Page 91 of Hex on the Rocks
But he wanted to. God, he wanted to.
“When do you leave?” he asked, when a lull fell in the conversation. “For the expedition.”
Rosemary’s expression flickered—a complicated emotion passing through her eyes. “Three weeks.”
Three weeks.
His mate was about to sail to the other side of the world.
The universe had a sick sense of humor.
“That’s not long.” Beck kept his voice light, even as his wolf howled in protest.
“No.” She looked down at her champagne glass. “It’s not.”
Silence stretched between them—charged, uncertain. Beck could feel his wolf straining against his control, demanding that he do something, say something, make her understand that she couldn’t leave because she was his and?—
He took a breath. Centered himself.
What had he learned, watching Leo and Junie these past months? That mates weren’t obligations. That the bond was a beginning, not a guarantee. That the choice to stay, to try, to build a life—that choice mattered more than any instinct.
Leo had given Junie time. Had let her come to him on her own terms, even when his lion screamed for immediate claiming. And in the end, she’d chosen him freely. Completely. Because he’d respected her enough to wait.
Beck could do the same.
Or… he could be direct. Because he wasn’t Leo, and three weeks wasn’t three months, and some opportunities only came once.
“Have dinner with me tomorrow.”
Rosemary’s head snapped up. “What?”
“Dinner. Tomorrow. There’s a great Italian place on Harbor Street—Vito’s, run by the loudest couple you’ll ever meet. The pasta is incredible, and Bella will definitely try to adopt you, but I promise to protect you from excessive matchmaking.”
“That’s…” She blinked at him. “Very direct.”
“Life’s too short for indirect.” He held her gaze, letting her see the sincerity beneath the charm. “You’ve got three weeks. I’ve got three weeks. Let me have them. Let me show you Haven Shores—the real Haven Shores, not the party version. Let me…” He paused, searching for words that wouldn’t sound insane. “Let me get to know you. Before you sail away.”
Rosemary was quiet. Her green eyes searched his face, looking for lies, maybe, or ulterior motives. Beck let her look. He had nothing to hide.
Well. Almost nothing.
“I don’t do this,” she said slowly. “I don’t… meet someone at a party and agree to dinner. I’m not impulsive.”
“Neither am I.” Another lie. Beck was extremely impulsive. But for her, he could learn patience. “This isn’t impulsive. This is… following a hunch.”
“A hunch.”
“I’m very good at hunches.”
That surprised another laugh out of her—that low, hushed sound that made his wolf purr with satisfaction.
“Okay, Beck.” She smiled, and it was like watching the sun come out. “Three weeks. Dinner tomorrow. But if those restaurant owners try to adopt me, I’m holding you responsible.”
“Fair terms.”
Across the garden,the first dance had ended. Junie was surrounded by her friends now, Dahlia and Cassia and Narla pressing in for hugs while Leo watched with an expression of fond exasperation.
Beck caught Junie’s eye across the crowd. She looked at him, then at Rosemary, then back at him—and her grin turned absolutely wicked.
Oh no.She knows.
Junie raised her champagne glass in a silent toast, her meaning clear:About damn time.
Beck flipped her off because some friendships were built on mutual harassment, and turned back to Rosemary.
“Do you want to dance?”
“I thought you were hiding from the dance floor.”
“I was hiding from Avine’s aunt. You’re much better company.”
