Page 74 of A Taste of Torment
We’re not really together. Not really dating.
He doesn’t really like me like that.
“Come with me.” He tugs me by my free hand to an open chair. He sits and pats the footrest for me to sit between his legs. I oblige with an awkward smile.
He keeps hold of my hand, as I sit. He watches me closely. What is he looking for?
“Is that what you want?” he asks softly.
I press my lips together. “I… no. I mean, it’s what we talked about before, in the speakeasy. It’s… for the—” I cut off my rambling.
He glances at the large group gathered in the opposite corner, chatting and laughing and occasionally sending glances our way. His lips are turned down, his jaw tight.
“Unless you don’t want to,” I offer, stomach sour.
He gives me a half-grin, his expression still slack. “What I don’t want, Candice, is to kiss you if you don’t want it.”
My lips part. I hadn’t expected that. “But I thought—”
“I was wrong. It’s not fair to hold that over you.” He looks away again. “I don’t want to if you don’t.”
I lick my lips. There’s a tension in my limbs that I’m unsure how to define. I’m confused to my very core. I want him. I don’t want him. I desperately want him to want me, and I’m terrified of that very same thing.
“What about them?” I ask. “Aren’t we supposed to sell this?”
“Believe me, we did that already. Maybe we’ll just save the kiss for another time. This was plenty enough for tonight.”
Disappointment swirls in my stomach. And shame at that same feeling. What the hell is happening to me? “You’re sure? They believe you’re really into me?”
Jarron chuckles, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Yes, they are fully convinced. For now.”
His fingers dance gentle circles on my knee.
“Tomorrow, you should spend some time in Elite Hall. We’ll make it casual, not a date. You can have free reign. Go to the library, get a chai. Sit in the lounge. I’ll be around, keeping an eye out, but we won’t stay together the whole time. You may find opportunities to meet some new friends.”
My brow furrows. “Friends?”
“When I offered to help, I told you I could make the Elite want to be your friends and tell you all of their dark secrets.”
“You also said that would happen in a matter of days.”
“Yes, well, it could have, but you were hesitant, and I didn’t want to push you.”
Fair enough. I was terrified of this place, of how it made me feel. I was out of my element, and they could all tell. Now, I guess I’m feeling more comfortable. “So, you’re saying if I spend time here without you, Auren and Manuela and Mia, the wolves, and whomever else will spill their guts to me?”
“No, not all of them. Most likely the lesser females in the hall. The ones who want in but aren’t quite there yet.”
“None of the guys?” I ask, simply curious.
“Most of them will be too afraid to spark my jealousy.”
“Except Stassi,” I say. He’s most definitely not afraid to make Jarron jealous.
He nods. “Except Stassi. He’s like that with everyone. He would never overstep with you.”
“Would it?” I ask. “Would other wolves talking to me make you jealous?”
“Maybe. Many of the wolves are already on thin ice with me. They’re too forward, and I don’t like how they look at you.”
