Mimi finally cuts in. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Davis, but I need to steal the birthday girl for a few moments. Do you mind?"
"Not at all." Gavin replies, staring at me the whole time, as long as she promises to save me a dance."
Again, with the blushing, but instead of dwelling on it, i nod, "I am pretty sure that can be arranged." I give him a full-on smile.
He lifts his glass in farewell and then turns back to the group that he was chatting with before my clumsiness kicked in. I glance back at him as Mimi pulls me away, and I find his eyes back on me. A polite smile graces his lips before I turn my attention back to my friend.
As the night moves forward, I'm passed around the dance floor, moving for one male to the next. I can feel eyes on me, and every time i look, Alpha Declan is watching me. I can't quite make out the expression on his face, but it isn't a good one. He seems almost ***off, but he does not move from his spot on the sidelines.
The song that I'm dancing to ends and I decide to go see if Declan is okay, but large hands wrap gently around my upper arm. The owner of the hand is Gavin, smiling down at me when I look up. "May I have this dance, Miss Woods?"
How can I turn down a face like his, and his manners are amazing too! I smile back and let him drag me to the center of the dance floor. A slow song is now playing, so Gavin pulls me in close, taking my
hand with one of his while the other slips around my waist. It feels good being in his arms; it's too bad that he didn't turn out to be my mate.
"So," Gavin breaks the silence between us, "Are you enjoying your birthday?"
* Actually, I am. At first, when I saw all these people that I didn't know, I was weary, but everyone is so nice." I reply.
Gavin snorts," if you didn't know most of the guests, that can only mean that Aunt Amelia has been hard at work trying to find a mate for you."
I chuckle nervously, "Yeah, well, if it makes her happy to search, then who am I to rain on her parade. I'm perfectly happy being single for the moment."
Without missing a step, Gavin pulls slightly back and studies me, "You mean to tell me that you haven't been dancing with all these males because you're looking for a mate?"
"It's the honest to Goddess truth, and in case you hadn't noticed, every single one of those males that I danced with had grabbed me as I walked by, trying to escape the dance floor." i quirk a brow at him and smirk.
"Hey, I'm not ashamed of doing the same thing. I fully understand why each one of them did it. Who wouldn't want a chance to hold the beautiful Ember Woods in their arms? The look on Gavin's face could almost make me fall in love with him.
"Mr. Davis," I chastise him playfully. "Are you telling me that you accosted me just to cop a feel?"
His face turns a shade of pink, "Of course not, Ember! I would never try to take those liberties without your permission."
"Hm, is that why your hand is almost fully on my ***?" I inquire with a gleam in my eye.
Gavin's hand shoots up my backside, so it now rests right above my hip. "My apologies, Miss Woods, I did not realize the proximity of where my hand was. I was too busy enjoying the conversation with you."
"Oh, Mr. Davis, flattery will get you everywhere." I muse, and the poor guy finally relaxes a bit.
He chuckles, "Since we are being honest, I can't say that I feel bad about you not finding your mate tonight."
"And why is that?"
"Well, i'm sort of the whole 'I saw her first' kind of guy, and well, I don't share well with others." He studies me for a moment before saying anything else, "Ember, I would like to see you again, maybe take you out to dinner."
I'm not quite sure what to say to him; I'm stunned, that's for sure. He knows that he isn't my mate, but he wants to take me out? That is a one of the main ingredients for heartbreak. I've heard of some wolves turning down their goddess-given mates for a chosen one, but I could never do that. I remember all too well the kind of relationship my mom and dad had and that is exactly what I want, when the time comes.
With that being said, I smile up at Gavin, "I would love to see you again as well. I've had a fun time in your company, but I think we should keep it to friendship. I mean, we both have mates out there…"
"I understand your hesitancy, Ember. I can wait, if necessary, and start with friendship, but I've been waiting five years for my mate. I don't think she is showing up any time too soon." He smiles sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that, and I am very flattered that you would even consider me, but I have to give my mate a chance to reveal themselves before I jump into choosing my own mate." The song ends and I go to step away, but he holds me in place. I'm starting to feel just a tad bit uncomfortable because while everyone around us is dancing to the fast song that has started, Gavin and I are just standing here staring at each other.
Movement in my peripheral view catches my attention and I look over to see the Alpha coming toward us slowly, and he doesn't look so happy. I try to step away from Gavin, but his grip still holds me in place.
"Excuse me Gavin, but I think Alpha Declan may want to see me for a moment." I'm finally able to pull my hand out of his when he loosens his grip a little bit.
"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, Ember. It was never my intention." Gavin let's go all together and steps back as though he just realized what he was doing.
"It's okay, Gavin, really. Let's talk later, but now, I really must see what the Alpha wants." I nod my head in Declan's direction and Gavin turns to look as well.
"Oh fun, I see my cousin is in one of his moods." Gavin mumbles.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
The male looks at me in shock, "You have lived in this pack for three years and you have never seen his temper?"
"Of course, I've seen his temper," I chuckle, "but I wouldn't call it a 'mood'."
"Hm, lucky you then. If he's never been in one of his famous Declan moods in front of you then you must be doing something right." He lifts my hand and places a kiss on top of it, "Thank you for the
dance, Ember, it was a pleasure. I will now leave you to your disgruntled Alpha." He winks
"***." I mumble with a grin as Gavin turns to flee with a laugh that follows him.
I turn my attention back to the Alpha that looks as though he is on a mission, and I am that target. Taking in a deep breath, I put a big smile on my face and then exhale as I wait for the 'moody Alpha to get to me.