Wild Game (Wilding Pack Wolves 1) - New Adult Paranormal Romance Read Online Free

“I can’t kiss you.”
    He leaned closer. “Is that right? Because I’d say you definitely know how.” Why was she pulling back? Just because he was a lowly Army grunt? Or her bodyguard? Never mind that Owen had trampled over every line of professionalism there was… somehow, he didn’t think that was it. Hell, he had no idea why she’d kissed him in the first place, much less decided not to do it again.
    “I just… can’t do this.” She put her hands on his chest again and pushed him away.
    He backed up all the way to the far shelving, giving her a dozen feet of room. He’d heard about the Wilding females, and how they were beyond hot in the sack… but he didn’t know what to do with this kind of hot and cold. Actually, he didn’t know what to do with any of it.
    She pointed a finger at him, but it was shaking. “This never happened. You tell no one.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” But it stoked an angry fire in him. Clearly, he wasn’t quite good enough for her. Not that she was wrong about that, but it still burnt his shorts.
    She folded her arms and retreated against the cardboard boxes again. Some of Owen’s anger dissipated in a wave of concern. What the fuck was he doing? Taking advantage of her distraught emotional state after she’d almost been blown up? Then feeling rejected because she didn’t want to carry on more in the back of the medical supply warehouse?
    He really wasn’t that kind of asshole.
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” He kept his voice soft.
    She nodded. But it was still shaky. “I just want to go home.”
    Fortunately, Murphy chose that moment to speak up again. “All clear. Owen, you can bring her in. Or we’ll come your way. We’ve got alternate transport.”
    Owen clicked his microphone back on. “Copy that.” To Nova’s perked up interest, he said, “Let’s get you home, then.”
    He escorted her all the way back to the office, then home to her apartment, careful to keep his distance, just like before, and to betray nothing on his face or in his demeanor that would hint to anyone watching that anything untoward had happened in that medical supply warehouse.
    But he’d be damned if he wouldn’t be replaying that kiss in his bed tonight.

 
    She could have died.
    Nova had gone back to the office, then her apartment, then spent most of the night not sleeping. She had gotten up the next morning, had her breakfast, met Owen at the door of her apartment, took a silent ride to Wylderide without speaking to him, claimed the entire pot of coffee from the break room along with her mug, and retreated to her office. 
    Half the morning had passed, and through all of it, she’d had lots of thoughts. Thoughts about the new beta edition they were about to launch. Thoughts about how she was going to keep the pack together long enough to get it released. And, sneaking in every once in a while when she least expected it, thoughts about how she could’ve died yesterday… and none of it would’ve made a damn bit of difference.
    Which made her think about that kiss.
    The one that took her by surprise and set her body and soul on fire.
    She hadn’t said a thing to Owen. Shit, she couldn’t even look him in the eye. She’d spent a month watching him watch her, dreaming about how hot he was with those Yes, Ma’ams and that sultry Texas accent and his military politeness… then she damn near attacked him in that warehouse. Then, just as fast, she pushed him away.
    He was the wrong man. Thoroughly wrong. Wrong in every way.
    And that had freaked her out so badly she’d done the only thing she could‌—‌the only thing she ever did with men‌—‌she shoved him away.
    This… to a man who had just saved her life.
    It filled her with a hot-cheeked shame that was all mixed up with the kind of heat that pooled between her legs. She was so messed up.
    She could’ve died yesterday.
    No, check that. She would have died if it hadn’t been for Owen Harding and his quick-witted reaction