I heard the sharp click of the truck door as he shoved me inside, closing it with a force that seemed almost deliberate.


    Without a word, he circled to the driver''s side and climbed in, eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to meet mine. The silence between us was thick, and I found myself wondering if maybe we had crossed a line we shouldn''t have.


    But honestly, I shouldn''t care he had done far worse things, and surely he understood that Danny was only teasing. Still, I couldn''t reach out to him through mindlink to ask what was wrong. The tension was suffocating. The drive back to the packhouse garage took barely ten minutes, but it felt like an eternity.


    The moment I stepped out of the truck, he pulled me into his arms again. This time, I didn''t resist.


    There was something fragile about him, something broken beneath the surface, and I wanted to hold onto it, to hold onto him. Without a word, he carried me through the back door and up the hidden staircase, the quiet creak of the steps echoing in the dimly lit hallway.


    Once inside the bedroom, he mmed the door behind us. Before I could even catch my breath, he pinned me against the back wall.


    His chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes scanning my face with an intensity I couldn''t quite decipher. I had no clue what he was searching for, but I waited patiently.


    This wasn''t something I could coax out of him. He''d speak when he was ready. I gently ran my fingers through the short hair at the nape of his neck, and he closed his eyes, savoring the touch. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes again, revealing redness around the rims, teetering on the edge of tears.


    "I''m sorry,” he whispered, his gaze never leaving mine. I cupped his face, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my palms as he inhaled and exhaled deeply.


    "That was the worst thing I''ve experienced in a long time. And I know Danny was just ying around. I know you were teasing him, but it felt like torture. I hated seeing him touch you like that. I hated the way he smiled at you. And damn it, you smiled back. A real smile that lit up your entire face. And I hate, with everything in me, that I haven''t earned even one like that from you yet."


    He took another shaky breath, and I simply watched him. I saw him crack just a little, tears welling in his eyes.


    I should feel bad, shouldfort him, but I didn''t-not yet. He needed this moment of raw honesty. He had no idea what those nights were like for me, but today, he got


    a glimpse of it. He couldn''t stop it or fix it in the moment; all he could do was endure it.


    "Can you forgive me? Can I make this right? What do I have to do?" His voice was desperate, searching. A single tear slipped down the cheek of my fierce, intimidating mate, and that was the moment I lost my defenses. He had let down every wall, revealing the depth of his feelings.


    Tenderly, I brushed the tear away with my thumb. He leaned into my touch, and I pulled him close, pressing my lips to his. The kiss was electric-more powerful than lightning or explosions. His lips were soft and full, hesitant at first, but when I gently asked for more with my tongue, he didn''t hesitate. He let me lead, and the kiss quickly became wild and urgent-teeth, lips, tongues tangled in a messy, desperate dance. My heart pounded fiercely as I pressed closer, craving every inch of him. I wanted more. I needed more.


    He pressed himself against me, and I felt every inch of him, every breath, every heartbeat. I dug my nails into his shoulders and moved my hips against his, earning a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. Encouraged, I did it again, reveling in the electric thrill coursing through my body. A sigh escaped me as he deepened the pressure. One hand tangled in my hair, the other gripping my ass firmly-I was in heaven. I bit his lower lip, sucking lightly to ease the sting, and his hold on my hair tightened in response.


    I whimpered softly when he pulled away, his eyes half-lidded, a goofy, intoxicated smile spreading across his face.


    "Don''t stop," I whispered, unsure if I was begging, pleading, ormanding.


    He pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm on my skin. "I don''t want to, but I have to. We need to."


    "Why?" I whined, my voice trembling. “That was incredible!"


    He shed me that dazzling smile again. "I''m d you think so. I wasn''t sure..." He hesitated, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear.


    "Not sure about what?"


    “How it would go. I thought it would happen somewhere more romantic than our bedroom, but I guess this works." He smiled softly and just looked at me.


    My mind was moving slowly, trying to process his words. "Wait... Ryker. Was that your first kiss? I mean, not just our first kiss, but your very first kiss ever?" No way. There was no way.


    "What if I said yes?" he replied with a sly grin.