Hidden Mate

23

“I just thought your dad was pressuring you or something. But as long as he isn’t, I’m okay to take the risk.” He licked his bottom lip. “If you are.”

“I can’t date you.” It was time to put the limitation out there. “It would be like a death sentence for you.”

“Well, then it’s a damn good thing I don’t find you attractive.” He smiled sexily. “Then I might be screwed.”

The scent of a lie spread through the air, which made me way too happy. “I’m serious.” Yet, I couldn’t move away from him.

“Me too.” He lowered his head, and his minty breath hit my face. “We have to work together on this stupid paper.”

The alluring scent of arousal made me dizzy. “It’s a damn shame.”

“It would be better if we were at least friendly,” he whispered. His breathing became rapid as the tension between us thickened.

I wanted to kiss him so badly. The only thing holding me back was his safety. If it weren’t for that, I would’ve closed the distance between us and worked out my s****l frustration. Maybe if we got it out of our system, we could move on.

The door behind us opened, and Axel’s rainy, peppery scent hit me. I stepped back before he spotted us.

The corner of Donovan’s eyes crinkled with confusion. “Is everything—”

“Hey, man,” Axel said, and Donovan looked in his direction. “Your food’s getting cold.”

“Yeah, man.” Donovan’s gaze landed back on me. “I’ll be there in a second. We’re wrapping it up.”

“Okay.” Axel watched us for a second longer before heading back inside.

Donovan scanned my face, searching for something. “How did you know he was coming outside?”

This was why I didn’t need to be around him. He was too damn observant. “Years of walking on eggshells.” I’d meant it as a joke, but it fell flat.

He grimaced. “Damn, that was bad.”

“I realized it after it came out.” Things felt too natural between us. “But I couldn’t take it back.”

Sadie, I’m about to march out there, Roxy warned. I’ve gracefully given you six minutes instead of the threatened five.

It was a good thing she had my back. Right now, she prevented me from making a worse mistake by staying out here.

“Look, we better go back before Axel and Roxy come and drag us in by our ears.” I tried to keep my tone light. “But we have our research topic.” I spun on my heel and stepped toward the Student Center.

“Hey, wait.” He gently tugged my arm, pulling me beside him. “I got that job earlier today.”

“Congrats.” I’d been so self-centered. “I should’ve asked. I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s not what I’m getting at.” He chuckled and didn’t remove his hand from my arm.

The longer we were together, the more I felt a connection to him. “Then, what are you getting at?”

“Wow, I’d always thought I’d be smoother than this.” He let me go and chuckled as he glanced at the ground. “Maybe you can come by after my shift one night to work on the paper?”

“Wait, you’re inviting me to come watch you work?” And, hot damn, it enticed me.

“In all fairness, it’s after my shift. Since I’m training, I get off earlier, and they encourage us to hang around and watch the more experienced waiters. Besides, I invited you to the Student Center to work on our paper, hoping to sneak in a meal.” He shrugged and held out his arm. “You see how well that went. I’m thinking getting you to come to Haynes Steakhouse is a more solid plan.”

“Solid?” That was the worst idea I’d ever heard. “Really?”

“Yeah, maybe not so much, but I can give you the employee discount on your meal.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Oh my God. Just forget it.”

“No.” Steak sounded delicious, and the meals here were mediocre. “I’ll come. When are you thinking?” I had to be strategic.

“My first night is Friday, so let’s do Saturday.” His face brightened before dimming again. “If you don’t have plans, that is. You probably want to go to the Black and Gold game.”

“Nope, I definitely do not.” And that meant Brock would be preoccupied with the game. “That works out perfectly.”

“Okay, great.” He grinned.

“Sadie.” Brock’s pretentious voice grated my ears. “What are you doing out there?”

I fought against the urge of tensing and acting guilty. “Discussing a class project.” I turned to face him, lifting my chin. “Did you get out of your class early or something?”

“Nope, we’re just on a break.” Brock scanned the area. “Where’s your best friend?”

“She’s inside, eating dinner.” It hurt not to be a complete ass. “I’m about to go join her.”

“That’s a very smart idea.” He took my arm and pulled me to the door.

I wanted to fight him, but he might try to hang around me more if I did. I turned back for a second and waved at Donovan, refusing to act like a jerk.

Donovan frowned but nodded. He didn’t seem thrilled about the recent development, but he didn’t push. Thank God.

Inside the Student Center, Brock didn’t let go of my arm. Instead, he dragged me past Roxy and the vampires and down the walkway. We entered the deserted hallway in front of the closed bookstore.

He spun around with a look of disgust. “What the hell was that back there?”

My wolf howled inside me. “No, the right question is: What the hell are you doing manhandling me in front of everyone?” I might be submissive to my father, but I wouldn’t submit to him.

He scoffed. “I’m an alpha heir.”

“As am I.” Yes, they didn’t take my claim seriously since I was a woman, but whether they liked it or not, I was all my dad had. “And if you ever touch me that way again, I won’t be so complaisant.”

“Do you know what your father would say if he saw what I did?” he asked with disdain.

“Seeing as we’re going to a mostly human school, I expect he’d be smart enough to realize I’d be paired with one on some projects.” He was being an i***t. “Obviously, I can’t say the same for you.”

We glared at each other until he looked at his watch.