"So you cut the line again?" Killian smirked and nudged over to me, kissing me on my cheek. "This makes the whole firstmeeting thing easier. This is the girl I was telling you about yesterday."
Griffin frowned as his hands clenched. “Of course, it is.” He took a step in my direction, and my traitorous heart picked up its pace.
Did he feel thetugtoo? The thought both thrilled and petrified me.
"You mean the one that you stood Jessica up for?" Griffin's girlfriend said as she sashayed over to us and looped her arm through Griffin's, stopping him from getting closer to me.
"Here's your coffee." Carter hurried back and handed Griffin a cup. "And Dove, maybe you should head out. The line is shorter, and you're making a scene."
"When should I have her here again?" Killian took my hand and pulled me toward him.
A low growl emanated from Griffin as his nostrils flared, but no one but me seemed to notice.
"Tomorrow. She got off to a rough start with Rosemary, of all people, but redeemed herself and did great until Griffin showed up." Carter held his hand out. "Give me the apron, and be here by nine. That's when things get crazy.”
I looked at Killian. I couldn't commit to the time because I'd be relying on him to bring me here.
"She'll be here." Killian unlaced my apron and pulled it over my head. "Thanks, man."
“Please—” Carter placed his palms together, fingertips pointed upward like in prayer “—behave a little better tomorrow.”
“Hey, I behaved today.” I refused to be pushed around by some pompous student who thought his farts didn’t stink, no matter how much I was drawn to him physically.
“That’s what I was afraid of.” He sighed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Killian chuckled as he beamed at me. “That’s my girl.”
The blonde girl arched a perfectly styled eyebrow and held out her hand to me. "I'm Luna. Griffin's girlfriend."
"Friend." Griffin jerked his head in her direction and huffed. "Just friend. How many times do I have to tell you that?"
"Yeah, you made that clear when you hit on Killian's girl, didn't you?" Luna shifted her weight to one leg.
"You hit on her?" Killian grinned and interlaced our fingers.
"God, I hope not." I couldn't tear my gaze away from the sexy douchebag, so I bit out the next words for added measure. "Because if that's his game, it's subpar."
"I wasn't putting forth my best effort." His eyes glowed faintly, making the hazel stand out more as his wolf surged forward. "If I wanted you, you wouldn't be able to deny me."
The problem was I already didn’t want to deny him, which meant I had to set clear boundaries more for me than him. "No means no." I placed an arm in front of my body. "Even if you try to force your alpha will on someone."
"I never have or would force anyone." Griffin lifted his chin. "They all come willingly, and some even beg."
Luna cleared her throat and frowned.
"Wow, okay." Killian rolled his shoulders. "We got it. Griffin wasn't hitting on you, and you didn't like the way he came across. I say we start over."
If I didn't feel so indebted to him, I wouldn't have been willing to drop it. But, for him, I would behave. At least for now. "Of course. Anything for you." I managed to pry my attention away from Griffin and turn my focus to him.
"Do you all want to go grab a bite to eat?" Killian gestured to the cafeteria. "I'm starving, and we can beat the lunch crowd."
"Really?" Luna sighed. "Here?"
"Why don't we go off campus to Dick’s bar?" Griffin asked as he continued to stare at me. "I could use a beer."
"That sounds a lot better." Luna ran one hand along the top of her breasts. "Daddy has some wolfsbane we can use to lace the drinks too. I’m down for getting tipsy if everyone else is."
"I'm good with that." Killian faced me. "Are you?"