Page 47 of Depraved
That seems most likely.
Black and Buck have a stare-off, and people at the nearby tables get up and move away, perhaps sensing a bar fight is coming. I don’t get that luxury.
“If you keep looking for her, it’ll be a dead-end for her too,” Buck warns.
I wrap my arm around Black’s waist, shivering at the dark tone in the other alpha’s voice. Despite the sweaty atmosphere and darting lights, his words are haunting.
Buck brings my abandoned mojito to his lips and takes a sip before waving it casually in our direction. “I mean, what do you think is going to happen to anyone who talks to ya. The Stone family, even that mother, didn’t survive by being sweethearts.”
“You sure about that? Black says, grabbing his whiskey before tossing it back in a single gulp. He slams the glass down onto the table before reaching into his wallet and tossing a c-note out for the waitress. Then he stares down Buck. “I think you’re wrong. I think little Thomas has a soft spot. And I’m going to find it. Hell knows, he’s got a bit of a crush on me. He keeps on sending me love notes.”
Buck’s eyes shoot holes into our backs as we walk out the door.
* * *
I havea hard time sleeping after the confrontation at the bar. I keep imagining being a hiker, some young college girl just out with friends, ready to see the world and stumbling upon Thomas instead.
After I wake up screaming for the third time, Black calls it. “Get up.”
Less than half an hour later, we’re sitting in a diner in the early morning light, me stirring around a bowl of grits and Black nursing a coffee. The clinking clank of silverware all around us, the hiss and sizzle of the grill, the constant swing of the door to the kitchen, and the low murmur of voices create a soft sort of mood music. I like it far better than the thumping bass beat and shrieking fiddles from last night.
My wolf does not want to be awake. She scolds me by emitting a little grumble before her avatar goes to curl up behind the syrup container, as if that will shield her from the sunlight.
I pulled my spoon out of my breakfast and pointed at her. “Hey, you could still be sleeping if you’d helped with the dreams.” But she’d been just as terrified as me.
Black puts his cup of coffee up to his lips, but before he takes a sip, he says, “Talking to yourself in public. That will definitely help people around here open up.”
“I was talking to Fluffy. She needs to adjust her attitude—”
“Fluffy?” His expression is horrified. “Please tell me that is not what you named your wolf.”
I give him a shrug because I’m still too busy glaring at her.
“She should be named Precious.”
Fluffy preens, turning her neck and smiling in Black’s direction before turning back to me. Even though she has a wolf face, she somehow manages to morph her look into one of smug superiority, clearly indicating that she agrees with the alpha male.
“I’m sorry, you must have my wolf confused with a little old lady’s Pomeranian.”
Black chuckles. “How about Diamond?”
“Just stop talking,” I make a gagging face. “Besides, you’re just sucking up because you like the way she smells.”
“Not true. Ilovethe way she smells.” Black boots edge close to my feet and surround them underneath the table, trapping my legs together. He scoots forward until I can feel the press of his knees against my thighs. I go from half-awake to heart-poundingly aware immediately. Especially when his finger comes out and traces down my arm. “And Ilovethe way she makes you turn from sassy to soft and compliant in my hands.”
I narrow my eyes. I’m about to retort that I’m not compliant because of her, but is that true? Is she softening me? Or am I making her tougher? I watch Black’s finger stroke my arm and then circle the bones at my wrist, sensitizing my skin and making me catch my breath. What part of my reactions are hers, and what’s mine?
I glance over at her, but she’s just as captivated by Black as I am, so I can’t tell.
The longer I have my wolf, the less sure I am about whether her instincts are driving me or my own. Is it my wolf and Black’s wolf that are truly attracted to one another? Without her, I know he wouldn’t have taken a second look at me.
But why does my stomach drop at that thought?
I have Jonah; he should be all I need.
But the pulse inside my chest tells me that I’m lying to myself. I may not have wanted Black at first, and our wolves might have drawn us together, but now …
I shove away my thoughts as they get so tangled I can’t hope to unravel them.
