Page 81 of Pretend
A part of me hopes and wishes that his smile does something to me, but I’m only left with disappointment. Especially when my stomach twists and turns uncomfortably, when his hand reaches the inside of my thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze.
“Want to get out of here?” Zeke leans into my ear and kisses my cheek.
He moves towards the shell of my ear seductively. His mustache brushes against my skin, and it takes me back to the night Daegan kissed my breasts. I’m begging my body to want Zeke’s deep voice and his touch, but it’s not his voice that turns my world upside down. It’s someone else’s. Someone in a mask.
“Actually, I want to stay for one more drink, and then you can take me back to my room.”
I subtly remove his hand from my thigh.
“Or I can take you back to my room.” He counters, the smell of alcohol seeping into my nose. “We can keep it a secret.”
His mouth brushes over my neck, and I giggle from the ticklish sensation it gives me. Maybe I should give in? Zeke isn’t all bad and is on a SEAL Team Hellhounds. That’s the only reason why Ravenmore hasn’t lost his mind on the whole situation of showing up here tonight on Zeke’s arm.
Zeke’s phone pings loudly, and he coils back in his seat. He holds the phone in his palm, waiting for me to give him an answer.
But I’m quiet.
“I’ll let you think about it, Alessia. I have to take this,” he flashes me his white teeth as he smiles and stands, giving Doom a knuckle touch before he walks away. I’m left alone, and I’m tempted to wave Kane over and tell him I’m headed to bed. I don’t dare to look in Daegan’s direction any longer.
I lift the beer to my lips and notice that it’s empty. I tell Kane I’m headed for more in the USO room, and he doesn’t follow me. His phone rings and his girlfriend’s picture reflects on his screen saver. His eyes light up and sparkle with anticipation. The man is so in love.
“Just take it. I’ll be fine. It’s just the USO room.” I encourage him, pointing to the empty small building behind him. Everyone is either sleeping or at the firepit.
“It’s a clear sky tonight, with twinkling vivid stars. It’s a perfect night for you to video call this mystery woman of yours.” I gently nudge his shoulder with my knuckle. “Talk to her. I won’t say anything, and I’ll be back in a few seconds.”
“You’re the best.” Kane towers over and nods. With his big hand, he reaches over my head and ruffles my curls in a brotherly fashion. I slap and push his chest away playfully as he slides the button to answer, already walking away from me.
I walk into the empty, cold building that sits across the hangar where helicopters are stored. I grab the beer out of the ice chest and turn into a fucking wall.
30
ALESSIA
It turnsout the wall I ran into was of the human type.
“What are you doing here with Zeke?” A familiar voice interrupts my isolated moment. I drop the beer, but Daegan catches it before it hits the ground.
“Oh my fucking gosh!” I almost stumble and fall. “I could ask you the same thing.” I rip my gaze from his shadow on the floor to his massive frame towering over me. His grey eyes aren’t welcoming. They’re lethal, and his mask is gone. His dark waves are carefully brushed back on both sides, and it’s enticing.
“Why are you here with him?” He drawls, stipulation evident in his rugged voice. “And what the hell are you doing drinking? The alcohol is only for SEALS. This is your third beer. Don’t you think you should slow down?”
I straighten my back, astonished.
He’s been watching me? Tracking how much I’m drinking?
“I–uh. Yes, I’m drinking, and yes, I’m with Zeke tonight. He’s providing the alcohol for me. I don’t owe you an explanation. Nice to see you too, grumpy.” I take my beer from his hand, and he steps forward, closing the distance.
“I don’t like to repeat myself, Valentine. Why are you with him?”
I land on my two feet, my hair tied back in a bun, with a few loose curls in the front.
“What do you mean, why? The deployment is almost over, and this is my last night out for a while. I could ask you the same question.”
He raises his brows like he’s amused by the witty response. He smirks, his sharp canines brushing his bottom lip.
“So you broke up with your boyfriend and tried to get laid right afterwith me, and now with Zeke?” He hardens his voice, scolding me like a child. I stare down layers of grey as he wrathfully burns holes through me.
“Oh, so what are you saying? That I’m a slut? Is that what you’re implying?”
