Page 37 of Mated to the Enemy
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Jessica didn’t know how to respond and just stared for a good long time.
“With…you?” she squeaked, dying of embarrassment at the awkward phrasing and high-pitched voice she’d finally managed to get out.
Klaue’s normally cool eyes danced with delight, further heating her cheeks. He was laughing at her, there was no point in pretending otherwise.
“Yes,” he said finally.
“But…it’s tomorrow. Haven’t you already RSVP’d? They won’t be able to fit me in. I would be such a burden.”
Klaue continued to chuckle, leaning forward and tapping an area on the card. “See there, it says I and my plus one are reminded of tomorrow’s festivities. I made reservations for myself and another as soon as I got the invitation.”
She frowned, reading the text that confirmed what he was saying. “So, whose spot am I taking?” she asked, more than a little curious.
“Nobody’s,” he stated, meeting her gaze without flinching. “It’s customary to reserve a spot in a shifter wedding. You never know when a date is going to crash her car in your lap.”
Jessica sputtered with laughter at the unexpected saying.
“So will you come with me?” he pressed after she’d recovered.
“I don’t know, Klaue. Where is it?”
“Here. In the grand ballroom.”
She shook her head. Of course there was a grand ballroom in a place like this. She thought about it, then paused as she clued in to the fact shewasthinking about it. About going to the wedding.WithKlaue. As his date. Her mind raced back to those harrowing moments in the forest, when he’d carried her to safety, then when she’d clung to him, trying to get him to stay, and he’d kissed her.
It was on the forehead, true, but he’d still kissed her. In that moment, their…whatever it was, had taken a step. They’d not only broken the touch barrier, but she was fairly sure they’d both enjoyed it when she was pressed against him. Against hisnakedbody, at that.
Jessica drew in a deep breath as she scrambled for objections. “I don’t have a dress.”
Klaue nodded. “That can be fixed easily. Come on.”
“Uhh, what?” She was dragged to her feet and toward the door, Klaue’s hand clamped over her own. “Where are we going?”
“To get you a dress,” he stated, like it was obvious.
But I never said yes…
She thought about saying the words out loud, but realized it was probably pointless by then. What else was she going to do? Leaving Ursidae Manor seemed like a dumb idea given what had just happened to her, so she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. What was the worst that would happen if she went with him?
“But where are we going to get a dress this soon before the wedding?” she asked, caving to the inevitable.
“From someone about your size who doesn’t need it anymore,” he chuckled, showing her into the hallway.
They started walking through the maze of hallways. Jessica was promptly lost as they went down one, up another and turned left, then right, and then a left.
“This place is huge.”
“It takes a bit of getting used to,” Klaue admitted. “Don’t worry though, I won’t lose you.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance.
Her hand. Jessica looked down as she realized they were holding hands…still. He hadn’t let go from when he’d grabbed it to drag her up from the couch.
Jessica’s heart leapt into her throat, stealing her voice as she became consciously aware of it all. What the hell was going on? Thatexcitedher? She could feel the heavier beating as blood raced through her body at breakneck speed. All in reaction to someone holding her hand. No, not just someone. Klaue.
Her protector. Her champion.
No. He’s not “yours”. Not in any sense of the word. He’s just doing a job. This is House Ursa you’re talking about. You’ve heard all the stories about them. Keep yourself together. They may not be the enemy anymore, but they certainly aren’t your friend.
