I hated movie theatres. They were crowded, sticky and filled with strangers coughing, eating and talking on their cell phones. Being there with Shaz made it easy to ignore all of that. I felt like a teenager again when he reached over our shared popcorn to take my hand. It sent a fun tingle through me, and I was tempted to make out as if we were in high school. We’d both been robbed of the high school dating experience. Why the hell not? The movie was less than stellar, typical Hollywood drivel. Being there with Shaz made it great. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone out and done something so normal. I loved every moment of our attempted normalcy, and though I couldn’t help but wonder where Arys was tonight, I didn’t dare breathe a word of that to Shaz.
Dinner and a movie was classic date material. I embraced every moment. It was a far cry from my regular evening entertainment. During a love scene on the big screen, Shaz brushed my hair aside and nuzzled my neck. I giggled when I heard the teenage girls sitting behind us whisper in low tones. I hadn’t missed the way they’d been eyeing Shaz.
Hell, I couldn’t blame them.
When the movie let out, I could barely remember the storyline. Sitting in the dark with Shaz had dominated my attention. Back in his little blue Cobalt, I was all over him.
Shaz laughed, a low sound that stroked me in intimate places. His hands were lost in my hair, and he pulled me close, dipping his tongue into my mouth. We hadn’t even left the parking lot. I sighed, lost in the taste of him. My wolf longed for him, for the two of us to be lost amid the scent of earth and pine.
I’d lost myself in him every night for the last couple weeks. Shaz was my mate, my other half. He was my comfort in all things. I adored him like nothing else on this planet.
Arys’ recent absence had left me sleepless many times, wondering how much worse the pain would be had it been Shaz to disappear. It was a thought I couldn’t bear to entertain.
Love was weakness. This was something I’d believed since I’d fallen in love with Raoul. Now … I didn’t feel quite the same way. Love hurt; there was no doubt about that.
The bottom line was whether or not that hurt was worth the love itself. This was something I was still trying to determine. So far, yes. It was worth it. Win or lose.
I pulled back quickly when a lady and her two young kids got into the car next to us.
She gave us a dirty look anyway. Oops.
Shaz shrugged it off and started the car. “It’s still early. What do you want to do? Go for drinks? Go for a run? Go home?”
“All of the above?”
Apparently, it was frowned upon to get it on in a public parking lot with families coming and going. It had been several weeks since I’d been to Lucy’s Lounge. Shaz would actually be able to enjoy it with me for once. A cocktail and a game of pool sounded like a nice way to unwind before heading home for some naked fun.
Lucy’s Lounge always felt like home. It was welcoming, a warm yet not at all high-class atmosphere, and Lucy’s served the strongest drinks in town. It was worlds apart from a place like The Wicked Kiss.
After Shaz kicked my ass at pool the second time, I let loose with my favorite swear words. “Care to make it interesting?” I taunted Shaz with a seductive smile.
He raised a brow and ran a hand through his near white hair. “You know I do.”
I was about to make Shaz a sexy bet he couldn’t refuse when I sensed another Were in the building. It was instinct to look for the newcomer. When I sensed Julian’s presence, I grimaced.
I expected to see him emerge from the doorway with his buddy Zak or even Kylarai, though I assumed she’d be at home working or keeping Zoey company. When he sauntered in with a bleached blonde that I didn’t recognize, my jaw dropped. What in the f**k was he doing?
I could only guess that with my absence from Lucy’s and Shaz quitting his job there, Julian had stupidly assumed he could cheat on my best friend in public and not get caught. Really? He was either cocky and careless or a complete moron.
I wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. Maybe the blonde was his sister or a friend. I was hoping he would prove my first suspicion wrong. Shaz followed my gaze, his green eyes narrowing as he analyzed Julian and his companion.
“Is this guy for real?” Shaz dropped his pool cue on the table, and I froze when I saw the fury blazing in his eyes.
“Just keep playing. It might not be what it looks like. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Are you kidding?” Shaz’ tone was incredulous. “Don’t give him that much credit.”
“What are you going to do? Kick his ass for cheating on Ky?”
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
“Shaz…” I was about to tell him to stay out of it, but the look on his face shut me up.
He was Alpha wolf and Kylarai was our beta and best friend. “Just, take it outside. Ok?”
Julian was searching the bar, feeling our eyes on him. When his gaze met mine, he pursed his lips and shrugged. Son of a bitch. Kylarai didn’t deserve this shit. She was too good for that pathetic excuse for a man.
Shaz was already making his way across the crowded bar. I shook my head and followed behind. At the very least, I had to make sure he didn’t kill Julian. He was a dirtbag, but he wasn’t worth it.
Julian’s blonde friend was hanging off his arm, leaning in to whisper in his ear. She wasn’t his sister. That was wishful thinking on my part. Julian looked up at Shaz’