “That’s not a problem. I’ll take you shopping.”
She glanced at the brick building. “I only booked our place for the weekend. I don’t even know if I can extend it longer.”
He raised his other hand to cup her other cheek and his gaze dropped to her lips. “Don’t worry about that.” Instinct overrode reason, driving him to lean forward. Her mouth was there. Right there. Just inches away. He had to taste her again.
She sucked in an audible breath and stilled as if waiting. His body seemed to move in slow motion as he moved closer.
And then his lips brushed hers.
She exhaled, and it was like feathery warmth on his mouth. Electric currents singed beneath his skin. Her lips were as soft as petals. His heart pounded in his ears.
Yes, his wolf yipped and wagged his tail.
Hunger for more urged Damon to kiss her again, deeper this time. He yearned to pull her against him and claim her mouth, but had to refrain from coming on aggressive as he had in the club. After all, she’d run away from him. That was the last thing he wanted, not when he wanted to convince her to stay.
He forced himself to pull away, leaving them both with just a small taste to hint at what could come.
He caressed Sophie’s cheek. “You don’t have to book anywhere. You can stay with me.”
Chapter 7
Sophie
Still dazed by Damon’s lips, Sophie blinked at him. “Stay with you?” she repeated.
“Yes, with me,” Damon replied as if it were the most logical suggestion in the world.
It was nothing of the sort—although it had a delicious appeal. Her body urged her to scream yes, her mind, however, insisted she be more logical about this. “But I barely know you.”
“It’s the perfect way we can
