Chapter 2 #3
For a long moment, we just stare at each other. Then something shifts in his expression, acceptance, maybe. Or just exhaustion.
He nods once, slowly. Then turns and walks away through the crowd, heading toward the parking area.
Relief floods through me so strongly my knees almost buckle. He'll find someone who wants the same future he does.
It's just not me.
Then reality crashes over me like ice water.
I just kissed Seth Monroe. Deputy Seth Monroe. Thoroughly. Desperately. In front of the entire town. At the Thanksgiving Festival.
The Thanksgiving festival where everyone I've ever known is currently staring at us.
I turn slowly, already hearing it.
"Did you see that?"
"Ben Wilson's sister just attacked that poor deputy!"
"Well! That was quite a homecoming!"
"I didn't know they were dating!"
"They weren't! That just happened!"
Maeve Bennett is watching with knowing eyes and what looks suspiciously like approval. Mrs. Peterson has both hands pressed to her chest like she just witnessed the most romantic thing in her life. Margie Winslow looks absolutely delighted. The Parker kids have stopped running to stare.
And Seth—sweet, professional Deputy Seth Monroe—is looking at me like I just rewired his entire brain.
"I should..." I gesture vaguely. "Go. Somewhere. Anywhere. Maybe join Ben in that duck pond after all."
"Wait—" Seth starts, voice cracking slightly. "I— Bea, what just…"
But I'm already backing away.
"I'm sorry! I just… thank you. I have to go!"
His bewildered expression makes it clear he has absolutely no idea what just happened or why.
I don't wait for his response. I spin and practically sprint into the crowd, my face hot enough to cook on. Behind me, the excited buzz of conversation spreads like wildfire.
I am absolutely NOT into Deputy Seth Monroe.
It was survival. Self-preservation. A panic response.
The fact that his mouth was perfect and his hands felt amazing and his scent made my omega biology light up like Times Square on New Year's Eve is completely irrelevant.
The fact that I can still taste him? Also irrelevant.
The way my body is still humming with arousal, slick and warm and wanting? Definitely, absolutely, one hundred percent irrelevant.
I spot Ben near the kettle corn booth and make a beeline for him, desperate for cover. He takes one look at my face and his eyebrows shoot toward his hairline.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing. This is my normal face."
"Your 'normal face' is currently the color of a tomato, and you smell like..." He sniffs. His eyes go wide. "Bea. Why do you smell like the town's deputy?"
"I have to leave. Immediately. Possibly forever. Tell Mom and Dad I've moved to Alaska."
"What happened?"
"Terrance showed up. I panicked. I kissed the nearest alpha. It was Seth Monroe. The entire town saw everything. Maeve Bennett witnessed it. I need to leave the country."
"You—" Ben's mouth opens. Closes. Opens again. "You kissed Seth Monroe."
"Yep."
"Deputy Seth Monroe."
"That's the one."
"Who helped Mrs. Henderson find her cat last month."
"Is there another Seth Monroe?"
"Volunteers at the elementary school giving safety talks to kindergarteners."
"Yes, Ben. That exact Seth Monroe."
He stares at me for a long moment, then takes a sip of his beer. "Seth Monroe. Really."
"Don't start."
"Tripped over his own feet walking to get his diploma at graduation."
"He was eighteen and going through a growth spurt!"
"Brought a scientific calculator to prom."
"Ben—"
"Wore a bow tie to every school dance." He's grinning now, clearly enjoying himself. "Helped Mrs. Peterson organize the library card catalog for fun."
"Are you done?"
"Just trying to picture it." He takes another sip, eyes dancing with amusement. "Lanky, awkward Seth Monroe. Getting thoroughly kissed by my baby sister. In front of the entire town."
"He's not lanky anymore. He's built. And tall. And—" I realize what I'm saying and stop, heat flooding my face.
Ben chokes. Beer goes down the wrong pipe and he's coughing, eyes watering, while I pat his back with absolutely no sympathy.
"You good?" I ask sweetly.
"You—" He wheezes. "Seth Monroe. Of all people."
"He's a deputy now! He's grown up!"
"Clearly." Ben's trying to look stern but his dimples are showing. "Do you want me to go punch him for... for whatever just happened?"
"No! God, no. He didn't do anything wrong. I kissed him."
"Okay, but did he kiss back, or was this assault? Because if he just stood there—"
"He kissed back." Heat floods my cheeks again just remembering it. "Definitely kissed back."
"Good." Ben nods firmly. "Because if he didn't, I'd have to arrest him for failure to appreciate my sister."
"You can't arrest someone for that."
"I'd find a way." He's trying to look stern but his dimples are showing. "But since he apparently has taste and basic survival instincts... you gonna talk to him?"
"Absolutely not."
"Bea—"
"Not discussing this! Never discussing this! This conversation is not happening!"
I walk away, leaving my brother staring after me with obvious concern and what I strongly suspect is barely suppressed amusement.
I need somewhere to hide. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere I can process the fact that I just kissed a stranger in front of everyone I've ever known, and it was the hottest kiss of my entire life.
Absolutely NOT into him.
Nope.
Not even a little bit.
The taste of coffee and cedar on my lips is a filthy liar.