Davis shoved his hands in the front two pockets of his apron, but kept his gaze on her. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Even though she normally preferred bluntness, she inwardly cringed, not wanting to do this now. Davis was very good looking, but he wasn’t her mate. If he was, she’d have figured it out a long time ago since they’d been packmates for years. Unlike most of her female packmates, she didn’t mess around with any males in the pack. Probably because she’d seen what having a true mate could be like and she wanted that for herself. While she’d had short-term relationships, she usually ended things when it was clear there was no mating pull. “No, but I’m not interested in anyone.”
Davis tilted his head toward the front of the store. “What about the vampire?”
“I’m not with him either. I’m just not…” She wasn’t sure how to put it into words so she didn’t finish her thought.
He let out a sigh, his expression relaxing. “I’ve been holding off making a move for a while, but lately you’ve seemed more open to, you know.”
A smile tugged at her lips when she realized this wasn’t about intense feelings he’d been harboring. It was clear he was just looking for something casual. “Yeah, I do know.” Because she’d been feeling restless and turned on, she’d likely been putting off a certain vibe to some of the males in the pack. Not intentionally but when her wolf got restless, others would know whether she wanted them to or not. “Are things going to be weird between us now?”
Half-smiling, he shook his head and closed the distance between them. He pulled her into a hug. “Can’t blame a wolf for trying,” he murmured, his breath warm against the top of her head.
As she started to step out of his embrace, she nearly fell back as Rex body-slammed him. Davis flew through the air, landing against one of the freezer doors with a thud.
Oh, shit.
His claws and canines immediately came out as he and Rex simultaneously rushed each other. They growled and snarled as they started pummeling each other with their fists, claws and teeth. In seconds they were rolling on the ground like maniacal cubs, not trained and disciplined supernatural males.
Margery knew better than to get in the middle of a fight with two dominant males but she wasn’t going to let them ruin her kitchen. Grabbing a huge bowl of melted butter, she used her shifter agility and jumped onto the nearest flat prep station. She tossed the warm butter down on their heads and to her surprise they both shouted in disbelief and rolled back.
As the mess trailed down Rex’s hair and into his face, she cursed herself for imagining what it would be like to lick it off him. The thought of eating just butter was weird, but not the thought of tracing her tongue over every single inch of him.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Sarah demanded from the doorway, staring at all of them as if they’d lost their minds.
Margery didn’t wait for them to answer. She ripped off her apron and tossed it at Davis. “You two clean this crap up. And find a way to work with each other the rest of the night because I’m leaving.”
“Margery,” Rex said as he stood, more of the butter dripping down onto his shoulders. Why did he have to look so adorable? “Please let me apologize—”
“No.” She shook her head, not wanting to hear it. The thing was, she wasn’t even angry. She knew exactly why Rex was acting all crazy and territorial. When Sarah had told Margery that she’d make a move on Rex if Margery didn’t, the strangest possessive urge had welled up inside her, making her wolf claw at her in a way she never did. So she understood the vampire’s primal urges.
Which was exactly why she couldn’t be around him any longer. Distance was the only thing that could help. She hoped. Then she’d have to talk to Grant about rescinding his offer to Rex. They couldn’t have a vampire in their pack. Not when he was making Margery want to climb the walls with an undeniable need she wouldn’t give into.
No, no, no. She refused to believe what her wolf was telling her. Refused to even think the words, much less admit the truth aloud. He wasn’t her destined mate. “Sarah, you’re in charge. Call me if there’s a problem.” She didn’t wait for a response as she hurried to the front of the shop.
Her keys were in her pants pocket and she didn’t need her purse. Sarah could just bring it to her later. It was a little after midnight and the second she stepped outside the crisp April air rolled over her. Not quite summer but a little warmer than their normal spring. The parking lot was nearly deserted except for pack vehicles and Rex’s SUV. Inhaling deeply she savored the fresh scent of the ocean nearby. It calmed her—sort of.