Page 49 of Moon Fated

I looked up to see we’d attracted not only the rest of the pack but plenty of mundanes as well. They clinked their glasses and egged me on. I turned back to Rowan. He was shirtless, and I was only missing my earrings.

I stood straight, reached into the glass of whatever the hell he was drinking and stole an ice cube, popping it in my mouth. I leaned in close and whispered, “Thanks for the reminder,” then flicked my ice cold tongue against his neck.

Rowan reached for my waist, but I slipped out of his grip and lined up my next shot. I gritted my teeth, calling into play every crisis skill I’d ever utilized on an emergency call. With a sharp crack, I sent the cue ball careening into the six-ball. It dropped neatly into the corner pocket.

I straightened and shot Rowan a triumphant look. "I believe you owe me an article of clothing, alpha.”

His eyes never left mine as he flicked the button open on his jeans. The women started catcalling, and my wolf growled. Mine. I shook myself. Not mine, I shot back. Not yet, at least. I was still planning to go back to Seattle. No matter how much I wanted Rowan Steele, I couldn’t stay here. Not with Nathan less than twenty minutes away, and not when being with him could mean an all-out pack war. I wouldn’t do that to him or his wolves.

But then his jeans were puddled on the ground, and that time, I couldn’t keep my eyes on the pool balls. I scanned his body, taking in his tight, black boxer briefs and eeeeverything they were barely containing.

"Like what you see?" Rowan asked with a self-assured smirk that made me want to smack him. Or jump his bones. You know, options.

“One more shot, Evelyn!” Jasper hooted.

He was right. One more, and I would win…and Rowan would have to drop his boxers. I started to sweat. I lined up the shot, but my hands were shaking so hard I could barely hold the stick steady. I drew a deep breath and struck, but the cue ball missed my intended target.

Rowan brushed against me as he strutted over to set his glass down and pick up his cue. “My turn.”

He didn’t waste a breath before knocking the ten-ball into the far pocket. He stood, his eyes darkening as he nodded to my shirt. “No more jewelry?”

No more jewelry, damn it. I crossed my arms and tugged my tank top over my head. Cool air kissed my overheated skin as I tossed it aside, leaving me in just my black lace bra. Rowan had already seen my body, but it felt different here.

His eyes darkened to cobalt as his gaze drifted down my body, all the men in the pub cheering him on.

“He won’t make the next one!” Mia jeered.

But Rowan wasn’t messing around now. He lowered himself over the table. “Twelve. Back right.” Crack. He sent it off the side wall, spinning right where he’d called it.

Heat bloomed beneath my skin as Rowan stalked toward me, his movements fluid and predatory. I stood my ground, refusing to back down even as my heart hammered against my ribcage. He stopped mere inches away, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off his bare chest. “Pants.”

I undid the button on my jeans and pulled them over my hips, but Rowan stopped my hands. “I’ll take it from here.” He dragged the fabric down my thighs, over my knees and calves, then waited for me to step out. Once I did, he threw my jeans next to his.

My heart pounded in my chest. I stood in my lace boy shorts in front of an entire pub, and Rowan wasn’t missing. “Rowan?—”

He stalked away from me and called another shot, then lined up his stick and?—

Missed.

My pulse fluttered in my throat. Rowan straightened, locking his eyes on mine. “Looks like it’s your shot.”

Had he done that on purpose? He’d just proven that he could make whatever shot he wanted, and then…

“Take him, Evelyn!”

“You only need one shot to win this!”

I didn’t know who was yelling through the din, but I grabbed my stick and assessed the table. When I saw where the cue ball ended up, my eyes found Rowan’s.

Did you set this up? I didn’t realize I’d pushed my voice into his head until his eyes widened and his lips parted. How had I done that? When I’d tried before, it felt like I was hitting a brick wall, but now it felt like blowing water through a straw.

Why would I do that? I’m only in my boxers, Rowan sent back.

I glanced back at the table. He’d done this on purpose. I was sure of it. There was no better place for that cue ball for my next shot.

But why?

“Take the shot!”

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