Chapter 59 : Heart's Desire 2

Selene

Somehow, bitterness flashed across her face before she could hide it. She withdrew her hand and hurried out of the house so as not to be heard.

"Do you think I don't know the meaning of flatterer when I hear it? Don't make me laugh!" Memories of Mike's womanizing flashed before her eyes. Was that why she reacted so strangely around Joshua? Was she really so easily swayed by the empty words and promises of a man who said that she would respond to the attention he gave her? The thought lowered her confidence and ignited her anger. Anger directed at herself, but directed at her unwanted acquaintance.

Her eyes widened in shock at the realization. Did this mean that she didn't really love Mike? Were her feelings just masked by Joshua's gentle words and expert touch? Was he just playing with her feelings like he had done with so many other women? Was it really him?

"Selene..." A hand touched her shoulder. She did not even realize that she had turned her back on the man. Turning around, her voice filled with sadness and anger, she spat, "I promised to help you save your child, so there's no need to continue this pretense!"

How could she not see it? This guy was just using her! Yes, saving his child was important, but she hated lies, hated the confusing feelings swirling around inside her, betraying her.

He looked at her calmly, his voice deep but strong and unemotional. "And what does this pretense mean, my lovely?"

She pointed an index finger at him. "That! That was just now! I'm not your 'lovely' or your 'sweet'! I'm nothing to you, so stop trying to make our relationship anything more than that. You helped me, now it's my turn to help you. So stop with the unnecessary compliments and touching. I'm not falling for it!"

Before Selene could move away, wanting, no, needing to get away from him, he grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to stop in front of him.

"Let go of me!" She tried to push him away, but Joshua moved too quickly, stepping closer, their bodies almost touching, his elbow bent as he caught her face, forcing her to look up and meet his piercing gaze.

"You are not and never have been a means to my ends, Selene," he said with conviction, his eyes heating with anger and something else.

Before she could understand what that look meant, he lowered his head and captured her lips with his. It was not a soft kiss. His lips pressed hard against hers, forcing her to open wide, the fingers on her jaw squeezing hard enough to open her mouth and force his tongue into her hot, moist cavern, exploring, conquering with strong, sure licks.

A rush of desire exploded inside her. Immediately, her body responded on its own, filled with a fierce need she had only felt with one man. Her thoughts were quickly dismissed as the kiss went on for what seemed like forever, but not long enough.

She moaned as she felt his sharp teeth bite into her swollen lower lip as she clung to his broad shoulders. Tense muscles were piling up under her hands as well. Then, gradually, the kiss softened into a caress that was no less delicious. This time, Joshua encouraged her to return the kiss, stroking his rough tongue along hers, enticing her to duel with his tongue, and when she met his tongue with hers, he groaned and pulled her closer to his slender body, pressing against her. He wrapped his arms around her back, immobilizing her, forcing her to feel his passionate desire for her, his hard, powerful cock pressed against her belly.

Joshua lifted his lips from hers, then kissed her again before pulling away again, Selene instinctively trying to follow, but he held her tight. His breath brushed across her parted lips as Selene gasped for air as he spoke. "Do you still believe that my motives toward you are insincere, my sweet Selene?"

She blinked, her eyes meeting his, knowing that Selene herself was the one fueling a need she couldn't deny. Then Joshua let go, supporting her with a hand on her elbow as he took a step back, his breathing as erratic as hers. In fact, he was no less immune to the attraction than Selene herself felt. A small consolation.

"Shall we go inside?" Joshua gestured towards the house, his hand waving for her to follow.

Desperate to end this... thing between them, she blurted out almost desperately, "I love Mike!"

Horror quickly spread across her face as the deepest desires of her heart were voiced to a stranger, a stranger who initially wanted to kill her, a stranger she had just passionately kissed.

A tinge of shame spread across her cheeks like wildfire, and she looked away from him, clasping her hands in front of her, not knowing what to do next. How could she say that? And after kissing him! Her hypocritical feelings hit her with full force.

She loved Mike? Then why did she let him kiss her? She touched her swollen lips.

His soft voice pierced through her inner turmoil, bringing her back to the present. "I know."

She lifted her head sharply as she lowered her hands, her eyes widening in shock as she stared at Joshua. "You... know? How?"

There was a displeased, almost mocking smile on his face, directed at himself. "It's hard to ignore."

"Then why...?" She was at a loss for words, but he seemed to understand.

Then he looked straight into her eyes. "I don't know how this man feels about you, but I do know that my feelings go far beyond gratitude."

Suddenly the tension was broken by a familiar high voice. "You're here, Selene. I was wondering when you would return. I was beginning to worry."

Samuel glanced suspiciously at the man talking to Selene, who just smiled innocently at him.

Her face flushed, feeling extremely embarrassed that she had been caught in an intimate embrace with Joshua, she quietly looked around and sure enough there was a group of women giggling and blushing not far from them. When they saw her look in their direction, they laughed even harder and hurried away. They saw her! She felt like she wanted to die of embarrassment right then and there!

"Come on, Selene. We have a lot to do before we leave."

The sound of his voice didn't go down well at that moment, but Samuel's was even worse when he demanded to know where they were going. Selene felt dizzy and the day had just begun. She let out a sad sigh as she carried him into the pack house.

Meanwhile, Healer Rose placed a wet cloth on Mike's forehead before looking up and giving her a friendly smile. "Ah, Selene. You have returned. And you too, Joshua."

The wise old woman's eyes lingered on Selene's swollen lips and flushed face, then glanced at Joshua, who entered and immediately took a seat leaning against the wall. Joshua's gaze met the older healer's question without comment.

Seeking distraction, she hastily muttered that she needed to change before rushing to the back room, leaving Joshua alone to explain to her friends.

She had no idea what he would tell them and hoped he had enough decency to keep their private moment to himself. It took Selene a few minutes longer than necessary to change back into her cool, calm self. Now was not the time to act like a shy girl. She had work to do, to help Joshua save his children.

With her mind on the task at hand, she emerged from the back room. All eyes were on her, each with a different expression. Granny Rose looked warm and understanding, Samuel looked doubtful and worried, and Joshua... She quickly looked away. She wasn't sure she wanted to know; his gaze always seemed to intrigue, arouse, and mesmerize her.

"I heard from Joshua that you two went to rescue his children," Rose said.

"Are you sure you want to go with him alone, Selene? Shouldn't you wait for Mike to recover first?" Samuel asked worriedly.

Giving him a small smile to reassure him, she replied, "He's the one who saved Mike, Sam. Without his help, we might have lost him.

Then where would I be?

She tried to push the thought out of her mind. Mike isn't going to die! He would recover and everything would be back to normal. Her eyes fell on Joshua and a hint of uncertainty entered her mind that things would never be the same. What was she going to do with him? Surely, once his children were safe, he would return to his life and she to hers?

At that thought, he distracted her by standing up, drawing all eyes to him except for Mike, who was in a coma. "Shall we go?"

Selene silently thanked the moon goddess that he didn't call her 'sweet Selene' in front of everyone. She suspected that Rose had guessed what was going on outside the packhouse, and worse, she knew that the whole pack would soon find out about their warm embrace, including the resident of the house, Mike. What would Mike think when he found out?

The thought was too embarrassing, so she shook her head to dismiss it before she stepped purposefully forward, passing Joshua without a word other than "goodbye" to her friends. Just before she left the small building, her eyes fell on the unconscious man.

Please be okay.