The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 26

TESSA POV

It shouldn’t make my heart race to feel his hands pinning my wrists into the soft ground. Something about being completely his, even if pretended it wasn’t what I wanted, is disturbingly attractive.

But I knew the flip was coming. To be honest, I was surprised he even let me ask as many questions as he did. It was always a gamble trying to gain the advantage over someone like him.

I knew the arrow near his balls would scare the shit out of him though. But I needed to know where he had been. He wasn’t going to tell me of his own free will.

Every target he sent flying my way, working those pulleys without fail, I felt a little rush of gratitude. A little bit of guilt for judging his motives.

By the final few arrows, thad run out of reasons to be silent. The scales tipped over into needing him more.

““Now. Miss Darnell,” he grins, allows his head to lower. A few curls of dark brown hair tumble across his forehead. I cannot stop myself from glimpsing down at his lips. Weak doesn’t begin to cover how I act around him.

It’s almost cruel. A point is coming where I won’t be able to pull away. I’ll hold onto him, seeking the rocketing fireworks he sends through me no matter how foolish I know the decision is.

“Yes, Mr Pagano?” matching his tone. His eyebrow raises in amusement and a little bubble of pride rises in my stomach at making him smile.

I don’t want questioning for real. So if I flirt, channel my inner Allette, I might get out of this.

Maxim brushes my nose with his, his legs laid between mine. “I might have a question or two for you. But no arrows.”

“I’m telling you nothing then,” I reply with a grin. It’s worth a shot. I even lift my leg a little higher, brushing against his thigh, my hips searching for his. “Not a thing.”

His earlier confession rattled me. The Warden’s don’t trust us? I’m going to end up in front of the Alpha? Maxim closes his eyes and for a second I think I’ve managed to divert him.

“But I haven’t even started to interrogate you yet. You know they teach us all kinds of cruel, awful ways to get information out of people?” if he intended to scare me, the playful smile on his face made that melt away. Instead he bent his head low and whistled out a breath just under my ear, tickling me into fruitless writhing against his hold.

Those amber eyes, the same ones that never stopped staring at me since we stopped kissing are going to be the death of me. Burning with so much fierce energy, his huge, strong body too close. Oak and berries fill my head with hungry, deviant thoughts.

The tickling stops, my giggles end and after a moment of silence, Maxim finally asks, “Tessa…why are the Wardens interested in you?”

My stomach drops and I know he feels my entire body stiffen. Of course he does. He’s trained to.

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm.” He persists with another gentle brush of his nose against mine, his lips brushing my forehead. In a low whisper he urges, “Come on. I told you

where I was.”

I don’t want to ruin whatever tonight has become. “I really don’t know. I’ve never done anything apart from coming here.”

“Your family then?”

“They’re farmers.”

“Just farmers?”

1/4

Chapter 26

“I think so.

Maxim sighs. “Tessa…” resting his forehead against mine. “…What’s your secret?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue but fear seizes me. I look up at him, shaking my head softly.

What had felt so warm and bubbling with promise chills over. The cold of night hits me for the first time, the weight of Maxim’s body over mine is staren to hurt a little even though he’s trying not to.

“I’m not a traitor. I’m not a rebel. I swear to that.”

Maxim exhales steadily. The chilly air of the night cruelly hits me as he quickly stands up. Offering me his hands I find myself roughly hauled upwards Maxim scooping up my arrow quiver.

His voice is gruff, his disappointment in me obvious. “Come on. It’s late. Neither of us have slept. You’ve got Vigo to ruin tomorrow.”

We stride through the moss together, both taking our time over the hidden lump and bumps. Once back on the gravel, his hand reaches for mine, our fingers interlinking. “I’m sorry…” but he shakes his head.

“Don’t. I get it.”

Walking in silence, we reach that dreaded threshold, my cheeks already burning. The red, wooden door of Block E. Everyone else is sound asleep. It’s heading towards three in the morning and I’m beyond tired. So I should just keep quiet and hop into bed.

“Why did you tell me your secrets?” I blurt just as the door opens.

“Because you deserve to know. We’re in this together.” before he strides ahead of me and quickly strips off. I’m frozen, watching the muscular perfection of his body. His back muscles are a series of bumps and ridges, the lanterns shadows draping every curving sinew.

Standing in just his black briefs, I’m temporarily useless.

Only when he walks into the bathroom do I get a grip and quickly spin around and shut the door, twisting the lock, exhaling slowly. Calm the fuck down Tessa. It was only a few kisses. A lot of kisses. That I liked. His hands squeezing my ass, cock pressed right where I could only dream of.

It’s only my soaked panties wishing I had the nerve to just tell Maxim I want whatever casual, heart–breaking excuse for a relationship he is offering. My heart knows better.

I close my eyes and gently tap my head against the wood. Only to spin around and see Maxim stood right in front of me. Goddess he can move quietly when he wants.

His heart, and fresh bite are at my eye level, forcing me to tilt my head upwards to meet his amber gaze. “I didn’t tell you everything Tessa. My promotion is coming up. So if I vanish again…I won’t be allowed to tell you about it. But you’ve got to sleep…got to stay in this race…” his hand reaching up to run through my hair, his thumb brushing my cheek.

“How long will you be away? When it happens I mean?”

He grimaces, “No idea. If it’s human or elf territory, it could take weeks.”

“Weeks?” Goddess the panic in my voice.

“Careful. Sounds like you’d miss me.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” shrugging my shoulders, forcing myself to look away. In this room I have to be cold. Not wondering how many more brushes against his bite would have made him really lose it.

I know he’s still looking down at me. No doubt analysing my blushes and stupid answers.

With a tut he adds. “More lies Tessa. What a shame.”

Chapter 26

“I’m not lying” but he’s already turned and strolled away, lifting the covers and climbing into his side of the bed. The lantern remains on, forcing me to undress and get ready for bed in sight of him. I make sure to keep my back to him, sliding off my uniform and dragging on the short, gold and beige pajama set. Even when sleeping you aren’t allowed to forget you’re a first year..

He’s just as tired as me but he doesn’t stop watching me. Even when I sit on the edge of the bed, plaiting my hair into a giant bun, my arms feet awkward. Because he’s silently there, amber eyes drinking me in whether I like it or not.

Even when the lantern goes out I close my eyes and try to fall asleep. But he hasn’t rolled over. I know his head is facing my way.

If I roll over now like every inch of me wants to. I could tell him I’m sorry.

I could whisper that I do have a secret.

That I can’t let him any closer than where he is now.

Because I did that once and I paid the worst kind of price. That even though I’ve never felt safer than when in his arms, it’s not enough. So I need to keep myself safe.

I don’t know what to say. My body scrunches s up, the fetal position of permanent stress, gripping the pillow like it’s a restraint.

He whispers, my scrunched eyes popping open in the ark. “I have one more thing you need to know.”

“What is it?”

“That you’re wrecking my sleep.”

I refuse to roll over, give him the reaction he wants. “How? Am I a secret snorer or something?”

“No. But when you roll over and end up near me, stop shrieking and rolling away.”

“I- what? No, I don’t…”

I don’t need to shift an inch on my pillow to know he’s smirking.

“I think you’re wrong…” Goddess why can’t I stop lying to him. That’s exactly what happens. Every night my dreams take me over to his side of the bed. I’m draped over him, hands on his chest, down his abs. It’s appalling.