Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh Read Free Book Online Page B

juvenile snapped her back into his arms, she was breathless. “You’re in a good mood,” she said, glad to see him happy for once.
    There was darkness in Lucas, such darkness. She knew it would be there until the day he took vengeance on those who had stolen his family from him. He was four years younger than her, but looking into those eyes, she saw not a child but a man. Lucas would one day be an alpha of incredible strength, of that she had no doubt.
    He held her closer, touching her with the easy friendliness of Pack. She rested her cheek against his shoulder and swayed to the gentler beat that had replaced the pounding dance music. “So?”
    “So I thought you needed to be held.” The words were blunt, the tone affectionate.
    “Thank you. I did.” There was no need to lie. Not with Pack.
    “Dorian said you don’t want us to beat some sense into Nate.” He sighed as if in disappointment. “Are you sure?”
    She laughed at his teasing. “I like him in one piece, but thanks for the offer.”
    “Do you want to dance with him? ’Cause he’s heading this way.”

Chapter 7
    SHE SMELLED THE rich earthiness of Nathan’s distinctive scent before she could answer. It hit her system like a drug. An instant later, the heavy weight of his hand dropped on to her hip. “Luc. Go find a girl your own age.”
    Lucas released her. “I think I like sexy older women—why don’t I keep Tammy and you find someone else?”
    Nate’s growl was met with unrepentant laughter as Lucas threw Tammy a wink and walked away. She paid little attention to the exchange, her entire body focused on Nate as he placed both his hands low on her hips and pulled her back against his chest. “What the hell are you wearing?” He spoke against her ear, his breath hot.
    It was an effort to think. “Jeans and a sweater. Is that a crime?”
    “The sweater is orange and anyone can see down your cleavage.”
    She forced herself to laugh. “Nate, the vee isn’t that deep and the color is soft peach, not orange.” It went beautifully with her hair and eyes, throwing up golden highlights she’d never have believed possible.
    “It’s fucking painted on your body, just like your jeans.”
    “Watch your mouth, Nathan Ryder.” Firming up her tone, she put her hands over his and began to sway against him. It wasn’t a calculated act—her body simply craved the contact. “I’m nineteen years old. This is what women my age wear.”
    His breath seemed to catch for an instant. “You don’t.”
    No, she didn’t. It had always seemed to her that she shouldn’taggravate the situation between them by being deliberately sexual. But tonight, she’d followed Juanita’s advice again and gone wild. The jeans—bought on a whim in New York—shaped her butt, and from the good-natured whistles she’d inspired in male packmates, it wasn’t a bad butt.
    As for the long-forgotten sweater, baggy when she’d been a gangly thirteen, it was made of a soft, strokable material that did feel painted on over her now-womanly figure. That was the point. It was meant to make it hotly clear to Nate that she was a sexual young female, not a nun happy to wait for him to make up his mind.
    “I decided it was time to change my personal style.” She moved against him again, exquisitely aware of the unforgiving ridge of his erection. “Have some fun before we settle down, exactly like you wanted.”
    “Stop that.” But he didn’t do anything to halt her subtle erotic movements. “This kind of fun isn’t good for the blood pressure of the other men.” He pulled her even closer.
    “They know I’m yours,” she murmured, feeling her skin flush. “Only yours.”
    “Then why are you dressed like an invitation?”
    For you, you idiot, she wanted to say. “I wanted to feel sexy.” She shrugged. “I haven’t had much of a chance to explore that side of me.” That, at least, was true. Between Nate’s pigheadedness and her responsibilities, she hadn’t had