Page 23 of Take Me
Chapter 28
Rafe Crimson
Rage was a new feeling for me. I was used to being angry. Most of the time I was angry but as I watched Carden open Jade’s door for her, I felt something new rip through my chest. The only good thing about the situation was that she had kept her clothes conservative tonight. I wouldn’t have been to blame if she had worn what she did the nightIturned her.
When I had overheard their conversation in the woods about her being turned recently, I wanted to march over there and make sure the entire property heard that I was the one that did it. But doing that would only make things more difficult on my wolf and Jade’s. Carden was right, Jade’s scent was all over the place. Her wolf didn’t know what to do and my presence wasn’t making things any easier. I saw the angry glances she shot my way each time we were around each other.
As much as I wanted to stay away and not interfere… I knew one thing. I was going to that party tonight, consequences be damned.
Chapter 29
Jade Rivers
Experiencing a party now was completely different. The music thrummed through my veins as we neared the frat house. I had expected to feel some kind of pain or PTSD because of what had happened the last time I had been at a party. The night Rafe had turned me but I felt nothing. There was no bitterness in my mouth or even a touch of panic. There was something new, a new feeling of excitement. I had never gone to a party with someone before. The thought of walking into that frat house without having to look for anyone was a new sensation. I liked it.
Carden peeked over at me and grinned. His white teeth were a tad sharp and they reminded me of the predator that was hiding beneath his skin -our skin. “You ready?”
He held his hand out to me. “Never been readier.”
I held his hand for a moment before he zoomed out of the car, around to my door. He leaned against my open door with a sly look. “Having that kind of speed never gets old.”
I narrowed my eyes at him as I looked around his vehicle. I was still too new to all of this. “Aren’t you afraid someone will see you?”
He rolled his eyes. “Not really. Mostly everyone is drunk here. What are they gonna do?”
I ran my tongue over the front of my teeth and nodded my head. He did have a point. He grabbed my hand again but this time there was no smile on his face. He narrowed his eyes at the people milling around us. It was still early, though most everyone had started drinking hours before. The proof of it was on the front balcony of the home. A few passed out bodies already.
Carden’s shoulders were squared off and tense. He was worried about something. I yanked him to a stop and he sighed. “I have never felt so out of control with my powers before. The music makes it feel funny. The pulsing sounds are muffling the rest of my senses and it’s making it hard for me to concentrate.”
I pressed my lips together in worry. “We don’t have to stay.”
I wasn’t feeling the same things as him but it could have been because of a number of things. Starting with the part that I had only shifted once and I couldn’t feel my wolf prowling under my skin.
Carden gave me a pained grin. “No, I want to stay. I would hate for you to waste looking that good.”
I couldn’t help the retort that passed my lips. “Too bad my parents are home and you don’t get to see how Ireallydress.”
Tracey confirmed it as she walked up the driveway behind us. “Did you just get out of church?”
She was wearing a tight dress that laced up her chest. There was no way she could wear any underwear with that on. Her full breasts were on display tonight and I raised my eyebrows at her in question. She was usually more reserved.
“Where is your date?”
Tracey waved her hand behind her. “He’s parking the car.”
A few minutes later the breath left my lungs when Tracey’s date walked up the lawn and looped his arm through my friend’s. This wasn’t right. She told me she had a date, but why hadn’t she mentioned it was Rafe?
He grinned and it didn’t meet his eyes. “You looknicetonight, Jade.”
I felt my lip lift up in a snarl. “Everything would be nicer if you weren’t here.”
Rafe cocked his head. “I doubt that. I wish you would have worn that leopard print crop top and those leather leggings in your dresser.”
Not only had he been in my room, but he had also gone through my drawers. I let out a slow snarl. “You’re a panty thief and a creep, I wonder what else will be added to your resume tonight.”
Rafe let out a bark of a laugh while Tracey did nothing to hide her mortification of the situation, all while Carden looked between the three of us like we were insane. We probably were. I grabbed his hand in mine and marched away from myfriendand my enemy.
It wasn’t until we were inside that Carden stopped me and I pulled the flask from my clutch. I took a long burning swig before I gave it to him. His fingers brushed mine as he took it and his lips turned down into a frown. He took a long chug before he tucked it back into my bag. “Wolfsbane is the nastiest shit.”
