“Is that what it takes? An invitation for you to have fun?”
Disappointed, I shrugged and focused on the group again. She turned back to the bar and took two more shots. Instead of drinking them, she tasted each.
“These aren’t bad. This one’s minty. This one’s…” She took another sip. “I think my taste buds are checking out for the day because it doesn’t taste like anything.”
She held the two shots out to me. I glanced at them, then drank both.
“Second one was water,” I said.
“Hope Jim didn’t pay for that.”
The song changed to one with a faster beat.
“Come on, Isabelle!” Bethi called.
Isabelle joined her. She danced, came back for some more shots, then danced some more. Occasionally, a burst of laughter would be followed by a gentle nudge at my wall. I watched her closely for signs of overload. But she continued to smile, and her nose remained blood free.
The sun set and the Elders seemed content to spend the afternoon relaxed. Winifred occasionally checked with the still sober Gabby to ensure we were safe to stay.
When Isabelle made her way toward me and the shots yet again, I tried to remember Luke’s words. They needed this. They were going through hell, and this had been the only rest stop on their journey so far.
Isabelle moved beside me and joined my observation of the room.
“Done drinking?” I asked, looking down at her.
“Nah. Just wanted to relax and check out the view.”
Charlene laughed and danced with Thomas and Jim. Jim kept the shots lined up on the bar and his mom’s wineglass full. Michelle’s cheeks were rosy as she swayed in Emmitt’s arms.
Isabelle exhaled heavily next to me at the same time everyone staggered. The bartender bumped against the bottles behind the bar and laughed. I looked at Winifred, who’d caught herself on Sam. She was laughing too hard from almost falling to notice my look. Sam, too.
“Carlos?” Isabelle said, with worry in her voice.
“Did you do something?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe?”
No one seemed hurt. Just overly happy. Like they’d taken a human narcotic. But, none of those worked on us.
“I’ll take Thomas, Charlene, and Grey outside and see if that helps clear their heads,” I said.
She nodded and stayed by the bar as I approached the trio.
“Carlos, you handsome devil,” Grey said, slapping me on the back. It stung.
“Can I speak with you three outside?”
“Sure, son.” Grey started toward the door, and I motioned for Thomas and Charlene to follow.
Once we were outside, I kept walking until we were near the road. The rest were slower to follow because Thomas decided to stop Charlene for a kiss and Grey decided to heckle the pair.
“Grey. Thomas. It’s important that we move away from the building.”
They started shuffling my way again, all three laughing.
“Why the long face?” Grey asked.
“Carlos, you need to lighten up,” Thomas slapped my back companionably and more than likely gave me a matching hand print.
“Charlene,” I said. “You can control humans with your mind, right? Isabelle’s power is emotions. Don’t you think it’s odd you’re laughing when a minute ago you weren’t?”
She sobered slightly.
“She did this?”
“She’s not sure. But I need the three of you to try to—”
“Not be so happy?”
I nodded. All three were still grinning widely.
“It’s hard,” Thomas said.
“That’s what she said,” Charlene said with a snigger.
The door opened, and Isabelle walked out. She leaned against the building and closed her eyes for a moment.
“You need to try. We’re defenseless like this.”
The door opened and closed again. I looked up and Isabelle was gone.
“I need to bring the rest outside. Stay here.”
Isabelle was back dancing. Bethi was moving around her, not that Isabelle noticed. Her eyes were closed as she swayed to the music.
I pulled Clay and Gabby out next. It didn’t take much.
“Grey, Thomas, and Charlene are outside waiting for you.”
That line worked on all the rest, but Jim.
“Nah, I’m okay here.”
I was tempted to toss him over my shoulder or knock him out, but didn’t want to upset Isabelle.
“I’ll tell your mom you said no.”
He groaned and went outside.
I’ll stay inside and keep an eye on her. I don’t think the rest of you should come back inside until she sobers.
Understood. Grey’s message still contained too much humor.
Isabelle continued her slow, seductive sway to the fast music, and I moved closer to watch. When a slow song came on, she opened her eyes and looked around.
Her gaze met mine, her pulse jumped, and she blushed. I couldn’t resist that. Moving toward her, I held out my hand.
She gave me a sexy smile and slipped her hand in mine. Nothing could have been better in that moment. I closed my eyes and tried to pinpoint what emotion swelled behind my wall. It felt like all the good ones. Happiness. Contentment. Devotion. It felt incredible. Like something I’d always been missing. And, in the moment, I knew what I’d found.
“Home,” I whispered.
I opened my eyes and tugged her toward me. Then, with her in my arms, we started to move. She rested her cheek against my chest and sighed. I never wanted to let her go.
Her soft breath warmed my skin through my shirt as we swayed together. The sensation of her lithe body aligned with mine burned itself into my mind. I would never forget the feel of her chest against my ribs or the feel of her fingers in my hair. Want pooled in my gut, and I slid my hand down her back. She pressed closer.
The music ended too soon. She lifted her head, but I didn’t stop dancing. I couldn’t. Our gazes locked, and her pulse jumped again.
“I need some air,” she said and tried to pull away.
It wasn’t air she needed. It was me. Her scent didn’t lie. Rather than argue with her, I kept hold of her hand and led her toward the back exit. Outside among the trees and clean air, I’d help her realize she needed me as much as I needed her.
My hand trembled as she followed me into the woods. We didn’t go far before I stopped and turned toward her. We stood inches apart. She looked up at me, her lips parted. The temptation almost broke my control.
I turned away before I couldn’t. Kissing her now wouldn’t help me prove her interest. She needed to clear her head to see what she meant to me and what I could mean to her. Movement. Exercise was the best way to do that. And the idea of what I wanted her to do sent a shiver of pleasure through me. My hands started to shake harder in anticipation.
“Carlos?” Her fingers twitched in mine.
“Will you do something for me, Isabelle?” I asked softly.
“Do something?” She was still not herself because of the alcohol. What I had in mind would benefit both of us.
“Yes. For me.”
She hesitated a moment before answering.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Run,” I said.
“Why?”
I turned and using her hand, tugged her closer. I lifted my other hand and traced her jaw with my fingertips.
“Because I want to chase you.” I didn’t just want her to run to clear her head. There was a thrill to running one’s Mate down. Something in our DNA.
Her brow furrowed.
“Just run?”
I nodded.
“Like tag?”
I slowly shook my head.
She stared at me for a moment, then backed up a step. The shaking grew worse as I realized she was really going to do it. She backed up a step, then another. I growled low, and she tore free from my touch and ran.
Control failed me, and I burst into my fur before I set after her. She squealed and ran faster, dodging around trees and squeezing through bramble. I let her gain some distance a few times, toying with her. My blood heated at the sight of her red hair flying behind her as she ran from me in the moonlight.
Suddenly, she stopped and spun around. I slowed and stalked toward her, wanting my taste now.
“Carlos?” Fear pitched her voice higher than usual.
I lunged forward and knocked her down. Sweat glistened on her skin. I lowered my muzzle. Just one swipe of my tongue. Just one taste. Then I’d stop.
“If you’re Carlos, you better show me now, or I’ll make you bleed.”
Her words penetrated the fog of need clouding my mind. I inhaled the scent of her panic and pulled back the shift so she could see me in my skin. So she could want me.
The fear faded from her gaze as she looked at me, and interest replaced it.
“Isabelle…” I slowly lowered my head.
“I’m not ready,” she said in breathless panic.
Reality came crashing back. I sighed, closed my eyes, and dropped my forehead to hers.
“I know.”
I knew, but I couldn’t move just yet. The feel of her body beneath mine was a painful mix of pleasure and torture. Grey’s sudden interruption help cool some of my need.
Gabby said you two have moved a good distance from the bar. We’re going inside for some water.
We’ll come back in a few minutes.
“Can we get up?” Isabelle asked from beneath me.
I nodded, but didn’t move. I needed another moment to finish calming myself before I stood. There were no clothes to shield my interest, and human females were…modest.
“Carlos. Are you all right?”
“Thank you, Isabelle,” I said instead of answering.
“For what?”
“For running.”
Carefully, I stood and offered her my hand. Her gaze swept me from toe to head. It didn’t help calm me.
“Where are your clothes?”
“I’ll need to get some new ones from the car.”
I took hold of her hand and pulled her to her feet. Even in the semi-dark, the red stain of her cheeks was easy to see as she met my gaze steadily.
“Do you think everyone is ready to leave?” she asked.
“Yes.”
I turned and led the way back to the bar.
When we reached the building, I pointed at the back door and veered left to walk around to the parking lot. I quickly dressed and thought ahead to the night. There would be no Ethan for her to sleep with, and I felt no guilt at that thought. Looking down at her bag, I reached out to Winifred.
Do you or Michelle have shorts Isabelle can borrow?
Look through our bags. She’s welcome to use what’s there.
I went to the SUV, found a pair of shorts and neatly placed them in Isabelle’s bag. When she slept with me tonight, I wanted to feel her legs against mine. Satisfied, I closed the trunk and started toward the bar.
At the last moment, I grabbed Isabelle’s leftovers from lunch. Humans never did well with too much alcohol and no food.
Inside the tavern, everyone sat at the bar.
The effects seem mostly worn off, Grey sent me before I could ask. According to Bethi, Isabelle can force out the emotions she absorbs. Usually, it’s lethal to the recipient and Isabelle.
“Are there any other hidden talents I should know about?” Isabelle asked Bethi.
“If there are, I haven’t dreamt them,” she said. “I really hope you’ll be able to fix the hangover I’m going to have tomorrow.”
“Sorry, babe. Hangovers aren’t emotions.”
In the mirror, Isabelle watched me cross the room, blushed, then looked away. I stepped up behind her. In the mirror, our gazes met. Her heart skipped a beat.
“You should try to eat,” I said, setting the container in front of her. “Please.”
She nodded and opened the box. Bethi stole some of Isabelle’s bacon, but Isabelle ate at least half of the burger before she set it down again.
“Finished?” I asked.
“All yours,” she said, nudging the container to the side. I reached around her and picked up the burger. I was hungry, but not for her food. Unfortunately, that was all she would be offering for a while.
Winifred pushed back her stool as I finished.
“Looks like it’s time to go,” Bethi said.
I offered Isabelle a hand, but she declined. She was still a little unsteady on her feet as we exited.
When Jim passed Winifred, she held out her hand. He sighed and handed over the keys. Everyone piled into the same vehicles, leaving us alone.
Isabelle seemed to notice that, too, because she hesitated before veering toward our car. I closed the door for her, once she was in, then joined her. She didn’t say anything as I adjusted the mirror, just leaned back and closed her eyes.
As soon as I pulled out of the parking lot, she opened her eyes and swallowed hard.
“You can lean on me again,” I said, offering the only comfort I could give at the moment.