Page 30 of Wicked Wolves and Tangled Truths
Her body stiffens for just a moment before she relaxes against me and a small thread of pleasure filters through my body. One of her hands presses to my chest right over my heart and I wonder if she can feel it pounding. This girl makes me feel things I’m not entirely sure I want to feel.
My eyes stray to the teal bracelet on her wrist. She’s worn it every time I’ve seen her. Is it sentimental or something? The urge to ask her about it is strong, but I hold myself back, unwilling to expose just how much she intrigues me.
Isa definitely isn’t like other girls. Those girls want to get with me or my boys because we can do something for them. If they’re connected to another faction, they want to gain information that can help them. Or they want a hot night in bed with a wolf. Something the three of us usually wouldn’t mind but it gets old after a while. And in my case, if they’re a shifter, they want a shot at securing a position beside the Southwest Pack’s future Alpha.
Isa doesn’t seem to care about any of that. She doesn’t seem to care about status or power.
And knowing that draws me to her even more.
13
Isa
Idon’t know what is going on between us. It’s like something has shifted, the air is charged and the tension thick. Rafael’s muscular bronze chest is warm beneath my cheek and I find myself absently trailing the devil mask tattoo on his collarbone.
He sighs in contentment and pulls me closer. I’m certain it’s a subconscious reaction, because there’s nothing sexual about the touch at all. And despite the warning bells in my head, I’m not uncomfortable in his arms. In fact, I’m very comfortable. Like, this is where I belong. Right here in his embrace.
It’s not a platonic feeling with him the way it’s always been with Josué, however. I have stupid butterflies in my stomach and an ache in my core that has me clenching my thighs together. I don’t remember being this drawn to Oliver, as though I want to sink into his skin, share the air he breathes.
Maybe it is sexual.
It’s all so confusing. I barely know Rafael Castillo, and what I do know paints him as an arrogant wolf that thinks much too highly of himself. I shouldn’t be here with him. I shouldn’t let him hold me like this. But I am and no matter how many times I tell myself I need to leave, I stay.
The movie ends and Desmond quietly slips away to his room. Jordy hesitates like he wants to hang out some more but a single death glare from Rafael sends him on his way.
Alrighty then.So much for having a buffer.
I stand up once they leave, feeling awkward and out of place. I have no idea what time it is but the commotion outside has quieted. It’s safe to assume most of my classmates have gone to bed or are in the process of doing so.
I fold the blanket we’d been using and place it on the back of the sectional before slipping my feet into my sneakers.Maybe I can go for another run before heading back to Zheng’s cabin?
“What are you doing?” Rafael asks, his arms folded over his chest and his legs spread wide.
Well, someone sure has a self-assured look on his face. I wish I knew what he was thinking. I feel like I’m about to do the walk of shame when I step outside the cabin door, yet we haven’t even done anything. Well, unless that kiss earlier counts.
“I was, uh, just getting ready to head out.” I shrug.
Rafael clasps my hand and tugs me toward him. “Why?”
I bite my bottom lip. He tugs at my hand again, this time harder, and I stumble forward. He catches me and pulls me into his lap. I’m straddling his thighs, his face only inches from mine. His scent reaches my nose and I inhale deep, breathing him in. I’m drawn into his dark brown gaze and heat pools between my legs. His nostrils flare as he scents my arousal and I don’t know if I should be turned on or mortified right now.
My core tightens and I feel his cock harden beneath me. I’m tempted to shift and rock against him but I don’t. I shouldn’t. I can’t.
“Why are you planning to leave, vanilla?”
With that one word, it’s like a bucket of water is dumped over me. “Why do you keep calling me that? What is your deal?” My voice is heated. I hate that he keeps making digs at me. I thought… I don’t know what I thought. But I don’t like him making fun of me.
He chuckles and my annoyance spikes. “I call you vanilla because…” he trails off with a grin.
I push at his chest, my claws pricking my fingertips to graze his bare skin. “Come on.”
His smile widens into the devilish smirk I’ve quickly grown accustomed to seeing on his face. He leans forward, his voice low as he whispers in my ear, “It’s my favorite flavor.”
His breath heats the shell of my ear and I can’t fight the tingles that race up and down my spine. “Your favorite flavor?” I ask, confused.
He nuzzles me and murmurs, “Mmm…. Mexican vanilla. The sweetest taste there is.”
Oh. My. God.
