I clink glasses with her. She looks around swiftly and leans in close to whisper a warning, “Scott wanted to try to ambush you at the hot tub. But the rate he’s going, he’ll pass out tonight. At least, I hope.” Elana wrinkles her nose. “Does he always snore?”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“It’s fine, I’ve got earplugs.”
Deke turns, looking over the crowd at me.
“Go, get your man,” Elana waves me away.
I cut through the crowd and thread my arm through Deke’s. “Come on, honey,” I say loudly for everyone to hear. “There’s something I need to show you.”
Deke
Sadie grabs my hand and tugs me out of the crowd. I follow willingly, feeling relief as she leads me out of the room.
“Everything okay?” I ask as she pulls me into a side hall. She glances around and pushes me into an alcove before gazing up at me.
“You looked like you needed a break.”
The tension in my spine ebbs away. She’s right. For a moment, I was close to losing it. Too many people around. My wolf was agitated, but just being near Sadie helps.
I let my head drop and press my forehead against hers, breathing her in. She’s my calm in the storm.
Leaving her is gonna suck. My wolf is already frantic, imagining it.
“I want to thank you,” she whispers.
“Sadie.” I don’t mean to touch her—not after my conversation with Rafe, but I find myself rubbing my thumb along her lower lip. My cock wants in that lush mouth again.
But I can’t. This is so fucked up.
I drop my hand and rub the back of my neck. Rafe’s last words ring in my head. You’re a danger to her. Get out as soon as you can, before it’s too late.
He’s right. I’m a monster. I destroy everything I touch.
My wolf howls in my chest. I groan, pressing a hand to my chest. I feel like I’m having a fucking heart attack. But I’m not. It’s my wolf, grieving like it’s lost its mate.
Could Sadie actually be my mate?
I’m an idiot for not realizing it sooner. I’ve had the urge to mark her every time we get sexual, but I chalked it up to my wolf being nuts.
Wolves don’t usually pick humans for mates, but I do know it happens. Especially with our species’ dwindling numbers, I hear of it more and more often these days.
Sadie’s touch brings me back to her. “What is happening? What’s wrong?”
Even just the thought of her being my mate brings my wolf roaring to the surface, my teeth itching to descend and mark her. “I shouldn’t be here,” I mutter.
“No,” she says. “Don’t say that. You’re here to help me. You’re doing great. I’m sorry I had to drag you into this.”
“Babe.” I let my head drop to her shoulder, into the curve of her neck and breathe in her scent. It helps. My wolf calms. “It’s not that. I’m glad to be here. I’d fight to be by your side.”
She inhales quickly and brings her small hand to cup my neck, holding me against her. “You don't have to fight. I’m right here.”
Fuck. I can’t fight this any longer. I lift my head, cup her cheeks and kiss her, hard.
A loud group of party-goers passes the hall, and I tuck her deeper in the alcove.
They’re right around the corner, anyone could walk down the hall and see us, but Sadie doesn’t seem to care.
“I want you,” she breathes. “I need you.”
And who am I to deny her anything?
Sadie
Deke’s big hands grip my head, holding me still for his kiss. He backs me against the wall and presses himself against me. And I feel him—all of him. Either there’s a giant gun in his pants, or he’s excited to see me.
My pussy spasms. “Yes,” I breathe.
He kisses down my neck, his right hand still gripping my hair. He tugs me into position, taking control. His other hand finds the edge of my cute little dress and starts to draw it upwards.
And then I realize I’ve made a mistake.
“Wait,” I gasp although I hate to slow him down.
“Not waiting,” Deke growls. “You want this.”
“No, not that, I do want you, but this dress...it’s pretty tight and…” I trail off, wishing I didn’t have to explain. “I’m wearing...shapewear.”
His brows knit together, and he slips his hands under my dress, where he
encounters what I’ve been trying to tell him about.
“What is this?” he growls, sliding his hand along the tight bodysuit, trying to find my skin. “It’s like armor.”
“Yep. Girl armor. Guys wear it too. I think Scott has some although he’d never admit it.”
“Fuck.” His hand goes between my legs, where the bodysuit has made me smooth and sexless as a Barbie doll. “It’s a fucking chastity belt.”
I let out a hysterical giggle. “Yes.”
His laugh is pained.
“Fudge.” I press my center against his palm, grinding. “Just tear it.” I feel his nails scrabbling along the sausage-casing-like tube, trying to find purchase, so he can rip the damn thing off me. Meanwhile, I’m about to explode from the friction of his demanding touch.