Page 76 of Pack Choice

“Or we could skip dinner and go straight to the hotel room. I’d happily eat you out all evening if you wanted me to, Omega.” His eyes darken. “If you’d let me.”

I straighten my blouse and run my fingers through my hair. It’s a little damp around my brow. Ford will know exactly what we’ve been up to in this office when I walk through the door.

But what does it matter? He’s made it clear: last night was a onetime-only thing. Then again, I don’t particularly want him following me to a hotel and waiting outside. That would be … mortifying.

“And what exactly is wrong with your place?”

“My place?” Colten says, rising to his feet.

“Yes, why can’t we go back there. Is it hideous? Are you a slob?”

He chuckles, but it doesn’t sound genuine. “Yeah, something like that. A hotel would be better. Unless … you want to take me back to your nest, sweetheart.”

“And have you castrated by my brothers? No.” I tilt my head to one side, considering him as he offers me his hand and pulls me to my feet.

“Then a hotel it is. You ever been to The Rockery? The suite there will blow your mind. The view is–”

“Is that where you take all your girls, Mr. Red Flag?” I ask.

“No.” He pauses. “I stayed there when we first moved to the city. Before I found us somewhere to live.”

We? Us?

What the …?

“Actually, let’s make it your place,” I say, fiddling with his collar as he holds me close.

“I’d … I’d rather not.”

I push away from him. “You’re married aren’t you?!” I snap, my cheeks suddenly hot. I should have known.

“Married? Me? No.”

“Okay, not married, but you have a girlfriend, don’t you?” I shake my head. My legs wobble. Nausea bubbles in my throat. First Ford. Then Colt. There is a reason they warn us about lone wolves. And I fell for it anyway. “Oh my God, how could I have been so stupid! Of course, you do. Your type always does.”

I duck down to retrieve my shoe, for a minute I consider smacking it at his head but I can’t stand to be in this office with him a moment longer. Instead, I hurtle towards the office door.

Colt’s right on my heel, hand pushing the door closed as I try to open it.

“Molly,” he says sternly, “I don’t have a wife, or a girlfriend,” I glare at him, “or a boyfriend, or a partner, or anything like that. I’m completely single.”

“Then what’s the big deal, Colten? You say you want me. You’ve been chasing me for days. And now … now you don’t want me in your house?”

He swallows, the Adam’s apple in his throat rising and falling. “It’s … it’s complicated.”

“I bet it is,” I snap, yanking the door from his grip and swinging it open. “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I have a date tonight. With a pack. I’m not free!”

“What?!” he roars, but I’m already halfway across the office floor, Ford sprinting to catch up with me.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, “what’s happened?”

“Nothing,” I mutter, prodding at the button for the elevator.

He grips my uninjured arm and tries to swing me around.

“Did he do something? Do I need to break his neck?”

His nose twitches and his eyes widen. He releases my arm, hurt flooding his face and I can’t do this anymore.