After a delicious dessert of a shot of espresso mixed with vanilla gelato, our dinner was blessedly over. I still couldn’t believe I survived it. The only way I got through it was focusing on the mouthwatering al.
I wished that I had the money to eat here every day. So of the groans of pleasure that had co out of my mouth were a little embarrassing, but the food was so delicious that I couldn’t bring myself to care.
Gareth had accounts at all the expensive restaurants in our kingdom, so we didn’t even have to wait for the bill. The five of us walked out of the restaurant, and I chose to walk by Michelle, allowing Isabella and Elliot to go before .
Night had fallen, and the streets were busy with cars. I glanced around, my mood having lifted slightly, searching for one of Gareth’s fancy cars that would take us ho. I was wondering how I would get ho after being driven back to the mansion when Beta Kevin pulled up and parked at the curb.
“Michelle, Isabella, and Elliot, Beta Kevin will drive you ho first.” Gareth gestured for them to get into the car. Then, he walked closer to and looked directly into my eyes. “Then, he’s going to take you ho,” Gareth told in a low voice. His cedar wood scent was making my head spin. “And I’m going to ride along to make sure you get there safely.”
My mind seed to short circuit as I stared into his deep gray eyes, and my hands began to shake.
Behind us, I noticed that Isabella clapped her hands with excitent, but Elliot frowned, then sulked off to the car without saying goodbye. We didn’t have to wait long for Beta Kevin to drive them ho since the mansion was close to Nicola’s. My heart slamd against my chest when Gareth opened the car door for .
Soon, we were alone in the backseat. The energy between us was electric, and when he started driving, Beta Kevin pressed a button to roll up the black divider, giving us so privacy. I wondered if Gareth had asked him to do that.
When I peeked over at him, his whole body was turned away from as he stared out the window. His tense deanor reminded of when he rescued from Elliot and his horrible friends at the club. My instincts were telling to follow his lead and keep quiet, but after a few monts of silence, I couldn’t stop the question that escaped out my mouth.
“Did you force to co tonight so that you could show how in love Elliot and Isabella are?” I asked, annoyance dripping through my voice. “Because you don’t need to invite out to dinner for that. They already do that all the ti at your house anyway.”
Gareth’s body froze, and he slowly turned toward , our eyes locking together.
My pulse quickened, and I wanted to lower my gaze. But I stood my ground and lifted my chin. Even though he was the Lycan King, I wouldn’t allow him to intimidate .
“Well, if you’re aware that they are happy together, then I hope you aren’t scheming up ways to break them up,” he said, his eyes darkening.
I snorted and crossed my arms. I didn’t miss how Gareth’s eyes glanced down at my cleavage.
“If I wanted to break them up, it wouldn’t be to have Elliot for myself,” I retorted, moving closer to better argue with him.
“You shouldn’t be spending ti alone with Elliot in the first place,” he snarled, leaning in closer to .
“I don’t want anything to do with my ex-mate!” I said through gritted teeth, exasperated beyond belief.
Our faces were only inches apart now, and we were getting worked up. Gareth’s face was slowly turning red, and I was nearly breathless.
Gareth reached his hand out, threaded his fingers through my hair, and drew even closer to him. Now I had no choice but to look only into those swirling gray eyes. His thumb gently stroked the back of my head, and despite the frustration flowing through , I leaned into his touch.
His lips were so close to mine that my mouth went dry with desire. I was srized by Gareth. He had trapped in his gaze, and I couldn’t figure out a way to escape.
The strangest part was that I didn’t want to escape. I’d be content to stare at this man forever, and that was what scared the most.
“My family will always be my number one priority,” Gareth carried on in a deep voice as his hand continued to stroke my hair. “I will not allow you to jeopardize Isabella’s marriage. This is her chance at true happiness.”
His words made my stomach sink in confusion and disappointnt.
I nodded but couldn’t help asking the obvious question. “Why do you want Elliot as your son-in-law? It’s obvious that you don’t trust him. Hell, two hours ago, you were slamming him into a wall, ready to execute him.”
This was the wrong question to ask. Gareth’s eyes darkened, and he frowned. He let go of his hold on the back of my head and withdrew from .
“I’m the Lycan King, Ms. Lowett,” he said in a calm and controlled voice, staring straight ahead.
So I was back to ‘Ms. Lowett’ now? Why was he so confusing and hard to read?
“I don’t owe you an explanation for any of my actions,” he continued. “It would be wise for you to stay out of my business.”
I bit my lip and turned away from him. It was obvious that I’d overstepped again.
After a few tense, silent monts, the car stopped in front of my house. Beta Kevin rolled down the divider.
“Thank you for the ride,” I murmured to both n.
Beta Kevin replied in kind, but Gareth stayed silent, not even glancing my way as I stepped out of the car.
The cold night air hit like a brick wall. The skimpy red dress that Isabella had dressed in did nothing to protect from the cold. A violent shiver tore through as I stepped onto the sidewalk. My teeth were chattering, and I hugged myself tightly.
ntally, I prepared myself to sprint to my house. I was just contemplating taking off my high heels when a strong presence made turn.
To my complete shock, Gareth was now beside and pulling off his black suit jacket. My breath caught in my throat when he wrapped the jacket around , engulfing in his warmth and cedar wood scent. I’d never felt so safe and protected in my life.
“I can’t believe you would wear such a revealing dress on a night as cold as this,” Gareth reprimanded .
“I wouldn’t have had to wear this if you hadn’t forced into coming to dinner,” I snapped, even as I was pulling his jacket tighter around .
Gareth’s eyes scanned my body, lingering on my breasts, hips, and the bare skin displayed by the silt in my dress. He let out a long, slow breath as if he were frustrated with himself.
I tightened his coat around , embarrassed by his perusal.
“Thank you for the coat,” I said, then raced inside my house.
My heart slamd against my rib cage as confusion made my head spin. Right before I stepped inside, I looked back at Gareth. He was still standing in the sa spot, making sure that I was safely inside before he left.
I swallowed and managed to tear my eyes away from him.
That man was the master of mixed signals. Did Gareth care for or not?
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