Page 26 of Follow the Rhythm
“If it’s not because of me, then why are you quitting?”
Jess glared down at her coffee cup, considering. Then she looked up defiantly. “None of your business.”
“I agree with Ursula. Your work is great, and I imagine this is a good opportunity for you. Don’t give up on that just because we’re… compatible.” That was an understatement. Jess’s scent seemed perfectly crafted to switch off the rational parts of my brain and bring all my Alpha instincts to the surface.
“Oh my god, are you dumb or deaf? It’s not because of you,” Jess said. “It’s just a personal thing. Also, what is it with Alphas trying to tell me what I should do?”
“What Alphas?” I asked immediately. Jess rolled her eyes.
“Jealousy is not cute.” Her cheeks flushed again. “Kieran also doesn’t think I should quit.”
“You talked to him about it?” I tried not to sound jealous, but judging by Jess’s exasperated face, I failed.
“This is pointless,” she said, draining her coffee mug and standing to leave. I stood up with her, blocking her exit so she bumped into my chest. She glared up at me, and I fought the urge to wrap her in my arms.
“Is it because of Ellis?” Her eyes flashed, and I knew I was right. “He said he wasn’t kind to you.”
“When did he say that?” Jess demanded.
“Sit down, and I’ll tell you.” I smiled as she hesitated, clearly deciding if my gossip was worth it, until she dropped back in her seat.
I told her about my brief encounter with Ellis while she stared down at her nails.
“Well, at least he remembers being an asshole,” Jess said under her breath.
“What did he do exactly?”
“We were friends in high school. He graduated, and I never heard from him again. It seems so dumb, talking about it now, but it felt important back then.” I could see the vulnerability she tried to hide.
“I think he feels bad about it,” I said, then considered my next move. Even though it was incredibly stupid, and she didn’t return the feeling, I wanted to be around her as much as possible. “And wouldn’t quitting just show him you still care about him?”
“I don’t care about him,” Jess snapped.
“It kind of seems like you do.” I smirked. “I think doing this job and ignoring him completely is a much better revenge.”
Jess furrowed her brow. “Are you trying to manipulate me into working with you?”
“Of course not, beautiful. Want another coffee?”
By the time I returned with two lattes, Jess looked resigned, and I knew I’d won.
“If we’re going to work together, we can’t hook up anymore.”
“Didn’t we already decide that?” I asked innocently.
“Yes, but that was when I planned on never seeing, or smelling, you again,” she replied, blushing.
“As long as you keep wearing descenter, we’ll be fine.”
“Deal.” She held out her hand for me to shake.
As our palms touched, my heart tripped over itself. I brushed my finger across the delicate skin of her wrist, and she shuddered. Her pupils dilated, darkening her chocolate brown eyes to onyx. A small tendril of her scent curled towards me.
Suddenly, the fact that we were in a coffee shop and had just agreed not to touch each other seemed completely irrelevant. She wasmine, and every second I spent not worshipping her body was a second wasted. Good thing I was an expert at not listening to my dick’s very bad ideas.
“See you at work,” Jess said abruptly and fled the building.
I had to stay and finish my coffee very slowly.
