The two of us sat in a booth in the corner of the Rampant Donkey. No crowds at this hour, just the bartender cleaning the same spot on the counter over and over, two freshmen playing backgammon, a lonely lady making a house of cards and mumbling to herself, and a small group chatting around a pool table.
It took six pints to get me to talk about what was clogged up inside.
“She’ll come around, and then you two can make up for lost time,” Killian kept reassuring me.
I ran a hand through my hair, then stopped. Bunny Doc liked my hair. Called it fluffy. I released my locks and dropped my hand immediately.
“Damn, you look worn out. I’ve never been in a hurry to find my mate, but after this? With you and C? My mate can stay wherever she is. Have you tried calling her?”
“A lot. The line’s dead,” I groaned, taking another long sip, my Adam’s apple working hard. What I couldn’t get out of my head was the way Yvaine had looked surprised by her own disappointment. Like she didn’t expect I was capable of doing what I’d done.
Oh, if only she knew. If only I could explain myself…
“How about writing her a letter? Some chicks like that old-fashioned shit.”
I gave him a flat look. “A letter? That’s your advice?”
“Didn’t know you were asking for advice!” Killian crossed his arms over his chest, an elbow bumping into his dark beer. “Well, Captain, my advice is that you head over there and mark her on the spot.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” I exhaled through my nose, standing to get another round.
“At least her wolf’ll be happy. One out of two’s not bad!”
At the counter, just when I was about to swipe my black Mastercard, a firm hand grabbed my forearm, right above my tattooed cracks. My left eye twitched as my fingers curled inward. Damn. I stretched them out.
“Hello, Thor,” someone breathed on my neck. It was hot and moist, and I fucking hated it.
I glanced to my left. A she-wolf from the female wereball team batted her lashes at me.
“Hey, Thea,” I said flatly, striding away, sensing her presence following me. “I’m busy. See ya around.”
She beamed at me, licking her blue lips as dark brown eyes trailed down my body. Without getting the hint, she began congratulating me on the damn match. Frustrated that I couldn’t get rid of her, I halted, placing the stein of beer on the empty table next to me, some drops spilling out. Then I turned, facing her completely.
“Need something else?”
Goddess, her scent was wrong. Yvaine’s, on the other hand, was so…
Shut the fuck up!
I shook my head, irritated again thatanythingreminded me of her. Even wrong smells.
Like Gran once said, there was no escape from someone’s heart.
“Come over to mine for a drink,” she proposed, jutting a hip out. “My roommates are out. Have the apartment all to myself.” She tucked a lock of dyed black hair behind her pierced ear.
“Well, congrats. And no,” I said bluntly, stepping past her. Killian seemed to be enjoying the show, his hands behind his head and feet up the table. Asshole. “Bye.”
“Come on, Thor. We could…” She chewed her lower lip and averted her eyes. “You know, maybe I could?—”
When her hand touched my forearm—again, without consent—the hidden pest within me roused and snarled. Thea yelped, jumping away.
“We couldwhat?” I hissed. “Fuck?” I let out a broken chuckle, watching her shift on her feet. “And you couldwhat? Give me and my friend your ass?”
By then, she was shaking like a leaf under an angry wind.
“Ohhh, wolf got your tongue?” I shook my head, exasperated and tired. “No, Thea, I don’t want to fuck you today. Or ever. If I wanted to, I would have already.”
When I dropped back down into my seat, knees bumping against the table, I ignored Killian’s whistle and poured myself another drink. The lady cursed when her house of cards fell. One card flew away, abandoned under an empty table. I felt exactly like that card.
