Page 12 of Wolf Forgotten

“What’s your deal?” Jessica spoke in a hushed voice as she looped her arm through mine. “You look like you want to laugh, cry, and murder someone all at the same time.”

“Reid shouldn’t have invited him,” I said quietly, slowing our pace a little so we’d be out of earshot. “He's bad news, Jess.”

She laughed and hit me playfully on the arm. “He’s harmless, silly. Plus, he’s hot, and look at the ass in those jeans. If I didn’t have Reid, I’d be all over that in a second.”

I looked at her incredulously as something that sure as hell felt like possessiveness made my chest tighten. I glared at the back of Cole’s head as we entered the bar. He had them all under his twisted little spell. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be under it for very long.

The bar was busy for a Wednesday night—not that I usually went to bars on weeknights—and we found a table off to the side. Just as we sat down, Jessica and Reid both jumped up and declared they were buying the first round and left me alone with Cole. I had an inkling that they planned that.

As soon as they were out of range, I leveled a glare at him. “Why are you here?”

“That’s rude. I was invited.” He gave me a smug look, and I wanted to reach over and smack it from his face. He was toying with me now, and it was making me cranky.

I was usually a level-headed person, but something about Cole Delaney ignited a need in me to push back in the worst way possible. He was a big, walking question mark and the woman scorned part of me hated that.

“It’s my birthday, try not to ruin it,” I snapped.

He made my blood boil to the point where I felt sweaty. I took off my jacket and put it on the back of my chair, aware that Cole’s eyes slid from my face, down my shoulders, and settled briefly on my breasts before averting his gaze.

Jessica and Reid came back with beers and shots. I had lost my desire to drink but had to have at least one of the drinks they had bought. But one was never good enough.

The next few hours passed in a blur, and the alcohol slowly took hold of me. Cole was quiet unless Reid spoke to him, which was fine by me. I was starting to feel a strong buzz when two men walked into the bar. The hairs on my arms stood on end and my heart rate slightly increased at the sight of them.

In my inebriated state, I barely registered that Cole had silently stood and walked after them. I watched closely as they exchanged words. Judging from the tension in Cole’s shoulders, the words weren’t exactly pleasant. The two men turned and looked at me before leaving.

“That was weird as fuck,” I commented to Jessica, who had her head on Reid’s shoulder. She was done for the night.

“What?” She lifted her head up and then winced. She had tried to out-drink me again. She never learned; no one could out-drink me. “I think I need to get home before I vomit.”

“Want us to order you a ride too?” Reid pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen. We lived on opposite sides of town, so it was cheaper to take separate rides.

“I’ll take her home.” Cole’s voice held resolve, as if I had no choice in the matter. I looked at him and then back at his half empty glass of beer that had been sitting there for hours. I hadn’t even noticed he wasn’t drinking.

I'm not sure how it happened, but I must have zoned out because before I could express my concerns over my safety, Reid and Jessica were already out the door. I pulled out my phone, but Cole plucked it from my hands and grabbed my jacket and purse. The son of a bitch was holding it out to help me put it on.

I eyed him suspiciously and then slid my arms in. His fingers brushed over my collarbone as he let go of the fabric. I shivered and my nipples hardened.

Damn it.My body did not need to be reacting to him when I was drunk and in a needy state.

I followed him out of the bar, feeling more intoxicated than I'd ever been. I couldn't even walk straight and was confused at the feeling. “Just so you know, I'm only letting you give me a ride home because I'm too drunk to care.” My words sounded slightly garbled in my ears, so I decided to keep the rest of my thoughts to myself. For now.

"Charming." He took my hand in his, and I looked down at our hands joined together. "Is this okay?"

"Yes."No."Your hand is really warm."I bet they would feel good running over my body.

We walked a few blocks down the street before he opened the passenger door of a gray sports car. I stopped and stared at him slack jawed for a few moments before plopping into the soft leather seat.

"I thought you had a truck." I looked around the interior that was dark gray leather and had top of the line accessories.

"I do."

As he started the engine and pulled away from the curb, I glanced over at him. His jaw was set in a sexy scowl, and I was tempted to reach over and run a finger over his stubble. I had really had too much to drink.

“How did you fix the helicopter?” I'd almost been too scared to ask.

“It wasn’t that damaged, I just banged it with my fist a few times and it popped back out. Sometimes when emotions are heightened things look worse than they actually are.”

I was pretty sure I saw what I saw.

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