Kiara was caught off guard when he pulled her closer, but soon forgot it at his next statement. [i]Like most females do? But mother says…[/i] It was true that she didn’t spend very much time with females at home. Mother was always pushing this man or that on her trying to find her mate, as if that would help any. At this point, Kiara didn’t think she’d recognize her mate if he bite her in the keister. How could she? How can someone be open to love when they can barely recognize their own feelings. She was learning, that was true, but she had still had so far to go. Maybe she really knew nothing about the world. Maybe the girl she wishes she could be is actually the one she should have been all along.

When her thoughts started to calm down, she once again noticed the closeness of this man. A man she knew nothing about besides his name. Quickly, she pulled away, her cheeks turning red once more as she tried to figure out what to do next. She wasn’t sure she could do the things he wanted, and if she couldn’t, would he even really want to keep her around? How backwards. She had learned to stay quiet so that one day, her mate would want to keep her, and now it might be the thing that sends someone running.

“I…” Kiara started, but found she wasn’t exactly sure what to say next. It was easier this time, after pushing past that barrier before. If she pretended he was one of her customers, maybe she could actually have a bit of a conversation. Closing her eyes, she imagined she was back in the store, confident and never worrying about what anyone thought. “How did you break your nose?” she blurted out before she could lose that feeling.