Page 26 of His to Defend

Axel’s wide smile took over his face and he chuckled. “The same way you know.”

“What?”

“Your bear knows,” Axel continued. “Clawing and fighting to get out? Can’t shut him up when she’s around? Your senses are clouded. Can’t seem to think straight if your life depended on it?”

Ryker nodded. And then again. And again.

“You know,” Axel said.

“But she’s—”

“It doesn’t matter what she is or isn’t.” Axel shook his head and cast his line. “The only thing that matters is instinct. You can literally drive yourself crazy denying it.”

“Or?” he asked, already knowing the answer.

“Or you take her as your mate.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Nina knew she was drinking too much, but she couldn’t stop herself. It felt too good not to feel anything at all. Besides, the more she drank, the less she cared about the way Natalia was watching her.

“Another round of shots.” She leaned against the bar as the bartender got to work putting together a tray of shooters for Nina to take back to the few who were drinking at their bachelorette table.

She should probably slow down, drink some water or just sit the round out, or she would definitely have a headache in the morning.

After this one.

“Hey, sweetheart. Can I buy you a drink?”

Nina looked to see a tall, lean man with a shaggy mop of blond hair leaning against the bar next to her. His eyes were blue. Almost the exact opposite of Ryker’s dark-green eyes. In fact, everything about the man, including his sly smile, was opposite of Ryker’s solid, strong build.

Perfect.

“I think you can.” She batted her eyelashes and leaned in toward him. “But only if you’ll dance with me.”

Nina knew she was playing with fire, especially when the man licked his lips, his grin spreading his face wide, in what was an almost menacing look before he took her hand and led her directly onto the dance floor, the drinks forgotten completely.

“Name’s Matt.” He slipped his hands down her sides, resting them on her hips. His fingers dug into her flesh just a little.

“Nina.” She started to move to the beat. It was a fast song, and it kept them apart. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the music, but when she opened them again, Matt was watching her intently. He yanked her closer and started to grind his hips against hers.

That should have been all the warning she needed to pull away and put more space between them, but still she didn’t move back. Instead, her mind foggy from the alcohol, Nina kept dancing. After all, he wasn’t hurting anyone and it would give her the chance to get her mind off Ryker.

Ryker.

She closed her eyes and instantly was filled with visions of Ryker’s huge hands on her body, sliding down her slick, bare skin. His mouth, hot and hungry on her neck. Kissing her. Lower. Between her legs. Making her come. Making her scream.

“Damn, Nina.” A voice that was distinctly not Ryker’s broke through her daydream. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Her eyes snapped open as Matt locked his grip around her wrist and began to tug her off the dance floor. “No!”

Matt froze. “What?” He stared at her. “A minute ago, you were moaning like—”

“I want to keep dancing,” she lied. With a quick glance around her on the dance floor, she spotted Natalia and Bree dancing together a few feet away. “I’m here for my friend’s party.” She yanked her arm away from Matt and danced smoothly over to the other women.

Bree shot her a look of question, but Nina ignored it and smiled. She didn’t want to get into anything or start any kind of drama. After a moment, she risked a glance at Natalia, who stared at Matt, who’d retreated off the dance floor. She turned and met Nina’s gaze before lifting her eyebrows. Nina couldn’t decide whether it was a look of judgment or concern. Either way, she wasn’t interested. She closed her eyes and lost herself in the beat until the song finished and they all returned to the table.

“That looked…fun?” Harper said the moment Nina sat down. “What was that all about?”