Chapter 8 #5
“You want to know me? Intimately? Is that some kind of line?” She was angry and more than a little afraid.
But she couldn’t be sure of the fear’s source—the fact that he perceived so much about her, or the insistence of her own body’s craving for him.
She fought to calm her breath and wished she could pull her eyes from his.
Damn those storm-dark irises, so unfairly compelling.
How addictive it was to be the focus of that intense gaze, as if he wanted to look at nothing but her ever again.
“I don’t make a habit of inviting humans into my life, and I didn’t expect to tonight. At least not on my own behalf.” He stepped toward her. “But you are too intriguing to ignore.”
“I’m not.” She moved back and avoided his attempt to recapture her in his arms.
“This is about Allie and Josh.” She kept her voice low. “It has nothing to do with me.”
“Is that so?” His gaze followed her, a wolf tracking its prey.
“I think it’s time for us to leave.” Her hands were shaking. She couldn’t sort through her clashing emotions. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Selene—”
Shaking her head, Selene wouldn’t risk looking at him. She didn’t trust her resolve.
“We’ve had a lot of wine,” he said carefully. When he touched her arm, she closed her eyes.
I want him so much. Why do I have to want this man?
“You could stay—” Fen whispered. He was close again. She felt his warmth, inhaled his addictive scent. It would be so easy to give in. To forget the rest of the world.
She cut him off before it was too late and made herself face him, forcing her gaze to battle with his as she buried her desire deep, deep, deep. “Were you planning on getting me drunk and into bed in a single night? Is that how you werewolves operate?”
Her tone was harsh, and he stepped back so quickly it stung, but outrage was the only armor she had, and she was desperate to shield herself from this unexpected siege.
“Never,” he said, a quiet rumble. “But I won’t allow you to drive. Your safety matters to me.”
I will not cave because he said something nice. I will not feel like a jerk for drawing a line. “Then I have no doubt you have someone who could take us home.”
She saw a flicker of amusement play across his face.
“Josh can bring my car over tomorrow,” she continued, clinging to the scraps of resolve she’d mustered. “I’m sure he and Allie have plans to see each other.”
He watched her for a moment. She couldn’t believe how much she wanted to touch him again. The ache of it was painful. She started to tremble and was about to concede, to agree to stay, to beg him to hold her again, when he smiled. Flat and polite. A distant smile meant for strangers. She hated it.
“I’ll have a car waiting for you at the front door in a few minutes.” Without another word, he left the room.
Selene didn’t know if she felt worse about the cold sensation that gripped her skin at his sudden absence or the thought that her campaigns might never see another check from Fenris Hall.
Both made her want to run after him and apologize.
That made her angry all over again. She’d done nothing wrong.
The music stopped.
“Why did Fen leave?” Josh looked at Selene. Something in his expression made her think Josh knew more about Fen’s amorous behavior than he wanted her to suspect.
“It’s late,” Selene said crisply. “This has been a lovely evening, but it’s time for us to go home.”
“But, Aunt Sel,” Allie protested. “Josh invited us to stay over. There are soooooo many rooms. It wouldn’t be a problem.”
“No buts, Allie,” Selene said. “We came for dinner, not a slumber party. Fen has someone who will drive us home. I drank a little more than I should have.”
A lot more.
She looked at Josh. “Would you mind driving my car over tomorrow?”
He offered a wary smile and took the key fob she held out to him. “Sure.”
Allie’s sulking vanished. “Can he come for breakfast?”
“If you’re making it,” Selene said, suddenly bone tired. Her chest hurt, like she was about to cry. “I’m sleeping in.”
Josh watched Selene, his expression guarded. “Thank you again for coming to dinner, Ms. Jones. I’ll see you in the morning, Allie.”
He rose, and they followed him out of the conservatory and back through the spacious foyer. Anu was waiting at the front door with their coats.
“Fenris offers his apologies that he won’t be able to bid you good night himself. He had urgent business to attend to.”
Selene’s stomach sank into her shoes, but she nodded politely.
I definitely pissed him off.
A glossy black SUV was parked in front of the mansion, engine idling. The driver opened the back door, and Allie climbed in. Selene glanced around the grounds one last time. She wanted to kick herself for wishing that Fen would turn up at the last second to see them off.
Get over it, Selene. You know nothing about this guy. Just because he’s the first man to get you hot in forever, it doesn’t mean anything.
She repeated the thought for the duration of the drive home and hoped she’d eventually believe it.
Fenris Hall wasn’t accustomed to being unsettled, but he was deeply so tonight.
He dropped to his haunches, having shifted to his wolf form the moment he stole from the manor and watched the car pull away.
He’d been too restless after spending time with Selene Jones to remain in his human skin.
The door to the mansion swung open, and a slightly smaller wolf slinked from inside and trotted beneath the cover of trees.
Did she agree to the courtship? Josh paused beside his pack leader.
Yes. Fen’s eyes remained locked on the road down which the car had disappeared. He pawed at the soft earth, frustration rising. He’d revealed too much, but his reaction to the woman had been so primal. He hadn’t been prepared for that. It was not a mistake he would make again.
Josh paced restlessly in front of Fenris. She left very suddenly.
That is my fault. Fen turned his eyes on the younger wolf. I . . . am drawn to her. And I frightened her.
Josh paused, and his ears flicked back and forth. Will that change things for me?
No. Fen sniffed.
Ms. Jones wants you. Josh’s tongue lolled out. I could smell her heat from across the room.
When Fenris snarled, Josh dropped to his belly.
I meant no offense, he whined. Only that your mate is well chosen.
I do not know if she is a true mate, Fen growled. I should not have to remind you that such things cannot be rushed. That is as true for me as it is for you. The rules of the pack will not be broken. Not even for its leader.
Josh inched toward Fen. Apologies, pack leader. I am grateful that you will allow my courtship of the human Allie. Very grateful. And I wish you happiness if you pursue Ms. Jones.
Fen bared his teeth in acknowledgment.
With a low whine, Josh dared to ask, And the other? You have spoken to him?
A message has been sent, Fen replied with a growl. We will see if he is wise enough to heed that warning.
Fen’s bristling ceased. Enough of this talk.
He stood, shook his ruff, and looked at Josh. Are you hungry?
Josh hopped up. Starving. I was almost ready to eat that burned bird on the table.
Then we hunt.