He and Livvy had been inseparable since they were kids. They’d shared all their firsts together—first shift, first day at elementary and high school, first love and first breakup.
But he wanted more. He wanted her.
There was only one small problem with that; there was no way Livvy was going to up and leave her parents, her twin sister, and her life to come with him to Florida.
No. Fucking. Way.
Still, he could dream, couldn’t he?
Prowling through the living room, he drained the rest of his cup and stopped when a female stepped directly in front of him. Jessica was a Chaser, a female who routinely cycled through the trainees going through the pack’s enforcer training program. She, along wi
th another female, had managed to sleep their way through their ranks, like they were a fucking list they had to check off. In fact, she’d bedded his own sparring partner just last week.
“Tonight’s your last chance, King,” she purred, cupping his dick aggressively. “You’re the only one I haven’t had.”
“And it’s going to stay that way, Jess,” he replied, gritting his teeth. “I’m not interested in someone as well used as you are.”
Her normally playful expression clouded. “It’s because of her, isn’t it? You got a thing for your best friend, King.”
Removing her hand from his crotch, he said in a low voice, “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Jess. Maybe you should stick to sucking dick.”
Pouring himself another drink, he strolled back into the living room just in time to see Olivia walk in. She was dressed in a knee-length floral print dress, a small secret smile forming on her perfect lips when she saw him. Starting towards him, he tried not to notice how her hips swayed. He tried not to notice the way her blonde hair curled over her shoulder and down her back. He sure as hell tried to ignore the perfect swell of her breasts or the way her legs looked fucking fantastic in spiked heels.
“King,” she said before launching herself at him. He caught her easily, her long legs locking around his waist, her arms winding around his neck. Burrowing his nose into her hair, he inhaled deeply. She smelled like home to him—like pack, and his wolf chuffed in contentment.
“You made it,” he murmured into her ear.
Olivia fought the shiver that threatened to rack her body. Being close to King hadn’t always elicited this reaction, but something had changed over the summer. She loved him. He was her best friend, but now she felt like that love ran a little deeper. She’d started to notice things about him that she’d always taken for granted like the single freckle on the corner of his mouth and the way he looked at her when he thought she wasn’t looking—like she was precious.
He placed her gently back down onto the ground and she got a good look at him. He was wearing the Star Wars t-shirt she’d bought him for his last birthday and a pair of dark jeans that fit his muscular thighs like they were made just for him. He’d smelled like his signature cologne, a fragrance she’d also gotten him for his birthday. His dark hair was stylishly messy, that kind of purposeful disregard that made her want to run her fingers through it.
God, she’d miss him when he was gone. She didn’t know whether she’d survive without him either. They’d been friends for years, and she didn’t realize how much she relied on him until the prospect of him leaving had become real. Asking him to stay would’ve been unforgivable. And selfish. He couldn’t pass up this opportunity. He was an exceptional male with instincts that would serve any alpha well…
She’d just hoped Rhett would’ve kept him, then he would always be close to her.
He had his own life, and despite sharing a lot of it with her, she knew it couldn’t last
forever. They were both getting to that age where their parents expected them to settle down and start families. Her mother had even started hinting at eligible males in the pack. Her father had put the shotgun that usually stayed in the gun safe up onto the wall above the mantle.
Yup, her dad was really subtle like that.
“I was wondering when you’d get here.” He looked over her shoulder. “Where’s Jasmine?”
“She’s parking the car,” she replied.
“Let’s get you a drink.” Taking her hand, he led her into his small kitchen. The space was overflowing with liquor bottles, cups, and nibbles. He even had a keg perched on the end of the long counter, water pooling at its base and condensation rolled down its steel sides.
“Did you get enough beer?” she asked dryly.
Grinning, he shrugged and her heart made a break for it. Damn it, his smile had
never done that to her before. She watched as he pulled open the fridge and retrieved a bottle of sauvignon blanc. “I got you your favorite.”
“You’re always looking after me.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and nuzzled her neck affectionately. “That’s
because you’re my Livvy.” His lips were warm against her skin as he kissed her. “I’ll always be here to look after you.” When he pulled back, the carefree smile he’d been sporting slid from his face.