Page 14 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“Oh, shit. My bad.”

Reiner breaks the kiss, and he curses beneath his breath, glancing over his shoulder. The only thing keeping me from falling off the counter is a death grip on Reiner’s muscular shoulders. I peer over his shoulder, cheeks burning as Jack leans nonchalantly against the open threshold of the kitchen. He flashes us both a crooked, apologetic smile.

“Dude, what the hell are you doing here?” Reiner demands, pulling himself free from my grasp. I sit up and pull my skirt down.

“Uh, I live here. Same as you, man.” Jack raises both eyebrows. “I wasn’t aware you were… entertaining. Good to see you again, Jane.”

I immediately scoot off the counter, and Reiner turns around. I stand there feeling sheepish while they stare at one another. I guess, if nothing else, this will make for a pretty convincing story. Jack saw us.

“Good morning, Jack,” I manage after a full second of silence, attempting a casual smile.

When Jack walks fully into the kitchen, he’s still scratching his head. He makes himself right at home, opening the refrigerator and snatching the milk. He cracks the lid and takes a swig straight from the carton.

“I apologize for my cousin,” Reiner announces. “I’d say I have no idea how he was raised, but actually, I do. I was there.”

Jack grins, unashamed, slamming the milk back onto the top shelf of the fridge. “That was some party at Evan’s last night, huh? Even though the guy has kids, he still knows how to throw down, am I right?”

“Uh… sure,” I respond with a nervous chuckle.

He plops down at the kitchen table and asks, “So, what are you two lovebirds up to today?”

“We…” I gulp, taking a deep breath. I glance at Reiner, but he isn’t looking at me. He’s watching his cousin carefully, brow furrowed. “We’re going to dinner later,” I finish.

“Huh,” Jack replies, folding his hands. “You know who I bumped into last night? Dani. She looked all kinds of worked up that Reiner was going out with you, Jane. Man, she had it bad for you, didn’t she, Reiner? She’s one hell of a looker, and lord knows she’d do anything for you, too. She was going on and on about how you told her you weren’t ready for a relationship, and now you’re running around with a she-wolf from Stardust Hollow.”

I shift from one foot to the other. Truthfully, it feels like the information he’s laying out was an intentional dig at me. Like he’s shoving in my face that a Green Lake she-wolf like Danielle is better suited for Reiner. I suppose that has nothing to do with me, really, but I can’t help feeling the sting all the same.

Reiner clears his throat, shooting Jack a warning glare. “You don’t know the half of it, man, and I’m not interested in rehashing it right now if you don’t mind.”

Jack ignores the thinly veiled command and takes the opportunity to continue while he has my attention. “It’s just so strange to see him this way, like…” He thinks for a moment, brows scrunched. “You wouldn’t know, Jane, since you just got here, but the Reiner I know would never agree to mate. I mean, hell, Reiner, how many women have tried their luck and fallen at your feet? And now…” He gestures toward me with a knowing grin. “Jane, how did you tame the beast, exactly?”

“Uh…” Is he really expecting me to respond to that?

I glance toward Reiner, hoping he will step in and put an end to this unexpected interrogation. I honestly can’t tell if Jack is testing the legitimacy of our “relationship” or if he simply enjoys watching us squirm.

When it’s clear he’s waiting for a real answer, and a more serious one, I decide to just be truthful. After all, Jack has caught me off-guard, and I’m unprepared to make something up. Lying about it, in any case, would probably only expose me.

“Well, to be honest, I believe that my lack of interest is what attracted him to me.”

Jack tilts his head, looking me up and down in a way that sends a chill skating up my spine. “Lack of interest?”

“I wasn’t the type of girl who would just throw herself at him. Who would fall at his feet and beg for his attention, as you put it. So…” I shrug, because it doesn’t really need more explaining than that. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

Reiner lays a large hand on my shoulder as I try to pass, holding me still. “Jane, wait-”

“It’s fine,” I insist. “I’m supposed to meet Sonya, anyway. You two enjoy your morning.”

Without giving him a chance to stop me again, I duck under his arm and flee, practically tripping down the steps on my way to the gravel drive. I climb into my car and put my forehead against the steering wheel, just trying to catch my breath. I should never have agreed to this. I know damn good and well that I can’t trust a man like Reiner. That guy doesn’t know the meaning of commitment. All he wants is sex, and I’m not in the business of giving it up to bad boys who’ll break my heart in the morning.

I start the engine and pull out of the driveway, noting with dismay that Reiner is standing on the porch, watching me leave.

I’m going to have to keep myself in check if I have any hope of surviving this farce with my dignity intact. It was a colossal mistake, slipping up with him like that. I’m going to have to remember: for this “relationship” to work, I have to do whatever it takes. This includes forgetting all about those blazing hot kisses that nearly melted me into a puddle right there on the countertop.

Because to Reiner, it doesn’t mean anything.

I repeat that in my mind as I head back toward the main part of town. It doesn’t mean anything. Absolutely nothing.

I wish that mantra had a chance of working.

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