“Wow, so you must have been a surprise being so much younger.”
“Oh yeah! My parents tried for years to make a beta heir and had practically given up until I popped out. My dad was about ready to hand the title over to one of his brother’s pups.”
“It must be nice having such a big family,” I said wistfully. I’d always envied Lucy and her huge family and how fun and chaotic it seemed being a part of it, especially in comparison to my stringent and quiet parents. My dad was also an only child, and I barely knew my cousins who lived in Alaska.
“Maybe one day you can meet them. My sisters are really nice, and my brothers-in-law are actually pretty funny. We usually laugh while they bounce jokes off each other. They definitely keep us entertained.”
We took more sips of our wine and Luke topped up our glasses some more. He spoke again. “Look, Jasmine, I know I made a huge mistake four years ago. I should never have started such a serious relationship. To be fair, at the time I didn’t think it would ever get this serious. For years we told ourselves that we would just break up with each other if we were mated to others.”
“That’s not true! At least not for Lucy. All I ever heard from her was how much she loves you and how you’re meant to be together and that you’re going to be chosen mates.”
He shook his head. I could sense a feeling of deep regret. “Lucy’s very resolute. When she puts her mind to something, she won’t stop until she gets it. Once I found out we weren’t mates, I tried to encourage her to consider us ending things, but she wouldn’t hear of it. I eventually gave in. I was in too deep to fight it anyway. It’s hard to justify ending something tangible for something theoretical.”
I sipped my wine in understanding. Lucy could be really pigheaded. Arguing logic with her was useless. She always found justification for what she wanted, oblivious to the harm she caused. I wondered how she would react once she knew her best friend was mated to her boyfriend. While Lucy had always been a very good friend to me, I knew deep inside that she would never give Luke up. That was where she drew the line, even to the detriment of our friendship. Luke poured the remainder of the second bottle and went to grab a third. After opening it, he, once again, gave us both generous pours. We both sipped some more. I felt the buzz from all the wine hit me and put my glass down.
As I sat back on the couch, Luke followed. He then put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. I snuggled up against him, feeling comfortable against his warm and muscular body now after so many glasses of wine. I inhaled his scent and enjoyed the feeling that came over me from being so close to him. My whole body was aroused, my thighs tingling, spreading a warmth throughout my entire lower half. A familiar feeling of fluttering in my stomach emerged, and I had an impulse come over me that Luke’s body should be against mine, filling me. A graphic thought emerged: an image of his hands grabbing my hips and pulling me against him, pushing himself inside me.
My legs tensed. I could sense that his thoughts were in sync with mine—his chest rose and fell slowly from his deep breathing. We sat there for an indeterminate amount of time, just listening to the other breathe, incapable of separating ourselves from each other. We were so close right now—it wouldn’t be much effort to give in to exactly what we both desperately wanted at that moment. But we continued to deny ourselves, acting out the fantasy in our minds rather than in reality, both too nervous to make the first move.
We finally finished the third bottle, and I noticed it was getting late. A text appeared on my phone from my mom asking when I’d be home. I replied, barely able to see straight enough to type.Soon. Just finishing up dessert. Banana cream pie.Holy fucking Artemis, I was even turning texts to my parents into sexual innuendos. I turned to Luke and said, “I should go home,” getting up and wobbling.
He got up to stop me, grabbing me by the hip. My cheeks reddened as I realized he had just reenacted what I had been imagining moments earlier, but much differently of course. Luke quickly removed his hand, and I noted his cheeks were red too. He blinked and said, “You’re too drunk to drive home. To be honest, I’m not in much better shape. Let’s wait for Blake to get home and he can drive you.”
“I have to go home. My mom slapped me earlier today.”
“She slapped you? Why did she do that?” He pulled me back down onto the couch and looked at me inquisitively.
“Because I was out really late last night.”
“You were? You went out after I dropped you at home yesterday?”
“Yes, I was upset, and I had to get out. It was the only time I didn’t tell my parents where I went, and they were pissed.”
“Wow, but you’re an adult now.”
“I know, but they think I’m still a kid.”
“I’ll mindlink Blake and see when he’ll be home.” His eyes turned up toward the ceiling. After a few moments he brought his eyes back to mine and asked, “Can you wait twenty minutes? I’ll make you something to eat for now to sober up.”
“Okay,” I agreed. He took my hand and pulled me toward the kitchen. He sat me down at the table and heated the skillet, putting slices of bacon into it. “You also like peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwiches, right?”
My eyes lit up at him remembering that fact from so long ago. He made us both sandwiches and sat down with me at the table, giving me a coy smile. I returned the smile, feeling like we shared a special connection through our mutual love of a weird sandwich.
As we were finishing up, Blake walked into the kitchen. “Hey.” He waved to both of us. I suddenly felt very awkward with both of my love interests in the same room as me. Luke nodded at Blake and cleared the table, placing our plates into the sink.
Luke helped me up to gather my purse and walked me outside to my car, holding me close with his hand on my lower back. I could sense this was intentional to stake his claim on me in front of Blake. He opened the passenger door to my car and helped me into my seat. Before I could close the door, he took my hands in his. He rubbed his thumbs against my palms and looked into my eyes, the soothing feeling radiating up my arms. It seemed like he was hesitating to let me go, finally saying, “I’d drive you home myself, but I’m in no position to right now. But it was really nice to spend some time with you, Jasmine. I’d like to see you again soon.” He kissed me on the cheek but didn’t move away.
“I’d like to see you again soon too,” I replied, wondering if this meant he really did want to get to know me and consider honoring our mate bond. I felt a hopeful swelling in my chest.
We stared at each other for a few moments, and he finally touched my shoulder and said, “Good night, Jasmine.” Then he closed my door gently. I watched as he walked back into the packhouse.
Blake climbed into the driver’s seat. I looked over at him, watching his eyes scan my body. “Damn, you smell like a bar. How much booze did Luke give you?” he questioned as he started the car.
“We shared three bottles of wine.”
“It’s like he was trying to get you as drunk as possible so he could get in your pants.”
“I don’t think so,” I groaned.