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“Come and show me these fabulous paintings.”
I ease my mum around the lower floor of the house, showing her the paintings and pointing out what history I’ve been able to glean.
I smell her before I hear her and turn. Scarlet stands against the wall, watching us. I think for a moment she’s unsure, but she pushes it aside with a confident smile and strides towards us.
“Taylor said to come find you because the food is ready.”
“Oh, good. Walking around this house has made me starving. How do you live here with so many empty rooms?”
Scarlet laughs. “Hide and seek is a lot more fun.”
My mum stares at her blankly and then bursts into laughter. “Oh, I’ll bet.” Her face turns speculative, and she really looks at the alpha female. “What an idea.” My mother almost purrs.
Okay, I do not want to think about that.
“Mum, come this way.” I guide them back to the back porch. Jet has strung up party lights, and there’s music going.
Bar sees Scarlet and leaps over to her, dragging her to my dads.
I glance at Taylor as he joins me.
“You’re in love with her.” It’s not a question, but the way he says it still raises my hackles.
“I am.”
He heaves a sigh and turns away. “Unfortunate.”
I whip my head around to glare at him, but he just walks back into the house and disappears.
I’m not the only one who watches him go. Scarlet catches her bottom lip between her teeth, and for a moment, looks absolutely stricken, but then her mask goes up, and she’s back to smiling.
It’s not soon enough when my parents pack up and pile into their car, waving their goodbyes and leaving.
I capture Scarlet’s hand and hold her back when the others go inside. She turns to me and follows as I take her out to the gazebo.
She goes to the rail, staring out at the night, and I walk up behind, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leans back into me, and I can feel her smiling. Her scent ripens to a happy, light flavour that makes me salivate.
“Scarlet.”
“Yes?”
“I want you to stay with us.”
She stiffens in my arms but doesn’t pull away.
“Stay with us because…” why is it so hard to say the words? “Just stay, please.”
She stiffens even further, and then she softens. Her scent deepens, turns richer. She turns in my arms and looks up at me. She’s so perfect, so beautiful. So mysterious and alluring, I can’t imagine our lives without her. I tried to stay away, but I can’t. I don’t ask the pack for things; I have all I need. At least, I thought I did, but I’ll get down on my knees and beg this woman if I have to.
Leaning down, I press my cheek level with hers. “Stay with me.” I whisper.
I didn’t know I needed her until she was here. I have to find a way to convince her.
Her breath hitches in her lungs, and then she’s clinging to me, kissing me.
“Acton!” Taylor’s cold command separates us. “We need to talk.”
“Go away Taylor,” I growl, furious.
