I take another sip, not liking it, but I also hate to be rude. She did order this for me, and I will drink it if only to show my appreciation, and then we will eat.
Though I’m still not certainwhothere is that will do…
“So what’s your story, Ivy?” she asks, as I steal another glance at Wesley in the corner. He’s staring right at me, clutching his drink. I tear my gaze away, feeling hot and too excitable.
“My story?”
“Yeah, who rejected you?” she asks, slurping her drink. “I mean, we’re all here because someone thought we were yesterday’s news, and you don’t exactly seem like yesterday’s news, so what idiot do you have to blame for being sent here?”
I debate if I should tell her the truth. About who I am, and about Wyatt. I’m not entirely certain I can trust her, as I barely know her. I glance back at Wesley, wondering if I could trust him. Something tells me I could, though I can’t explain why.
I figure honesty is the best policy. Best to address the elephant in the room, and perhaps if I tell her the truth, she will be able to help me find a suitable mate to claim so I may rise to take my place on my father’s throne.
“Wyatt Castor,” I say carefully.
Chloe practically spits her drink out.
“Shut up!” she squeals, drawing the attention of everyone in the bloody restaurant.
My eyes widen as she squawks in delight.
“Holy shit, that is insane!” she says, grabbing my arm. I turn to see Wesley watching me. Watching us. Intently.
I have to force myself to look away.
“How in the hell did you get Wyatt Castor to reject you?” she asks, and her words set me back.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“How the hell did you get him to reject you? His parents have been down his throat for years—well, before his dad died, I guess—to land a mate.”
I purse my lips.
“I didn’tdoanything. I was promised as an offering, and my father took us to the castle to offer me officially and?—”
My mind wanders back to Wyatt, to his angelic face and apathetic stare. To his bitter voice and his harsh gaze.
And as if my body alone doesn’t know what’s good for it, the heat returns and I shove it away. I don’t want to fall into my bloodheat so soon, and certainly nothere.With his brother watching me like a hawk.
I wish I could say his staring was unnerving, but the truth is, it is far from unnerving. Especially if the warmth and wetness blossoming between my thighs is any indication…
“Well, it’s his loss for sure. I don’t know how any man in his right mind would reject you. You’re like a twenty on a scale of one to ten.”
Her compliment makes my cheeks flush and heat ransacks me.
“Um, thank you?” I reach for my drink, feeling like the room’s turning into a bloody inferno.
Chloe giggles. “Just stating the obvious.”
She turns to look over her shoulder at Wesley, then back at me.
“Is he hot?” she asks.
“What?” I shake my head, trying to dispel the heat ransacking me. I can feel Wesley’s gaze on me from across the room, as well as Chloe’s imploring me.
“Wyatt. Is he as hot as they say he is or—” She grins wickedly at me. “Is the abandoned brother hotter?”
Abandoned?
