Chapter 4 - Jane

Reiner sucks my bottom lip into his mouth as if seeking to eat me alive, and hot damn, it feels amazing. His hands grab fistfuls of my ass, kneading roughly, and I’m surprised by just how much I like it. My pussy’s getting wet. Tingling, even.

I can’t seem to pull away from him. It’s like no matter how much I try, my body won’t cooperate. It wants to be closer to him, even if my head knows that’s not exactly the best idea. From the way his abs feel pressed against me, he wants to get closer, too. My movements are slowed, like I’m trying to walk through waist-deep mud. I grab his biceps, but it feels like my hands are encased in lead mittens. My fingers can barely bend, and in fact, they are merely splayed fingers resting on his muscles with no force to aid.

When he kissed me a year ago, I felt like this, too. I actually lost my senses for a bit, not consciously aware of anything except his heat, his passion, and his strength. This is what made me so sure he was my mate; the raw, consuming, blinding strength of a thousand suns, brighter than the hottest, most intense heart of a star. I swore I would spend the rest of my life with him, vowing to become one with him. That was before I found out what a two-faced bastard he is, though.

It’s that thought right there, the one that reminds me of just who he is as a person, that snaps me out of my stupor. Wrenching my head back and squeezing my eyes closed, I somehow manage to put just enough distance between us to come back to my senses, forcing myself to breathe in deep through my nose, steeling my spine, and opening my eyes to shoot daggers at him. A tiny whisper is there at the back of my skull, telling me to go back. To press myself against his hardness again. I try to push the voice back and banish it, hoping my breathing will deepen.

“Jesus, Jane,” Sonya’s voice sounds from somewhere behind me. It cuts through the fog in my mind, bringing me back from whatever fucked-up trance I’d fallen into during that damn kiss. “I’ve never seen this side of you before, girl.”

“Me either,” Lenny agrees. “And it’s disgusting.”

I’d completely forgotten where we are and the fact that there are literally dozens of witnesses to this hot display of passion. Trying to mask the intense embarrassment, I wriggle my way out of Reiner’s embrace.

Reiner growls. There’s no other way to describe it. His voice becomes so low, so rough, it comes out as a sort of scratchy, guttural purr. It sends the weirdest ripple through my entire body, like ants dancing on my skin. I reach out instinctively, running my palm down his arm as he drags me back into his embrace, hugging me close.

“Sorry, guys,” I breathe. “We, uh, got carried away there.”

“You think?” Sonya drawls, shoving her way through our blockade—well, friends, I mean. “That was hot as fuck. Damn.”

She gives a whistle, actually beaming and grinning from ear to ear.

Lenny’s phone pings, and he leans in to read the screen. “Guess the alpha is throwing another pack meet n’ greet at his place.”

“No way. We just got here!” Sonya nearly wails. “I’m so tired of all these social obligations. Let’s just stay here. You can tell your dear old gramps we have other plans. Big sexy ones.” She winks, grinning, and I roll my eyes.

Riley sighs, straightening the cuffs of his shirt. “Would you say that to Ram? We wouldn’t want Green Lake wolves disrespecting our alpha. Let’s extend the same courtesy to Reiner’s. It’s called mutual respect.”

“Spoken like a true goodie two-shoes,” Sonya coos, patting his head.

Riley bares his teeth, clamping them shut in a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Look here, you little─”

“Riley’s right,” Reiner says, giving a decisive nod. He removes his arm from around my waist and offers his hand for me to take. “If Evan wants us there, we should go. C’mon, sugar, I’ll drive.”

Sucking in a sharp breath, I allow him to take my hand. Trying to keep this act up in front of a small crowd is hard enough. Forcing myself to act couple-ish in front of an entire freaking pack would test my boundaries and be dang near impossible. But for some reason, as I look up into his handsome face, I can’t bring myself to deny him.

“Fine,” I say. “Let’s go, babe.”

“Fucking hell, you guys are so cute,” Sonya groans, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Shall we?”

I don’t protest when Reiner guides me to his car, because why would I? As much as I want to call all of this off, I have to do it. The alternative is allowing my aunt to play matchmaker with every single wolf in Green Lake, and Lord knows that’s not an option. And it certainly isn’t because I want to go. Really, I don’t. I want to turn and run, hide out somewhere with a bottle of wine and some homemade cheesecake until I don’t have to think about all this idiocy anymore. This is necessary. I remind myself of this several times in my head as I make myself comfy in his passenger seat.

Being alone with him like this, practically in the dark, is super awkward. And dangerous. Even now, I’m acutely aware of everything he does. I can hear him breathing, hear his heartbeat, sense his movements. I should’ve insisted I drove with Sonya instead.

“You all right over there?” he asks, glancing over at me with those beautiful dark eyes. “You gonna hold up, sugar?”

“Why do you keep calling me that? Sugar, I mean. Why do you call me that?”

He taps his fingers on the steering wheel as if he’s trying to decide if he should tell me. Finally, he says, “Remember when we first met?”

“Vaguely,” I snort.

“You were standing guard over the dessert display, and you were so proud of all the work you put in them. I don’t blame you, they were all fantastic, but I don’t think you realized you had a dusting of powdered sugar on your left cheek, covering that dimple. Probably from one of the sugar cookies, right? Anyway, I guess I just attached that moniker to you after that.”

I’m stunned. My god, the guy actually notices details. “And you didn’t think to tell me at the time?”

He shrugs, a self-satisfied grin making his lips turn up on both ends. “Nah. I thought it was cute. Still think so.”

I have no freaking idea what to say. Is this some sick sort of game? Just another bet between him and his buddies? See if he could manipulate me into thinking he likes me before he showed his true colors?

Part of me wants to ask, to confront him and call him out on his bullshit, but then I risk him deciding against this whole charade and dealing with my aunt, so the other part of me keeps my trap shut. What the hell am I supposed to say to that, anyway?

Reiner pulls his car into the driveway and turns the key to silence the engine, but doesn’t get out. Instead, he sits, adjusting the seat belt strap running across his torso and down around his hips. “Jane, there are going to be a lot of people at this thing. A lot of expectations.”

“Well, yeah. That’s a good thing, right? More witnesses to believe this shit.”

“Just, uh, whatever happens, try not to make it too obvious that we hate each other, okay?”

My stomach feels suddenly queasy. I wish I was drunk. This would be easier if I was. “I’ll try, but I can’t make any promises. I really don’t like you.”

He clenches his jaw as if fighting back the urge to say something. Perhaps the same urge that was clawing at my own insides. To think it aloud, to shout it at him so he’d never forget. This isn’t fair. We shouldn’t have to resort to something like this just to get people off our backs. We shouldn’t have to force ourselves to tolerate each other just to live our lives peacefully. But I’m stuck. It fucking sucks, because once again, I’ve managed to dig myself a hole I have no idea how to crawl out of.

“I know,” he sighs, rubbing his palms on his jeans before he opens the car door to climb out. “I know you don’t.”

Reiner walks around the car, opening my door and offering his hand. I grab it like I would with any other guy I’m dating. Because, for now, that’s what he is.

I let him lead me into the house, where, unsurprisingly, a ton of people have already gathered. From the outside, it almost looks like a small army is moving within the house. I don’t like it, not one bit. It feels crowded, like I can’t fucking breathe without touching someone.

Rafe and Evan spot us as we step inside, and both of them smile at us greeting. “Jane, good to see you again,” Rafe says, nodding once to me before turning his attention to his cousin. “Reiner, glad you were able to make it.”

It’s Evan who realizes we’re holding hands first, and he motions his attention to our interlocked fingers. “I assume this is the mystery woman, then? The one you told us about the other night, Reiner?”

With a chuckle, Reiner rubs the back of his neck. “It is. Where are my manners? Jane, this is Evan and Rafe, Green Lake’s alpha and beta.”

“We’ve met,” I say, leaving out the part where I was supposed to marry Rafe just a couple years ago. It seems weird to mention it.

“It’s good to see you again,” Rafe says, gracing me with his award-winning smile. He always did have a hell of a nice smile. “I’m glad we’re getting another chance to talk. How’re things going for you in town? I know I’ve kept Piper pretty busy, but I hope you’ve been able to make some new friends?” His gaze swivels to Reiner, and the implication there is clear.

“Yeah, for sure,” I reply. “She’s your wife, of course you’re keeping her busy! And, um, I have, thank you.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. Reiner is a good guy at heart. Just don’t go telling him I said that. He won’t let me live it down.”

The Green Lake alpha grins and sips his drink.

“Fucking hell,” Reiner mumbles under his breath. “Jane, c’mon, let’s grab a drink from the kitchen. Then we can mingle a little.”

“Ooh, a drink sounds delightful.” The sooner I can get drunk enough to sort of forget about being here, the better.

“Excuse us, gentlemen.” He pulls me off to the side, but a lot of folks are between us and the kitchen, and it seems every one of them is shocked to see Reiner here with a woman at his side.

“Reiner?” One of the pack members walks up, a shockingly beautiful woman with dark auburn hair, piercing green eyes, and a set of tits that’d make Angelina Jolie jealous. She goes in for a hug, which I’m positive he didn’t expect because his eyes grow wide with surprise, and not in a good way.

“Dani, hey. Wow, you look great.” Reiner doesn’t return the hug, instead stepping back so he can keep his arm around my waist. “This is my…” His voice cuts out, and I raise a curious eyebrow at him. “…Girlfriend. Jane, this is an old friend, Danielle. Dani, Jane.”

“Hiya.” I don’t offer my hand, it doesn’t feel right somehow. Something about the look in her eyes just doesn’t sit well with me. “It’s a pleasure.”

“Friend,” Dani snorts. She runs her eyes over my body, and I can feel the judgment in her glare as if it were tangible.

I’m instantly insecure, pulling at my dress and running my fingers through my hair. Reiner notices, straightening and squaring his shoulders, his hold on my hip going tighter and tensing. He opens his mouth to say something, but I speak up first.

“It was lovely to meet you, Dani.” I look at Reiner and mouth “kitchen,” but he doesn’t catch my hint. “Babe, let’s go get that drink, shall we?” I add.

Not waiting for him to agree, I head in the direction of the bar in the kitchen, weaving my way through the crowd and trying not to look at anyone. Why am I insecure? Who cares what these wolves think? They’re all strangers. None of their opinions matter. I’ll literally never see most of them again after this. And if I’m really lucky, I’ll never see them again after we ditch our scheme.

Taking the first drink I lay eyes on, I sigh and take a sip. When Reiner finally catches up to me, I drink it in long gulps. He raises a brow. “Easy, speed racer. Is everything okay? I didn’t know Dani would be here.”

What? Did he think I was mad that one of his old… friends was here? Hell, no.

“Hey, are you listening? Jane? What’s up with you?”

I drain the rest of the liquid in my glass. “Nothing. Relax. I’m not bothered by it.”

I feel a twinge of… something. Not embarrassment, because what do I have to feel embarrassed over? We’re just pretending. None of this is real. We’re putting on a show, and despite the feelings I thought I had for him a year ago, I’m over him. I really and truly am. I’m doing this to save my butt from my aunt trying to marry me off to the first stranger who offers.

So, what is this feeling in my gut?

I don’t know how long I can pull this off. People are going to start asking questions, wanting details, and I don’t know if I can lie to everybody and continue upholding this whole thing. Christ, this is exhausting, and we’ve only bet at it for a few hours.

Just when I feel like I might start spiraling, Sonya approaches me with a drink in her hand and a broad grin. “Hey! You owe me some girl talk.”

Oh no. As much as I want to get it off my chest, I can’t. I love Sonya, and for the most part, she’s fiercely protective of me, but there’s no telling what she’ll do if she finds out I’m in the process of lying my butt off. “Right, okay, let’s talk,” I say.

She loops her arm through mine, tugging me off in the direction of the back porch. I glance over my shoulder and give Reiner an apologetic smile, because that feels like something a girlfriend would do. He doesn’t look happy as we exit the back sliding glass door. Maybe he is worried I’m going to blab and tell her the truth.

When we get outside, I cross the porch and lean against the banister, running my fingers over the smooth, treated wood, thankful for the cool autumn breeze that ruffles through my hair.

“So, when did this happen?” she asks.

“Just a couple days ago.”

“Yeah, right. You two look like you’ve been into each other for longer than a few days.”

Okay, time for a little half-truth. “Well, it’s complicated. We met last year, when he came to Stardust Hollow. We kissed, but nothing else happened. And then we just met again recently. There’s not much more to it than that.”

She squints at me like she’s trying to dissect what I’ve just said. “I don’t know. Something feels off.”

Of course, it does. Because why would someone who looks like Reiner just go for someone like me? She’s not saying it aloud, but she’s thinking it.

“Believe it or not,” I say with a firm tone, “not all guys are only interested in women who look like runway models.”

Her eyes go wide, and her hand darts out to settle on my arm. “Oh my God, no. That’s not what I meant at all.”

“Sure it’s not. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to grab another drink and do my best to forget this whole night.”

Sonya grabs my forearm as I try to turn and leave. She fixes me with this serious expression. “You are so beautiful, Jane. Inside and out. I’ve never thought any differently. Any guy would be so lucky to have you.”

I sigh, rubbing my forehead. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions like that. It’s just so easy to do when you’ve spent your entire life being told otherwise. “Look, I’m sorry, I… I know it’s sudden, it feels crazy, but…” I decide to wing it, just roll with the whole thing. “Reiner makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. Being with him, it’s just, it’s everything. No one else comes close.”

One eyebrow shoots up her forehead. “Wow, that’s very poetic. I love this for you, Jane. I really do. I’m glad you found someone.”

Guilt squeezes my guts like a boa constrictor. Here she is, being genuine and emotional, and I’m here bullshitting her to her face.

Good God, I hate myself right now.