Page 65 of Savage Desire

“I don’t know how I feel about that,” I mutter, aware it’s more than my sand I want to keep safe. Can’t exactly leave my coin home, now can I?

“Suit yourself. I think I might have a little silvery bag in my armoire if you want me to grab it,” she offers, and I perk up at the idea.

“If you don’t mind,” I breathe, and she nods, heading for the door.

“I’ll meet you outside,” she offers before disappearing out into the hallway.

I take a deep breath, grabbing my pouch of sand and family coin and follow after her. My fingers coil tight around the metal, pressing so tight I’m certain the imprint will remain on my flesh forever. When I make it outside, I’m startled to find Minnie and Asher already waiting.

My eyes latch onto the latter first. He’s an enigma. One who usually has his chin resting against his chest with his focus solely on his cell phone. In moments like this, when there’s a chance I may catch his attention, he’s even more breathtaking.

His eyes are marbled, a swirl of blue and green, luring you in closer and closer. His white hair sweeps back off his face from all the times he’s run his fingers through it. All while he stands ramrod straight, his toned body on full display even though he’s wearing jeans and a polo shirt.

Hot.

Embarrassingly so.

“Hey, where’s Bryony?” Minnie asks, beaming at me with amusement flickering in her eyes, confirming that she caught me eye-fucking Asher, and my cheeks heat.

“I’m here. Sorry,” Bryony hollers, announcing her arrival and thankfully cutting through the awkwardness that was quickly spreading between us.

She hands me the silver purse and I mumble my thanks as I take it. Slipping my pouch of sand, cell phone, and coin inside, I hike it over my shoulder and fall into step with everyone.

Minnie and Bryony march off ahead without a care in the world, while Asher holds back, remaining at my side as we follow after them.

I press my lips together nervously. I approached him earlier today, making sure he was okay, and his response was a little clipped. Maybe? I don’t know, but it almost felt like rejection, and I don’t think I want to subject myself to that again. Maybe that’s what’s been weighing on my mind all day.

Rejection.

It’s not something I should even remotely be feeling, but it seems the wolves here force me to feel things I don’t want any association with.

He clears his throat, drawing my attention to him with a nervous smile on my face, which falters when I see the intense glimmer in his eyes. “You look beautiful, Polaris,” he rasps, making me gulp.

“Thank you,” I breathe, my cheeks likely their usual tinged color at the compliment.

He reaches across the space between us, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear as our pace slows, but we don’t grind to a halt. “Don’t hide behind your hair, Silver,” he adds, nodding at me before facing straight ahead, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

My chest heaves as my pulse rings in my ears, my skin still tingling from where he touched me. I run my tongue over my bottom lip, peering up at him shyly as his fingers ghost over mine at my side.

He doesn’t turn my way, not even a glance out of the corner of his eye, but the ghost of his touch morphs into his whole hand as he laces his fingers with mine, effortlessly tugging me into his side.

My heart hammers in my chest, heightening all of the senses already consuming me as his fingers flex around mine. I think I might die, or stumble to my damn knees in an impossible attempt to act natural.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, his thumb skims over my skin, leaving goosebumps in his wake, while his gaze remains straight ahead.

I don’t know what the fuck is going on, I just know that I’m scared. Not from what it might mean or what others might say, but because I might like it too much.

I’m screwed.

He’s still holdingmy hand. He’s still holding my freaking hand.

Acting calm is no longer possible.

As we near the security standing at the doors of The Aurum, panic starts to kick in and I try to tug my hand from his grasp. His gaze snaps to mine for the first time this entire walk, but he doesn’t say a word, he simply tightens his hold and tugs me closer so my arm is pressed against his.

Minnie and Bryony head inside as the two security men acknowledge Asher.

“Sir, the VIP section has already been prepared for after Wylder’s fight. Are there any new guests you would like to add to the list?”

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