Page 25 of Pit Stop

“No thanks. I’m not even close to done with this one.”

Tater grins at me, his teeth slightly crooked. He’s endearing in a very odd way. He may be big, but he gives off a distinct teddy bear vibe.

“Yeah, wasn’t sure. Thought I’d be a gentleman and ask.”

“Well, you’re very polite, so thank you. But I’m really fine with what I have.”

He nods, bobbing his head, and I force myself not to look over at Maverick again. But I can feel his gaze on me. It’s heavy and thick, wrapping around me and making it hard to breathe.

And I’m so fucking wet.

Ridiculous man.

“Wanna dance?” Tater asks, and I nod my head. I don’t know why I agree to this because I’m not a dancer, but I let him set my drink down and grab my hand as he leads me onto the dance floor.

But as he lifts his arms to wrap around me, I feel a different presence move up behind me.

“Mm, I remember you,” the deep voice says, and I shiver slightly as I turn and take in the man behind me.

It’s not Maverick. It’s the shifter alpha from the other night.

He’s bigger than I remember, standing right next to me, his eyes almost glowing red.

“Hello,” I manage to say, my body leaning slightly away from his. It’s not that I can’t smell how potent he is, how feral. But for some reason, I don’t want it.

I really don’t.

“Hey, man, we were just about to dance,” Tater says, but the alpha shifter just bares his teeth, and Tater slinks back, his hands up in surrender.

The alpha slides up against me, his hands gripping my hips and pulling me against his chest.

I wobble slightly as my chin tilts up to meet his fiery gaze.

“What’s your name again?” he asks, and I wet my lips, his gaze sliding to my mouth.

“Skye. Um, what’s yours?”

“Red.”

“Red?”

“Mm,” he says, his fingers tightening against me.

“Well, Red, super nice to meet you again, but uh, I have places to be.”

He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. “Your place is right here, with me.”

I tremble slightly, trying like hell to keep my footing when suddenly, I hear it. A low growl from behind me. My skin instantly breaks out in goosebumps.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Maverick asks, and I find myself leaning back toward him, blinking wildly.

Safe. I feel safe.

“Just dancing.”

“No, you’re not,” he says, his hands wrapping around my waist and tugging me away from Red.

Red’s gaze flickers, and I can feel the tension rolling off both of them.

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