Page 81 of Wicked Dove
Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I hold out my hand, which he takes.
It seems I’m agreeing to every deal tonight.
TWENTY-SIX
ELODIE
Ashudder runs down my spine at the sound of pool balls rattling around the felt as Kael breaks. Every pool table was taken as we entered the segregated area, but the second Kael approached the one at the far end of the room, the people using it dispersed so fast I didn’t catch a single one of their faces. Now we have the open spot to play, a black leather sofa along the right wall, and two high-top tables on the other side.
It feels like I can breathe better now. That is, until one of them gets too close, then I’m suffocating all over again. I try my hardest to compose myself, but the draw I feel toward them is undeniable.
Ocean lounges on the sofa, peering at the next table, while Thorne leans against one of the high-tops. Rion is tracking my every move from his spot on the arm of the sofa, leaving Kael to dominate the table like he owns it.
He manages to sink a stripe on his break, along with two more, leaving me with the solids. His eyes don’t find mine until he misses, making it my turn.
“Ready?”
“I was half expecting you to clear the table before I got a chance,” I admit, eyeing my shot, and he smirks but keeps his mouth shut as I lean forward, lining up my cue.
Exhaling just like Walker taught me, I breeze through the motion, and the tip of my cue hits the white ball firmly, sending the orange ball straight into the pocket. I desperately want to lift my gaze and see if I’ve surprised him, but I don’t, forcing myself to keep my cool, but the chuckle that comes from Rion makes my skin prickle with a sense of pride.
I round the table, lining up my next shot, which I put away with ease, managing two more before the purple ball rattles against the edge of the pocket, refusing to go in. Only then do I lift my gaze to his.
Kael’s emerald eyes glisten with mischief, but his emotions are locked down as always. Almost pouting, I turn to Rion, who is grinning at me. He winks and I clench my thighs, but before I do something stupid, I press my back against the wall, watching Kael take his shot.
We go back and forth three more times until I’m left with only the eight ball, while he still has his yellow striped nine ball to play too. Excitement gathers in my chest and I sink my teeth into my bottom lip to hide the smile on my face.
“You show him, Elodie,” Ocean hollers, making my cheeks heat as I line up what I hope is my final shot.
It’s not going to be the easiest move, but I’ve pulled it off before. I just have to take my time. Lining up my cue, I exhale as I place it against my fingers, trying to judge how much power I need to put behind the shot. I’ve nearly got it when someone presses up behind me and I freeze.
No hands, nothing to send me into a spiral, but they press their entire front to my back. His familiar scent envelops me and I bite back a groan. “You’ve got this, Petal. Show him who thewinner is,” he breathes against the shell of my ear, making it impossible for me to think.
I try to block him out, focusing all of my attention on my shot when he presses his length against me, making me gasp as I slip forward just an inch, knocking the white ball. I stare in disbelief at the table, aware there’s no redo, before I whirl around to face the wolf in question.
He saunters back with a grin firmly in place, telling me he knew exactly what he was doing. Before I can even give him a piece of my mind, the sound of a shot being taken right behind me cuts through the air, followed swiftly by another, and I turn just in time to watch the eight ball sink into the pocket.
If I thought the shit-eating grin on Rion’s face was bad, it pales in comparison to the vampire who I didn’t even think knew how to smile.
Thorne remains impassive as Ocean covers her mouth with her hand, failing to hide her laugh while Kael cuts the few steps between us effortlessly.
“Time to cash in on my prize,” he breathes when we’re toe to toe.
“Now?” I blurt, eyes wide in surprise, and he nods.
“Right now,” he clarifies, and I shake my head.
“I’m not wearing the right clothes,” I mutter, looking down at myself. When I tilt my face back up to meet his eyes, he doesn’t seem fazed at all.
“I think I’ll be the judge of that, as your guardian, of course,” he states, tapping his finger under my chin. “Say goodbye to your friend. Rion and Thorne will make sure she gets home safely,” he adds, and I gulp, turning to her in a slight state of shock.
“Bye, Ocean,” I rasp, silently pleading with her to insist on not being separated, but if anything, she seems to applaud my current situation.
“Bye, Elodie,” she says with a wink, waving for good measure, and I glare at her.
I’m sure she warned me about this exact same guy when I got here. Look at her now.
Before I can come up with an excuse for myself, Kael’s fingers wrap around my hand as he tugs me toward the exit.
