Page 15 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

"Why did you leave the pack?" Miles asked.

"Because," I said flatly. "We all have a past."

Ayden watched me for a moment before setting his mug down. "Well, it's nice that she's down. Did you need some time off?"

I shook my head. "No. She's going through some things, and I doubt she would want me around more than I already am." Plus, she left, so why take time off when I had no idea when she was going to be back?

"That doesn't make sense," Owen said. "Didn't she come down to see you?"

I shrugged. "She came down to see me, but I think she came down to get away from whatever is bothering her. I'm waiting until she decides she's ready to tell me. Until then, I'm going to focus on work and…" My mind traveled to Riley.

I thought of the way the dress swayed when she walked. Her legs looked perfectly smooth underneath the dress. Her hips looked curved, and her breasts sat perky in the dress. The front didn't plunge down but didn't hide what she had.

Shit.

This was wrong. Thinking about Riley in this way was wrong on so many levels. She was April's best friend. She was younger than me. And she clearly was going through her own thing.

When she stepped out of the changing room for the first time, I saw how pale she was. She looked scared, and I wondered what was going on in her mind.

Ayden then cleared his throat, pushing himself out of his chair. He grabbed a folder and flipped it open.

"All right, guys, I'm reminding you all about the Winter festival and that everyone is going to be a part of it. I don't want to hear any groans. I warned you all…" Ayden looked around the kitchen and into the living room space, eyeing everyone up. "That you would be helping. Everyone has their jobs for the day. We are running the Santa booth. You all have your elf outfits. And if any of you do not wear it, trust me, you wish you would have because I will find the most disgusting jobs for you for the next year."

"Is this because you have to dress up as Santa and want us all to suffer with you?" Miles asked, a smirk pulling at his lips.

Ayden glared at him. "I mean it, ears and everything. I'm leaving. I have some meetings to attend. We will see you all in the morning, nine sharp."

Ayden turned, slipping out. I glanced at Owen. "Do we really have to wear the outfits?"

Owen nodded. "Yep." Owen pushed himself out of his chair. "You guys all know your tasks. I'll be in the office if you need anything.

We all got working on our task. I was working with Miles in the kitchen, deep cleaning it again. After that, Owen had us run through the drill, making sure we were still within our normal time range.

I looked at my phone, checking the time. I was free to go in a few minutes. I wanted to go home and have a hot shower,but I remembered that April left this morning, and Riley was alone.

After I got off, I swung by the Chinese restaurant and picked up some food. I sent Riley a message and headed to the house she and April rented for their time here.

I pulled up to a small red house on the edge of a small neighborhood. The house itself wasn't large, but it sat on a large piece of land with a huge front porch. It was a cute house, and it felt like an ideal place to escape.

I headed up the stairs and knocked on the door. I waited a few moments, checking my phone as I did. But after a few minutes, I knocked again.

I tried the door, and it was unlocked. I knocked once more as I stepped inside. "Riley? You here? I brought you some dinner. I just wanted to check in and make sure you were doing okay with April being gone now."

The house had an open floor plan. The kitchen was to the right, with a huge island. There were updated appliances and a wine cooler underneath the island. The living room had a large wood fireplace with a rounded blue couch in front of it. Three big bay windows flooded the space with light. It was cozy and silent.

"Riley?" I called her name once more, stepping further into the house. I set the food down on the island and wandered down a hallway. I could hear footsteps and continued.

"Riley, you here?" The hallway had three doors, and I could hear movement as I walked, knowing she had to be down there.

I stopped at the first door and peered inside. My eyes widened as I took in Riley standing in a bright pink bra withrhinestones on the band. She was wearing a matching thong, and her back turned towards the bed.

My mouth dropped slightly as I realized she had earbuds in. I could hear the music from where I stood, so I imagined she didn't even know I was there.

My cock ached instantly, watching her shift on her feet, wiggling her ass as she moved. She was folding clothes without a care in the world. I knew I shouldn't stare, but I couldn't help it. She looked hot as shit in the skimpy outfit.

"And I wanna dance," she sang with the music and turned quickly on her heels. Her hair flew up as she did this, and my heart nearly stopped beating.

Her eyes landed on me, and she screamed. She fumbled backward, yanking at the earbuds and pulling them free.

---