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When did it become this hard to keep your mate?she growled.
Maybe it was always this hard. Maybe we just hoped it would be easy.
The doubt took the luster from her voice. “Right.”
Violet placed a delicate hand on Opal's shoulder. “It’s not easy. Not everyone gets the chance to meet their true mate. So whatever doubt you’re feeling, suck it up. The best kinds of love have risks, and the only way to rise to the challenge is to go all in.”
Opal took her hand, squeezing it gently as the last match was announced. They made their way to the center table along with the other guests. She could see the back of his dirty-blond hair as she found a spot he wouldn’t easily notice. She didn't want to mess up his focus, but that didn't mean she shouldn’t at least watch the final match. She would just have to be stealthy about it.
Lodging herself in between two burly men, she watched Benton make his first move. A smile slid across her lips. As far as mates went, they got herphysicaltype right. Almost too right. It wasn’t fair. The way the sight of him slowed her brain cells was practically criminal.
She wanted him, craved him. A ravenous hunger took control of her baser instincts. It drove her to the border of the animal and man, creating a singular focus: Benton. Her tiger was desperate for a family. A streak of her own.
Benton and his opponent were locked in a battle of wills. Neither was willing to be the first to fold. Her heart filled her throat as the audience was overtaken by silence. Moments stretched, and she could smell the beads of sweat that began to form on the wide bronze brow of Benton’s rival.
The slight shifting of his bulky shoulders gave away the inevitable defeat he was facing. The corner of Benton’s lips tilted into a sly smile. His eyes narrowed in victory as he cupped the chips in his hand and pushed the entire stack to the center of the table.
“I’m all in.” He sat back in his chair, keeping his posture relaxed.
There was a long pause as the man tried to decide if he believed Benton was lying or not. The man let out a breath and flipped his cards over. Benton turned over his own cards, and the man's meaty fist hit the table, a growl of frustration and anger filling the room. It was quickly consumed by the roar of the audience as Benton’s victory was recognized.
His steel eyes skimmed the crowd, landing on hers. They deepened, and her tiger purred, lust rolling through her body in waves. Benton was yanked to the side, severing the connection of the delicious connection that clashed between them. Violet's small hand held his forearm, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. A growl floated through the room. Her eyes widened as she realized it was coming from her.
Benton’s eyes snapped to hers, and heat flooded her cheeks.
Violet led him to the front of the room toward the judge's tables. His eyes were still on hers as Violet lifted his arm, announcing him as the winner. Heat passed between them, an unspoken call that worked like magnets pulling them to each other. He shifted his gaze as one of the judges presented him with a trophy and an oversized check. He held up the trophy, looking like a god reigning favor upon his subjects.
After giving his thanks, he announced that he would be donating the prize money to Senior Rights. Another applause resounded. Opal could see the pride in his eyes as he focused his attention on her. Benton walked through the crowd with a cocky grin on his face and a swagger that said he knew he would win.
The world melted the closer their proximity grew.
Opal smirked, giving into the mischievous side of her nature. It was one thing to feel the mate pull. It was another thing entirely to give in to it.
“I think I have something that belongs to you,” he said, handing her the check.
Opal looked up through her lashes. “Two things, actually.” She plucked the check from his hands. Her eyes flickered to his lips, tracing the lines of his herculean face before settling back into the storm in his eyes. They darkened, and the air around them became thick. “But since you’ve been so kind to Senior Rights and to me, I have a surprise for you.”
“Really?” he asked. “Have I ever told you I hate surprises?”
“Oh, so you’ve got control issues. Good to know,” she said with a shrug. “You’ll have to wait regardless. You have interviews to do.” She gave him her brightest smile.
As if she had been summoned, Violet appeared. “We’re all set up for you,” she said to Benton.
Benton hesitated for a moment. “See you after.” Both a question and a statement on his face.
“I’ll be here,” Opal said.
Violet and Benton disappeared, and Opal set her focus on the clean-up staff.Leave it better than you entered. It had been one of the various standards she used to ensure that her fundraisers fostered great relationships with various businesses. She set to work, picking up her clipboard and checking off each item as she completed it. Luckily, the extra volunteers had worked together like a well-oiled machine. Before long, Opal stared at a pristine, empty hall.
The last of the chairs and tables were being carried out to the large pile created near the exit and organized onto their storage carts. Opal spotted Gerri’s petite frame among them, giving orders like a Lieutenant Colonel. She shook her head, amazed at the way such a small woman seemed to command the respect of everyone around her.
As Opal approached her, Gerri turned. She looked at Opal, her eyes alight with excitement. She wondered…not for the first time…if Gerri had more abilities than she allowed to cross her lips.
“Thank you for all of your support. I really couldn’t have done it without your help,” she said.
She gave a wave of her manicured hand as if to say it was nothing. “How are you and Benton getting along?”
“Great,” she said, blushing.
