Page 37 of Same Rogue
Bridger opened her car door wider and gestured for her to get in. And he patted her butt as she turned. A smile lit up her face. Her cheeks were still on fire, but not from embarrassment. It was from pleasure. Oh, she liked this man. He was complicated, but he was holding her attention like no other man ever had.
He felt special. Important.
Oh, she knew she was in danger of falling too hard too fast for him, and this was probably going to hurt very badly at the bottom of this fall, but she couldn’t help herself. She was on a grand adventure right now, and sink or swim, she was going to enjoy it while it lasted.
Chapter Ten
The texting started when she was halfway to Bridger’s house.
The calling started five minutes out.
She hated the name that was lighting up the screen right now. What could Seth want?
Orion’s name showed up on the next call, and this one, she couldn’t ignore. He was her Alpha.
She could see Bridger’s house from here. He was getting out of his truck in front of it. She was in a place where the negativity of the McIver Pack shouldn’t be able to reach her, and now she was realizing how easy it had been for them to reach her all along.
She accepted the call. “Why aren’t you picking up my calls?” Seth asked.
Kit closed her eyes as a wave of dread filled her belly.
“Hello!” he barked. “You’ll pick up for Orion, but not for me, your mate.”
“You aren’t my mate. I have told you that a dozen times.”
“Well, according to the message we just received, your pairing fell through, and you remember the rule.”
“Your rule. Not Orion’s rule.”
“You were promised to me, Nakita.”
She hated the way her name sounded in his voice. She swallowed down a growl and gripped the steering wheel tighter. “I have to go.”
“Go where? I hope you mean you are headed back here. You failed the pairing just like I told you, and Orion told you and everyone else here. We’ve already had a Pack meeting, and youwill be reprimanded when you get home for what you’ve put us all through.”
“What have I put anyone through? My decision on who I pair with is up to me. I didn’t hurt anyone.”
“You don’t think abandoning this Pack is hurtful? Seriously, Nakita? Are you fucking serious right now?”
There was a murmuring in the background, and static as someone scuffled for the phone. Orion spoke into the phone. “I want you to come home. Now.”
Bridger was waiting on the porch, his head cocked, his eyes full of confusion. The scene was picturesque. The sun was shining brightly, and the grass behind his modular home was waving in the breeze. The leaves on the trees were full and thick, and everything seemed so crystal clear. Bridger looked so handsome in that power stance of his.
“I’m not in your Pack right now,” she said softly. “You can’t use Alpha orders on me.”
Bridger was heading this way. “I really have to go.”
“I order you not to hang up on me!” Orion roared. “I’m coming to get you. Where are you?”
“Why do you want me to come back so badly?” she asked.
“Because Seth wants you. You know this. He’s been open and patient.”
“Patient,” she murmured as Bridger opened the passenger’s side door, a question on his lips.
He looked at the screen of her car, and then leaned on the open doorway, silent, listening.
“I’ve told Seth he is not for me so many times, and no one listens to me.”
