Garrett looked into Lily's blushing face with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He couldn't resist teasing her. She was so easy to get riled up. Even though she had shown immense bravery earlier, now, however, she seemed nervous, adding to her already interesting nature as a she-wolf.
'Stop teasing her!' Berric, his wolf, scolded him. 'You know that she is inexperienced. You don't want to chase her off.'
'Why? Chasing wouldn't be too bad. She looks so cute when she is flustered,' Garrett said.
"Didn't you say you wanted to get used to me? Think of this as a test. Were you lying before?" Garrett's voice was husky as he spoke.
Lily was fully aware of the playful game they were playing and the need to maintain appearances for the paparazzi. They had to convincingly portray themselves as a real couple. So, Lily had to look as if she was enjoying his affection.
Lily understood his teasing and recognized his attempts to take advantage of the situation. "I am not a liar," she responded firmly. "But are you sure you want to be seen like this?"
"Of course I want to be seen with my future mate," Garrett answered, a smug smile forming on his lips.
"Well, potential future mate," Lily said.
"Future mate. I want everyone to see us," Garrett repeated. He could feel the heat rising from Lily's touch as she caressed his burned face.
It was only 24 hours ago that Lily would have been scared to touch him, but now, with the realization that they were destined to be together, fear seemed to dissipate. Garrett was a kind, funny, and caring man. He was nothing like the rumors.
"He's nothing like they said, just like we're nothing like they try to make us out to be," Dina, Lily's wolf, said proudly, reinforcing her belief in their genuine connection.
Lily leaned forward, intending to give Garrett a kiss on the cheek, but he unexpectedly turned his face, resulting in their lips meeting instead. She was momentarily taken aback and slightly embarrassed by the public display of affection. The paparazzi were having a field day as she could hear the mechanical click of the cameras taking multiple pictures.
'Stop caring about what other people think and enjoy this man! We deserve this affection!' Dina scolded Lily, 'Stop being a prude!'
Before Lily could pull away, Garrett deepened the kiss, taking the lead. He gently nipped her lip, eliciting a gasp from her. Sensing her response, he seized the opportunity to explore her mouth with his tongue, kissing her passionately. His hand firmly wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Garrett's other hand slipped through her hair, gripping the back of her head to hold her in place.
Initially, Lily struggled against his advances, but soon she found herself surrendering to the intensity of the kiss. She reciprocated with equal fervor, clinging to him. It was a kiss unlike any Lily had experienced before, leaving her breathless and craving for more.
"Now, that's how a man should kiss a woman," Dina remarked approvingly. "You should let me take control and..."
"No, you heathen! We said we would take our time," Lily scolded her inner wolf, asserting her desire to proceed at their own pace.
"Come on, Lily! We have cobwebs down there. Think about it. If he kisses like that, what else can he do with that mouth??" Dina whined, reflecting her impatience.
Garrett noticed that Lily's attention was momentarily diverted, her eye colors shifting as she communicated with her wolf. Frowning, he released her but he felt restless. Just one deep kiss with her had easily ignited his primal desires.
Leaning in, Garrett whispered into her ear, his voice dripping with desire, "I could take you right here, right now, and no one would stop me."
His words snapped Lily out of her thoughts, causing her cheeks to turn even redder. Intrigue and anger flickered in her widened eyes. What kind of woman did he take her for?
"Not without me neutering you," Lily shot back angrily. "You used me for a publicity stunt."
"No, I was just..." Garrett began to explain, but before he could finish his sentence, Lily removed herself from his presence and stormed off in frustration.
'You took it too far! Go get her!' Berric howled.
As Lily walked away, she muttered angrily to herself, questioning his motives and expressing her disbelief. "Did he not listen to anything I said? Did he really think I would give myself up so easily, just because they had dinner together and played a part in a charade? I am not like my sister. I will never be like my sister, a cheap materialistic whore."
'You know he didn't mean it like that. He was just teasing you,' Dina tried to reassure Lily, her voice soothing and understanding.
"Well, it was a pretty stupid way to do that," Lily retorted, feeling hurt and confused by Garrett's words.
"I didn't mean to offend you."
Garrett's voice came unexpectedly, interrupting Lily's inner turmoil. She had walked a considerable distance, and to her surprise, he had followed her on foot.
They now stood in close proximity, and Lily instinctively stepped back, her foot slipping off the edge of the curb. She lost her balance and began to fall backward, but Garrett swiftly caught her waist, pulling her forward into his arms.
"You need to be careful. You're quite clumsy for a she-wolf," Garrett stated, his tone a mixture of concern and amusement.
"Thank you, and I am not clumsy. You just caught me off guard," Lily retorted, attempting to regain her composure.
"Mmhmm," Garrett replied with a hint of skepticism. "So, you think I assumed you were easy like your sister?"
"Isn't that what you believe?" Lily asked.
"Perhaps. You do kiss like an expert," Garrett replied and Lily's face became red with anger again, but Garrett laughed and hugged her. "I am just teasing you. Of course, I know you are not like your sister."
"You're not funny," Lily pouted.
"You'll get used to my humor," Garrett said before nipping at her neck but Lily wiggled out of his arms.
"Enough of that sir. You behave!" Lily said firmly.
Garrett grinned and thought, 'Oh, she is going to make us chase her after all. Challenge accepted.'
"Let's go home. I am mentally exhausted from today," Lily said.
"I forgot to remind you. We will be having brunch with my parents tomorrow at their pack house,"