Page 9 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“Sorry, guys,” I breathe. “We, uh, got carried away there.”

“You think?” Sonya drawls, shoving her way through our blockade—well, friends, I mean. “That was hot as fuck. Damn.”

She gives a whistle, actually beaming and grinning from ear to ear.

Lenny’s phone pings, and he leans in to read the screen. “Guess the alpha is throwing another pack meet n’ greet at his place.”

“No way. We just got here!” Sonya nearly wails. “I’m so tired of all these social obligations. Let’s just stay here. You can tell your dear old gramps we have other plans. Big sexy ones.” She winks, grinning, and I roll my eyes.

Riley sighs, straightening the cuffs of his shirt. “Would you say that to Ram? We wouldn’t want Green Lake wolves disrespecting our alpha. Let’s extend the same courtesy to Reiner’s. It’s called mutual respect.”

“Spoken like a true goodie two-shoes,” Sonya coos, patting his head.

Riley bares his teeth, clamping them shut in a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Look here, you little-”

“Riley’s right,” Reiner says, giving a decisive nod. He removes his arm from around my waist and offers his hand for me to take. “If Evan wants us there, we should go. C’mon, sugar, I’ll drive.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, I allow him to take my hand. Trying to keep this act up in front of a small crowd is hard enough. Forcing myself to act couple-ish in front of an entire freaking pack would test my boundaries and be dang near impossible. But for some reason, as I look up into his handsome face, I can’t bring myself to deny him.

“Fine,” I say. “Let’s go, babe.”

“Fucking hell, you guys are so cute,” Sonya groans, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Shall we?”

I don’t protest when Reiner guides me to his car, because why would I? As much as I want to call all of this off, I have to do it. The alternative is allowing my aunt to play matchmaker with every single wolf in Green Lake, and Lord knows that’s not an option. And it certainly isn’t because I want to go. Really, I don’t. I want to turn and run, hide out somewhere with a bottle of wine and some homemade cheesecake until I don’t have to think about all this idiocy anymore. This is necessary. I remind myself of this several times in my head as I make myself comfy in his passenger seat.

Being alone with him like this, practically in the dark, is super awkward. And dangerous. Even now, I’m acutely aware of everything he does. I can hear him breathing, hear his heartbeat, sense his movements. I should’ve insisted I drove with Sonya instead.

“You all right over there?” he asks, glancing over at me with those beautiful dark eyes. “You gonna hold up, sugar?”

“Why do you keep calling me that? Sugar, I mean. Why do you call me that?”

He taps his fingers on the steering wheel as if he’s trying to decide if he should tell me. Finally, he says, “Remember when we first met?”

“Vaguely,” I snort.

“You were standing guard over the dessert display, and you were so proud of all the work you put in them. I don’t blame you, they were all fantastic, but I don’t think you realized you had a dusting of powdered sugar on your left cheek, covering that dimple. Probably from one of the sugar cookies, right? Anyway, I guess I just attached that moniker to you after that.”

I’m stunned. My god, the guy actually notices details. “And you didn’t think to tell me at the time?”

He shrugs, a self-satisfied grin making his lips turn up on both ends. “Nah. I thought it was cute. Still think so.”

I have no freaking idea what to say. Is this some sick sort of game? Just another bet between him and his buddies? See if he could manipulate me into thinking he likes me before he showed his true colors?

Part of me wants to ask, to confront him and call him out on his bullshit, but then I risk him deciding against this whole charade and dealing with my aunt, so the other part of mekeeps my trap shut. What the hell am I supposed to say to that, anyway?

Reiner pulls his car into the driveway and turns the key to silence the engine, but doesn’t get out. Instead, he sits, adjusting the seat belt strap running across his torso and down around his hips. “Jane, there are going to be a lot of people at this thing. A lot of expectations.”

“Well, yeah. That’s a good thing, right? More witnesses to believe this shit.”

“Just, uh, whatever happens, try not to make it too obvious that we hate each other, okay?”

My stomach feels suddenly queasy. I wish I was drunk. This would be easier if I was. “I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises. I really don’t like you.”

He clenches his jaw as if fighting back the urge to say something. Perhaps the same urge that was clawing at my own insides. To think it aloud, to shout it at him so he’d never forget. This isn’t fair. We shouldn’t have to resort to something like this just to get people off our backs. We shouldn’t have to force ourselves to tolerate each other just to live our lives peacefully. But I’m stuck. It fucking sucks, because once again, I’ve managed to dig myself a hole I have no idea how to crawl out of.

“I know,” he sighs, rubbing his palms on his jeans before he opens the car door to climb out. “I know you don’t.”

Reiner walks around the car, opening my door and offering his hand. I grab it like I would with any other guy I’m dating. Because, for now, that’s what he is.

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