Josie
The heat of Kiel's lips was still on my neck when I whispered, "We should stop."
He groaned like I'd just taken his lifeline away. Slowly, he straightened, looking into my eyes with that hungry expression that made my heart tremble and race all at once.
"Why?" he asked, his voice low and rough. "Josie, I'm dying to taste my mate. I don't care what my brothers think. They can go to hell. I—" he cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing the skin under my eye "—I want you."
His words made my throat tighten.
But all I could whisper back was, "I care."
His expression faltered.
"I don't like the way Thorne looked at me," I said, lowering my eyes. "Like I did something wrong."
There was silence between us for a second before Kiel shook his head.
"You need to calm down," he said, voice softer now. "You're overthinking. Thorne is… Thorne. He's complicated. But this? What's happening between you and me? It's not wrong, Josie. His problem—whatever it is—has nothing to do with you."
