He’s grinning, that charming golden-boy grin that probably devastates women across multiple states. “You had the look. Eyes traveling south, lingering in certain… regions.”
“I was staring at the road.”
“The road is that way.” He points through the windshield. “Your eyes were definitely going a different direction.”
“Maybe I was looking at the gearshift.”
“Is that what you’re calling it?”
My face is on fire. I’m going to spontaneously combust in the passenger seat of this ridiculously expensive truck, and they’ll never be able to explain to my mother how I died.
He winks and somehow makes it charming instead of sleazy. “But don’t worry. I’m used to women checking me out. It’s a burden I bear with grace and humility.”
“I wasn’t checking you out.”
“Sure you weren’t.”
“I wasspacing out.”
“Directly at my crotch. Very convenient spacing.”
“Oh my God.” I cover my face with my hands. “Can we please change the subject?”
“Absolutely.” He’s clearly enjoying this way too much. “What would you like to talk about instead? The weather? Local politics? The fact that you’re blushing so hard I could probably toast marshmallows on your cheeks?”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t. I’m delightful.” He grins wider. “Ask anyone.”
Despite myself, my lips twitch. There’s something infectious about his humor with the way he teases without being mean, and he seems to genuinely enjoy making people laugh. It’s a sharp contrast to the tension of the morning, and I find myself grateful for the distraction.
“Does this routine work on everyone?” I ask, dropping my hands from my face.
“Define ‘work.’?”
“Do women actually find this charming?”
“You tell me.” His green eyes glow with mischief. “Is it working on you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Your smile says otherwise.” He laughs, and the sound is like a spell he’s placing on me. Damn him.
We drive in silence for a moment, the tension between us settling into something almost comfortable. I keep my face toward the window, watching Honeyspur Meadow slide past, thefamiliar buildings and quiet streets that I’ve known my whole life.
“So,” Carter says, breaking the quiet. “Seth mentioned something interesting this morning.”
“Oh?”
“He said you were his scent match.”
Everything in me goes still. “He was out of his mind last night,” I say carefully. “He didn’t know what he was saying.”
“Maybe.” Carter glances over, and there’s something more serious in his expression now. “But here’s the thing. Kai said something similar after he met you this morning. Said there was something about you he couldn’t figure out. Something drawing him in even though he couldn’t get a clear read on your scent.”
I force a laugh. “I’m a Beta. That’s not how it works.”
“That’s what you keep saying.” He’s quiet for a moment. “But I’m feeling it too, June. There’s something about you that’s… different. Like I’m looking at a picture that’s slightly out of focus. Can’t quite make out the details, but I know there’s something there.”
