Page 90 of Book People

‘Alpha werewolf?’ I look at him. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

He shrugs. ‘Nothing. Just a book I picked up from Kate’s. But seriously. You look like you want to bite someone. Preferably the guy she’s talking to.’

‘It’s her ex,’ I say, watching them.

‘Oh, interesting. What’s he doing here, then?’

‘I overheard them talking. He wants her back.’

‘Ah,’ Dan says sagely. ‘Well, I wouldn’t punch him if I were you. Not the best look to have a brawl at a literary festival.’

I grit my teeth. ‘He deserves to be punched. He was emotionally abusive and hurt her.’

‘Ah,’ Dan says.

‘It’snotabout her,’ I insist. ‘He needs to learn that he can’t treat anyone that way, let alone her.’

‘Right,’ Dan says. ‘I mean, if it was only that he’s an abusive tosser, then yeah, have at. I’d want to get in a kick myself. But you look like you want to actually kill him for her.’

‘Nonsense,’ I snap. ‘The relationship Kate and I have is casual.’

‘Uh huh.’ There’s a world of scepticism in his tone.

I don’t like it and glower at him. ‘What?’

‘Don’t take this the wrong way, Bas, but I’m not sure you can do casual.’

I stiffen. ‘Bullshit. That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve been doing nothing but casual for the past two weeks.’

‘Yeah, but a casual relationship doesn’t usually include punching people.’

A muscle flicks in my jaw. ‘He hurt her, Dan. Do you really think I’m going to stand idly by and let him do it again?’

‘No, I’m only saying that your reaction is a little . . . intense.’

I’m barely listening to him, because I’ve gone back to staring at Kate and Fuckface.

She puts a hand on his arm and he puts his over the top. He’s a prick. I hate him. I want to punch his stupid face and then strangle him with his tie. Not enough to do serious damage, but enough to make sure he goes yelping back to London with his tail between his legs.

‘You should tell her,’ Dan says.

‘Tell her what?’

‘That you have feelings for her.’

‘I don’t,’ I lie. ‘It’s just sex, nothing more.’

Fuckface is touching her shoulder lightly. I want to break his fingers. He manipulated her, he made her feel stupid, hehurther, and now he has the gall to come here. Does he think she’ll fall into his arms? Does he really think he can take her away from me?

Then a jagged shard of doubt pierces my rage.

It’s arrogance to think that I have the higher ground here. That I’m so much better than him, when I’ve hurt her, too, with my insistence on casual. When I know she wants more and that I can’t give it to her.

How can I? The history of the Blackwoods is what it is, and I might not be a gambler or a drunk, but I’m a difficult man. I’m reserved and aloof and I don’t like people. I prefer my connections with books. Kate deserves better than that.

She deserves better than me.

Except . . . I want to be there for her.

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