2. Start talking

Emma felt her cheeks heat up at his comment, sure of the red color that was dominating her features. This man clearly knew how to woo his women. Before she could retort, she heard someone yell at her. 

“Can I get a pitcher, miss?” It was a man holding out his card on the bar, awaiting her. 

“I’ll be back in a minute.” She mumbled to Jamie before she headed toward her new customer. 

Instantly after she’d uttered it, she clasped her eyes shut in regret. Why did she have to say that? That was her chance to get rid of him. Inwardly groaning, she poured the beer into the pitcher glass. She looked over her shoulder to see if Jamie was still there, and much to her dismay, he was. Why did she care if he was around? Was she looking forward to spending time with him? 

If it weren’t for the fact that he selflessly put himself before that asshole, she would’ve hardly entertained him. Despite the fact that he looked incredibly attractive to her, with his dark brown hair falling on his forehead in thick strands, and his sharp jaw dusted with an enticing beard of the same color, she knew better than to get involved with her clientele. 

Under newfound nervousness, she managed to strike her skin against the knife on her side. 

“Careful there,” The customer smiled at her, although his eyes were drooping under the influence of alcohol. 

“Here you go sir.” She said, as she handed him his order.

When she headed back to her original counter, her heart fell. He was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he was bored. A dejected sigh left her mouth upon the realization and right then, her eyes caught a hint of familiarity in the distance. She instantly recognised the dark haired man to be Jamie, and noticed that he was beckoning her. 

Emma knew all too well what that invitation meant. He was calling her to a dark secluded space where nobody would catch them should they want to enjoy each other. Initial hesitation held her back, but alcohol had already entered her system, altering her judgment. Before reason could change her mind, she found herself walking towards him and thought she detected a hint of a smirk on his face at her advancement. 

She felt the heat of his gaze as she made his way toward him. Emma was quick to realize that there was something about him that drew her towards him. Like many things in her life, this was yet another reaction she failed to comprehend. The closer she got to him, the more intense became her attraction for him. She simply couldn’t help herself. 

As she finally reached him, his arm instantly reached around her waist, tugging her into the darkness. Pinning her to the wall behind, he let his arm rest against the side of her face, shielding her face from the onlookers. She felt her face flush as he cupped her cheek, running his thumb over her lips before his eyes shot up to meet hers. Despite the trepidations in her heart, she found herself nodding at him, giving him the necessary consent to claim her. 

It had been too long since she let herself get intimate with a man like this. But his eyes bore certain secrecies that were too tempting to resist. Her hands itched to touch him, and it took every bit of resistance in her to stop herself from bringing his lips down to her. 

Seeming to have noticed her agony, Jamie lowered his head, tilting her head ever so lightly so his lips could claim her full well. His lips felt hot and delectable, expertly moving against hers. He started off slowly, but soon, she felt his tongue against her lips, demanding hers. Giving in, she let him deepen the kiss, filling her veins with desire. Right then, she felt his other hand travel to her butt, giving her cheek a gentle squeeze. She couldn’t help but moan in delight, and he found the perfect opportunity to engulf her lower lip, gently nibbling on it, surely drawing some blood.

Suddenly, he broke away from her, as though trying to catch some air. She looked up at him in wonder, her body filling with longing and ecstasy. She couldn’t wait to have his lips on her again, but she was quick to notice that something was off with him. An astonished expression claimed his face, and he looked at her with his mouth agape. She ran her tongue over her lips in nervousness, and that’s when she realized her mistake. 

Her eyes widened as she couldn’t feel the metallic taste on her lower lip from the blood drawn. Her wound had healed itself, and quite possibly right in front of his lips. She felt her heart hammering against her chest, realizing that her secret was out. 

“You…” He said, “You are not human.” 

His hand fell from her cheek and he leaned closer so as to make sure she could clearly hear him. “You are a fucking werewolf!” 

“Sh!” Emma hushed, looking around in worry. Thankfully, no one seemed to hear what he just said. “Can you please be low?” 

She saw as Jamie’s jaw clenched, the taut muscle under his skin twitching in suppressed anger. His hand wrapped around hers and he pressed his body closer to her, essentially trapping her. 

“Where are you from?” 

“What?” She asked in panic, struggling to break free of his grasp. 

“Stop fighting,” he said, “And tell me which pack you belong to. Surely you’re not from the Darkstar pack.”

“The Darkstar?” She uttered, “I’ve never even heard of it.” 

Jamie raised a brow, “You’re in their territory and have never heard of it? Do you take me for a fool?” 

If Emma had felt even a modicum of fear back when she was with Alex, then it completely faded in comparison to what she was feeling now. Cornered in this deserted room, she saw no escape. She could very well scream and call for help, but that came with a risk of getting herself exposed. Jamie looked like no ordinary man, and the only way she could get away from him would be to be truthful. 

“My story is quite complicated.” She said, swallowing a lump in her throat, “I don’t belong to any pack. I wasn’t even aware of my identity until three years ago.” 

“You mean the fact that you’re a wolf?” 

“Yes.” She nodded vehemently. “If you please let me go…” 

“No.” His grip on her tightened. “You’re clearly not as harmless as you seem, Emma. For all I know, you could be a ploy Alex has been meaning to use to distract me.” 

“Alex?” She scoffed, “I didn’t even know him until he came up to me. I swear I have nothing to do with him. You have to believe me.” 

“Why should I?’ 

“Because if you’ll let me, I’ll tell you everything.” She begged, her voice cracking. “Please, Jamie, you’re hurting me.” 

As though he was snapped back into reality, his grip instantly loosened. Clutching her wrists, she rubbed soothing circles on it, before looking up at him with glossy eyes. 

“You need to come with me.” He said, “We’re not done yet.” 

When he took her hand and pulled her along, she had little choice but to comply. Desperately hoping that her dick of a boss wouldn’t catch her running away with a client, she ducked her head and walked right behind his obscuring figure. Even after they’d stepped their feet into the cold air, Jamie didn’t slow his pace. When she saw him directing across the street, she could no longer remain silent. 

“Where are we going?” She asked, to which he gave no reply. Coming to a halt, she forced him to turn around and face her. “I’m not going to let a stranger drag me away. If you won’t tell me where we’re going, I’m going to scream.” 

“We’re going to my car.” He said, “Once we’re inside, you’re going to give me your address, and we’ll drive to your home.”

“My home?” She shrieked, “Why the hell would you want to go there?” 

“Because I’d like to see what else you’re hiding.” He said, and resumed walking. 

“That’s hardly fair. You can’t possibly expect me to declare my werewolf identity to a random flirt at a bar.”

Although she intended to provoke him and extract a response, she failed terribly at it. Soon enough, she found herself in front of a car with the passenger door open. Once she was ushered in, Jamie quickly got behind the wheel and gave her a stern look. 

“Start talking, Emma.” He said before he hit the gas.