Lilith's POV
Jarek stalks closer, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway, each one pounding in time with my racing heart.
I clutch my skirt, the fabric crumpling in my sweaty palms.
"...Stop toying with me."
I whisper, voice barely audible, eyes fixed on my white knuckles, avoiding his gaze.
Then--there it was.
That familiar scent of sandalwood and something darker, something predatory, wrapped around me as he suddenly closed the distance.
"Toying with me?" he drawls, his hot breath brushing my cheek.
Before I could react, his hands braced against the wall on either side of my head, caging me in.
Too close--close enough to see the shadow of his lashes, close enough to steal the air from my lungs.
I turn my face away, throat tight. All the pent-up shame and frustration burst, hot tears spilling onto my collarbone.
God, I'm crying in front of him. The realization makes the tears fall harder.
"You always..." I choke, fighting sobs, "Brielle was right there, and you...you touched my thigh."
My nails dig into my palms, the sting nothing compared to the humiliation burning inside. "Last time, too, she was there, and your hand..."
I stop, horrified.
What am I doing? Complaining to him? It sounds like I'm whining, flirting even.
The realization made me sick. I swiped at my face roughly. "Just--I don't want to see you anymore!"
I tried to shove past him, but an iron grip locked around my wrist and yanked me back.
The world spins, and my back slams against a lounge room door.
The click of the lock makes my body jolt.
"Why the tears?" He lifts me off the ground with one arm, his rough thumb wiping my wet eyes.
I kick uselessly, but he wedges his knee between my thighs.
The position is mortifying--my skirt's bunched at my hips, exposing me.
"Why're you crying?" He chuckles, nipping my earlobe. "You cry like this for Kieran too?"
I glare, eyes still wet, and slap his hand away, struggling to get down. "Let go!"
"Stop moving." His arm tightens, squeezing my ribs until they ache.
When I finally give up, his finger creeps back, brushing away my tears.
"I get it," he says, voice softening like he's soothing a scared pup.
His breath grazes my ear. "You don't want Brielle to know about us." His thumb presses my lower lip, hard enough to sting. "But that's not my fault..."
My heart races. I can't believe he said that. My tears freeze. "What?!"
He smirks, lazy and infuriating. "You keep dodging me, but every time I think of you, my dick gets so hard it hurts."
His whisper is crude, burning my ears. "Tell me, little wolf--what the hell else am I supposed to do?"
His bluntness blanks my mind, my cheeks flaming.
In that split-second daze, he strikes.
His hand grips the back of my head, and his lips crash onto mine, punishing, teeth clashing until I taste blood.
"Mmph...let..." I pound his shoulders, nails tearing his shirt.
Someone could walk by--push the door open! My resistance only fuels him, his hold tightening.
Then my phone blares, shattering the haze.
"Brielle" flashes on the screen.
I reach for it, but Jarek snatches it away.
He pins my waist with one arm, nearly crushing me, and presses answer, his hand clamping over my mouth.
"Lilith? Where are you?" Brielle's bright voice cuts through the silence, loud in the empty room.
I tense, nails digging into Jarek's arm.
His grip tightens in warning, his tongue flicking my burning ear, sending shivers down my spine.
"She got dizzy," he says, voice calm, like he's not spreading my thighs with his knee. "I'm taking her home. The driver'll get you."
Brielle's voice spikes with worry. "Is it bad? I'm coming now!"
"No need." His thumb strokes the sensitive spot on my collarbone, and I bite down to stifle a sound.
Every word comes with pressure from his hand, my breaths turning ragged.
Brielle's still talking, but I'm lost in the feel of Jarek's lips and teeth grazing my neck.
"Mm," he says into the phone, eyes locked on me like a predator. "Don't worry. I'll take GOOD CARE of her."
***
Daegan's POV
The car door slams shut, the thud rattling my eardrums. I glare at the empty seat beside me, irritation clawing at my chest.
"Where is she?" My voice is a low growl, barely restrained.
"Uh...she said she's having dinner with friends," the driver mumbles from the front, his tone cautious, almost groveling.
Friends. Always those fucking friends.
My silver-gray wolf snarls in my head, its voice sharp. A whole week! She's dodging us on purpose!
I yank at my tie, knuckles whitening. "Shut up."
"You smell that?" My wolf's nose twitches in my mind, restless. Her scent's fading. Soon...it'll be gone completely.
The driver's sneaky glance in the rearview mirror pisses me off. Even a human can sense it.
My wolf laughs, mocking. Look at you, Daegan. You're on edge. Your scent's changed.
"Shut the fuck up!" I rip off my earbuds, the metal casing bending in my grip.
But my wolf keeps pushing. Find her. Now. Sink your fangs into her neck...
"Enough!" I force a deep breath, nails digging into my palms, breaking skin.