The Alpha King's Fated Mate

's

d a steaming mug of coffee. The events of last night playe

ayful, with no promises attached. Last night had been differen

her thoughts. She hesitated before picking it up, her

ning. Can w

r, more accurately, she'd spilled her heart, and he'd kissed her in a way

the keyboard before she f

. Let me

osed her eyes. Her heart wanted to believe that last night had chan

he wasn't expecting anyone, and a quick gla

a's grinning face. Her friend held up a

any," Layla said, stepping inside

"Did you read my m

d shrugged. "You're not exactly har

tool by the kitchen island. "

"Wait, what? Like, *really* kissed you? Not one of those

eating. "It was... different

ant down, her expression turning

. But he texted me this morning a

er gaze intent. "And ho

of me wants to believe this means something. But the oth

"Look, I've seen the way that guy looks at you. Whatever t

oping her fri

on's

ed wall, his thoughts racing. He'd spent the better part of the morning replaying l

en inevitable. He couldn't keep pretending that

y of his office building. He stepped out, nodding at t

ng in one of the leather chairs

too," Colton said,

grin entirely too smug. "You

nto the desk and loosened his

d, leaning back in the ch

at him. "What

tone was annoyingly cheerful.

ence was ans

is coffee down, his expression turni

I'm trying to

with sarcasm. "Tell her how you feel instead

ir, frustration bubbling to the

you're planning to push her away and

ed to admit. Caleb had a point, but t

on said finally. "I

-

's

hone clutched in her hands. She'd texted Colton earlier, agreeing to meet him he

k up. Colton was walking toward her, his hand

f her, his hazel eyes

, her voice softer

all but noticeable gap between them.

ast night," Colton said fin

I," Mia a

d last night. I've been fighting how I feel about you because I w

in her chest as

, his voice steady. "This isn't just physic

s, and she blinked th

"But I need you to know how much you mean to me. And i

ched his face for any sign of h

he asked, her voice b

more sure of an

. Without thinking, she reached out and took

so long," she said,

ed, a small smile t

been pressing down on her lifted, re