Page 33 of Wild

Audrey tried to work herself off her mate’s lap. “Oh no. I might not be able to drink, but I can still have some fun.”

“I’m so happy, Audrey.” Marina laid her hand on her sister’s arm. This time her voice was choked with tears.

I squeezed her. I couldn’t help it. She was such an exuberant thing. So full of laughter, life, and emotion. I hadn’t realized how one-dimensional and boring I’d become in the military. Next to her, I was like a stone man. She was colorful light.

“I hope I’m not ruining the party. No mechanical bulls, no drinks,” Audrey promised with a smile.

“I’ll drink for you,” Becky offered, the other ladies nodding in agreement, laughing.

“We have more to celebrate now,” Marina declared. “Just because you’re pregnant, doesn’t mean you can’t dance.”

“Mmm, Cody’s isn’t much of a dance place,” Leigh said. “But we’ll figure something out.”

The idea of Marina dancing in that flirty little dress made me groan.

I seriously wasn’t going to make it through the night.

An hour later, I was nearing death. Somehow, Bossy Becky, as I now thought of her, had cleared a section of the bar, and the ladies, along with some other fun-loving patrons, were line dancing. I didn’t give a shit about any of them, but I did about Marina and the way her dress swirled with every turn. I saw higher and higher on her pale thighs, and that meant every other fucker in the bar saw too.

Our convo from earlier about whether she was wearing panties made me want to rip out every man’s eyeballs. If I was wondering, then they sure as fuck were too.

“I’m impressed,” Boyd said, standing beside me. We were leaning against the wall between the pool tables and the bathrooms with a clear view of the ladies. The country music pulsed through the hidden speakers in tempo with the throbbing in my temples.

He took a pull from his beer bottle. I held mine but hadn’t touched more than a few sips.

“With what?” I asked, my eyes on my mate.

“That you haven’t dragged her out of there.”

Two women walked past toward the ladies’ room, and I lost sight of Marina. I wanted to shove the women along… which meant I was losing my shit.

When I saw her again, all of two seconds later, she moved two steps to the right, in sync with the others, then did a spin, her skirt flaring up.

“Fuck,” I said to myself. Boyd laughed. “Your woman’s out there, too.”

“Yeah, but mine’s wearing jeans and not showing off all of her—”

I turned to him. “Don’t fucking say it.”

He held up his hands in front of him, beer held in one. “Mine’s got my mark on her neck and my baby in her belly. You’re keeping your hands off.”

I growled, pissed. Yeah, Boyd was the messenger, but still. I hadnothingto tie Marina to me other than my wolf saying she belonged to me. She belonged out there, having fun, having guys ogle her fucking gorgeous legs. That was what twenty-one year olds did. The smile on her face and the flush to her cheeks showed how much fun she was having. Audrey was next to her, and they were laughing.

There was nothing inappropriate about their fun. The sundress covered more of Marina than some of the outfits other women were wearing. She wasn’t even looking at other guys.

Yet I wanted to toss her over my shoulder and carry her out of there. If I did, everyone in the bar would get a show of that taut ass that belonged to me.

I ran a hand over my face, and Boyd slapped me on the shoulder. “Welcome to the club, brother. I’m going to enjoy spending that fifty bucks.”

Fuck.Fuck.

I couldn’t have her, and I couldn’t leave her alone.

When a guy, more her age than mine, joined her and started dancing along beside her, I saw red. My wolf wanted to rip the fucker’s head off.

I took a step forward, but Boyd’s hand on my arm stopped me. “Easy.”

Looking his way, I practically snarled at him. “Easy for you to say. Your woman’s wearing fucking jeans.”