-Adrian-
I stand at the bar, muscles tense, pretending to be absorbed in my drink order while my ears lock onto the conversation happening at the nearby table. Four women sit together, their laughter carrying through the ambient noise of the hotel bar.
"So, you would be okay getting railed if a sexy stranger blindfolded you, you couldn't see his face or know his name, and there wasn't any risk of him being a cheating mate?" one of the women asks.
Then I hear it—a voice that cuts through the noise like a blade, sliding down my spine like warm honey. Sultry, with a musical lilt that makes my wolf snap to attention.
"Yes. And he would take total control of everything," the angelic voice replies. "But that will never happen, so I guess my chastity belt stays on."
Another woman groans. "I command you to toss that chastity belt in the lake."
"Yeah, seriously," a fourth voice chimes in. "After everything you've had to go through...it's time."
"Ugh! Did you have to mention that?" my angel responds, her tone hardening. "I was having fun."
The bartender slides my drink across the counter, and I hand him my card, deliberately taking my time with the transaction to listen longer. My fingers tap against the bar, impatient.
"Sorry. Forgot it was a bastard-free weekend," the second woman says. "So, are you against getting laid or out of hope of it happening?"
"You make me sound like a nun or extremely pathetic," my angel retorts.
The first woman speaks again. "There's a ton of hot men here...both wolves and humans to choose from."
My jaw clenches at the thought. The idea of her with another man—especially a human—makes something dark and possessive stir in my chest.
Interesting reaction to a stranger, Nox observes coolly.
"Puh-lease," my angel says, "if I'm removing my chastity belt, it won't be for some human."
Her friend snorts. "There are plenty of human men who know how to get you to O-town. You should definitely consider one."
"Wouldn't that be risky...considering," my angel hesitates.
"Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea," the first friend interjects. "We should stick with an unmated wolf, no names, no face, and no complications."
"That...that I can get on board with," my angel agrees.
No names, no face, no complications, Nox repeats, a hint of amusement in his mental voice.
The bartender returns my card, and I turn to leave, my thoughts consumed with their conversation. As I pivot, I lock eyes with one of the women—and I know immediately she's my angel by the laugh that escapes her lips at something one of her friends says.
She's absolutely stunning. Long, toned legs showcased in shorts, golden tan skin that practically glows under the bar lights, dark brown hair framing her face, and bright blue doe eyes that widen slightly as they meet mine. My breath catches in my lungs, and something primal stirs within me.
Well, well, Nox murmurs. She's certainly...appealing.
I take my drink and stalk to my room, her image burned into my mind like a brand. In the shower, I can't stop thinking about her—those full lips, those bright eyes, the sound of her laugh. It's been almost a month since I've been with someone, and my body reacts strongly to the fantasy of her.
Hot water pounds against my skin, streaming down my body. My thoughts drift to her, my angel, imagining her kneeling on the wet tiles. Her blue eyes locked onto me, intense and eager. Her dark hair framed her face, contrasting with her pale skin.
In my mind, her lips part, taking me in, her tongue teasing me. With my hand slick from water and soap, I stroke myself, caught up in the fantasy playing out behind closed eyes.
I picture her mouth, warm and wet, moving on me, her cheeks drawing me in deeper. The noise of the water and my own breathing fill my ears, focusing me on the need building inside.
My body tenses, muscles coiling tight, as I imagine her taking me deeper, her mouth a relentless heat. My hand moves faster, keeping pace with my imagination. Finally, I reach the peak, my release hitting me hard.
The water rinses me clean, washing away the evidence as I lean against the tile, still lost in my vivid fantasy. The steam surrounds me, slowly pulling me back to reality.
After my shower, I hear my phone ringing, then going to voicemail. Checking the screen, I see 48 missed calls from Jasmine. As I'm looking at it, the phone starts ringing again in my hand. I answer with a growl.
"Jasmine, I already told you. Stop calling me. We are over."
"But baby, I need you," she whines.
"Did you hear what I just said?" My voice drops dangerously low.
"Adrian—"
"Jasmine, this has to stop," I cut her off, my tone leaving no room for argument. "You aren't my mate. You need to go find yours."
"I don't want my mate, whoever he is," she says in a pouty voice. "He isn't you. I love you."
This is becoming tedious, Nox sighs.
"For fuck's sake, Jasmine," I snap. "I've told you since the first night. I want my mate. You were nothing more than a bed warmer. Now stop calling me or I'm calling your father."
"I thought you'd change your mind," she sniffles.
"I was never going to take you as a chosen mate. You knew this," I say, my voice rising in anger.
"Well then I wouldn't have rej—" she yells, then abruptly cuts herself off.
I freeze, my entire body going rigid. "Excuse me?"
"I'll call you later baby. After you've calmed down."
"Don't—"
"Bye, I love you," she says quickly before ending the call.
Did she almost say what I think she did? Nox asks, suddenly more alert.
It sounded like she was about to say 'reject,' I think back, a cold feeling settling in my stomach.
That would be... problematic, Nox replies carefully.
I stew over the conversation as I get ready to meet the guys at the hotel's private club, my mood darker than before. We're escorted to a private room with a balcony overlooking the main floor. As I scan the crowd below, my eyes land on her again—my angel from the bar, sitting with her friends at a table near the dance floor.
Two of her friends get up and head toward the hallway containing the bathrooms. I remember the conversation I overheard earlier—a woman looking for one night, no strings attached, no names, no faces. I haven't had sex in weeks, and there's this gorgeous woman who seems to want exactly what I need right now.
Convenient timing, Nox comments. Though I'm surprised you're so interested in a woman you've barely seen.
It's just sex, I reply, my decision already made. And I won't have to see her again, so there's no risk of her becoming like Jasmine.
I excuse myself from the balcony and head in the direction where my angel's friends disappeared, my stride purposeful and predatory, my mind already racing with possibilities. Whatever—whoever—I want, I take. And right now, I want her.