Page 116 of Wolf's Mark

Maybe my thinking was a little melodramatic, but I couldn’t get over my thoughts.

There was such an awkwardness between us that the air felt thick with confusion and worry.

“Aren’t you going to officially introduce us to yourfriend?” Shelly taunted.

I wanted to kill all of them. My entire body was on fire, the raw current eating at every blood cell. “Jackson Wolf, these are my friends, my soon to be ex friends Shelly, Camille, and you already met Mattie the other night.”

“How could I forget? Do you still have that photograph of me, Mattie?” He had a way of saying your name that left you with chills.

Mattie didn’t miss a beat. “I masturbate to it every night.”

Shelly and Camille laughed.

“More wine,” Shelly added.

“I apologize for myfriend. She has no filters.” My face was on fire.

He offered one of his more impish grins, which caused an instant and very strong reaction that I hadn’t been prepared for.

Jealousy.

I was instantly jealous, hot in all the wrong places. I’d never had this kind of reaction before. Never. I hadn’t realized anyone had noticed until it suddenly got very quiet. All three women were staring at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Did you just growl?” Camille asked. “I swear you did.”

“I think I cleared my throat because of Mattie’s bad behavior.”

Of course, Jax seemed amused.

“I adore a forward woman who has no issues speaking her mind,” he said in a seductive way and I was certain the girls were going to start drooling. “However, if you don’t mind, can I have a couple minutes in private with Sedona?”

Mattie winked, which I know he noticed. “Come on, girls. Let’s go feed the brats a snack.”

He watched them leave, chuckling from Mattie’s comments. “You have very good friends.”

“Moving here was so lonely. The only person I knew was Britney’s aunt and she hates me.”

“Why?”

“Sister of my ex. Somehow, I ran into Mattie at a grocery store and we got to talking in the produce section gawking at what she considered a hot produce manager. She introduced me to her friends over too many bottles of wine and the four of us havebeen fast friends ever since. They’ve kept me sane if for no other reason than plying me with alcohol and carting me around to the best thrift shops in the city.”

There were times I hated when he stared at me intently saying nothing. Today was one of them.

“Thank you for Britney’s gift, but what are you doing here? I thought I made it pretty clear I needed some time.”

I sensed all over again he wasn’t the kind of man to let anything go easily. If ever.

“I’m not here for an ulterior motive other than I wanted to see you. I remembered it was Britney’s birthday and also wanted to bring her a gift. I found out I pretty much suck at purchasing anything for a young girl. I hope she doesn’t hate the stuffed dog.”

“I’m sure she’ll love and treasure it. How did you find me?”

“Do you really need to ask?”

Now I was the one pointing a finger. “Don’t do that.”

“What exactly am I doing, Sedona?”

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