Page 31 of Just One Bite
“No. I don’t know what that was.”
My answer doesn’t satisfy her even though it’s the truth. It just happened. And if she lets me, I’d like to do it again.
She draws her arms to her chest and huffs. “New rule. Don’t touch me.”
“We really need to make a show here if you want anyone to believe this.”
“Fine. After this, you don’t touch me.”
She’s going to be stubborn about this, but as a human, she has no idea how much I can sense, and that kiss wasn’t forced. Every stroke of her tongue was deliberate and needy. And …Fuck, I have to stay focused.
I sip my drink and savor the burn of the alcohol. “Okay, I won’t touch you unless you ask.”
“I won’t ask.”
I shrug. “You might. And it’s okay to change your mind.”
“I don’t want to be known as just Parker Owens’s mate. That’s not why I came here.”
“You came here to make a name for yourself?” I ask.
“Yes … and no. I just want to be known for ballet.”
“And you will be.”
“Tell that to the girl who ambushed me in the library for the name of your cologne.”
“This is all temporary until … we figure out a better solution to our problems.”
I use “our” a little too easily, but Olivia doesn’t seem to mind. Her shoulders drop from her ears, and the scowl on her face softens.
“Here.” I wrap my arm around her waist and haul her onto the couch in the center of the room. She tries to take the spot next to me, but I shift her to sit on my lap. “You’ll sit here.”
She adjusts with her hand on my knee. If I wasn’t so intent on watching the crowd, I’d have to adjust myself. Olivia smells really good, so I have to fight the urge to bury my face in her hair. I shake that thought out as quickly as it comes and take another drink.Don’t know what is wrong with me today.
I can’t stop staring at her. She watches people like she has to memorize every article of clothing for a quiz and guess the person’s most likely hobbies. It seems to calm her because she relaxes into me more with each passing second, and I keep reminding her to sip on her drink.
“Having fun?” I ask. Noxx House has still not figured out our preferred activity for the night. I voted for mud sports outside in the rain. No one liked the idea.
“No.”
“What would make it more fun for you?”
“Not sitting with my ass on your leg.” She shifts her hips.
I move her till she’s fully in my lap. “Is that better?”
A smile dances on her lips. At least she finds me amusing. Gavin moves across the room, typing into his phone. I feel his stare, and seconds later, my phone vibrates.Shit.
This arrangement can work, but I do need to make a show.
“I’m not being attentive enough to my girlfriend.” I brush the hair from Olivia’s shoulder so I can gain better access to her neck. It’s a vampire thing. There’s nothing better than that soft, thin part of the neck where the heartbeat thrums. “Let’s talk about you.”
I wet my lips and run them over her pulse, burying my face into her hair. Herback straightens, and goose bumps prickle her arm, then my mind wanders back to the fact that she’s digging into my lap.
“What about me?”
“You’re a ballerina. Tell me about your audition. I bet you’re going to kill it.”
