Lib Novel Page 24
“Is that code for kidnapping?” I demand.
He blinks, and for a moment, I think I see his lips twitch, but his expression is back to that cautious one.
“No. Just talking.”
“And what if I don’t want to have a conversation with you?” I ask coolly.
“You want to hear me out,” he stresses. “What I have to say will benefit both of us.”
I strongly doubt it, but curiosity still rears its head. However, I’ve survived on my own for too long for trusting to be an easy component of my personality.
“I’m sure you think so,” I counter. “But I disagree. Leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you.”
Alex studies me. “What is a shifter doing taking part in cage fights? You know it’s illegal.”
“And?” I stare at him. “What does that have to do with you?”
“I’m just curious about your motivation.”
“I would tell you, but I hardly think it’s any of your business.” I can’t figure out what he’s after, and I sure as hell am not about to go off somewhere to have a conversation with him, somewhere he can have his friends jump me.
Yet, I can’t control the way my insides melt at the sound of his voice. My wolf’s behavior is also unsettling; it is preening under Alex’s attention.
Rita’s words come back to mind, but I don’t want to believe them. There is no way that Alex can be my fated mate. I would know, wouldn’t I? There has to be some surefire way of finding out. Besides, how can he be my fated mate and not know who I am? I conveniently choose to ignore the fact that I’m not sure, either.
My head is a tangled mess of confusion, and the last thing I want to do is stand here and talk to him.
“Are you going to out me?” I ask him pointedly.
“No, but—”
“Then get out of my way.”
I try to walk past him. When he grabs my hand, I immediately stab my other hand toward his neck. He stops the attack with his left hand. With both of my wrists in his grasp, my heart thunders.
We are standing so close to each other that I can feel his breath hitting my mask.
Anxiety fills me. And that’s not the only emotion piercing me at this moment. I can’t focus on anything other than Alex’s lips. I’ve never had a desire to kiss or be kissed by anybody. But with him, I want to see what it’s like. Even though I’m wearing a mask.
Will my heart beat just as fast if he kisses me?
His hands on my wrists are strong, and his touch makes me feel weak in the knees.
Suddenly, I see Alex’s eyes widen, and his nose twitches as if he’s scenting something.
For a moment I don’t understand, and then I catch the musky aroma in the air. In an instant, I know what it is and where it’s coming from. Mortified, I take advantage of Alex’s shock and break free of his hold. He opens his mouth to say something but I don’t wait around to hear it.
I run.
I don’t even bother looking over my shoulder to see if he’s giving chase. My feet pound the forest floor, my body moving of its own accord. I don’t stop running, feeling embarrassed the whole time.
What the hell was that? Why was I aroused by him? He could smell my arousal! He wasn’t expecting that any more than I was! Oh Goddess, what have I done?!
I have to do something about this man. At one point as I run toward town, I check behind me, but nobody’s coming after me. Finally, as I reach the edge of the forest, I come to a halting stop, panting. Putting one hand against a tree, I catch my breath, trying to regain some semblance of control over my emotions. I feel humiliated even though I know I shouldn’t since I can’t control my body’s reaction. But I can’t help how I feel.
Biting my lower lip, I take off the mask and put it in my pocket before I make the rest of the journey home. I’ve already adjusted the insoles in my shoes. I’m just walking up the steps to my apartment when I see Drew coming downstairs with a bottle of wine in his hand.
I haven’t seen Drew since that night at the bar. He gives me an awkward smile. “Hey.”