Chapter 18

Chapter

Eighteen

Cal parked the car downtown between a row of other cars, perfectly situated against the curb before he pressed his lips against mine. Immediately, it stole my breath away.

He leaned over the center console to reach me but didn"t complain about the gear shift pushing into his stomach. It was a lot like our first kiss, searching my eyes before I nodded for him to gently cup my chin and pull me in.

Unlike our past kisses, I felt like I couldn't get enough of him in a single second, this one was softer, lighter. It felt like we were reuniting, fireworks going off in my stomach before he pulled back. His thumb stroked along my jawline.

Eyes fluttering at the touch, all I wanted to do was grab his collar and haul him back onto me. His mouth, his lips, his tongue... God the way his teeth even grazed my bottom lip as he pulled away shot fire through my body that I couldn't help but want to go up in flames with.

My cheeks flushed.

For god"s sake, I could feel the heat flooding my body in a way that I usually wasn't used to. It was hot. Molten.

For years, it had only been me all the time. It certainly was only me who took care of my deeper needs that had long been put on hold due to my suppressants and constant work that tired me out.

Now, somehow, around him, my hormones felt like they were coming out to play like a horny teenager.

"I couldn't wait to do that."

Clearly, neither could I.

"You're looking a lot better compared to last night," Cal smiled. "I'm glad."

I tipped my chin. "Did I really look that rough?"

"I probably shouldn't answer that question."

I lightly hit him against the arm with the back of my hand.

He caught it in his and squeezed it, laughing. Sparks traveled up my arm at the intentional touch. "What I mean to say is that you look fucking beautiful, beautiful."

"Thank you."

"Look at you, already being so good at accepting a compliment."

"Be quiet." I laughed, shaking my head. "Where are you taking me, anyway?"

Cal looked out the front car window to where there was a bit of a line hanging out of the shop doorway. "I heard about this new club downtown. It's kind of exclusive and there is supposed to be a great band playing later. Everyone has been raving about it. I know it's a bit louder than our usual spots."

"But we're celebrating," I finished for him.

He flashed a bright smile. "Exactly. Ready to go in?"

I nodded, pushing my door open and stepping out onto the cool sidewalk.

A light breeze kicked up, ruffling the leaves on the trees and my skirt as we headed towards the front. A few people scoffed as Cal flashed a card for the door, getting right in while everyone else stood outside.

My eyes widened. "How did you do that?"

He shrugged, a little sheepish.

"Pack perks," he admitted. "Prestford Enterprises doesn't just own the university around here, but a few hotel chains and clubs in the area."

"You're kidding."

Cal shook his head as we went farther inside.

The club was dark and illuminated by metallic lights. Music already pulsed through speakers by the time we made it past a crowd trying to check their purses. I was glad I thought ahead and didn't bring mine. Instead, I held my cell phone, which Cal took notice of, offering to slip it into his own pants pocket for me.

"Nope," said Cal. "I figure to take you out, it wouldn"t be such a bad thing to show off a bit."

"And he– your alpha–"

Cal grinned as I stumbled over my words, not jumping in to help. "Yes?"

"He doesn't mind that you use his name for things like this?" I asked.

Cal thought for a moment. "Nah, not really. So long as it's nothing really stupid that will come back to haunt us, we take what we can get. Trust me, Daddy Prestford, Demetri's father, owes us that much after putting us through hell with all the busy work he left for us to take over for the past how many years. Do you want to get a drink first?"

"Sure!" I had to raise my voice over the noise.

Cal led me towards the sparkling bar where people were crowded if they weren't dancing in the center of the floor, surrounded by other booths pressed into the side walls and corners. The whole place was like a cave with its alcoves.

"What would you like?" Cal waved for the bartender's attention.

"Um." I wasn't much of a drinker. I never really had the opportunity to be. "I'm not sure."

"Want to try mine first?"

I quickly nodded. After a moment, murmuring too low for me to hear over the music, Cal pulled back over what looked like a soda.

He took a sip before nodding and turning the glass towards me. "Taste."

Before I could think better of how I probably shouldn't have been sharing–we already kissed in the car anyway, I supposed– I took a sip from the small straw.

I cringed.

"No?" Cal chuckled.

"What is that?"

"Jack and cola."

I shook my head. "I like the cola part."

He laughed. "Let me get you something sweeter then, yeah?"

Cal turned back to the bartender, leaving me to look around again.

There were so many people stuffed inside the club. The heat almost didn't bother me anymore, everyone was sticky from moving and the close quarters as the music swayed me back and forth.

Cal grinned as he pulled another glass over the bar, smiling at the way I grinned back. "Here you go, milady. Give it a try."

I stared down at the pink concoction, carefully lifting the glass to my lips as I took a sip. Pulling back, I left behind a pink gloss along the rim. My eyes widened.

"Better?"

It was really good. "What is this?"

"A cosmopolitan. There is cranberry juice and lime in it, I think."

"I really like it."

"Good!" Cal yelled back as we drifted away from the bar and into a new throng of people. Sometimes I forgot I lived in a city with thousands instead of just on campus.

I took another sip of my drink, letting the sweet sharpness of the flavor settle on my tastebuds. Looked like I was experiencing more than just a few things tonight.

I hummed with pleasure as Cal kept looking at me. "What?"

He shook his head. "Just thinking I'm the luckiest bastard in this joint."

I rolled my eyes. He was so corny. "Is that so?"

"How couldn"t I be when I"m with you?"

Shaking my head, I changed the subject. I wasn"t sure if my cheeks could turn any redder. "What were you up to today?"

Cal thought for a moment. "Not a whole lot honestly. I was too worked up about coming out with you tonight. I finished up a few things and sent along those other links you sent me– thank you, by the way. You didn't need to add anymore onto your plate."

"It's fine. I was already looking at it and I figured if sending the link would be helpful to you and your work..." I shrugged. "It was no problem."

"Do you want to dance?"

I took another sip of my drink before setting it down. I felt sad that I had to leave it behind, but I didn't want to miss my chance to dance with Cal.

Taking my hand, he squeezed it once almost as if it were a type of code. I squeezed back as he led us towards the dance floor with the thick crowd of people.

Everyone lost themselves to the music, currently a strange, yet oddly good combination of techno and soft rock.

The people around us made room but paid us no attention as they continued their movement on the floor. There was a group of girls laughing as they jumped up and down, somehow landing without issue on their high heels.

A girl between two other men ground against each other, eyes half closed as they held on.

I stared at them until Cal ran his hand up and down my arm, bringing my attention back to him. Slowly, I started to let my body move though it felt stiff as if I was on stilts in front of him.

"Just let go," he said, breath hot in my ear.

I stared at him, dipping my head as I took a deep breath. I let my hips sway a little more, and my eyes close before opening again to land directly on Cal's.

Slowly, I let myself listen to the music, letting my hips sway. Why shouldn't I let go, and enjoy? Who was holding me back?

No one was. I was free and I felt safe…

Just let go.

Cal held my hand as he moved with me to the beat, slowly letting ourselves get into the music as one song seamlessly changed into the next. He bit down on his plush bottom lip as we danced together.

I let myself lean further into Cal, feeling his ask as his hands brushed against me before I nodded, letting him pull my body into his.

I moved my hips, tilting my chin up to the beat until I started to feel sweat begin to pool along my hairline. I wasn't the only one though. Everyone was too caught up, too at the moment without care right along with me.

This must be it, I thought. This is what it must feel like to be alive.

I never wanted it to end.

Cal cupped the back of my neck, sending a new round of shivers down my spine and creating an ache deep in my stomach. It felt like a pulse, wanting.

As if he could feel, my need, his hand slipped towards my cheek as he brought his mouth down on mine. I turned my head to meet him, deepening the kiss in front of everyone to see. What did it matter if they watched?

I moaned into his mouth.

I wanted everyone to watch and see right here right now having the best time ever.

God, I must've been stupid how quickly I was falling for this guy. But I was. There was no denying it, especially not as he peppered my cheeks with kisses, landing a final one on the tip of my nose before pulling back.

He smiled at me like I hung the stars.

Oh, he was so beautiful. He was stunning. He was mine. I wanted him. No– I needed him. His hands needed to be on my hips and brushing up along my waist. He was hot and I was hot...

Wait.

Looking around, a faint sweetness fluttered up towards my nose. A few glances turned my way, including the two alphas that were sandwiching the other girl between them moments ago. They didn't pause their heady movements, but their eyes met mine before I yanked my stare away.

My body slowed as my heart raced in my chest.

Was I... perfuming?