Arctic Star (Wild Obsession) by Cassie Mint

Author:Cassie Mint [Mint, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Cherry Publishing
Published: 2021-04-14T18:30:00+00:00

Five

Harlow

Cole wants me. Physically, at least. When I turned to face him, my towel puddled at my feet, I saw the way his chest heaved. The way his fists clenched, tendons standing out on his forearms. And when he read what I’d written, the things I was offering, his pupils blew so wide his eyes turned black.

So why is he being such a freaking brick wall about this? For the next few hours, he barely says a word. He potters around his cabin, fixing us dinner on his gas stove. Won’t even look at me over his shoulder. As though I might have stripped naked and laid out on the table with an apple in my mouth.

Whatever. I won’t force the issue. I’m grateful that he’s taken me in, and I’ll respect his wishes. But that doesn’t stop my body from singing out like a tuning fork whenever he passes near. Doesn’t stop the slick warmth from gathering between my legs; the way my pulse thrums every time he mutters under his breath.

I want him. At least one of us should be honest. I want him on me and in me; surrounding me so completely that we blur into one.

I chew on my pen cap. Should I write that down?

No point. He won’t read it.

As the daylight changes outside the windows, darkness creeping in, Cole adds another log to the burner. It crackles and pops, an ember floating near my sock, and I stare at the flames in a daze.

“Dinner won’t be long.” I nod and force a smile. He sighs, the sound gusting out of him. I wait, but he doesn’t say anything else. Just moves away, floorboards creaking.

Cole is a great cook. I shouldn’t be so surprised—it’s pretty insulting of me, really. But he’s so big, his hands dwarfing the knife as he chops, and it’s hard to believe he made this stew with these delicate flavors. I spoon it greedily into my mouth, tearing chunks of bread off with my teeth, and Cole watches me wide-eyed before bursting out laughing. He tips back his head and roars at the ceiling, loud enough to scare the birds out in the trees.

“Easy, honey.” He reaches over and places a hand on my wrist. Weighs my spoon down. “Don’t make yourself sick. There’s plenty more, just go slow. Okay?”

I nod, stomach swooping as he watches me, then withdraws his hand. My wrist jerks up at the sudden loss of him. God. What would that weight be like, covering me everywhere?

“Oh no, you don’t.” Cole nudges my bowl closer. “Eat first. One hunger at a time.”

That’s… that’s almost a yes. Right? I blink at him, hope swelling in my chest. Then he shakes his head and sighs, turning back to his own meal, and my heart sinks.

He won’t change his mind.

I dip my spoon into the stew and duck my head. I should take what I’m given and be grateful.

* * *

Two hours later, we’re standing shoulder to shoulder, staring at the bed.

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