His Trouble Maker

Chapter 53

JESSICA

My heart thuds painfully against my ribs. Luna? Did he just say Luna?

“What did you just call me?” My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

Something flickers across Grayson’s face–uncertainty, maybe even fear. He releases my wrists, backing up slightly.

“You heard me.” His voice is rough, raw with emotion.

“Luna is what werewolves call their mates.” I stare at him, disbelief making my head spin. “That’s not–we’re not-”

“We are.” His eyes flash gold for a split second, and I gasp. “My wolf chose you long before I was ready to admit it.”

I shake my head, trying to process what he’s saying. “That’s impossible. I’ve never… I would know if I you’re my….”

Grayson laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “My mate? You spend your life hating me, Jess.”

“Your eighteenth birthday is in a month,” he says quietly as he unties me. “That’s when you’ll shift for the first time. That’s when my father gave me the ultimatum–but I can’t claim you because…”

“Because I can’t control myself around you,” Grayson growls, his fingers brushing against my skin as he works on the knots. “And if I claim you before you’ve had your first shift, I could kill you.”

The raw honesty in his voice makes me stop struggling. I’ve never seen this side of him–vulnerable, almost afraid.

“Is that why you’ve been such an ass to me all these years?” I ask, watching his face carefully. “To keep me away?”

He laughs bitterly. “Didn’t work, did it? Every time you talked back or stood up to me, my wolf just wanted you more.”

The first restraint comes loose, and I rub my wrist, noticing the bruises already forming. Grayson’s eyes follow my movement, and he sighs.

“Are you hurt?” His fingers brush over the reddened skin.

I jerk away.” You’re the one who tied me.”

“Because you won’t listen to me, Jess.”

That’s true.

Earlier, I was ready to just jump in bed with him to get answers. Right now, I feel so embarrassed sitting next to him.

His eyes darken as they trail down my body. “You have no idea what it’s like,” he mutters, voice husky. “Smelling your arousal every time we argue. Knowing you want me even when you’re telling me to go to hell.”

“I don’t-” but the lie dies on my lips when he leans in, his face inches from mine.

dilate when I get close.” His hand slides up my thigh and I

known all this time?” I ask, my voice small. I don’t know why I’m starting to get turned

enge

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Chapter 53

his eyes never leaving mine. “Since you were

“That’s fucking creepy, Grayson.”

crosses his face. “You

Jess.“.

was talking about. Instead, I just lean my body to his while he adjver his position beside me. I’m practically

my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to stay away from

high alert. “Then why did you? Why

my jawline, tilting my face up to his. “Because the alternative was worse. My father has enemies, Jess. Powerful ones If they knew about you before you could shift,

me to keep barking at you

laughing. “You really won’t give that up,

touch. “What can

he’s flipped our positions, pinning me to the

giggle, the sound surprising even me. “Down,

playfully, nipping at

but fail miserably when his fingers suddenly dig into my sides, tickling mercilessly. “Stop!”

back,” he demands, grinning

waist, using the leverage to flip us. For a glorious second, I’m on top, pinning his shoulders to the

eyes widen in surprise before narrowing with challenge. “You’re forgetting

“What’s that?”

my wrists in one hand above my head. His free

fits of laughter, my body arching against

to something darker, hungrier. I feel the change

my ribs to my waist, fingers digging in possessively. “That’s what you do to

that an hour ago, I hated his

not playing fair,”

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Chapter 53

my wrists tightens just enough to make me gasp, something primal dashes across fishers Jess. There’s warning in his voice,

against him deliberately, watching his self–control fracture. “Please,

don’t plan on fucking

I moan, arching

in his

us to grip

now. My fingers work at his zipper,