Page 50 of The Wolf She Shouldn't Desire

Jordan sits at the bar alone with a crystal glass, swirling around a dark liquid that I would guess is bourbon. The humans around him give him a wide berth as if their subconsciouses know he is supernatural and not to be messed with. The brooding look on his face as he stares into his glass may have something to do with it as well. He slams back the rest of his drink with a frown and slams the glass on the bar before waving to the bartender for another.

I stare stunned for a second that he’s here but then shake it off before making my way to the bar. I take a seat next to him and see him stiffen.

“Mind if I join you?” I say with a barely raised volume that makes it sound like a whisper almost.

He doesn’t say anything, and I fidget in my seat. I don’t usually fidget in any scenario, but the silence that greets me is unsettling along with the nervousness I already feel in wanting to talk to him.

“I’ve been looking for you for hours, and I have to say this is the last place I thought I would find you.”

“Why because its too fancy for the likes of me?”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. It’s—”

I cut myself off abruptly. I’ve never seen Jordan like this. So cold and distant. Usually, he is warm and welcoming or, on occasion, angry as hell with me. But this? No, he has never acted this distant with me.

“I’ve been here several times, and I’ve never seen a werewolf here is all. I figured they didn’t like mingling with so many humans. Or maybe I’m thinking of vampires who tend to stay away from so many humans clustered together. I like it though because no one knows me here, and I don’t have to worry about running into anyone. Now, I’m rambling. Sorry.”

“If this is another one of your spots that you don’t want me to intrude on, I can go.” He makes to raise his hand again to grab the attention of the bartender, but I smack my hand on his arm and push it back down before jerking mine back in surprise that I had touched him without thinking first.

“No! No, you don’t have to leave.”

He nods and takes a big sip of his drink. Definitely bourbon now that I am close enough to smell it.

“Jordan,” I whisper.

He closes his eyes as he places his glass on the bar top with a thump. “What do you want, Talia?”

“To talk,” I continue to whisper.

“About what? There’s nothing left to say between us. You’re going to marry another man and a vampire no less that seems to find joy in tormenting my kind. Like you said, we don’t make sense and can’t even be friends because you’re a vampire and I’m a werewolf. End of story.” Again, he gulps down his entire glass of bourbon and signals for another.How many has he had before I got here?

His sudden change of stance in us trying to see if a relationship could happen between us throws me off. I’m slightly stunned and want to turn away in defeat. He’s always been the one to stand strong and have a fighting fire burning in him when it comes to the connection between us. Now, he seems defeated and angry. Hearing the woman you had interest in is set to marry another man probably doused his determination quickly. But now it’s my turn to be strong and stubborn to fight for the connection between us and the chance to explore it.

“I was wrong.” I blurt out.

He goes completely still to where he is not even blinking or breathing. He could be considered a statue if no one knew any better.

“Excuse me?” he growls.

“I was wrong,” I repeat.

“Is this some kind of twisted game to you?” he snarls this time.

“No, not in the least.”

He leans closer to me so he can snarl closer in my face. “Sure fucking feels like it!”

The humans closest to us and within ear shot look towards us in concern and slight fear upon hearing Jordan. Jordan himself doesn’t seem to notice it. Instead, he stands abruptly, pulls out his wallet to throw a few bills on the bar, and moves toward the exit without another word to me.

My feet work overtime to catch up to him as I follow him outside. He’s fast but so am I. He turns a corner, and I panic a little that I’m about to lose him when he is out of sight for a brief second.

“Jordan!” When I round the corner, I see him still walking without any indication he heard me. My frustration increases, and I add a little speed to my steps to where I finallyreach him and grab his forearm. “Jordan, please! Can we just talk?!”

He responds by jerking his arm out of my grasp and whirling around to face me with a furrowed brow and his lips slightly pulled back in a snarl. “I told you there is nothing left to talk about. Now run back to your fiancé and the other piece of shit vampires you’ll soon call family no doubt.”

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?!” I yell with the anger and hurt his words inspire.

“Not in the least,” he growls.

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