The car jerked as he tugged at her instead of navigating the vehicle.

She shook her head, remaining silent. Each jiggle interrupted her process, preventing her from completing her body’s adjustments.

The screech of tires accompanied a sharp turn and a steep climb. The flip of his cell phone followed until the wheels ground to a halt, and she bounced against him.

“Get out here, now,” James said.

The night air rushed in with the storm of feet. The truck’s seat bounced as James exited and Charley fell flat to its surface. Hot air rushed over her face a moment later.

“What happened?” Cael’s voice cut through her mind.

James brought reinforcements. Charley pushed her body to move faster.

“She made eye contact with him.”

“Dammit, Charley. He’s not ready for you.”

Yes, he is! She turned her head back and forth as she struggled with her own decision. The burn in her toes reached upward to her shins, and the tingle in her fingers made it to her forearms.

Cael’s fingers pressed into her collarbones. “You know the rules.”

She grit her teeth, pulling permanence into her thighs and up farther into her chest. Rules be damned! The pressure at her neck bore down. We’re meant to be together!

His fingers moved out to her shoulders, pressed her into the truck’s seat. “I’m not going to let you pull it through, Charley. You’ll suffer for the next twenty-four hours if you have to. And you know I can hold you here the whole time.”

She wanted to scream and fight, but her body betrayed her as she impressed upon herself the final details that would entice Wyatt for the rest of his life. Her years of practice in silent shape-shifting backfired; she remained mute through her efforts.

“He’s too young.” Cael interrupted her again.

Her mind moved in and out between his words and her desire.

“He has to make the choice himself.”