I was just starting to gain control of my life after Dad and Ben. I wouldn't let anyone take that away from me. Not even Josh. Not even if I secretly, deep down, desperately wanted to be his mate.I tried to force Josh out of my mind. I traded her pretty face for Ruth's smile. I drove back to DownMoor village, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel and imagining the look on his face when he revealed that the paintings weren't Neolithic.As soon as I emerged from the forest canopy and my phone rang to let me know I had reception again, I stopped and texted Derek. He texted back right away, inviting me to come over.For the first time, the weather was worse in DownMoor village than in the forest. The rain fell in cascades. There was hardly anyone on the road, and the main street was mostly deserted, many shops closed for the day. I pulled into a parking lot across from Derek's apartment, pulled my hood over my head, and hurried to the door.— Allora! He hugged me, his muscles tense.

“Shit. Josh crossed the room and scooped me up in his arms. - This is hard. I'm sorry, Allora. How old were you?- Eighteen. “I rested my head on his shoulder. - Everything is fine. It's old news now. I don't want to bother you by talking about it...“You don't bother me,” Josh murmured against my hair. "I think you're an inspiration." I'm still learning to live with this grief. But seeing what you did after losing not only your father, but also a boyfriend… you are much braver than me.- I doubt.Josh's words and the warmth of his arms brought a rush of emotion. A lump rose in my throat.- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset her. I… admire you, Allora. And not just because you're hot. And now I understand why you are so picky about security. You know firsthand what can happen when things go wrong.I sniffed.— The pasta is boiling.- Right. Josh pulled back, his gentle eyes searching mine. But I didn't want to break down at that moment. I wanted to keep floating in post-coital bliss. S

Allora's lips found mine, her tongue slipping between my teeth. My hands cupped her face, pulling her closer. My body ached for her, wanting to be as close as possible, right now.I reached out to unbutton my shirt, but Allora held it."Let me do this," she whispered. "You've already ruined two of my favorite shirts."I was going to protest, but she started undoing the buttons, starting at the neck and working her way down. She looked a little nervous, like a schoolgirl in the backseat of a car for the first time. It only heightened my desire as she unfastened the last button and opened her blouse.Her breasts were cupped inside a black bra. I reached behind her and released him, sliding the blouse off my shoulders. I cupped one of her breasts in my hands, loving how perky and firm it was. She gasped as I closed my mouth around the nipple and sucked gently, her nails digging into my back.As I suckled on her other breast, Allora fumbled with my buttons. I took my shirt off my shoulder

josh— The Anna! I yelled after the Mini started. She didn't look up, didn't stop the car. The Mini's wheels screeched as it sped around the corner, the tiny car carrying the only woman I've ever loved.My chest hurt. My entire body shuddered. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. She's gone. She's gone. The shock of it shivered through my veins.“Josh? Frances's voice cut through the pain slicing through my skull. I was vaguely aware that I was standing in the middle of the camp, stark naked. But I couldn't care. I ran my hand over my lip.I could still taste the sweetness of her kiss there.Allora left me. I told her I loved her and she left. Cum!Anger surged through me, an anger that purred from my feet to my entire body, a bubbling heat that burned me inside and out. Fuck her. Just a few minutes ago, she'd been telling Caleb these things, and now she's just walked away.My eyes burned with tears. I blinked angrily. I haven't experienced this feeling for a long time, since I was

AlloraJosh let Caleb drive back to the farm while he laughed in the backseat with me. He didn't seem able to let me go, which suited me just fine. Our lips met in a long, lustful kiss. I devoured him, the relief of still being alive and having him alive coursing through my veins. Adrenaline made me dizzy, and his tongue against mine felt like the most amazing thing in the world.“I was serious before,” Josh murmured against my lips. His arms tightened around me. “I love you, Allora.“I know you do. That scared me.- I understand.“But it doesn't scare anymore. I put my arms around him, losing myself in his kind green eyes. “Being kidnapped by Derek… showed me something, something I should have learned from Dad and Ben. Life can end in a moment, and all we have is what we are given. I don't want to waste a single moment of the life I've been given fearing to know what it might be or what might happen. I want to embrace all my feelings, all my dreams, even the scary ones.Especially th