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"I didn’t want to bruise youron a boulder opposite hihtful of you"

"I can be a right peach" She drank souess - you’ve mated with the little teacher?" He raised an eyebrow

"Oh, puhleese," Mercy drawled

"As if you’d bring anyone but yourthe bond," he found hi

"Why?"

"You’re the female You tell ainst her leg "Did she say why?"

He stared at her

Mercy rolled her eyes "You did tell her that she’s your mate, didn’t you?"

"She’s a bit resistant to the idea of commitment" That resistance frustrated the hell out of hi to be patient Not only did he care about her happiness, he wanted her to trust hih there was only one answer he’d accept

"I don’t think she’d react well to the whole ’till death really does us part’bit"

"So you’re ant"

Anger flared "I want to give her ti?"

"I thought so, but the bond hasn’t snapped into being" The , but the feo frowith him that Annie didn’t want him?

"Talk to her, you idiot" Mercy shook her head "Has it crossed your littleherself in case you decide to indulge in sorowled "She knows I’d never do that It’s about the co someone with her heart" He couldn’t blame her, not after what he’d seen of her parents’ ," Mercy said, "but haven’t you two been joined at the hip for the past rapevine says you’ve all but ht you were s the bottle between her knees, she raised her hands to redo her ponytail "Sounds to iven him a key to her apartment, to the place that was her bolt-hole His heart slaht, he couldn’t havea mistake "But the bond - "

"Okay," Mercy interrupted

"Maybe you’re right, and your Annie’s going to freak about theabilities are wrong - "

He growled

" - and she’s ready to risk everything for you What would keep her fro the final step?" She raised an eyebrow "You know the rep we have Hus as affectionate but casual"

"That’s not it," he insisted "I told her this was serious right at the start"

"Letwo our hearts"

Zach’s mind filled with the memory of Kimberly Kildaire’s shattered face as Erik Kildaire walked away Proht, lots and lots of broken proain her trust et the pride that seems to come embedded in the Y chromosome You ready to wear your heart on your sleeve and hope she doesn’t crush the life out of it?" He ot a streak ofoff the water, she threw him the bottle

"I’d better head off - have to meet Lucas"

He watched her cli at hi he kneas going on in Annie’s head while being so very wrong? More i to s his need for dominance, for control, and put the most important decision of his life into her hands? What if she rejected hi

ANNIE finished putting away her things with eager hands It was five on Friday, which meant she had the entire weekend to spend with Zach He’d promised to show her some of the secret treasures of his forest, and she couldn’t wait Of course, she thought with a smile, even if he’d told her he wanted to watch the entertainment network all weekend, she’d have had the sa with hiotten pretty good at teasing hi hi here?"

His expression was solemn "I need to talk to you"

Her sto to appear calht," he said

Annie kneho Mercy was, having met the sentinel at the picnic

"About what?"

"You’re waiting for me to leave you"

The world fell out from under her feet She trembled, unable to move, as he closed the door and walked to her "I will never leave you, Annie" Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he bent so his forehead pressed against hers "Not unless you ask me to" He frowned