One could say, upon seeing that look he gave me, he had caught me red-handed... and he did, in a way. There was no one – present at the table – who would want to do him harm, besides me.
It was my own way of making my announcement – the tangible way: Game on!
And hey, don’t blame me for that little prank, he started it when he decided to come in here like he owned the god damned place, make himself comfortable in my home, and then tell my parents that he was my mate when he definitely knew I wasn’t exactly thrilled or eager to admit that.
“Come, I’ll show you the bathroom so you can clean it off.” I softly offered.
A fake smile came upon his face and he was soon following me in silence.
You will so regret whatever it is you have planned for me – trust me on this one, I, once again, made him a silent promise.
Chapter 11
Not Immune
“Just tell me, Jasmine,” he started in a matter-of-fact tone, not even bothering to give me a glance, while vigorously washing his hands, “What are you playing at?” The cuts that had briefly adorned his hands were now completely gone.
“The real question is,” I smirked slightly, giving him an annoyed look, “what are you playing at?”
A small smile made its way onto his face, and, for some interminable seconds, he stared at me intently before averting his eyes and telling me softly, “I just want to get to know you.”
“So, you just barge in here and tell my parents I’m your mate?” The edge in my voice was quite distinct, even though I tried to keep it neutral.
He shrugged nonchalantly and it just made me so mad at him that I couldn’t help myself; I pushed him a little by his shoulder and yelled in a whisper. “You’re such a conceited, arrogant bastard!”
In a heartbeat, he had my back against the wall. “I’m your conceited, arrogant bastard,” he countered intensely. He was so close I could feel his body heat, yet not close enough to touch. I dampened my lips mechanically and his eyes followed the gesture hungrily. He closed the gap between us and leaned in a little so that his breath caressed my cheek, “I’m also very persistent. I always get what I want.”
I saw the unveiled determination in his eyes and my throat suddenly felt really dry; I gulped down nervously as a shiver of pure, unadulterated, unwanted want went down my spine. My heart was drumming against my ribcage, and I was soon taking small shallow breaths. “You’re not unaffected by me,” he whispered against the soft skin beneath my ear, while smothering it with butterfly kisses, “that’s good to know.” I could almost feel the smirk in his words.
I tried to deny what he said but my voice failed me, and I couldn’t utter a single word. A blush crept under my skin, and the bathroom seemed to have gotten ten-degrees hotter. I had to dig my fingernails into the palms of my own fisted hands so as to keep myself from reaching out to him.
Traitorous body! I sighed accusingly, feeling kind of pathetic. And then, as suddenly as he had backed me up against the wall, he freed me of his gaze, of his mouth, and of his almost unbearably arousing closeness.
“Let’s resume our dinner, shall we?” He suggested in a husky tone, his eyes darting to the corridor leading to the dining room. I nodded numbly and then followed him in silence.
He was playing a game of seduction — according to what I just experienced — and, even if it saddened me to say it, the truth was I was not immune to him.
I came to the conclusion that I’d have to make him give up on me somehow. The war won’t be as easy as I’d have thought, but it wouldn’t be half as enticing if it were too simple anyway! A grin took over my mouth and I was soon planning my next move.
Chapter 12
Let the Game Begin
“So, what are you planning to do for your birthday, Jas?” My little brother Jake asked me after a while, trying to break the deafening silence.
I stared into his sparkling grey eyes and answered him smugly, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth, “Seth, Carla, Tim and I are going to the movies then probably dinner,” I threw a pointed look towards Jonathan before adding in a flat tone that was slightly bordering on the smug, “On a double date.”
Our dear alpha-ultra choked on his water, and he was soon glaring at me while gripping the glass really hard.
Oh well, if it breaks this time, it won’t be my fault – so to speak, I smiled at him sweetly, widening my eyes for a more innocent look.
“Maybe you should...err, think about it, honey,” my mom looked almost desperate to make Jonathan relax as she gave me that little advice.
He was taking deep breaths – again – and I couldn’t help but internally sigh in dismay. This was seriously getting old. Did I really have to get a mate; and with anger issues, no less?
Damn it, life really sucks. I inwardly groaned.
“Mom, it was planned two weeks ago,” I whined, “Besides, Tim will be devastated if I bailed on him now.”
“He would probably understand, you barely had two dates before.” She countered; the warning almost palpable in her voice.
"Besides, I already bought the dress," I reminded her, still using that sweet tone of mine. “You know, the off-white one, a little past mid-thigh, with a cute black ribbon?” I clarified, more for Jonathan’s benefit than hers.
“You wouldn’t anger your mate like that, honey?” My father asked rather than stated.
Are you serious, dad? I wanted to scoff but refrained from doing so... I could get away with making Jonathan jealous and angry, but I wouldn’t – not in a million years – want to face the wrath that could be my parents’.
“You see, we agreed to
