“Going to the bathroom,” I said quietly, as if Ethan and I were the only two awake.
I listened to him roll over and grunt when he jarred his right shoulder. Guilt poked a hole through the moment and whatever might have happened next. I turned my head slightly, freeing myself from Carlos’ hold and walked the rest of the way to the bathroom.
I closed the door before I turned on the light and almost screamed to see Carlos standing right behind me in the mirror. He spun me around and backed me against the wall before I could blink. My eyes grew wide when he leaned in, and my heart started to feel like it was trying to beat free from my chest. But he didn’t kiss me. He rested his cheek against mine, breathed deeply, and spoke close to my ear.
“You’re sleeping in the other bed.”
His words were a rumbled growl, and my insides went crazy. He wanted me to sleep in his bed? I didn’t think so. I remembered my knee and lifted it with every intention of bringing him down.
One of his hands dropped to deflect the move with ease. At the same time, he brushed his lips against the shell of my ear. I struggled to breathe.
Then, he moved away and plunged us into darkness. The door clicked softly. I reached out, found the wall, and then the light switch. I checked the mirror. My reflection looked pale and shaky. Pale was my norm, given the red hair. The shakiness wasn’t.
Ethan had been right about everything so far. It was weird that the other girls were all matched with a werewolf. And, though I desperately wanted to deny it, the black hole was interested in me. Worse, my pulse jumped and my stomach reacted like I’d swallowed a bowlful of butterflies around him.
I took a calming breath, used the bathroom like I’d intended, and then opened the door with the light still on. If Carlos thought I was going to sleep with—
Grey lay on the far side of his bed, closest to Ethan. Carlos lay near the window. In the same bed as Ethan. The light reflected off Carlos’ eyes as he watched me. He wanted me to sleep with Grey? I studied Grey. His eyes were closed, and he was on top of the covers. A thread of worry drifted from him.
What was Grey worried about? Maybe he was afraid I’d spoon him. I shook my head, turned off the light, and shuffled to my new assigned spot. As long as it wasn’t with Carlos, I was too tired to care.
I pulled back the covers, and as I slid under, another wave of worry washed over me.
“Relax, Grey,” I said softly. “Your virtue is safe with me. No spooning unless requested.”
Rolling on my side, I grinned as amusement replaced the worry. It tapered off, and I let myself relax.
I hadn’t lied when I’d told Michelle I didn’t care about what made werewolves tick. I was just along for the ride. The almost kiss in the bathroom, Carlos’ apparent jealousy, and my sudden girly hormones didn’t change a thing. Once I was done with these people, it would be just me and Ethan again. An E-Z future.
Why was I having such a hard time believing that?
Seven
“I know you’re hot, but I’m not into guys.”
Ethan’s wry words cut through my light sleep. My eyes popped open as I recalled Carlos in bed with Ethan, and I sat up. Light from the parted curtains illuminated the room enough so that I could see.
Ethan was on his back with his head turned so he eyed Carlos, who lay on his side facing Ethan. It looked a bit too cozy, and I could understand Ethan’s concern.
Grey remained still with his eyes closed, though by the smile tugging at his lips and the waves of humor rolling off him, I could tell he was awake.
Carlos opened his eyes and glanced at me before eyeing Ethan.
“You’re safe with me.”
I wasn’t sure that was the reassurance Ethan was looking for.
Ethan turned his head as he searched for me. He eyed Grey for a moment before meeting my gaze.
“Did he spoon me? I feel recently spooned.”
“Minor spooning,” I said, keeping a straight face. “Pants off, but boxers on.”
Ethan sat up and swung his legs off the bed.
“You’re warped. How can such a twisted mind hide behind that pretty face?”
“You like warped.” I couldn’t stop the grin.
“Lucky for you. If no one is calling dibs on the bathroom, I’m grabbing it for the next ten minutes.”
“All yours,” I said, lying back down.
As soon as the bathroom door closed, Grey got out of bed and left the room.
Don’t look. Don’t look. I turned my head and looked. Yep, Carlos was staring at me.
“Want to tell me what that was about last night?” I asked.
“No.”
“You keep too much in. You’re going to give yourself an aneurism.”
He didn’t say anything, but I didn’t expect him to.