Beth smiled beside me, confirming my voice had in fact sounded less than enthusiastic.
All of the buildings were made of brick, and the Student Center was the largest. As we entered the building, we stepped right into an open area of bench seats against the walls and tables throughout. There had to be at least a hundred tables, and half of them were already filled.
“They’re over here.” Jacob tugged my hand, guiding us over to four tables that had been pushed together, and at least fifteen tall, huge guys were sitting around them.
They all smelled human. Jacob had told me there were very few wolves on the team. I guessed the others couldn’t make it.
“Hey, there’s our quarterback,” Scott called out, pointing right at Jacob. He was the largest of all fifteen and sat right in the center of the group. His dark hair was short, and his almost black eyes landed on me. “Damn, Emma. You got hotter since this summer.”
He was a nice guy, if not a little overbearing; though he loved commenting on my looks. Sometimes, it made me feel dirty.
I’d met everyone on the team when I’d visited Jacob here for a day over summer. I’d wanted to get more acclimated to my surroundings.
“She’s always been this beautiful.” Jacob beamed widely as he tugged me against him and wrapped his arm around my waist. He bent down and kissed my lips.
I hated public displays of affection, but I couldn’t pull away, especially not in front of his teammates. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. In this case, ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ rang true.
“And this is her roommate, Beth.” Jacob pointed at the girl on my other side.
“Hey.” She eyed each player as if they were a treat.
“How have you been?” Scott focused back on me. “Are you trying out for cheer? I won’t lie, it’d be a nice view for when I’m off the field.”
A low growl came from the back of Jacob’s throat, and his brown eyes glowed faintly.
That was one thing a wolf couldn’t allow. When they viewed someone as their potential mate, they were possessive. I should have found that flattering, but I didn’t. It annoyed me more than anything.
“Oh shit,” Beth said so quietly that only Jacob and I could hear.
“No, I’m not. I’m just doing Dance class.” I had to do something fast. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and turned him toward me. I stood on my tiptoes, and right before my lips touched his cheek, I said, “And stop being an ass.”
When my lips touched his skin, his body began to relax, and he turned his head to kiss my lips. I wanted to pull back, but I stayed there a few minutes longer. He had to calm down.
“Damn, Jacob.” Scott laughed. “I love giving you a hard time. You’re so protective of her.”
My blood buzzed inside, and soon it was thrumming like never before. I pulled back, and my eyes flicked straight to the doorway.
Someone tall, dark, and handsome was standing there. His golden eyes locked on mine. He paused before turning and heading right back out the door.
I blinked several times, trying to understand what I’d just seen. That guy had looked like an older version of Aidan.
Aidan
I felt a tug toward the Student Center even though it was the last place I wanted to be. I needed to get back home to make sure the society didn’t get alerted about her—the girl I’d foolishly given my heart to four years ago.
Every day, it hurt just as damn badly as that night. How was that even fucking possible? Every time I closed my eyes, I still saw her face. Those haunting gray eyes, that sexy as hell cleft chin, and those soft, plump, pink lips.
I’d chosen my family over her, but by doing so, I was protecting her from them. That was the only reason that kept me away.
The sizzling of my skin startled me from my thoughts as I opened the door and entered the building. As soon as I stepped foot inside, an electrical storm slammed into me. My eyes snapped to the large group of tables filled with students and zeroed in on her.
Emma.
I blinked a couple of times because nothing made sense. Her lips were on someone else’s. Someone else had his arms around her waist. My wolf growled and pushed me to go over and jerk her from that douche’s arms.
I was at a loss.
She must have felt the same thing because she pulled away from the asshole, and her eyes met mine.
I should’ve known better than to follow that tug. That was how I’d met her six damn years ago. The only thing this told me was that I’d be forever drawn to her, which would only end in heartbreak over and over again.
Chapter Three
Emma
Within an hour, I told Jacob I was exhausted and ready to head back to the dorm. I was tired of pretending I was engaged in the conversation. My eyes kept going back to the doorway.
It couldn’t have been him. It had to have been a dream… or had it been a nightmare? I wasn’t sure which one I’d consider. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.
“Let me get my girl back to her room.” Jacob stood and picked up our trays.
“I can get—”
“Nope, it’s my job.” He leaned over, kissed my lips, and then walked away.
He always got more affectionate around others. I wasn’t sure if he was forcing me to be affectionate since I couldn’t turn him down, or if he was laying a claim in front of the others. Either way, it wasn’t cool, but it was impolite to make a scene in public.
“Are you going to hang out with us more now that you’re on campus?” Scott’s attention was back on me.
“Yeah.” Even if I didn’t, I’d be forced to. Jacob already had all these parties and things lined up for us to go to together.
He crossed his arms. “You don’t sound too excited.”
“It’s her first day here. Give her time to adjust.” Beth tilted her head as she studied me.
His buddies chuckled at the burn. The thinner one, named Adam, punched Scott in the arm. His blue eyes sparkled. “Two girls not begging to hang out with us. I’m not sure I like it.”
“Sorry, but partying and hanging out isn’t my focus.” I was here to earn my nursing degree and make myself into something.
“You’ve still gotta have fun.” Scott lifted both hands.
“Yeah, we’ll loosen her up,” Beth vowed.
Jacob frowned at Scott as he came back over and took my hand. “Is everything okay?”
“Yup.” I forced a smile, wanting to leave. “Just ready to go.” I placed my hand on his chest, emphasizing to Scott that I wasn’t available or interested in his shenanigans. Jacob was more than enough. If I was going to settle for anyone, it made sense for it to be him. My parents approved, and it would make our pack happy.
Jacob’s eyes warmed to a rich chocolate brown. “Then, let’s get going.”
“Maybe I should stay here a little longer?” Beth worded it like a question.
They all thought we wanted to fool around. Did Jacob expect the same thing? Now, I wanted to sit back down and refuse to leave.
“You’re more than welcome to come back with us.” I really wanted her to and hoped she’d get the hint.