Chapter Thirteen
Joanna
Like a candle snuffed of its flame, the desire I saw burning in Marcus’s amber eyes vanished in a mere second, sucking all the warmth from the room.
Goosebumps pickled my skin beneath my sleeves, and I knew I’d made the smart decision having some… modesty? Could I even call it that? Yes, the top was see-through, but the shit my sister wanted me to wear would’ve had me practically naked. And there would’ve been nothing between my flesh and the eyes of at least fifteen damn werewolves.
I fiddled with the brass cuff on my wrist, the irony not lost on me that the gem embedded in the jewelry—the thing dampening my power—would be responsible for my staying alive.
I inhaled slowly.I overcome negative thoughts and carry on.
Latoya pulled herself free from the arms of the large-ass werewolf who had the tip of a thick keloid peeking from his shirt’s collar. “I thought you were right behind me,” she said as she approached me.
“I had to lace up my boots. You know, the onesyoubegged to switch for my sneakers?”
“Sorry, sorry,” she whispered. “I’m too excited to show you off.” To my surprise, her eyes softened. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long, Joey.” Before I had time to process a response, Latoya dragged me deeper into the mansion. “Silas,” she began, “this is my sister, Joey.” She pushed me forward.
Silas’s green eyes scanned my body from head to toe before doubling back up, his gaze lingering on my bra. “So, you’re the little sister she kept whining about for five years.”
Heat ran across my face. “You mean the five years I thought she was dead?” I asked, crossing my arms to block his view of my chest. “You must be the bastard who kept her from me.”
Marcus stiffened.
Latoya jabbed me in the back. “Be nice,” she warned.
Silas chuckled as he took a step toward me. “Sexy and brazen.” He looked up at Latoya. “I like her already.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce me… Toya?”
Latoya and I both whipped our heads in Marcus’s direction. Latoya’s eyes were wide, and her smile took up her entire face. “Not if it means I’ll be competing for your attention.”
Marcus ignored her, striding up to me and all but pushing Silas out of his way.
Damn, the man was sexy. His cream cable-knit sweater stretched nicely across his chest and paired well with his black jeans. He took my hand in his and shook it gently without breaking our eye contact.
“I’m Marcus. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said huskily.
We were lucky it wasn’t our attraction to one another that we had to hide, because from the moment he touched me, I grew wet between my legs, and I knew the werewolves smelled it.
I knew Marcus smelled it. He’d taken his time letting my hand drop from his.
I trust my body.
“Marcus is a newer friend, sis,” Latoya interrupted. “But the stick up his ass acts up from time to time. Let’s find the alcohol.”
I felt Marcus’s gaze still on me as Latoya pulled me to the kitchen.
Silas chortled and slapped Marcus on his back. “Taking my advice already?”
Latoya strode forward, clearly comfortable in the space we occupied, and I reminded myself that this house belonged to her alpha.
My breath hitched at the realization; I didn’t even know if she lived here with him.
She opened the doors of the massive fridge, the humming giant swallowing her head as she studied inside. “Here,” she said, shoving a bottle in my hand.
I looked down at the bottle and frowned. “Latoya, I don’t drink beer.”
“Oh.” She chuckled. “I thought you’d grow out of that shit by now.”
