Page 16 of Bewitching the Wolf

His big barrel chest heaves as he gawks down at my cleavage. “Another drink?” he asks, his voice suddenly hoarse.

“Sure, I’d love one,” I say, and toss my head, hoping that Jax sees me leaning into Larry Knockballs and placing my hand on his arm.

And I hope it drives him crazy.

CHAPTER 5

JAX

I watch Tippy sashay back to the bar, her tail flicking angrily from the narrow slit at the back of her skirt.

Gods, this is such sweet torture. Every curve of her body is so familiar. I’ve gazed at her so many times these past three years, imagined my hands cupping her small pert breasts, her shapely hips, that tight little ass.

As she hops onto a stool, leans forward and touches Larry’s arm, jealousy spills through my insides like acid.

Gritting my teeth, I head back to the table where Otis and Clem are sitting. My sister has managed to drag her beloved orc out for a much-needed break. Otis works too hard. Between being sheriff of the Labyrinth and coordinating our plans to infiltrate Sparkle City, he’s long overdue for a night off.

They don’t need me spoiling their fun. Especially since they asked me to join them.

I refused to go to Digger’s after my last interaction with Tippy, so they agreed to go to Bait and Tackle instead. I certainly didn’t expect to see Tippy here, particularly not with that asshole Larry.

I try to relieve the bitter taste in my mouth with a suck on my vape as I slump down at the table with Clem and Otis.

“What’s up? You look pissed to the max,” Clem says.

“Do I?”

Otis grins and points a thick digit. “There’s the reason. Over at the bar.”

Clem turns, and her green eyes, just like mine, widen.

“Ahhhhhh, I see.” She casts me a sly look from under her lashes.

Both Clem and Otis guessed my feelings for Tippy a while back. And to rub salt in the wound, Clem has become good friends with Tippy since she arrived in the Labyrinth. My sister won’t tell me what they talk about, but if I’ve been on the agenda lately, you can guarantee Tippy won’t have been saying nice things.

“Seems like she’s cozying up to Larry Knockballs.” Otis glances at me to gauge my reaction. I shrug, drag on my vape, desperately trying to make sense of my behavior in the darkened passage. It had felt like my wolf was giving me a macho confidence I’ve never had before.

I’d towered over Tippy in an act of dominance, then taken her hand in mine and stroked it as if… as if she was mine. Truth is, it’s what I’ve wanted to do for years, but never dared. And her response was like butter melting on hot toast.

Until she realized what she was doing.

Could it be that my wolf has skills to woo Tippy that I lack?

You bastard, you’re playing games, I telepath.

My wolf just growls.

“You want her too, you’ve just not been letting on,” I mutter.

My wolf remains ominously silent.

I dare to glance over once more, and my heart nose-dives into my boots.

Because that idiot Larry is leading my girl onto the dance floor, holding her tightly by the hand.

The hand I was holding only minutes ago.

The hand I should still be holding.