He was freaking me out, and I didn’t know what to do about it. He had no emotions to pull and was obviously stronger. I was out of my depth with him.
“Please.” It was a desperate last attempt before I really did start yelling my head off.
He exhaled slowly then lifted one of his arms. I scrambled out of bed and rushed to lock myself into the bathroom. The cold of the tile barely registered as, with a quiet thump, I leaned my forehead against the door and released a shaky breath.
After taking a few seconds to calm down, I turned to the sink and started to brush my teeth. I took my time, singing the alphabet in my head three times before spitting. How long would it take for him to leave? The problem with not sensing his emotions was that I didn’t know if he was out there waiting for me.
I used the toilet, washed my hands, and brushed and braided my hair. Hoping sufficient time had passed, I gingerly opened the door just enough to peek out. The room was empty.
Bethi wasn’t going to get another chance for a sleepover after abandoning me like that.
I stalked out of the bathroom and bolted the door to the room before changing for the day.
* * * *
Following my nose, I found the breakfast area on the main floor near the lobby. All the tables, save one, were empty. Carlos sat alone, slowly eating his breakfast of eggs, bacon, and yogurt.
He didn’t look up when I entered, and I hated the swift guilt that hit me. I had nothing to feel guilty about. He’d taken advantage. He knew I was off limits. I’d made it clear. Yet, he continued to be annoyingly intense.
I stomped over to the counter, scooped some eggs onto a plate, grabbed a milk, then purposely ignored him and went to the table near the window.
Since finishing high school, I often found myself alone, watching the world when I wasn’t so angry at it. At times like those, I would pick up the phone and call Ethan.
We’d tried working together after I’d graduated, but the emotions from him and everyone else in the bar had been too much for me. He’d come up with the cage idea after the first time I’d quit. I’d tried again, working for a few hours then fighting. It’d been great. But I’d started drawing too much attention, and Ethan had worried. Thus, I’d found myself in the white-collar employment pool, only working at the bar when I needed a fight. Still, I’d known Ethan was only a phone call away whenever I needed to talk.
It felt like we were on one of our long stretches where we were both busy, and all I needed to do was pick up the phone. If only it were that easy. I missed him.
“Isabelle.”
Carlos’ voice, so close to me, made me jump. I turned and found him next to the table. He was looking down at me, his dark eyes focused on my face.
“We leave in thirty. I’ll get your bag, unless you need to go back to the room for something.”
“Thanks.”
He looked at me for a second longer then left. I breathed a sigh of relief and went back to not eating my cold eggs.
* * * *
“You gunna drop kick me into fairyland?”
Bethi’s voice penetrated my misery, and I pulled my blank stare from the window just in time to see her flop into the chair across from me.
“I should. When you asked to sleep with me, I thought that meant me and you in a bed.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Luke wasn’t willing to bend.” She smirked at her choice of words.
“No more sleepovers for you,” I said, balling up my napkin and tossing it on the plate.
“Come on. You looked like you were pretty comfy.”
“Don’t go there.”
“It’s funny that you’re doing everything you can to stay away from Carlos. I was the complete opposite with Luke.”
“Why?”
“Once I realized he was one of the good guys, I thought he might be my ticket to a few dreamless nights. After all the memories of dying...” She shook her head. “I was desperate. Still am. Anyway, I tried to bite him countless times. He dodged every attempt. I can’t even count how many times I ended up with his hand in my face.”
“Wait, bite? Why bite?”
“Yeah. It’s the werewolf version of being engaged, I guess. I was hoping that Claiming him would stop the dreams. It didn’t. Then, I’d hoped Mating would do the trick. It didn’t either. But at least I’m safer. Mating is essentially tying the unbreakable knot. No, seriously. It’s unbreakable.” She leaned forward and grew serious. “If they catch us, they can’t force us to bite one of their own if we’re Mated. It won’t work as long as our Mate’s alive.”
I heard the words and even registered their meaning on some level, but I was still stuck on biting meaning engaged. My eyes narrowed. I knew biting would have been a bad idea.
“Excuse me,” I said, picking up my plate and standing. “I need to talk to Carlos.”
I tossed my food in the garbage then took the stairs two at a time. He was just leaving the room as I turned the corner. I marched up to him and put my hands on his chest, pushing him back against the door.
“Still want that bite?”
In a blink, I was the one against the door. One of his hands was in my hair and the other gently held the back of my neck. His entire body seemed to curl around me, shielding me from everything. My anger slipped a notch as a burst of desire exploded inside me.
“Yes,” he breathed.
It took me a second to recall I’d asked a question. I pulled my anger around me like a protective blanket and kicked the desire in its teeth.
“Did you maybe forget to mention that biting you would have meant we were engaged?”
He gave an angry growl.
“Yeah, that’s how I feel. What was that run last night? Another trick?” I pushed at him. When he didn’t move, I pinched the inside of his bicep. He winced and pulled away from me. “I don’t like liars, Carlos. Watch yourself.”
I picked up my bag and left him standing in the hall.
By the time I reached the lobby, I saw everyone was already outside, milling around in the parking lot. As soon as I pushed through the doors, they started piling in their assigned vehicles, and I slowed as I realized I’d be stuck in a car alone with Carlos again.
The door opened behind me, and Carlos moved past me, his bag over his shoulder.
“I’m not getting in the car with you,” I said, crossing my arms.
He stopped walking but didn’t turn.
“Why not?”
“Because you’re not following the rule.”
He turned to study me.
“What rule?”
“The don’t-touch-Isabelle-or-she’ll-break-your-damn-hand rule.” I glared at him.
He considered me for a moment and slowly closed the distance between us.
“You’re afraid,” he said, sounding too much like Ethan.
I wanted to hit him. Instead, I marched over to the car to yank the door open and get in. Hopefully the echo of the slammed door let Carlos know just how angry I was.
* * * *
It was a long, tense ride. I spent the time staring out my window.
Three hours into the drive, Carlos suddenly spoke, taking me by surprise.
“What is it you don’t like about me?”
His hesitant tone launched a pity party in my heart. I quickly closed the door on that noise.
“Your persistence.”
I felt him glance at me but refused to look.
“I don’t understand why you keep trying. Nothing’s going to happen. I’m not biting you. I’m not dating you. I’m not doing anything with you.”
“Okay.”
That was it, just a calm, measured okay. I finally turned to look at him. He met my gaze.
“I just want you happy.”
The words made my insides churn with emotion. I could easily gage the mood of those around me, except for Carlos; but when it came to how I felt, I couldn’t look deep. I didn’t want to.
“Then just be my friend,” I said. “I need one.”
He returned his attention to the road, and I went back to watching out the window.