Page 27 of Rejected Sold Mate
“There you are,” Jayce rumbled, his mouth shockingly close to my ear.
I turned slowly, pulse hammering, heat rising like the tide to greet Jayce’s voice. He was so close that our bodies brushed together as I turned, the touch way too intimate for the frame of mind I was in.
“I’ve been looking for you,” Jayce’s tone was relieved. “When you weren’t in any of your normal spots, I had a feeling I’d find you here.” He smirked. “Back at the scene of the crime.”
I ignored his teasing about the night we hooked up. “I was just running errands and felt like a drink afterwards. That’s all.”
“Hm.” It didn’t sound like he believed me, but Jaye didn’t push. “There’s a pack bonfire tonight at the brewery, and I want you to come. I know last time was a little rough, but now that our bond is out in the open, I think it will be good for the pack to see us together.”
Keeping my mouth shut would have been the better option, but I felt high-strung, looking over at the woman he’d been flirting with earlier. “Are you sure there aren’t other people you’d rather invite?”
His laugh was genuine and unexpected, as if he took actual joy in seeing me uncomfortable. “Rhie…surely you aren’t jealous?”
A flush was creeping up my neck, “No.”
He reached up to tap the tip of my nose, but the touch led to his fingers trailing over my jaw, making my breathing stutter. “I think you’re lying, little Omega, but I’ll let it slide for now. You’ll come to the party?”
I scoffed, but my heart wasn’t in it. All I could focus on was how close he was and how my oncoming heat made it hard to think outside of how badly I wanted to feel his hands on me. I didn’t want to go to a damn pack party. I wanted Jayce to takeme home and fuck me until the beginnings of the inferno inside me subsided. My body was screaming for it, and my brain was hazy.
Jayce had asked a question, but I was too overcome to answer, and he frowned. “Rhie, are you okay?”
I shook my head, hard, trying to clear the cobwebs away. “I’m fine,” I snapped, but when he didn’t look convinced, I doubled down. “Really, I’m fine, Jayce. Leave it alone, please.”
His jaw tightened, and I knew he wanted to press the issue, but I was relieved when he nodded once. Off the hook, I took a step back from him, which was way harder than it should have been. “I should go,” I told him quickly. “I have things to do if you really want me at this party.”
Jayce reached for me, but I ducked out of the way. “Rhie—”
I didn’t look back, calling over my shoulder, I’ll see you tonight!”
Slipping out the door, I sighed as the cool air hit me, the first bit of relief I’d had since Jayce cornered me. If I’d stayed any longer, I might have ended up begging him to take me right then and there in the middle of the bar.
Chapter 14 - Jayce
There was something wrong with my mate, but I’d gotten to know her well enough that I could sense when pushing her would be a bad idea.
Physically, she appeared fine, but there was something beneath the surface that she wasn’t keen on sharing. Her scent had been intoxicating, stronger and sweeter than ever, and her body had responded to me when I first spoke to her, but she’d quickly put up her walls again before running off.
At least she had agreed to come to the party. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
The wolf in me had wanted to follow her and force a confession from her pretty lips so I could know exactly what was wrong with her. But I didn’t. I gave her space. I let her breathe.
And I hoped she knew exactly how difficult that was for me. There wasn’t a single other soul on the face of the planet I would have done it for.
***
When Rhie arrived at the bonfire, she was almost an hour later than everyone else. It wasn’t exactly a surprise, since she had been told so late in the day, but I hadn’t been able to actually exhale until I saw her walk through the open barn doors.
It was a beautiful night, the chill and darkness kept away by the enormous fire. Lights were strung in the trees, and someone was strumming a guitar, the music flowing together with the lively conversations. I’d been scanning the crowd for Rhie the entire time, and once she arrived, it was a fight not to sweep her into my arms in front of everyone.
She was hell on my self-control on a good day, but something about that night had me fiending for her even more than usual. Rhie was soft and beautiful, her hair loose and glowing in the firelight like moonbeams, her jeans and cherry red sweater hugging her curves. She was hesitant at first, like she was debating turning around, but before I could go to her, she was intercepted by three other figures.
There was a twinge of jealousy, but it quickly abated when I saw it was Mara, Leah, and Jen who had absorbed Rhie into their circle. I knew my mate was close with the Lunas of the other packs, but it was good to see her making friends with women in her new pack, too. It was a relief seeing how easygoing they all were with each other after how awkward the last night we’d had at the brewery had been. But apparently, the three women had gotten over the shock of Rhie being my mate and were once again happy to include her.
I still wanted her at my side, but I’d give her some time to socialize. When I saw her smile cautiously, I smiled, too. It was a hard thing for Rhie to come out of her shell, but she was braver than I gave her credit for. Those smiles were rare, too rare, but hopefully, once she was more settled in, I’d get to see them more often.
I forced myself to stay back and not hover like some overbearing shadow, but my eyes never left her. The bonfire was for pack bonding, but really, I’d organized the entire thing just for her. I’d never admit it, but seeing her happy told me it had been the right move.
To pass the time, I had a few beers and mingled with the rest of the pack. There were a lot of questions about the increased security, which I tried to brush off, but otherwise, everyone in the pack seemed content enough. The move hadbeen rough, and peace for the Blacktide back had been hard-earned.
