“Me either,” I tell her honestly.
“Next time, let’s do something to really drive Smith crazy.”
“There’s this place called Rita’s Rodeo,” I say, and I can’t help it when I laugh.
That’s when Smith is standing in the living room with just a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair is wet and pushed back. He looks so fucking good.
“We’re never going to that hellhole ever again,” he says seriously.
“Aw, come on, you had a little fun?”
He smirks. “Yeah, a little.” I wonder what memories he is having with the devious glint in his eye.
“Oh, shit, Emmett is here, and look, you’re in a towel.” Kelsey kisses her brother’s cheek and gives me the world’s quickest hug. “I had so much fun. Make sure my brother stays in line. Bye!” she nearly shouts it as she closes the door behind her.
“That little shit,” Smith mutters.
I plop down on the couch and Smith looks at me then at his bedroom door. “You gonna be ready to leave here in an hour?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I whisper as I watch water droplets travel down his chest. This is just fucking wrong.What is the male form of a temptress?
He nods his head and goes back to his room without a word. I text Liv all of last night’s details before I get dressed for the day.
I’ve been a nesting maniac the past few days. I took Liv’s advice and stole some of Smith’s shit to put into my bed, and it’s definitely helped. But the ache for him, for his touch and relief, is really starting to get to me.
Yesterday was so busy with appointments we didn’t have any time to talk, and today is my first visit at Heat Haven. He’s quiet in the backseat as I lean my head against his arm, getting little hints of his scent. I bet none of these Alphas are going to smell nearly as intoxicating as he does. There’s just no way. But I need to prepare myself.
I’m getting too close to my heat with no real progression with Smith. It’s time to pull my big girl panties up like I always do, and handle the situation in front of me.
Franklin and I meet eyes in the rearview mirror, and he looks upset. I hope everything is okay with his son.
“Franklin, is everything okay?”
He shakes his head and plasters a smile on his face. “Yes, of course, just daydreaming.”
“No daydreaming while driving,” Smith says sharply. Someone is in a mood.
I smack his arm gently, and he grunts and shifts his weight. Franklin idles the car outside of Heat Haven, and Smith opens the door and ushers me out. I’m wearing plain jeans, a black t-shirt, and a simple black bobbed wig. Trying to be inconspicuous as possible.
“Call me when you’re ready for pickup,” Franklin says through the window and Smith nods his head.
We’re greeted by the hostess, who tells us to leave our phones in the coded lockers by reception. That minor detail has me exhaling in relief. I will be safe here. The only thing that would make me feel even better is if Smith was going through this with me.
“You can head up to level three. Your moderator, Tim, is waiting for you,” she says.
“Thank you,” I say, and Smith pushes the button to the elevator.
“Place is clean,” Smith says.
“What were you imagining, a fucking brothel?”
“To be honest, a little bit,” he says, and he laughs.
The doors open and we enter the small space. I wish this elevator would break down and lock us in here and it would force him to talk to me—and maybe do other things.A girl can dream.
Once we reach level three, a kind-looking male Beta greets us. “Hello, Ms. Jenson. I’m Tim, I’ll be your moderator. And you are?” he says, looking at Smith.
“Smith, her bodyguard,” he replies.
