Page 35 of Hooves & HeartStrings

The whole time I was there, I was so distracted by what they were doing, that I hardly got anything done. Add in the fact that poor sweet Marie read the situation wrong, and I think she may have thought this was something more. Or maybe she’s just always a very touchy person. Either way, when it was time to work on the assignment at the library again, I texted Marie and told her I couldn’t make it. It was a lie, but I didn’t want to have to sit through another few hours next to her. I didn’t want her touching me and I didn’t have the heart to let her down because my heart was already taken. Taken by someone who seems to want nothing to do with me.

And by the end of this trip, I plan on finding out why Marley is so damned determined not to have me in her life.

* * *

The bus ride was filled with silence. At least from the beautiful woman sitting next to me. She didn’t speak one word to me the whole way. Anytime I asked a question, the stubborn little thing just shrugged her shoulders.

I didn’t mind. The fact I got to sit next to her and smell her pomegranate scent the whole time was just fine by me. I just liked having her close. My hand did ache to reach out and touch her, though. But I kept my hands to myself.

When we pull up to the hotel, Marley is up and out of the seat, making her way to the front before anyone else.

“Well, that was nice while it lasted,” I mutter to myself. Hopefully, it’s not going to be the only time we get alone on this trip.

“Alright, everyone. Here are your room assignments and keys,” the track coach says once she gets everyone checked into the hotel. “Remember, you are a guest here and you represent Coral Springs University. Be on your best behavior. It’s late, and the track meet is early in the morning. I suggest just heading up to your room and getting some rest. See you all tomorrow.”

The coach then proceeds to hand out the room keys, letting everyone know who is with who.

“You owe me,” Sawyer mutters as she stands next to me. “I may have had to tell the coach a few things you might not be happy about.”

“Like what?”

“Like the fact I told the coach you and Brooks were mated to the girls and asked her not to mention anything to the girls because they were not ready to tell anyone yet.”

My eyes widen. “Shit.”

“Yeah. So, you better hope this works out.”

“Wait. What?” Marley gasps, catching my attention.

She looks at Stacy when the coach hands them their keys and walks away.

“What does she mean? There is no way I’m rooming with him.” As if Marley can sense me watching her, she shoots a pissed off glare my way.

“Oh, come on, Mar. This could be fun,” Stacy says then shoots a flirty grin over to Brooks. The man's blue scales turn a shade of purple.

“Dude your blushing.” I laugh.

“Fuck you. Am not.”

The girls talk in hushed whispers, Marley more pissed off than anything but when they’re done, she lets out an annoyed sigh and follows Stacy over to us.

“I know you had something to do with this,” Marley growls.

It’s fucking sexy. And there goes my dick again. But, I mean, this girl can just look my way and I’m rock hard.

“I have no idea what you mean,” I say casually.

“That's my cue to leave. See ya,” Sawyer says and leaves us here to deal with the girls ourselves.

“So, roommates, huh?” Stacy says, grinning at Brooks. “I think I can get behind that.”

“That makes one of us,” Marley grumbles, looking away.

“Am I really that bad, Marley?” I ask her, honestly starting to get hurt with the way she’s been treating me. I get that I made a mistake, but so did she. You don’t see me pushing her away over it. Because she's my mate, I love her and I’m over this pushing me away bullshit.

She stares at me for a long moment, the air between us crackling. How can she not feel this connection? It’s in my soul, my veins, my blood.

“Fine. Whatever. It’s one night and all we’re doing is sleeping. You stay in your bed, I’ll stay in mine. We wake up and go our own ways,” she says, grabbing her bag and heading toward the elevator.

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