Page 24 of The Alpha: Part One
“You're kidding, right?” I scoff, then to Michael and Ben, “she's joking, right?”
Ben throws his head back laughing, and Michael smirks even harder. “She is not. Fucking gorgeous, isn't she?”
“Yes,” I growl. “But it's going to look bad when I spend the rest of my time here in detainment.”
Desir'ee scowls for a beat, then she's laughing as hard as Benny. “Just behave yourself and you won't end up in detainment.”
“So long as every other asshole on this beach behaves themselves, I think I can manage. Maybe.” I can't seem to stop moving my gaze up and down her body. It's absolutely rude and disgusting behavior, but I can't stop it. “Shit.”
“Just pretend like we're the only ones here,” she smiles sweetly. “I'm going to go get wet.”
Benny gets up to go with her, leaving Michael and I to watch them walk toward the shoreline.
“She’s used to being looked at. You get used to it,” he assures me, his eyes glued to her ass.
I pry my attention from her and gawk at him. “Youget used to it, I don't think I can. It's such bullshit.”
“What's bullshit?” he asks.
“I've never missed the eye until just now.”
It takes him a minute, but when he gets the joke he laughs hard enough to snort.
It's absolutely impossible to pretend we're the only ones at the beach. Every asshole with eyes and a dick stares at Desir'ee every chance they get. I have no business feeling as territorial as I do; and when she finally, blessedly, declares she's too hot and she wants to grab some food, I'm nearly exhausted from trying to keep my temper in check. Michael and Ben don't seem to be having the same problems I'm having, and they do have the right to feel territorial.
That's not entirely true, though. There was a potential issue once in the afternoon when Michael was in the water with her. Ben informed a couple of guys who were talking about what they'd like to do to her that he'd drown both of them if they said another word. They gave a little pushback, making comments about her being up for grabs, until he issued a warning growl that I joined in on. They left the beach after that.
"I need tacos," Desir'ee announces. I turn in the direction of where my truck is parked, but she stops me. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To get my truck. I'll meet up with you guys before tonight. I need to get cleaned up and all before the festival."
"Negative," she says. "You're going with us. We can swing by your place so you can get changed. We need to get you a mask, anyway. Then we'll go to the amphitheater. The boys can bring you to pick up your truck tomorrow."
"Masks?" Why do I need a mask for a concert?
She grabs my hand, smiling, and pulls me down the sidewalk, the twins falling in behind us. "It's part of the show. The band, Oscuro, it's their thing. They wear masks, the crowd wears masks, it's awesome!"
It's fucking dangerous. "Are the masks a requirement?"
"They are if you're coming with me," she smiles. "I know exactly what to get for you! We'll get new ones, too, so we can match. We can stop by the shop near Bellton on the way to the concert. Tacos now, though."
So, we get tacos. Then we go by the twins' house so they and Desir'ee can change. The swimsuit almost killed me, but what she comes out wearing is going to get some other people killed.
"I hope the back doesn't ride up too much," she says, twisting around and smoothing the floaty, cream-colored material down her ass and the very tops of her thighs. I think they call it a romper or a bodysuit. Hell, I don't know. It's a pair of very short shorts attached to a top that must tie behind her neck. And flip flops, can't forget the flip flops.
"Please," I say, contemplating getting on my knees to beg, "please, don't you have something else here? Anything?"
Her face falls, her lips dropping into a full, beautiful pout. "You don't like it?"
"No," I assure her. "I love it. I really love it. And so will every other asshole we come across tonight. A dress? Some jeans? I really can't go to detainment, Desir'ee."
The pout is immediately replaced with a small smile, then a wicked one. "I think I still have a very pretty lace nightgown here, or what's left of it. Michael, do you still have it? I remember you said you were keeping it."
"No," I bite out. "No. What you're wearing is perfect. It looks really good. No need to change into anything else." Goddammit. I'm really going to end up in detainment. Kaleb will have to make some calls to bail me out, then he'll give me shit for the rest of my life about it.
Desir'ee has decided that a fox mask is perfect for me, and therefore us. Her reasoning is that I have pretty red hair and cute freckles and with my dark eyepatch I look like a fox. Now we're all foxes of varying colors and the amphitheater is too big for me to keep everyone safe. I'm supposed to keep watch while Desir'ee and the twins are down on the ground in front of the stage. Michael said they usually take turns dancing with her while the other one stays up top watching. Part of me thinks it would be better for all three of us to be surrounding her, but that part of me is keeping its mouth shut because watching them with her is spectacular. The way they all three move together is almost too perfect. It's definitely too sexual.
My dick has been rock hard off and on all day for one reason or another. I'm not into guys, not even a little bit, but watching the twins dance with her between them, the three of them grinding against each other to the music, is fucking hot. And mesmerizing. And for some insane, bizarre, no-excuse-for-it reason, satisfying. I am enjoying watching their pleasure in each other, their happiness, in a way that is not sexual at all. I'm so caught up in watching them that I don't notice someone standing next to me until they touch my shoulder and I turn toward them with a snarl.
