Grayslake: More than Mated: Unbearable Love (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Kelly Collins Page A

mean old cuss.”
    “Will do,” Eli said. “Any luck finding out who planted the message on the web?” He tucked Lily under his arm and pulled her close. She hoped he didn’t sense her fear. She hoped he couldn’t hear her heart racing. She hoped she’d get a few more days before she was forced back to Montana.
    “Keen is on it. I’m sure he’ll be able to trace it back to someone. No offense, Lily, but this whole dating-game scene has put a lot of stress on the force and the town.”
    “None taken.” Her voice exhibited a calm she didn’t feel. Thankfully, she’d mastered the art of emotional deception. For her, it was a survival mechanism.
    The men shook hands, and Eli led her to the truck. “What do you say we get your car?”
    “I’d say that’s a good idea.” In the truck, Lily reached across the center console and gripped Eli’s hand. She needed to feel the comfort and safety of his touch.
    They pulled into the bar parking lot. Lily’s rental car sat where she’d left it.
    “No worse for the wear.” Eli laughed.
    “Why did you come back after you brought me to my room?” She hadn’t analyzed his actions, but the thought of him coming back to the bar alone, sexy, and single, made her teeth sharpen.
    “I didn’t.” He put his truck’s gearshift into park. “I got an eyeful while I was pouring you into my truck.”
    “Yuck, that’s the stuff of nightmares.”
    “All it made me think about was how good you’d look sprawled naked across my hood.”
    Lily turned in her seat. “Eli, you’re attracted to me, I’m attracted to you. You say you can’t offer me what I deserve. I’m telling you, I deserve less than what you have to offer.”
    “Damn it, Lily, don’t settle for less than everything.” His words echoed her last blog entry.
    “Some things are out of our hands, but…I’d rather give myself to you than wait for someone to remove my choices.”
    His roar was unexpected. “Make sure the man you choose is worthy of the gift.” Gentle palms cupped her cheeks. “You are worth so much more than you think.”
    With her heart in her throat, Lily said three words she’d never thought she’d utter. “I choose you.” She turned and fidgeted with the door handle. Why was it when a fast exit was needed, the door was always locked?
    “Lily, I—”
    Lily turned toward him. “No strings attached—just a few days of fun. Think about it, okay?” She hopped out of his truck and ran to her car. Within seconds, he faded into a speck in her rearview mirror. She laid it out there and offered him what Dane was going to take. She wanted the choice to be hers and she wanted to know what it felt like to lay with Eli.
    The parking lot was empty when she pulled into the B&B. She was grateful she could avoid little miss hateful. She trudged upstairs and opened the door to find she hadn’t avoided her at all. Julia had made a social call while she was away. Lily’s clothes were torn to shreds and strewn across the floor like rodent bedding.

Chapter Eight
Eli
    H is bear was pushing at his skin to be released. Every ounce of restraint was needed to keep his primal instincts in check. With any other woman, it was easy. He took the fuck and flight approach, which always seemed to work. But with Lily, this possessive need to claim her was strong. His need to protect her was stronger.
    Mine.
    Mine.
    Mine.
    His beast roared inside, but common sense told him it could never be. “Take action,” the inner beast demanded. Diaphragm deep, his roar clawed free. Leaves on nearby trees shook. Lily belonged with him. He felt it as surely as he felt his heartbeat.
    Mine.
    Mine.
    Mine.
    Eli jumped in his truck and raced toward the B&B by sheer instinct. He pulled next to Lily’s car in the almost-empty parking lot. Pacing the length of his truck, he worked a path in the gravel as he pondered his actions. When he went to her room, it would change everything. It was an affirmation that she was more than a