Free Chasing Payne by Chantel Seabrook Page A

is, all it will ever be.”
    His grip tightened, and a stark look of anger crossed his features. “Like it or not, you're my mate.”
    She laughed bitterly. All her life she had wanted him, desired that one day she would be his other half, his true mate, but not like this. Not when he didn't want her back. “Lion's choice. Not yours. Remember?”
    His face paled and he dropped his hands from her shoulder. “We'll figure this out.”
    “Maybe I don't want to figure it out.” She pushed past him, better to be the rejecter than the rejected. Mate or not, she wouldn't chase after him. Not anymore.
    She only took a few steps before her legs wobbled, and her knees gave out. Cursing her uncooperative body, she grabbed the bedpost to steady herself.
    “Damn it, Lora. Get back in bed before you hurt yourself.”
    Before she could protest, he scooped her up.
    “Let me go.” Her voice held the echo of defeat. She was too weak to fight him, physically or verbally. She squeezed her eyes tight and tried to ignore the warmth of his body pressed against hers.
    “Open your eyes,” he said softly, cupping her face in his hand as he lowered her to the bed.
    She shook her head and kept them tightly closed. If she opened them she knew she wouldn't be able to control her heart from wanting, believing that they really could make this work.
    “Look at me.” The primal, demanding tone of his voice sent a shiver of lust vibrating through her body.
    After a few moments, she opened her eyes.
    Desire tightened his features and filled his blue eyes. “You're not walking away from this, and neither am I.”
    She swallowed hard, staring at his lips with an aching hunger to taste them again.
    His hand curled around her neck, pulling her closer, and taking her mouth hard against his. Her hand snaked up his chest, around his neck, fingers tangling in the dark hair at the nape. He groaned into her mouth, his grip tightening.
    She knew it was an illusion, but it felt so right, and even though her brain screamed for her to stop, every nerve ending in her body begged for more. Her breasts ached, and her back arched as skin tingling euphoria filled her.
    His breath scorched her extra sensitive skin. Her body trembled from his closeness and the surging hormonal overload. She shivered in his arms. All she could think of was having him inside her.
    He pulled back, a mixture of shock and lust clearly etched on his beautiful features. “You need to rest.”
    “I'm not tired,” she lied. Exhaustion rolled over her, but so did hunger. Every part of her craved him.
    “We'll talk more tomorrow.” He kissed her forehead, lingering for a long moment. With a heavy breath he stood and left the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.
    She stared at the closed door, wanting to call him back, to finish what they started. The animal within her was awake and craving. She pushed the lioness back in its cage, and growled a low warning for it to stay there.
    Emotionally and physically numb, she settled back on the bed, pulled the comforter around her, and inhaled Chase's musky scent.
    One night. She would allow herself that. One night, wrapped in the illusion that maybe, just maybe, her world wouldn't come crashing down on her tomorrow.

Chapter 11
    Lora's stomach growled in protest as she stretched under the warm, thick comforter. A sliver of light streamed through a crack in the blinds. The smell of eggs, bacon and freshly brewed coffee flooded her senses, and her mouth watered.
    Forcing her eyes open, she sat up and threw the covers back. She looked down at the oversized t-shirt she wore and frowned. Her black lace dress lay ruined in the corner. Her cheeks burned as she realized that Chase must have undressed her sometime when she was sleeping.
    She stood and tested her legs. Her strength had returned and the wounds on her arm were fully healed. Only the slightly raised scar on her neck showed any evidence of last night's events.
    Trying to control the tremors in