Page 8 of Targeted By Love

I perked up when Rhodes stood to give his speech. It was witty, I guessed, because people tittered and one of the grooms blushed and hid his face behind his hands. I wasn’t listening but concentrating on his long slender fingers holding the phone as he read what was on the screen. His body swayed, but I put that down to nervousness. Him having had too much to drink didn’t figure into my plans.

We reached the cake-cutting stage, and I made a bet with my wolf that one or both of the grooms would shove cake on the other’s face. That was grounds for divorce in my mind, but it amused humans.

And I was right. One smushed cake on his new husband’s face while the other guy laughed. Gross!

With his best-man duties at an end, Rhodes made his way to me. My heart sped up and, and…

What is that?My wolf was perplexed by the weird sound and rhythm.

It’s fluttering, I told him. My heart never did that.

“Hi.”

I got up. “Hi, yourself.”

He jerked his head at the grooms who were about to dance. “Didn’t realize you knew either of them.”

“Long story.” I didn’t want to get caught up in a lie, and if questioned, I’d say I’d worked with one of the parents.

He studied my empty plate. “Let me get cake.”

Until this moment, I didn’t have a sweet tooth, but if my mate insisted I eat the sugary, creamy concoction, I’d shovel an entire tier down my throat. Hey, I’d accept cake in the face if Rhodes demanded it.

That’s going a bit far.

Nah, anything for him.

When my mate returned, he had two plates and forks. We sat and ate, but I didn’t taste it since my gaze was fixed on his mouth while he licked the frosting from his lips. My length engorged, and I was glad I was seated with a crisp linen napkin over my lap. I thanked the universe for that one favor.

“More?”

I wanted much more than to watch him eat, but he jerked his head at my empty plate. Did I finish it? I had no memory of that.

People were slow dancing, and Rhodes stared at them and back at me. Was that a signal he wanted to dance? I was no expert, but I could shuffle around the floor and not step on his toes while his body was cradled against mine.

“Would you like to dance?”

His face lit up, and he took my hand, his soft skin resting on mine. Warmth from his body seeped into my own, and I was tempted to bring his palm to my cheek before kissing it.

But he was gazing at the back of my hand. Shit, I’d forgotten the fake tat with the initials, similar to what human teens carved into a tree.

“Who are S.D. and R.J.?”

“It’s a joke. Not real. Got it at a bachelor party and it’s not come off yet.” I made light of it, rolling my eyes and grinning. Rhodes narrowed his gaze but returned my smile, and we wandered onto the dance floor.

We stood, a couple of inches between us, before I slid a hand over his hip and pulled him close. Taking his hand in my other one, I led him around the dance floor as the guests, lights, and furniture blurred.

The music stopped and started again, and we continued dancing. I held Rhodes tight, inhaling his scent. His shoulders were so close I could have bitten him. But that was taking away his autonomy over not only his body but also his future.

I wished the band would continue all night so I could put off the reality of me being a shifter and how we’d hurdle that if we became a couple. There was also the issue of my extracurricular activity, but I’d give that up in a heartbeat. Maybe.

“I can feel your heart,” Rhodes mumbled.

“And what’s it saying?” I pulled back so I could see his expression.

“Not sure.” He took my hand and put it on his chest. “But mine is repeating that I don’t want to say good night.”

His words sparked joy in me, but was it wise to sleep with him when he knew little about my life and who I was?