“Now don’t be like that, sweetheart.” Even in the dim light, Olivia recognized his shark-like smile. “Why you bein’ rude to me?”
“You again?” Olivia rolled her eyes. Leaning forward, she sniffed him. Definitely not a Lycan. She could tell, not because of how he smelled, but his distinct lack of any scent. “If I wasn’t clear enough, then let me state it so even a moron like you can understand it: I’m not interested.”
“But—”
“Go away.”
His lips twisted. “You think you can humiliate me in front of my friends like that, you little bitch?”
To her surprise, he lunged forward, arms outstretched. Her Lycan instincts kicked in, and she managed to sidestep him. When he caught only air, he let out a furious shout and spun to face her. “Stupid bitch!”
However, before he could even make another move, a shadow from the corner of her eye rushed forward. Everything happened so fast that even her Lycan senses missed it. When she glanced down, Shark-teeth was on the ground in a crumpled heap, unmoving.
“What the—” She sucked in a breath as a prickle went down the back of her neck. Slowly, she raised her gaze high at the tall, dark hulking figure in front of her. Inhuman glowing eyes locked with her own, then slowly faded into dark orbs the color of earthy moss.
“Are you okay?”
The low, rough voice sent a pleasant sensation down her arms. “Y-yes. Is he?—”
“Still breathing?” He snorted. “Unfortunately.”
Her mother always taught Olivia that staring was rude, but she couldn’t turn away. The stranger wasn’t handsome exactly, but there was just something about him that mesmerized her. Perhaps it was the strong features, his sharp cheekbones, or stern jaw, or a combination of them all. Individually they weren’t attractive, but on him, they all fit like the pieces of a puzzle. Even with his expression drawn into a scowl, she could honestly say she’d never found a man more attractive. Even her she-wolf raised its head in awareness.
“I … I’m …”
You idiot, say something!
The stranger nodded at her without another word, then turned around and strode off.
Go after him,both her inner voice and wolf seemed to say.
So she did, her heart hammering as she bolted after him, picking up her pace. Her gaze trained on the back of his head as she wove through the crowd. Time seemingly slowed and her heartbeat pounded even faster as she drew nearer. He was right by the exit when she reached him, her hand stretching out to touch him on the shoulder.
He whipped around, a snarl on his lips. “Don’t touch?—”
Olivia held her hands up. “I’m so sorry!”
The fierceness on his face softened a touch. “What is it?”
“I … I …”
Get it together, Olivia Barbara Jones!
She couldn’t remember ever being tongue-tied around a man. “I just … I wanted to thank you. For what you did back there with that creep.”
He shrugged. “He deserved it.”
“Can I get you a drink? As thanks?”
There was a brief moment of hesitation in his eyes, yet he nodded.
“Let’s head back to the bar then.”
The lines had thinned and thankfully they didn’t need to wait too long. Just before they reached the front, she asked him, “What are you having?”
“Whatever you’re having.”
“Right.” She waved at the bartender. “Two whiskey sodas on the rocks.” The bartender quickly made the drink and slid them over to her, nodding in thanks as she paid with cash. Picking up the glasses, she held it out. “Here you go … uh …?”
