<b>hapter </b><b>29 </b>


    Reba’s POV


    The wolf in him was dangerously close to the surface now. <b>I </b>could see his canines elongating, his features sharpening into something more primal than human.


    Before I could respond, his mouth crashed down on mine in a kiss that was pure dominance. One hand moved to the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair as he angled my face to deepen the kiss. His other arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against the hard nes of his body. The heat of him seared through my clothes, his heartbeat thundering against my chest as he backed me against the door.


    I should have been terrified. I should have pushed him away. Instead, my body responded with a will of its own. My lips parted under the onught, my hands clutching at his shoulders for support as my knees weakened. A small, traitorous moan escaped me when his tongue swept into my mouth,


    iming, possessing.


    Something primal stirred inside me—an instinct to soothe the wild creature I’d provoked. I softened against him, my fingers gentling on his shoulders, stroking rather than clutching. The muscles beneath my fingertips bunched and flexed as he tightened his hold, pressing me harder against the door. I felt a tremor run through him as the aggression in his kiss gradually transformed into something no less passionate but less angry.


    His teeth grazed my lower lip, not quite biting but threatening to, and a shudder raced down my spine. His hand at my waist slid lower, gripping my hip possessively before trailing up my side, his thumb brushing the underside of my breast. The touch, even through my blouse, sent electricity shooting through my veins.


    When he finally pulled back, we were both breathing heavily. His eyes still glowed with that otherworldly light, but the fury had dimmed, reced by smoldering desire. He didn’t move away, keeping me caged between his body and the door, his hands now braced on either side of my head.


    “I ept your terms,” he said, his voice rough. “But understand this–while our arrangementsts, <b>you </b>are exclusively mine. No other men. No flirtations. Nothing that would make me question your <b>loyalty</b>.”


    I nodded, still dazed from the kiss, my lips tingling and swollen. “Agreed.”


    He released me but remained close, his gaze intense, tracking every subtle change in my expression. My heart was still pounding so hard I was certain he could hear it. I pressed my hands against the


    7:57 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>20 </b>


    door behind me for support, not trusting my legs to hold me.


    “What do you want the rest of the money for? Beyond your father’s treatment?” he asked, his voice still carrying that gravelly undertone that made my stomach tighten.


    <b>89 </b>


    The question caught me off guard. I hesitated, uncertain whether to reveal something so personal. But then, considering what our rtionship would entail, he would likely learn everything about me


    eventually.


    “I want to study fashion design,” I admitted, feeling strangely vulnerable. “I’ve always wanted to work in the industry, create my own pieces. But my family couldn’t afford the tuition, and then I was supporting William’s career instead of focusing on my own.”


    Something shifted in Dominic’s expression–a softening around the eyes, perhaps. “Fashion design?”


    “I know it probably sounds frivolous-”


    “It doesn’t,” he interrupted, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips lingering on my cheek. “It sounds like something you’re passionate about. Something that was taken


    from you.”


    I blinked, surprised by his perception, a warmth spreading through me that had nothing to do with


    desire. “Yes.”


    Dominic nodded decisively and moved to his desk, picking up his phone. “Dr. Winters? This is Dominic Sterling. I need a full physical workup for Reba Brown. Today.” He listened briefly. “I’ll


    send her over within the hour.”


    After hanging up, he turned back to me. “Standard procedure for my mate. I need to ensure you’re


    healthy.”


    I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment but nodded. It made sense, even if it felt oddly invasive.


    “I’ll have a car waiting for you at seven tonight to take you to the vi. Pack whatever you need. The rest can be arrangedter.”