Zora’s Point of View
I cradled the cool beer bottle between my hands. I watched a group of Kaleb’s friends playing pool in the corner. Pointer’s Bar was packed tonight with local wolves all here to welcome Kaleb home after five years away.
“You’ll never guess who’s here,” Cassidy hissed in my ear.
Cassidy’s been my best friend for years. Kaleb was her older brother and apparently a powerful wolf. He was loved by a lot of people. I hadn’t seen most of the people here since high school. Brought back a few memories some terrifying others good.
“It’s not the guy from the store is it?” I snickered.
Cass rolled her eyes. “Gunner Sullivan and rumour has it Dash Olsen is here too.”
I swallowed. “You’re… kidding.”
Gunner Sullivan was the son of the Alpha in the werewolf community and also my high school bully. I shuddered when I remembered the night he dared me to jump into the lake under the exposing and unforgiving sunlight and then stole my clothes so I would have to walk back to the cottage reception naked.
I groaned at the memory. “Oh no.”
Cass laughed. “He’s fucking hot now, Zora!”
Gunner’s always been hot but he’s also arrogant and dominating. I hadn’t seen him for five years he’s probably changed and hopefully grown up. I know I have.
The bartender slid my best friend a glass of vodka. The strong scent went to my nostrils and I coughed.
“You’re not thinking about high school are you?” She raised a brow.
“No, of course not. It was a long time ago.”
I knew a part of me was anxious to see the guy who bullied me for being a human in a shifter high school but the options weren’t many in this town in terms of education. Dash made my skin crawl. His cool blue eyes flashed in my mind’s eye as I recalled the night he found me alone in the girl's locker room so many years ago.
Someone turned on the music. I kicked out of the daydreams and put on a smile.
“Let’s go dance, shall we?”
Cass threw her head back and laughed. “Yes!”
I led my best friend to the dance floor and moved my body to the high-beat music. I dance like no one’s watching. The days of being the little bullied girl are over. I’m a grown woman, dealing with grown woman things. Cass and I bumped shoulders as we danced and I knew were attracted attention. Especially, my blonde friend.
When Cass disappeared from my side I knew she’d been pulled aside by a guy. I took a swing of my beer and giggled because it was predictable. Her brother was here so I didn’t have to worry about her running off with a creep. Kaleb was dominant, sexy and extra sexy. I shouldn’t be thinking these things about my best friend’s brother but the heated stares he’s been giving me since he got back sent my imagination into overdrive.
Imagined those strong rippling muscles pressed against my body and his full lips brushing my skin. I blinked a few times.
“I may be drunk,” I said.
I walked to the bar and set my bottle safely in front of me before the sudden and intense feeling of someone watching me came over me. I turned around but everyone was either occupied with the pool game or the football game on the big screen TV.
No one was watching me but the sensation was so overwhelming I turned to leave the bar. I bumped into someone and gasped.
“Oh.”
I looked up and met two hazel eyes staring at me. My breath caught in my throat. Cassidy did not do this man justice. He’s an Adonis. The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Look what we have here.”
“Gunner?”
“Zora. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
I broke into a smile. “Yeah? I’m not that scrawny little girl anymore.”
“Come on you’re not still bitter are you?”
I folded my arms and smirked. “No, you know I’ve forgotten about you making me walk around butt naked or the time you had juniors chase me dressed as ghosts.”
Gunner barked out a laugh. “How do you know, maybe I did that because I wanted to see you naked?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “You succeeded.”
I retreated to the bar and asked for another beer. Gunner’s massive frame pressed against my back. His breath brushed against my cheek and my breathing hiked.
“You’ve filled out since then, Zora.” He brushed my hair away from my chest. “Can I buy you another beer?”
“I’m drunk enough thank you,” I smiled.
“Fine dance with me. No tricks this time I want to feel you.”
He didn’t wait for a response. He took my hand and dragged me to the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he gripped my waist. I was securely in his embrace. His mature masculine scent made my knees weak might have been the alcohol talking but I felt like I was flying.
“You were a thorn in my side, Zora,” Gunner whispered.
He pressed me closer so not even air could pass between us and moved his body against mine.
“I retaliated once, Gunner and you deserved it.”
He chuckled. His lips brushed my cheek as he moved to whisper in my ears.
His hand travelled dangerously close to my ass. Gunner smelled like forbidden fruit. You should stay away from it but the danger is what draws you in. I must be losing my mind.
“It was kind of hot. You fighting back.”
After Cassidy taught me to fight in the forest behind my house. I found him after a football game. He’d just gotten out of the shower. I attempted to kick his ass. I gave him a busted lip which I was quite proud of myself for doing.
“Is that your kink, Gunner?” I smiled stupidly.
“Want to find out?”
I shuddered. This conversation took a different turn. The song ended and we broke apart.
“I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
His hazel eyes held darkness and arrogance. He reminded me of the bad boy I used to run from. I knew the past was gone but in the moment it was coming back to me.
I ran to the bathroom which was outside in the back of the building. I yanked the door open but it slammed shut before I could run in.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
I spun and slammed my body against the wooden bathroom door.
