Page 29 of The Demigod Complex
An adorable blush stole up her cheeks. He wanted to take her back to their bedroom and find out if her entire body blushed the same way.
Marrok cleared his throat. “And I thoughtwewere throwing off pheromones tonight. I think you two are giving us a run for our money.”
They both laughed at the alpha’s attempt to break the tension, though Castor could tell Leia’s giggle was forced. He didn’t miss the flash of hatred in Kaios’s eyes. Disguised quickly, the burn was unmistakable. Pure, unadulterated hatred.
Castor scooted closer to her, needing to protect. What had Leia done to him?
Dinner over, at Tala’s sister and maid of honor Astra’s prompting, Tala and Marrok stood and moved to the center of the room.
Castor knew his role as best man. A tradition at alpha mating ceremonies was for the alpha to put on a display of his skills. He gave Leia’s hand a squeeze and reluctantly left the table to retrieve Marrok’s weapon of choice for his display. As maid of honor, Astra also got up to get Tala’s for her.
Tala and Marrok laughed when they discovered they’d each chosen throwing knives. Duties done, Castor returned to his seat. The alpha pair put on an impressive showing, culminating in both throwing a knife at the other as they stood still against opposite walls.
“Wow,” Leia whispered when it was over. “They’re very evenly matched, but in different ways. Good thing they mated rather than battled for the right to be alpha.”
Castor agreed.
Following their display, the bride and groom shared their first dance, after which the floor was open to everyone. And it was needed, because the sexual tension had built back up in the room with the physical displays.
Needing to get her away from the werewolf—and also closer to himself—Castor pushed his chair back, stood, and held out a hand to his date. “Dance with me?”
She stayed where she was and pursed her lips. “Maybe that’s not a good idea.”
“What? Don’t dance?”
“And if I said I didn’t?”
“I’d say you can put your feet on top of mine.”
She shook her head, biting down on her smile.
“Come on,” he urged.
“I’ll pass.”
He leaned down and placed his lips close to her ear. “Iwantto dance with you.”
Still she hesitated.
“Please?” He found himself holding his breath like this was the first woman he’d ever asked to dance. If Pollux could see him now, his brother wouldn’t let him live it down.
When he’d about decided to give up and sit back down, she placed her hand in his and got gracefully to her feet. “Just remember whose idea this was.”
Not hers. He got the message.
He led her out onto the floor. The DJ was still playing slower songs as people wrapped up eating. He pulled her into his arms, and his hand at her waist encountered bare skin, warm and silky under his fingertips.
“I can’t believe you did that,” she whispered. “Lightning? Really?”
“No one threatens you around me.”
She shook her head, but he could see a warmth in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.
“Every man in this room hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you tonight in this dress.”
She chuckled softly. “The same way every woman hasn’t been able to stop stripping that elegant tux off your body with their eyes. We’re all driven by the same urges tonight, and they don’t come from us. They come from them.” She tipped her head at Tala and Marrok, currently circling the room together greeting guests.
He was tempted to challenge that idea, knowing this thing between them had started before coming to Colorado. At least for him. Knowing Leia, she’d pull away if he did, and he wanted her close. Besides, he could hardly argue with his erection pulsing and the pressure inside him needing release.
