Page 135 of Just One Bite
“You’re lucky I don’t take you into my room and scent you right now.”
Her heart kicks. The scent of her arousal hits me like a freight train, and I don’t think anyone could understand the type of restraint it takes not to get pulled down with it.
“I don’t like people touching what’s mine.”
“I thought you said you were here for someone else?”
“And you believed me? When has there ever been anyone else?”
I’m prickly all over and itchy. So fucking itchy. My voice is rougher than I want it to be.
“You shouldn’t have come.” She sighs.
“Olivia.”
I stop swaying, and she waits for me to speak. We’re still chest to chest.
“I don’t want to be friends anymore.”
Her eyes widen, nostrils flaring, and I see something I’d witnessed in her more sacred space. It’s the same look when she misses a beat in ballet. She’s scared.
“I need more. I need so much more. And I think I’ve made it as clear as I can make it. Of course, I’m here for you. I’m going to win tomorrow, and I’m going to claim you. Is that what scares you?”
The music lifts, and I thread my arm around her waist. Most people dancing are playfully flirting. There’s a photographer in the corner snapping photos of us. I hug her tighter, and one inhale of her scent has my body alive with the itch of shifting. My lips close over my mark on her neck, making the hairs stand upalong her skin.
“I can’t do this. I shouldn’t be dancing with you.”
“Then tell me the night we spent together meant nothing. Tell me you didn’t feel what I felt and you truly don’t love me. You don’t have to lie about that. You can tell me now, break my heart.”
Olivia stares at my lips. Her scent is the calmest it’s ever been. She’s leaning into me for support but isn’t saying anything.
“You need to think long and hard about what you really want. Because I’m claiming you tomorrow. That’s a promise. If you really want to run away, this is your last chance.”
She stops dancing and breaks away from me, leaving me in the middle of the dining hall. Garrik’s smile mocks me as she disappears into the lobby.
Chapter Forty-Five
Olivia
The steam from the bathhouse is making me dizzy as I stare at the paned glass. The room is lined with opalescent tiles connected with various jewels of jade and sapphire. There are three hot tubs stacked on three levels with white pillars making space in the reverberant room.
Some are sneaking back to their rooms, and others are making out in the other pools. I’d like to go back to my room, but knowing I won’t be able to sleep keeps me from retreating there to be alone. Even if the bed has the softest linens I’ve ever laid my hands on. This is fun for everyone who isn’t me—and Parker, if I had to guess. These people probably looked forward to this for months and are treating it like a vacation or some reality TV show.
I need to tire myself out, which shouldn’t be hard, considering the only sleep I’ve gotten was on the ferry. And listening to bachelor alphas talk is bound to put me right to sleep.
Tara was with me for a while before hitting it off with one of the hunters and excusing herself. So it’s just me. Alone. Surrounded by what I’m assuming are all very powerful alphas. They pushed the other guys from their spots without having to say a word. Parker waits on the other end of the tub. Too far away to touch. He hasn’t moved an inch. He’s leaned back with his arms resting on the sides. I hate that he isn’t smiling.
His words are still running in my mind. What if Parker wins and we do havethe opportunity to complete the mating bond? Should I? Is it selfish to want that still, knowing what I know now? What happens when my secret vow is complete? Will whoever this is let us be together? What if there’s just another hurdle to get through?
“So, what do you like to do?” one of them asks. He’s got fuchsia irises and long black hair. I wish Emma was here to take the brunt of the conversation. Only, the thought of my sister getting marked by a random alpha werewolf is my definition of a nightmare.
“I dance. I’m a ballerina.”
He smiles, and it’s not creepy, but I canfeelParker’s eyes on me.
“Wow. That’s so elegant. I’d love to watch.”
Trying to be pleasant, I force a smile. The person threatening me told me that I need to play along and mingle with the other alphas. But most men get bored of conversation of dance quickly. They don’t take it seriously.
