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“You’re here to court me.”
I must’ve looked ridiculous continuing to state the obvious, but he just chuckled. “Yes.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“No, you’re not courting me.” I started to back away. He grabbed my wrist, not tightly, thank goodness, but just enough to keep me from running again. But he was also scent marking me. Everyone would know I’d been with him.
“Hey, Will!” A blonde bombshell walking in the door chose that moment to try to get his attention.Perfect.
He gave her a nod and a tight smile but turned his attention right back to me.
“I certainly thought that’s what we were doing tonight. I submitted your scent after the Ball, you accepted the invitation, and here we are. Courting.” When I stayed silent and didn’t pull away, he smiled, his scent bloomed, and his dimples deepened. Oh, for goodness sakes, he had to have dimples.
I took a second to take in the rest of him as his scent held me captive. It was hard to tear my gaze away from his face, but he didn’t seem to mind me taking advantage of this opportunity to check him out up close. His deep tan highlighted his eyes that were so light blue I saw them clearly even in this dim bar. His hair was a mess of dark waves that I’m not sure he could tame if he tried.
“You’re not as tall as I expected.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I was raised better than that. My parents would be so embarrassed right now.
“Wow, okay. Um. You’re more blunt than I expected.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. That was rude. You’re a great height. Perfect height. Very tall.” I was rambling, and he knew it.
“Let’s sit. Can I get you a drink? They have this special men—”
“No,” I blurted. “Sorry, no. I’m going to go. This isn’t—We’re not going to be courting.” I turned to leave.
“Stop leaving!” He huffed, his irritation rising. “You keep running away from me! I thought we connected at the Ball!”
“Our lips connected! But—but you’re…you. You have… connected lips… with every girl at this school!” I gestured toward the blonde Barbie from earlier.
“You don’t want me to court you because you’ve heard I’ve kissed a few girls? Not every girl, by the way. Not even close. Reputations are not reality.” He ran his hands through his soft curls, and I had to stop myself from repeating the motion myself.
“I just don’t think we’re suited for each other. Omega Reid warned us that scents can be overwhelming. Lust isn’t love.”
“You don’t even know me!”
“I know enough.” I started to back away again, and this time he let me, turning back to his table in frustration.
I stormed back to the apartment, so fired up that I didn’t feel the cold at all. I did feel the heat from where he’d held my wrist, and his salty lime scent continued to linger and mock me.
Will Rossi? Seriously? It had to be him? I had plans and dreams, and they didn’t involve a promiscuous jock.
He wasn’t my mate. It was just lust at the Ball. His scent overwhelmed me, and I lost control. It wouldn’t happen again.
Chapter Ten
CEDAR: Courting date with Alpha Daniel Hart. Wednesday 8pm. Bella Italia. To confirm text YES. To decline text NO.
WhenIgotmysecond date request from CEDAR, I was so relieved. Not only was this date going to be with someone other than Will, but it meant I had other options. Will wasn’t the only alpha interested in me. And that definitely put a spring in my step.
Anna was hanging out with her friends tonight, so I was able to get ready in peace and quiet, although I did miss her skill with a curling iron.
When I walked up to Bella Italia, I didn’t smell any scents that rang a bell from the Ball. But I did smell the delicious aromas coming from the kitchen. I wouldn’t mind an alpha that smelled like garlic and marinara sauce. Yum.
“Mia!” I was so lost in my Italian dream that I missed the alpha approaching me. Now that he was close, I couldn’t miss his scent. Orange juice. It was nice.
“I’m Daniel,” he stated, gesturing to himself as he approached me. He extended his arm for my coat, so I slipped it off and passed it over to him. He was careful not to touch it too much and leave his scent mark on it. Such a simple but thoughtful gesture. This was the kind of alpha I needed.
