13. Carter
Carter
I watch her walk away, and yeah— I might be a complete idiot, but I’m not suicidal.
There’s no force on this planet or the next that could make me turn around and let her go without a fight.
Not now.
Not after the way she just looked at me like I was something she wanted but couldn’t trust.
Like I’m the risk she’s not sure is worth taking.
My Lion snarls.
She’s worth it. She’s ours.
And I’ll do what it takes to get her to believe in me. In us .
So I do what any rational, red-blooded, slightly unhinged Lion Shifter would do .
I follow her.
Stalk her , if we’re being honest.
She’s not even five feet ahead of me, weaving through the crowd like she owns the place. I don’t say a word. Just move in her orbit, close enough to keep an eye on her, to growl at anyone who looks too long, but far enough to pretend I’m not being completely ridiculous.
Until she stops.
And smiles.
At a redhead with freckles and a massive overbite.
A redhead in a suit that screams government job and sensible life choices.
He’s got a Mule Shifter vibe, all ears and attitude, and he flashes her a wide grin like he’s already planning their first brunch date.
My growl vibrates through my chest.
MJ laughs at something he says, and that’s when I step in.
“He’s not for you, Kitten,” I murmur, low and lethal.
She startles, eyes narrowing as she turns to glare at me.
“Excuse me?”
“Mule Shifter,” I nod toward the guy who’s wisely already backing away. “Too stubborn. You’d kill each other by week two.”
MJ glares at me like she’s debating whether to hex me or throw her drink in my face.
“You did not just chase that man off.”
I shrug. “Didn’t say a word. Just standing here being my charming self.”
She rolls her eyes and pivots away, heading for the dessert table like she’s about to eat her feelings.
A slick-looking guy in a gray velvet blazer steps into her path.
Nose that screams look at me, strong jaw, confident swagger.
Rhino.
He flashes her a practiced smile. MJ blushes.
I growl again.
“Wrong again, Kitten,” I mutter, stepping beside her before she can answer him. “You’ll break yourself on that monster.”
MJ turns slowly, lips parted.
“What are you now? My personal matchmaker?”
I give her my best smirk.
“Sure. I can be that.”
She crosses her arms, and I have to fight the urge to adjust myself, because those curves in that dress are doing serious damage to my sanity.
“I can be a real good friend, MJ. Just give me a chance.”
Her eyes widen. “You want to be my friend?”
“I do.”
And more, Little Kitten, I add silently.
So much more.
I want to be her friend, yes. But also, I know she is it for me. And I wanna be everything to her.
Mate. Partner. Problem. Obsession. Love.
Her lips part like she can hear every single unspoken word. Her eyes soften, just for a second, and then—she sighs.
It’s the kind of sigh that makes her whole chest rise and fall, her cleavage bouncing like a damn temptation trap, and I’m gone.
Utterly.
Hopelessly.
Gone.
My cock is rock hard. My Lion is seething.
She must feel it, because her cheeks go pink as she tries to look anywhere but at me.
“You’re not making this easy, Carter.”
“Not trying to, Kitten.”
And I’m not.
Because I’m done playing cool.
Done pretending I don’t care .
Done walking away.
She’s mine.
And if she wants to go slow?
Fine.
But I’m not going anywhere.
Not tonight. Not ever.