It felt like soft rain on a summer evening—gentle yet electrifying. Like an explosion of the best flavors in the universe, all blending together to create the most intoxicating sensation Emma had ever known.

  She was lost. Completely lost in it.

  When Derek’s lips had crushed against hers—firm, claiming, desperate—it was as if he was trying to stake his right to her, to say without words that she was his and his alone.

  For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Her mind went blank. Then came the tingling.

  It hit her like a flood breaking through a dam, rushing through every nerve, every cell. Her senses snapped alive, and this time she didn’t fight it—she welcomed it.

  Her hands shot up to his neck as she kissed him back, hungrily, fiercely; her tongue slipping past his teeth to find the warm, wet heat inside.

  The faint bristle of his beard grazed her cheeks as she held him tighter, her fingers tangling in his hair until his band came loose, releasing a wave of silky strands.

  Their mouths moved in sync, a battle of passion—tongue against tongue, breath against breath—until a loud, shrill ring sliced through the air.

  Rrrriiingggg!!!

  Both jerked apart, startled.

  Emma bit her swollen lips as she scrambled for her phone. “Of all the times,” she muttered under her breath, earning a smirk from Derek.

  He was amused—and just a little bit smug.

  Clearly, he wasn’t the only one who’d found that kiss mind-blowing.

  His wolf stirred beneath the surface, restless, unsatisfied, as his gaze dropped to her lips again, watching her fumble for the phone.

  “Hello,” Emma snapped into the phone once she found it buried deep in her small purse. She’d tucked it away earlier to keep it safe in the workers’ room.

  “Emma, are you done with your shift?” came the voice on the other end.

  She exhaled sharply. Clem. She’d forgotten to save his number—again. I’ll do it after this call, she thought.

  “Hey, Clem,” she said softly. “Yeah, I’m done with—”

  A loud bang cut her off. She turned to see Derek slamming his hands against the steering wheel, his face tight with fury.

  “Derek…” she called nervously, forgetting she was still on the call. “I… uh… what—”

  “What happened with Derek?” Clem’s voice came through, sharp with jealousy.

  Stolen story; please report.

  “Oh… Clem, I’ll—” she began, but Derek snatched the phone from her hand.

  He ended the call without hesitation and slipped the phone into his shirt pocket.

  “I was just about to tell him I’d call later,” she said quickly, trying to calm the storm brewing in his eyes.

  “Don’t pick up his calls again,” Derek said flatly, his voice low and dangerous.

  “He’s my friend. I can’t just stop answering his calls,” Emma shot back, defiant. “Stop behaving like a caveman. It’s not like we’re dating.” Her voice trailed off on the last word.

  Derek’s head snapped toward her, disbelief flashing in his eyes. What’s wrong with this human? I literally told her I loved her.

  “I just told you earlier that I love you,” he said, frustration leaking into his tone.

  He saw her cheeks flush pink at the words and felt a pang of tenderness.

  “What else do you need—a bunch of flowers?” he asked, searching her face. He’d never done this before, never had to explain himself like this.

  “I… well… you haven’t asked me out officially,” Emma mumbled, ducking her head, mortified the words had escaped her mouth.

  Really, Emma? Couldn’t you have waited?

  Silence stretched between them. It felt heavy, awkward. She dared a glance at him. He was still staring at her.

  Was that too much? Too fast? she thought, biting her lip. Maybe he wanted to take things slower.

  If that, why then had he said he loved her? Did he think love was a joke?

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to,” she whispered finally, heart sinking.

  But instead of answering, Derek leaned forward and kissed her again.

  This one was softer—feathery, tender, but no less intense. And once again, she was lost to sensation.

  “I want to,” he murmured, cupping her face between his hands. “I’ve wanted to since you tripped me two days ago.” His lips quirked into a smile as his blue eyes held hers.

  Emma’s pulse quickened. She couldn’t hold his gaze for long; it was too much. Too overwhelming. She dropped her head shyly, cheeks burning.

  “Emma,” Derek whispered, brushing his thumb across her cheek and lifting her chin gently. “Be my girlfriend.”

  He almost said mate, but bit his tongue. His wolf—Maru—was prowling beneath the surface, urging him to claim her.

  “When will you tell her about us?” Maru asked eagerly.

  “Not now,” Derek linked back. “I don’t want to scare her away.” Just the thought of her running from him made his chest ache.

  Emma blinked, speechless. It was everything she wanted to hear—but the words stuck in her throat.

  “Emma,” Derek said again, pinching her cheek lightly until she jerked in response. “You haven’t said anything.”

  “Well…” she started, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “You didn’t actually ask me anything. You only made a statement.”

  Derek laughed softly, the sound rumbling in his chest. He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. His little witch wasn’t shy anymore.

  With effortless strength, he lifted her from her seat and onto his lap, easing his back from its strained bend.

  Her blush deepened, and she ducked her head again.

  Shy again, he thought fondly.

  “Miss Emma, my little witch,” he said, voice playful but warm, “would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”

  Her heart felt like fireworks—no, explosions. She couldn’t find words to describe the heat pooling inside her, the pulse of want, the dizzying thrill of it all.

  “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I will.”