Page 35 of Rust the Rejected
Rust growls viciously. His fingers tighten on mine.
I hear the bosun gulp as he backs away from the door.
“Um, ring Captain when you’re ready,” he says hurriedly.
“Wait!” I cry and wiggle to free myself from Rust. If I let the bosun get away, Rust will continue with the claiming bite. I won’t let it happen, no matter how enthralled I was a moment ago. “Rust, let’s go!”
He remains unmoved. I worry he’ll go through with like he said. Then he blows a ragged breath and steps back. I sigh in relief and bolt out the door.
The bosun waits at the end of the hallway, as far from the door as possible. He peers past me for Rust. I don’t turn around. But I hear him behind me. Judging by the shock on the bosun’s face, Rust must look a sight. I sneak a peek.
His narrowed hazel eyes darkened, filled with a feral gleam focus on me. The tips of his fangs dip into his lower lip. Color suffuses his cheeks. A glance at his groin reveals the anaconda standing tall directed at me. A growl rumbles from his chest.
I shudder and swing my gaze forward. The closer I get to the bosun, the more threatening the growl. The bosun flattens himself against the wall and exposes his neck in submission to avoid Rust’s wrath. I never thought he would frighten me. But now, I tremble in the face of his need to claim me.
Skirting around the bosun, I head for the elevator. No way do I want to be responsible for Rust attacking him. A wild vision of Rust ripping him from limb to limb flashes in my mind’s eye. No way.
It’s just a few more feet to the elevator. As much as I want to dash for it, I know better than to run from a predator. So, I keep my pace steady but not quick. The door opens when I press the call button. As I step inside, I glance over my shoulder. Rust bustles in and crowds me in the corner. A sharp cry slips past my lips.
Once again, he brackets me with his arms. His hair hangs in his face as he stares down at me with feverish eyes. His wolf flickers beneath his skin, altering his features. They shift from human to wolf and back again, as though Rust fights for control. His hot breath comes out in huffs.
I stare up at him wide eyed, too afraid to move and risk pushing him over to the feral wolf side.
“Rust, please,” I say in a breathless whisper.
He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head as if trying to dislodge his wolf’s hold. When they open, anguish replaces the wildness. His forehead drops to mine.
“Natalie… What you do to me…”
The elevator door pings open.
“Rust, back out and keep your hands up!”
Captain’s commanding words surprise me and piss Rust off. He growls low in his chest. The wolf returns as he swings around to face Captain.
“Stay. Out. Of. This.” Rust snarls as his hands form fists at his sides.
“RUST STAND DOWN! NOW!”
Another commanding voice fills the air. Captain holds an iPad in front of him. Jagger—the imposing Alpha of their pack—glares with flashing ice blue eyes from the screen at Rust.
Rust snarls but lifts his hands, unable to withstand his Alpha’s command. Rust casts a glance at me.
“ENOUGH, RUST! Go with Captain. Donotfuck around. You will not like what will happen to you.”
He steps off the elevator and follows Captain, who keeps the iPad trained on Rust. Jagger continues to glare at him.
“Natalie, come with me.”
The Chief Stew’s voice drags my gaze from Rust. I look at her, and she nods brusquely as she beckons for me to follow.
I glance back at Rust, who’s surrounded by every male on the megayacht. My heart sinks. Tears fill my eyes. But I slap them away angrily.
Rust brought this on himself! He’s the one who lost control. And do not forget he said he would force you!
I harden my heart once again hurt by a male and follow the Chief Stew. She guides me to a tender where a deckhand waits to transport me to Big Pine Key. I thank the Chief Stew and ask her to give my thanks to the rest of the crew. Without a backward glance, I step onto the tender.
CHAPTER13
