Page 74 of Rocked By the Alpha
“Nothing. Just hungry. Going to need a slice of pizza after this.” He bends down so his mouth is by her ear. “Or maybe I’ll just eat you.”
The woman sitting beside Ruby chokes on her wine and Ruby’s face flushes scarlet. Perhaps he didn’t say that as quietly as he thought. He downs his wine. It’s starting to loosen him up and yet that irritation continues to bubble in the pit of his stomach, and it makes it impossible to sit still.
“I loved your dress for the American Music Awards by the way, Ruby,” Julia says. “You looked sensational.”
“Unfortunately, dressing like that attracted the attention of an unsavory Alpha,” her mom says.
Ruby’s scent peaks and her fork freezes in midair.
“You mean like me.” West chuckles, disguising the sound of the soft pur he hopes will relax the Omega.
“I don’t think it’s a laughing matter,” her dad snaps, glaring down the table.
Julia’s gaze swings around. “I’m sorry. Have I …”
“Some Alpha broke into her house,” Ruby’s dad explains, “and defiled her possessions.”
West turns to Ruby. “It is a very serious matter. But I’m not sure your daughter wants to talk about it—“
“West actually came to my rescue that night.” Ruby catches his eye. He can’t tell if she hopes to silence or placate him with that stare.
“I’d hope so.” Her mom motions to a waiter in the corner. “We need more wine.” The waiter approaches and begins to circle the table, pouring wine into each glass. “But honestly, Ruby, what did you expect?”
“That dress put her on the front page of every music and fashion website. Shit, you can’t buy that kind of publicity. I’d wear it if it guaranteed me that kind of exposure. Although I haven’t got the figure to pull it off.”
The aunt sitting on the other side of Ruby coughs, and another guest starts to talk about their recent business trip to Japan.
The scent of the Omega remains elevated and her face seems drained of colour. He has an urge to grab her hand and drag her away.
“Do you want to leave?” he asks, whispering into her ear, careful to be quieter this time.
“No,” she says, finding his hand under the table.
But before he has a chance to insist on it, the plates are cleared and a dark chocolate torte is brought out, sparklers hissing on top and happy anniversary iced around the bottom.
He’s trapped for another course.
Chapter 22
After the meal she excuses herself to the bathroom. Her mom is waiting for her by the sinks when she emerges from the cubicle. Ruby steps forward and turns one of the golden taps, letting the warm water cascade over her hands. Her eyes meet her mom’s in the mirror.
“Was this deliberate, Ruby?” her mom hisses, frowning at her.
Ruby pumps the sweet smelling soap into her waiting palm. It smells of fresh roses. “What do you mean?”
“Bringing that man here tonight. Were you deliberately trying to embarrass us in front of our friends? Were you trying to make a scene?”
Ruby yanks the tap off and shakes her hands in the sink. Droplets of water sparkle as they hit the porcelain. Jerking her chin up, she scowls at her mom. Not this. Not this argument. They haven’t had it in a long time. She thought all that had passed.
“Are you kidding me?” she says. “He’s my boyfriend. You wanted me to bring someone, remember? You’ve been bugging me about bringing a date for weeks.”
“Not someone like that, Ruby. Your father is fuming out there.”
“Like what, Mom?” she says, wiping her wet hands on her skirt and folding her arms over her chest.
“Someone with so little respect.”
“Bullshit, he was plenty respectful.”
