“I’m going to be in here every half-hour, repeating this.” Disgust welled at his lack of control. He dried off, avoiding his cock, which still strained from the constant state of arousal he knew wouldn’t leave him until mating heat ended. All he could do was pray he’d find the strength to grab for soap instead of Charma.

He realized he hadn’t remembered to bring a change of clothes. He wrapped the towel around his waist and quickly exited the bathroom. If he hurried it would only take him a minute to slip down the hall, enter his room and get dressed before she finished her shower. The woman used to spend an eternity showering. He hoped that hadn’t changed.

The bedroom was empty when he stepped inside but he didn’t hear water running in the other room. He darted to his dresser, opened the lower drawer and chose a pair of sweatpants. The bathroom door opened behind him and he jerked upright, turning.

Charma had washed her hair. Pink skin shone from the warm water and she was wrapped in his favorite blue towel. The tops of her shoulders and her thighs were revealed. He knew she didn’t have anything on under it and his cock stiffened in response.

He wanted her so bad it was difficult to remain still. He struggled with his choices—lunge at her or flee the room. She was just too tempting, too sexy. Images of all the things he wanted to do to her filled his mind and kept him from returning to the bathroom down the hall.

She smiled and her gaze lowered to his towel. He couldn’t move, his legs seemingly rooted to the carpet. More blood flowed into the part of him that she stared at.

Yeah, she’s looking at you. She can’t miss seeing you when you’re pointing right at her and lifting the damn towel. He reached down, pushed his cock against his thigh and kept his palm over it. Ouch. I know you don’t want to bend but we don’t want to scare her either.

“You’re definitely bigger.”

“Oh hell. Pretend you don’t notice.”

Her gaze lifted as she stepped closer to him and his bed. “Why would I do that? Drop the towel. Let me see how much you’ve grown.”

Panic seized Brand. “Don’t come near me.” She froze and he wanted to kick his own ass when he saw uncertainty on her features. “I’m sorry,” he got out. “You just need to stay back.”

“Why?” Pain flashed in her beautiful eyes. “Don’t you want me, Brand? Did you change your mind about mating me?”

“No. I mean, I want you. You have no idea how bad I do…and to claim you as my mate.” He growled. “You have no idea how much I want that.”

“Why can’t I approach you?”

Honesty is best. Yeah. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you. My control is shaky and I think we should wait until I’m out of heat to do this. That will give you some time to put on some weight and heal up. It will also guarantee that I’ll be as gentle as possible when we seal the bond without causing you any injuries.”

She stared at him, seemingly stunned.

“I’m dangerous,” he whispered. “To you. Right now. I wouldn’t mean to be but I’d be too rough. I want you too much. My dick is in charge and yeah, I want you. I would never forgive myself if I caused you pain but I know I will.”

“I don’t believe that.” She glanced down his body. “You are bigger and stronger but that doesn’t scare me.”

“Charma?” He waited until she met his gaze. “Trust me. You’ve never seen me in heat.”

“It can’t be worse than my heat when I was with you.”

“It is.” He swallowed hard, his cock throbbing against his palm through the wet towel. “I’m more aggressive than you ever were at your worst. I need to go into the bathroom right now and you need to stay there. I’ll handle my own needs. I thought I would have more time in between but that was before I saw you in so little, looking so damn sexy. I have to handle this. Me. Shit.” He bolted around her and into the bathroom she’d just vacated, slamming the door between them.

He locked the door. The Charma he knew would follow him. She’d always hated it when he walked away from a disagreement. The last time he’d done it flashed through his head and he spun, his hand bracing on the solid wood. What if she takes off again? What if I go out there and she’s fled?

He nearly unlocked the door but fear kept him from doing that. He spun, his actions jerky as he yanked open the shower door and turned on the water. He’d be fast. She wouldn’t leave. I’d rather her think I’m a jerk than screw this up by hurting her.

Charma couldn’t help but feel hurt. She turned around and heard the water come on. He’s going to handle his own needs? She stared at the door as anger hit.

She tried to twist the door handle but found it locked, preventing her from following him. “Damn it.” Her other palm slapped the wood barrier. “Brand?” She called out his name. “Open the door.”

“Go eat something,” he called out. “Or rest. I’ll be out soon.”

“Damn it, Brand. Let me in there. I’m not fragile.”

He didn’t answer. She turned her head and pressed her ear against the wood, listening. Her keen hearing picked up faint noises over the water. She bit her lip when she heard his breathing increase and a slight slapping sound, guessing what he was doing in there to “handle his own needs”. More like fisting his own cock. She didn’t move away until she heard him come.

Her body responded to his throaty groan, one she remembered too well. Brand had no idea how wrong he was if he thought she’d make it easy for him to keep her at arm’s length. It had been a while since she’d suffered the effects of heat but it wasn’t something anyone forgot. He needed her and she wanted him. It was incredibly sweet that he was so concerned with her safety but it was also frustrating.

She knew she faced no danger from him, regardless of how horny or aggressive he got during the worst of the heat. He refused to listen to her though. A plan formed and it made her smile. She’d actually make it impossible to for him to resist nature’s call.

One quick tug and the towel dropped at her feet. She turned to face the bed. I just need to get him on it with me. She glanced at the door, heard the water shut off and moved, climbing onto his mattress before he came out. Half the problem solved. I’m here. Now to just get him to join me.