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"Sleep," His command is gentle, yet unyielding, and I find myself obeying without thought, only taking the time to snuggle closer into his hold before I'm lost to the darkness.
Chapter 29
The silence between me and Wilder is stifling as we finally make it back to the suite well past midnight. Kat’s sister is a task-master through and through, working us to the bone on inane wedding tasks. My hands are still sore from tying little bows on a thousand favor bags.
At least it kept my mind off the fact that Wyatt's been alone with Kat this whole time. No. Who am I kidding? It’s been eating at me all night. I grind my teeth, jealousy burning bitter in my gut. No doubt he's used the opportunity to get his claws deeper into her.
Well, not if I can help it.
As we step inside, I sense Wilder's hackles rising as well, noticing the conspicuously empty common area. My hands tighten into fists, rage simmering barely leashed beneath my skin. The smug bastard better not have touched what's mine.
We approach the bedroom door silently. I grab the handle, meeting Wilder's gaze. His jaw ticks but he nods. Bracing myself for what I'll find, I turn the knob.
The room is cloaked in shadows, the shapes of the bed just visible. I creep closer, my stomach dropping. Wyatt has Kat curled possessively in his arms, her dark hair splayed across his bare chest. Their nude forms are tangled together beneath the sheets. The visual confirmation feels like a physical blow.
I want to roar and rage like the beast within. To tear them apart and erase every intimate caress of his from her silken skin. White hot fury surges through me as I envision Kat's cries of pleasure for him, the way she must have yielded so sweetly under his skilled hands.
A hand clamps down on my shoulder, the grip bruising. I whirl with a snarl but Wilder holds me firm, cobalt eyes blazing. He inclines his head sharply towards the door and I force down the instincts howling for violence. Breathing raggedly through flared nostrils, I follow him from the room.
As soon as the door shuts silently behind us, Wilder rounds on me. "This changes nothin’," he grits out tersely. Though his casual facade is cracked, anger simmering beneath the surface. "We’re not out of the running yet. Let Wyatt get comfortable thinkin’ he's won."
Wilder's lips curve in a ruthless smile. "All the better to see the cocky bastard fall when Kat finally picks one of us in the end."
I nod begrudgingly. As much as I want to tear Wyatt limb from limb right now, I need to play this smart if I'm going to win Kat for good.
"’Sides, she's already addicted to what I can give her," Wilder continues arrogantly. "I just have to remind her who really lights that fire in her blood."
I step closer, using my size to loom over him intimidatingly. "Bold claims for someone striking out so far," I snarl.
Wilder doesn't back down, meeting my glare fearlessly. "Please. We all know you're trailin’ behind here, silent stalker boy."
My hands fist again, longing to put the cocky asshole in his place. But reacting blindly is what he wants. So I force myself to turn away, muscles coiled painfully tight.
"We'll see who's trailing when all is said and done," I throw over my shoulder. I don't wait for his reply, striding back into the common room to brood alone in the dark. Wyatt may have won this round, but the game is far from over. And when I finally claim victory, his defeat will be absolute.
I sink onto the couch, the darkness of the suite seeming to mock me. How could I let Wyatt get the upper hand like this? Restless rage courses through me as I picture him smugly holding Kat, thinking he's secured his place at her side. Laughing about how easily he outmaneuvered the competition.
My hands clench, nails biting into my palms hard enough to draw blood. I welcome the pain, letting it sharpen my fury. Wyatt has no idea who he's fucking with. When I set my sights on something, nothing stops me from conquering it fully.
And I will conquer Kathryn Sharpe, in every possible way. I will lay claim to every sweet moan and pleading cry I can rip from those plush lips. Have her trembling and begging beneath me as she realizes no other man could ever satisfy her so completely.
Just thinking about sinking into her slick heat, about those turquoise eyes clouded with desire for only me, has my body hardening with lust. I adjust myself roughly, jaw clenched.
Tonight changes nothing.
Tomorrow, I go on the attack. No more holding back or letting Wyatt dictate things. He wants to up the stakes? Then I'll unleash the full force of my focus on Kat until she's consumed by thoughts of only me.
Mid-morning sunlight filters into the suite hours and hours later, but does nothing to pierce the dark storm clouds of my mood. I sit at the dining table after a restless night–and morning–of planning, black coffee untouched before me as I wait shirtless and wearing only a pair of boxer briefs. Muscles coiled in readiness, poised for the confrontation ahead.
Ever since that moment after our jungle excursion I’ve been examining this entire situation, and I’ve come to a conclusion. I like Kat. It took me off guard at first. I’ve never truly been intrigued enough by a woman to get past meaningless sex, much less even briefly consider the idea of more.
But with Kat…it’s different.
She understands me, sees past all my silent, brooding displays and touches something in me. She’s as dedicated to animals as I am, sharing my passion instead of looking down on it. Sure, everyone loves animals in some way, shape, or form. But not everyone understands the need or drive to dedicate their entire lives to them. To be fascinated by all the meaningless details over the smallest of creatures.
She does. I do.
It’s just…meant to be.
