Teach Me How to Please, Alpha

(15) PROPERLY KISSED

Isla

“Oh,” I whispered but he was already gone.

And he wasn’t going to be back for dinner…

Of course, it wasn’t a social visit.

So I got rejected, so what? I thought as I headed to the kitchen.

Even though it took every ounce of bravery that I possessed to preposition him, to make advances on him… To pretend to be confident…

My eyes shouldn’t be watering. He didn’t owe me anything.

I brought out the frozen chicken wings from the fridge, dropping it with more force than needed on the cutting board.

“Very very attractive, my ass.” I whispered spitefully, grabbing a knife from the sheath.

Just then, the door bell rang.

Ryder was back?

Even though it didn’t make any sense for him to ring the bell, I rushed to the door and opened it.

“Amy,” I said trying and failing not to lose the smile on my face.

“Ouch,” she whispered. “Wow, my presence is really that much of a disappointment?”

“No, no,” I uselessly protested even as I stepped aside for her to come in. “Ryder is out.”

“Yes, precisely why I’m here,” she said beaming and at my confused expression, she shrugged. “Ryder texted me and asked if I could keep you company and since we were friends, I said yes.”

Firstly, I don’t need a babysitter.

Secondly, We were friends?

I mean, I could understand her entertaining me because I was Ryder’s future step-sister and then there was that night at the beach— I’d chalked it up to us being two lonely souls simply needing company.

But the thought that leather-wearing Amy with her shiny black hair and laid-back, effortlessly cool demeanor wanted to be my friend never occurred to me.

Amy had already removed her coat and was sprawled on the couch. The same couch where I’d straddled Ryder mere minutes ago.

Thinking about it now, especially remembering his dumbfounded expression when I pushed him back almost made me turn red. Who was I becoming?

“I was about to get started on dinner but I don’t know if you’d like Alfredo Pasta.”

“You know what,” Amy said, standing up. “What if I cook for you for a change.”

“You can cook?”

“Please,” she scoffed. “I was probably using a skillet before you could walk. I make a mean meatloaf and gravy,” then she looked at me unsure. “But that is only if you don’t mind.”

“Mind?” I spluttered.

Regardless of how much I loved cooking, it was nothing compared to how much I loved cooking with company.

“The kitchen is all yours,” I said, eagerly grabbing her hand and dragging her away while she chuckled.

***

We were out of cornstarch and since we needed it to thicken the gravy, I volunteered to go get it.

I was on my way back when I saw them. Jason and Jasmine. They were with a boy and two girls; probably one of them was Jem from the night at the beach.

My eyes met Jason’s but he quickly averted them.

“Jason,” moving towards him was mere instinct and before I’d realized it I was in front of him.

The group halted whatever they had been happily chattering about and from the uncomfortable stares they both exchanged, I knew that they all knew who I was.

“Isla,” Jason said, the smile on his face becoming strained.

My heart bottomed. “Why are you not replying to my messages? I told you that I’d something urgent to say to you.”

“I’ve said all I wanted to say to you.”

I smiled bitterly. “Really?”

“Babe,” Jasmine whined beside him. “We’d be late for the party.”

“You guys can go ahead, I'll catch up.”

She glared at me. “Don’t take too long,” she said and then turning to him, pressed a kiss on his stubbled chin.

I already suspected that the pda was for my benefit, so I barely felt anything.

Or perhaps, it was because moments ago, I’d been properly kissed… devoured even.

Straightening, she huffed and joined her friends who had slowly distanced themselves from Jason at my appearance.

Being an Alpha’s future step-daughter had its perks. I wish it was love not fear.

“I told you she was fake,” I said the minute Jasmine was out of earshot. “I told you that she was only sticking with you for your money.”

“I wasn’t complaining,” Jason replied, putting his hand in his pockets. “Besides, I know what I feel… there is no way it isn’t a wolf bond.”

“So you can hear her in your head? Her pheromones make you go crazy? You can stand watching her run off with that male when you both are just newly mated?” I insisted.

“We haven’t had the mating ceremony yet,” he said, but he didn’t sound so sure. “Besides, mating is not the same for two couples. You know that!”

“I know that you’re being a fool,” I snapped.

He put his hand on my shoulders and I shrugged it off, trying not to barf. He smelt like her, sugary sweet and just as fake.

“I understand that I broke your heart, but that was not my intention,” his voice lowered. “But, I’m happy, Isla. Can’t you be happy for me?”

“Happy that you cheated on me?” I asked in disbelief.

“Let’s put that behind us,” he said with a shrug. “We could go back to being friends. We were always better that way… things started going wrong when we added a relationship to the mix.”

I hoped he was joking, but he wasn’t laughing. “Friends?” I asked, my voice a whisper.

He took a step close to me, a grin on his face. “We could still hang whenever Jasmine leaves. Just like the old days.”

I pushed him away, “I don’t want to be your bloody friend and I certainly don’t want to hang when Jasmine leaves like a dirty secret. What the f**k is wrong with you, Jason?”

“So you want me to leave her,” he c****d his head in the direction where Jasmine had disappeared into, “for this?”

I balled my fist, disregarding the mockery in his voice. “I told you she is lying to you.”

“What’s to say that you’re not lying to me?”

“I…” I swallowed. “I’ve never lied to you.”

“Well you’re desperate enough to do it now.” He snapped and then his voice softened. His hand came up to cradle my hair and I hated myself when I found my head leaning into his touch.

He smirked.

“Look, I’m already late for the party. Think about what I offered. We could be friends, good friends. It’d be fun.” Then he withdrew his hand and walked away.

Tears burned against my eyes as I watched him leave. “I might find someone new…give up on you.” I choked. “I might never come back.” I threatened. “Jason!”

He didn’t look back.