Page 6

I’d vowed never to return to Winnipeg, but here I was in the pack’s SUV once more driving into the city. I hadn’t tried running again, but my next escape was planned in my head. Mostly. Really, it was just take whatever opportunity came my way once I was rid of the guys and go.

The sweatpants I’d borrowed were too big and threatened to fall off my hips if I didn’t keep them securely tied. They were also in danger of being soaked like my leggings. Damn these hot Alphas for triggering my heat and making my slick flow. Even as I sat in the front passenger seat, I squirmed with my growing ache to be fucked and knotted.

Tiergan gripped the steering wheel so hard, his knuckles were white. The big bulge in his jeans kept drawing my gaze and made me squeeze my thighs.

Kane and Maddox were in the two seats behind me. I didn’t need to see them to be affected by them. Their powerful presences, hungry eyes on me, their very masculine scents. I swore I could even hear their thumping hearts.

I was hyper aware of these Alphas. Every breath, every little move they made, and when they spoke, their gorgeous deep voices.

Another reason I needed to get as far away from Winnipeg as soon as possible.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come out with us? We have time for one drink before the bar closes.” Ewan had been trying to get me to go out and party with them the entire drive. Another place, another time, I would have jumped at the chance.

“No girl would be caught dead in sweatpants at a bar.” I laughed it away. Everyone in the SUV knew the real reason I couldn’t go out with them. I’d made it clear back at the house that even though I was compatible with the Alphas, nothing would happen. Kane agreed that was for the best, even if he said it with clenched teeth. Tiergan and Maddox didn’t argue against it, but they weren’t happy about it.

Hell, none of us were. They were players on my dad’s hockey team. That alone was enough to keep far away from each other. But them living here in Winnipeg? Double nope.

“We’re dropping her off at her hotel and then going home.” Kane wasn’t having any of Ewan’s crap. And I liked that he was so in charge. I hated I liked it so much.

“I’ve never been in the Fort Garry Hotel. I bet it’s beautiful inside.” Alderic had been doing his best to keep some sense of normalcy among us. I wanted to hug him for it, kiss him. Oh that delicious mouth of his. I bet he could eat pussy like no one else.

I bit my tongue to keep the horny thoughts out of my head.

“Yeah.” Ewan nodded and grinned. “We should all go in and—”

“No one but Kienna is going in,” Kane snapped. His order made me want to hop on his lap and rebel by inviting everyone else inside at the same time. My heat was screwing with my focus. I needed to ditch these guys and get out of town.

The historic Fort Garry Hotel loomed over the streets a few blocks over. It was an incredible sight with its neo-chateau style. With thirteen floors, it had pale stone walls with teal peaked roofs, and a lobby that was classic and sleek with black furniture against pale gold marble. “It’s a gorgeous place, but just as boring as any hotel.”

My dad and I had the luscious Grand Suite, and boring didn’t even begin to cover my three days stuck in the room. If I was a good daughter, it would be my home for the next month. But ever since I’d been sent away to St. Anne’s, I wore my title as brat with pride.

“It’s only as fun as you make it, baby.” Ewan chuckled and winked when I glanced back at him.

The guy had a point. I wasn’t planning on staying anyway.

Tiergan pulled the SUV up to the front of the hotel and parked. All of the doors opened at the same time, and the pack was out of the vehicle before I could even undo my seatbelt. Maddox opened my door and held out a hand to help me out.

I yelled at myself in my head not to touch him, but my hand was already in his as I exited the SUV. His grip was hot and firm, like he wasn’t planning on letting me go. My lower abdomen quivered, and I barely swallowed my whimper.

Maddox didn’t say a thing. He helped me out and shut the door behind me. His half-hooded eyes held the promises of all the dirty things he wanted to do to me.

And fuck, I wanted him to do them. I wanted to climb that mountain of an Alpha…

No. I yanked my hand away. “Thank you.” I dipped my head to them all as I backed away toward the hotel’s entrance. “Thank you all for your help tonight.”

Kane stepped toward me. “If there’s anything else, anything at all—”

“I’m good.” I cut him off. A cold shower was in order before I did anything else. There was fire in my veins and my slick was soaking my panties again. “Good luck the rest of your season.”

With that, I rushed up the stairs toward the hotel doors. The faster I got away from the pack, the better. I didn’t trust myself. I wanted too badly to take them back to my room and have my way with all of them.

Behind me, the guys shouted their goodbyes, and then Kane told them to each take an exit and watch it in case I tried to run. He didn’t try to say it quietly. The asshole wanted me to hear him.

How dare he! He wasn’t my mate or chaperon. Not that I would listen to them either. No one was the boss of me.

I stormed through the hotel entrance without gracing the pack with a look back and went directly to the front desk. The older woman behind the counter was familiar and smiled when she saw me.

“Good evening, Miss Birk. How can I help you tonight?”

The urge to scream vibrated in my throat, but the poor lady hadn’t done anything. I swallowed my fury and forced a smile. “Hi. Yes, are there any messages for me?”

She pecked at the keys on her computer. I took note of her name on the tag on her jacket. Belinda shook her head. “Sorry, there are none.”

“That’s okay. I lost my cell earlier, and I didn’t know if my father would be trying to get a hold of me.” It was a relief to know that my dad hadn’t been searching for me, but at the same time, it hurt. That meant he was still with the team’s coach, probably gone out for a meal and drinks. Without me. And not even concerned I wasn’t at the arena. “If he does call, you can tell him I lost my phone, and I’m in our room for the night.”

“Very good, Miss Birk. If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know.” Belinda smiled, soft and motherly.

“Thank you. Have a good night.” I gave her a little wave, hoping I didn’t sound sharp or rushed. Belinda was a nice lady, and she didn’t need to suffer because of the bastards that I knew were positioned at the various exits of the building.

Screw them all. I marched to the elevators and dug in my purse for my card key. I shifted my coat and bag of snacks to the other hand as I located the key. The elevator dinged and the doors swished open. Cold shower first then I’d use my dad’s laptop to email Nicolette and order a replacement phone. By that point, the pack will have left, and I could make my getaway.

A pang of need went through me as I stepped into the elevator. I bit back a whine. Maybe I needed more than just a cold shower. Maybe I needed…

I turned as a tall and strikingly handsome man entered the elevator with me. His dark blond hair was brushed to the side fanning over his dreamy hazel eyes. Sexy scruff lined his square jaw, and a teasing smile lifted his lips. His muscled arms and chest stretched the polo shirt he wore. Every molecule in me went yes, please!

He turned to face me, graceful despite his large frame. Lifting his chin slightly, he breathed in deeply. Oh God. Breathing me in.

Shit . He was an Alpha.

The doors slid shut, cutting off the rest of the world.

My heart beat hard in my chest, and I swallowed hard.

“Good evening.” A deep slavic accent curled around his words. My thighs clenched together as I clutched my things. “How are you doing tonight?”

Hot. Horny. Feeling a bit crazy. “Fine. And yourself?”

“Better now that I’m sharing an elevator with you.” He smiled and it was as if I was melting into a trembling puddle before him. When he leaned toward me, I sucked in a breath. He reached a hand beside me to hit a button on the panel. “Which floor do you need?”

“Uh… the grand suite.” I couldn’t for the life of me remember the floor number at the moment. Fuck. It took everything in me not to touch him, to plaster myself against him and mash my mouth to his.

“Ah, I’m in the vice regal. Same floor then.” His arm dropped back by his side as he offered his opposite hand. Such a big hand. “I’m Casimir Velky. May I ask your name?”

Casimir. A fucking hot name. “Kienna. Kienna Birk.” I shouldn’t touch his hand. An Omega without an escort shouldn’t be anywhere near an unrelated Alpha, but I couldn’t resist. When my fingers touched his, I gasped as every nerve in me was zapped. His grip tightened as his eyes dilated. We were compatible. This was insane. My mouth kept talking, but I was barely hearing my own words as my pulse pounded in my ears. “How long have you been here? I haven’t seen you around the hotel.”

“I just got back to town tonight. Kienna.” Casimir lifted my hand and brushed his lips over the back of it. I couldn’t contain my whimper in time. “Such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”

The elevator shuddered as it came to a stop and dinged as the doors slid open.

Run! I needed to get away from this incredibly gorgeous hunk of an Alpha. My feet wouldn’t move.

“Shall I escort you to your room?” Casimir swept his arm toward the hall. Despite being on the edge of control, he was being a perfect gentleman. Though he hadn’t released my hand yet.

“Okay.” Why did I say that? And my damn voice sounded breathy and wanton. Was I panting?

Casimir led the way, our hands still connected. His thumb ran over my knuckles. It was strangely soothing and electrifying at the same time.

The rest of the world was blurry compared to him. Every one of my senses were hyper focused on him and every tiny move he made. Slick dripped down my thighs, and I positioned my coat in front of me so he wouldn’t see. I’d escaped three handsome Alphas only to end up following a fourth to my hotel room. Why the hell was this happening to me now, and in Winnipeg of all places?

I blinked and we were at my door. He still hadn’t let go of my hand.

Casimir leaned in, bending his head so that his nose nearly touched the top of my head. His chest heaved with each breath. “Invite me in.”

I shouldn’t. He smelled so good though. A rich and masculine amber scent with a hint of leather. Not even a cold shower and vigorous masturbation would fix this. “Why? Are you a vampire?”

His chuckle was almost a rumble of thunder. “No. I’m trying very hard to be a gentleman, and the closer I am to you, the harder it becomes.”

Oh fuck. My mind went to all the filthy places with that. My body agreed with those thoughts, aching to have him take me. “But… I don’t know you. What if you’re a murderer?”

“I’d never harm you. Never.” He growled out the last word with his mouth next to my ear.

I knew it to be true. I felt it to my very bones. With him, I was safe. With him… It was like when Kane held me, and when Maddox did. It felt right in their arms, just as it felt right here with Casimir. Yet Kane and the pack were players on my dad’s hockey team. Casimir was likely just some visiting businessman passing through the province. One night and he’d be gone. I wouldn’t have to worry about seeing him again. I’d be free to do as I wished.

“I have a flight to catch in the morning. You can’t stay long.” I should have pushed him away and told him this wasn’t happening. I ran from the pack, but they left me with a throbbing need. Now here I was with Casimir, dripping with slick and ready for him to take me. I couldn’t imagine it not happening. I had to have him.

Just for a little while. Then he’d be gone forever.

“Invite me in,” he whispered more harshly. His breath was hot against my neck.

“You’re invited, but you have to promise me one thing.” I swiped my key card and the door beeped. It swept open behind me into the room, and I nearly fell back with it. Casimir kept me on my feet and walked step for step with me into the suite. Our bodies so in sync. The door shut, and I dropped my stuff onto the nearest chair.

“What do you want me to promise?” His arms snaked around me, and when our bodies pressed together, my body shook like I’d had a mini orgasm.

I had to have him.

“Promise me you’ll no longer try to be a gentleman.”