Hook, Line, and Mated by Jenika Snow Read Free Book Online Page A

He trailed his gaze up and down her body once more, the urge to adjust his shaft strong, noticeable. His moose wanted her to feel completely off balance and bared for him, the same as he felt for her.
    Take your time with her. Don’t rush her or you’ll lose your mate.
    “So, you’re here,” she said and then swallowed. “How did you get my address?” Despite her question, he could tell by the tone of her voice she wasn’t upset by it. Good, because that’s not what he’d been going for. He didn’t want Jessie upset with him.
    “I know some males that can find out information.” Christ, she was all curves and soft, rounded flesh. He inhaled deeply, and couldn’t help but close his eyes and let a low, harsh sound leave him, one of satisfaction and of ownership, even if he hadn’t claimed her yet. “It was wrong to look you up, but I didn’t have any other way, unless I scoured the town for you.”
    She didn’t respond, but he could hear her heart beating faster.
    “You’re my mate, and even if I’ll give you space, time, I couldn’t let you walk away. You have to understand that.”
    She looked down at her bare feet for a moment, and when she lifted her gaze he saw that she accepted this. “I know.”
    He smiled down at her, wanting to touch her, but clenching his hands at his sides instead.
    “In all honesty I probably would have looked you up, tried to find out who you were after I had everything situated in my life.”
    He nodded, not speaking and just letting her have this time.
    She may not fully realize, or maybe she did and was fighting it like he had in the beginning, but Jessie was his completely. As much as Easton wanted to stand right beside her, feel her heat, take her scent into his lungs, and press himself against her fully, he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, didn’t want to seem like he couldn’t even control himself. He would push her, but only as much as she was willing to give, and only when she was fully in this with him.
    Scrubbing a hand over his mouth, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, couldn’t ignore the heat that washed through him and his animal that yes, he was really right in front of his mate.
    “I want to be here for you, Jessie, and it can be as slow or as fast as you like.” He saw the way her throat worked as she swallowed, and as hard as it was for him to give up any control, especially in matters that concerned his mate, he’d do anything for her. “You have the control.”
    Easton took a step closer to her, which had her moving back until the door stopped her from retreating from him anymore. “Spend the day with me. Let me take you out, show you I can be a good, understanding mate.” He stared into her eyes. “I can show you that being with me, letting me claim you, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.” He smiled, hoping to ease her tension.
    She held his gaze. For several long seconds neither said anything else, but then she inhaled deeply and licked her lips.
    “You’re giving me control, letting me lead the way?”
    Only this time, mate, and only until you’re ready for me to be the male you need in your life.
    He nodded, but the alpha in him had a hard fucking time relinquishing any power.
    It’s for my female.
    “I’m not sure I can ever be a good mate, Easton,” she whispered.
    He couldn’t keep his eyes from closing at the sound of her saying his name. He didn’t know what she meant by that statement, but he was a patient male. Fate had put them together as mates, and even if for whatever fucked up reason she thought she couldn’t be what he needed, he would just have to show her how much she was wrong. He needed her in his life.
    “How can you say that without giving this a shot?”
    She shook her head but didn’t respond.
    “How can you even think that without giving us a chance?” He stared into her blue eyes but didn’t give her a chance to answer that question. Easton could see she understood him well