“Deke is a highly dominant shifter, not to mention a very experienced enforcer. I doubt he’s used to his authority being questioned. Especially by a slip of a girl who’s new to being an enforcer and has no bodyguard experience to boot.”
Bailey shrugged. “Maybe all that does bother him. But I still say he looks down on me. I doubt he’d ever believe I used to work for you-know-what,” she added quietly.
Aspen was just about to voice her opinion on the latter comment, but then she caught sight of the guys heading their way. “We’ll talk more later,” she told Bailey.
Reaching Aspen’s side, Camden slid his arm around her shoulders. “Hey, babe.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Need another drink?”
Stomping on the fluttery feeling in her stomach, Aspen said, “We already placed our orders.”
He dipped his head to her neck. “You’re wearing perfume.”
Yes, she was. It was a brand that was specially designed for shifters—not too strong or cloying for their enhanced senses.
“Smells good,” he added. “I prefer your natural scent, though.”
Bailey propped a hand on her hip. “Aren’t you going to ask me?”
Camden frowned at the mamba. “Ask you what?”
“If I need another drink.”
He pursed his lips. “I didn’t plan to, no.”
Bailey huffed. “Tigers are so rude.”
“I thought you’d placed your order already.”
“I have. But it’s still nice to be asked.”
Behind the mamba, Deke rolled his eyes.
Without turning to look at him, Bailey said, “Enough with the eye rolls, Boy Toy.”
Deke’s lips parted.
Tate snickered at the enforcer. “Told you she has eyes in the back of her head.”
Just then, the bartender slid a tray of drinks toward Aspen. Camden carried it over to her table, ignoring her assurances that she could do it herself. He then gave her nape a quick squeeze before returning to the bar. It was at that very moment that Grant walked into the Tavern with a few of their pride mates.
“Hell,” Aspen muttered under her breath.
Havana rested her hand on Aspen’s. “Don’t worry, he won’t even get near our table. The guys would step in and wave him off. I doubt he’ll try to come over here anyway. I made it clear to him that he needed to give you space. He probably won’t do it for long, unfortunately.”
Aspen sighed. Some of the things Aimee said kept playing on her mind, like that people thought Aspen cold for not giving Grant a chance. If their pride mates turned on her, it could lead to all sorts of problems—arguments, challenges, people taking sides. She didn’t need that crap.
“I bumped into Aimee earlier,” said Aspen. “Well, it was more like she blocked my path so she could express how she feels that Grant deserves better than me. I tried telling her I’m not his mate, but I guess it’s only natural that she’d believe her cousin over me.”
“I don’t think it’s because he’s her cousin,” said Elle. “I think it’s because he seems that certain. Plus, we would all love if it turned out that, unlike what we originally thought, Grant hadn’t actually missed his chance at having his true mate.”
Aspen blinked. “I didn’t realize anyone thought he’d missed his chance. I hope his true mate really is out there somewhere. I can tell you it isn’t me.”
Elle gave her a piercing look. “You’re sure? Like really sure?”
Honestly, Aspen was sick of stating that she absolutely was sure. But both Elle and Bree were prominent members of the pride—Elle because she was the Alpha male’s sister and Bree because she was the primary omega. People listened to them. If Aspen could get them on side, maybe it would help her cause.
“For me, there isn’t a single sign to suggest that he is.” Aspen knocked back some of her beer. “Although he’s a good-looking guy, I’m not attracted to him. I don’t feel drawn to him. There’s none of the elemental chemistry that mates have. Wouldn’t I at least feel intrigued by him?”
Bree worried her lower lip. “Not necessarily, although it is typical. If you’re put off by the thought of mating, you might feel put-off by the presence of your mate to the point where he’d hold no attraction for you.”
Elle tilted her head. “Does your bearcat have any interest in him? Because if she’s pushing you to spend time with him, that would say a lot.”
“She has zero interest in the guy,” Aspen swore. “I feel bad for him. And it’s no fun rejecting him over and over. I know some believe I should give him a chance to prove me wrong, but that wouldn’t be fair to him when I don’t believe I am wrong. Spending time with him would only give him false hope. It wouldn’t help the situation.”
Bree nodded. “That’s true.”
Bailey lifted her cocktail. “He’d better back off fast or Camden’s liable to tumble all over his shit.”