Temptation and How to Resist it

MAX

Every hotel. Every single one.

It wasn’t just a one-off thing like I’d initially thought. Estella had us booked together in every hotel in every city we visited.

I was sure it was her doing. This couldn’t be a coincidence or a result of room shortages.

Her scent was everywhere, all the time. I’d already been trying my hardest to keep myself in check during the full moon.

Being with her day and night was making my wolf more restless. He’d already demanded too many times that I mate and mark Estella.

I did my best to ignore him and focus on the good times we were all having together, despite everything.

After Estella’s prank in the first hotel, Sarah and Caleb had learned their lesson. They made sure to work with us as a team.

It’s not easy for alphas to do this. They’re born and trained to be leaders, but Sarah and Caleb were a pleasant surprise.

We’d seen so many beautiful places that I’d need a whole book to write about them all.

Estella’s excitement about everything was infectious. We all (yes, even me, the oldest) were in awe of every new sight.

Italy was amazing. The food and the Roman historical sights were my favorite parts.

Surprisingly, Sarah took on the role of tour guide. She’d been there as a child, before she met Estella. Her dad was a big fan of Roman history (the werewolf part, not the human part), and he’d passed his knowledge on to her.

So, we got to hear the story from the werewolf perspective, which was really interesting. Estella filled in the parts known to humans.

We had a great time when we were all together. Especially in the coastal cities, where we could enjoy the sea.

France was beautiful in a different way. But I won’t lie: the thought of Estella moving there at the end of the summer made it hard for me to fully enjoy our stay.

Estella, of course, was thrilled to get to know the country she’d be moving to.

Spain, where we were spending the last days of our trip, was magical. There was something about it that I can’t quite put into words.

But I will say this: being here made my need for her even stronger. I’m still keeping it under control, but I don’t know for how much longer.

The air here seemed to be filled with passion and a sense of relaxation, as if everyone was ready to give in to their desires.

“What’s bothering you, Max?” Estella asked me.

We were sitting on the balcony in the early evening, before we were supposed to get ready for our night out.

“Why do you think something’s bothering me?” I replied.

“You were frowning. You always do that when you’re thinking about something unpleasant.”

“No unpleasant thoughts this time, darling,” I said with a smile. “I was just letting my mind wander.”

“Well, I love it when you do that. So, tell me!” she said cheerfully.

“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

“We still have some time.”

“Not as much as you think.”

“You’re avoiding the question.”

“What question?”

“The one about what you were thinking.”

“I’m not avoiding it. I just don’t want to dwell on silly things anymore.”

“I see. Let’s talk about something more serious, then,” she suggested. “Will you let me drink tonight?”

“No,” I said, without any emotion.

“Why?” she complained.

“Do you really want to have this conversation again, Estella?”

“Yes, I do. I’m eighteen, which is legal in most countries. I’m on vacation, and you still won’t let me drink.”

“Have you forgotten what happened the last time you drank?”

“That was my first time, Max, and I was only sixteen. I didn’t know any better. Now I do, and you’ll be there, so what’s the big deal?”

We’d had this conversation, or variations of it, many times before.

You might think I should let her have a drink or two, since I’d be there to keep an eye on her and protect her from any creeps who might try to hit on her.

But the question was, who would protect her from me?

A sober Estella is already hard to resist (pun intended). A drunk Estella in the same room, especially when I still remember the kiss from two years ago, would push my self-control to its limits.

So, yes. My reasons for not letting her drink might be selfish, but it was for the best.

“We’re supposed to be having fun. How can I have fun if I’m worried about you all the time?” I asked.

“I forgot,” she snapped. “You have needs.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I said gently.

“Of course it’s not,” she scoffed. “Like I don’t see how all the women and some of the men are looking at you!”

“And are you jealous of the women or the men, darling?” I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Both,” she admitted, then bit her lip.

My wolf purred in delight, and I chuckled at her confession.

“I don’t think you need to be jealous of either,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’m your date every time we go out on this trip.”

“So, you won’t fool around?” She raised an eyebrow.

“When have I ever done that when I’m with you?” I countered.

“Never,” she admitted quietly.

“Exactly. Now go get ready.”

ESTELLA

Watching Max get flustered every time he realized we’d be sharing a room was priceless.

Other than that, not much happened, I’m afraid. It seems like seduction isn’t one of my strong suits, and I’ve been hesitant to push too hard.

Sarah had suggested I make my move, and we’d secretly picked out a dress while in Italy. But I hadn’t mustered the courage to wear it until tonight.

We’re in Spain, by the way, and this hotel is hands down my favorite.

I’m a little bummed that we have to leave by the end of the week, but then I remember we have one more country to visit, and my spirits lift.

For most of our trip, the four of us stuck together. We’ve seen incredible sights, sampled delicious food, and bought a ton of souvenirs.

Most days, we were so exhausted from running around that we’d head straight to bed.

Yes, that includes the wolves, too, although I suspect Caleb and Sarah sometimes snuck out to party without us.

As a group, we’d occasionally hit the hotel’s bar or club to cap off our night, but this was the first time we were actually going to a club outside of our hotel, all together.

That’s why I practically begged Max to let me have a drink, but of course, he said no.

Well, since he agreed to be my date, I had a brilliant plan for him.

I wore the dress Sarah and I had bought.

It’s green, not too short, and it shows just a hint of cleavage, but it’s completely backless. Once I was all dolled up, I blew a kiss at my reflection in the mirror and went to find Max.

I saw his eyes darken as he looked at me. He does that a lot, and it’s one of the positive signs I’ve picked up from him because I know it means he likes me.

“I’m ready,” I announced, twirling around so he could see my bare back.

“When did you buy this dress?” he asked, his tone a bit harsh.

“A while ago, in Italy. Do you like it?”

“It’s too revealing,” he said, disapprovingly.

“No, I don’t think so. It just shows a bit of my back.”

“You think having your entire back exposed is just showing a bit?”

“Well, yes. I don’t care if anyone looks at my back, especially now that you said you’d be my date tonight. I’d feel more self-conscious if my breasts were on display.”

Immediately, his gaze drifted to my chest, and I could barely contain my excitement when I saw him tense.

He cleared his throat and looked back into my eyes.

“If your breasts were on display, you wouldn’t be leaving this room,” he said sternly.

Wait. Did that mean what I think it meant?

“Not before you changed into something less eye-catching,” he added.

Nope, it didn’t mean what I thought it meant. Damn my overactive imagination and all the X-rated images it conjured.

By the way, I’ve been feeling kind of strange. If I were a werewolf, I’d blame it on the full moon from a few days ago (its effects last a week before and a week after).

But since I’m just a plain, somewhat short, usually bespectacled human, I’ll blame it on the sensual vibe of this place.

“Good.” I finally smiled, hiding my disappointment at the nonexistent innuendo. “Since my outfit is approved, Daddy, can we go now?”

“I’m not your dad or your uncle. If I were, this dress wouldn’t be approved at all,” he retorted, coolly approaching me.

I was the first to walk out the door, and he followed, placing his hand on the small of my back.

The warmth of his palm sent goosebumps up my skin, despite the heat, but it was a welcome sensation.

Like always, we met up with Cal and Sarah, who winked at me when she saw I was wearing the dress.

She looked stunning, too. Despite being a natural redhead, she’d gotten a nice tan that made her white dress practically glow.

Max drove us to the club in the car he’d rented for our stay in Spain. It wasn’t far, and we were there in about fifteen minutes.

It was an outdoor club, looking quite exotic and inviting. People were drinking, laughing, and dancing. I have to admit, I was captivated, especially by the dancers.

I don’t know if they were professionals or not, but the way they moved was mesmerizing.

Their movements were fluid, graceful, and erotic all at once. You could get turned on just by watching them.

“Let’s go get some cocktails,” Sarah shouted, and I nodded, following her immediately as the guys trailed behind us.

When it was my turn to order, Max spoke up, and I shot him a glare.

“I can order for myself,” I said, deadpan.

“I know that.” He smirked.

“Then why did you order for me?”

“An hour ago, you practically begged me to let you have a drink, so I thought I’d let you.”

“Really?” I squealed, jumping up to hug him.

“Yes, but don’t get too excited. You’re only allowed three, and only because they’re low in alcohol,” he said seriously.

Even so, I was thrilled. For once, I wouldn’t feel left out when the wolves drank. Not that I was fooling myself into thinking I could keep up with them.

“Oh, I don’t mind as long as you dance with me,” I said, taking the first sip of my delicious, fruity, low-alcohol drink.

“No,” he said.

“Why? Don’t you know how to dance? We can do what they’re doing,” I offered, barely pausing for breath.

“I know how to dance, Estella. I just don’t want to.”

“You said you’d be my date,” I reminded him.

“Yes, but I didn’t say anything about dancing.”

“Why did we come to a club then?” I raised an eyebrow. “We should’ve gone to a cemetery where it’s nice and quiet, and there’s no dancing involved whatsoever.”

Sarah burst out laughing next to me, but Caleb kept a straight face. I shrugged internally; it wasn’t my fault he couldn’t appreciate a good joke.

“Max, she’s got a point,” Sarah chimed in, backing me up. “You don’t need to broadcast your age like that.”

“Not everyone who hits the clubs is here to dance their hearts out,” he shot back. “And it’s not a requirement for having fun.”

“Maybe not, but I want to dance, Max,” I pleaded, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

“Sweetheart…” He sighed, his voice barely audible over the music.

“Don’t try to sweetheart your way out of this,” I retorted. “If you’re not up for it, that’s fine. Someone else will be.”

“No one else is fucking touching you,” he growled.

“Max, you can’t have it both ways. I came here to dance, ideally with you, but if you’re not game…”

Before I could finish my sentence, he pulled me onto the dance floor. I was grateful for Sarah’s quick reflexes as she grabbed my drink from my hand.

Truth be told, I can’t dance.

Not really, and certainly not like the people in this club. I tried ballet once at my aunt’s insistence, but I didn’t enjoy it, and I wasn’t any good, so I quit.

So, yes. The real reason I coerced Max into dancing with me was because I wanted an excuse to be close to him. Closer.

He figured it out within the first two minutes on the dance floor.

“You have no idea what you’re doing, do you?” he whispered in my ear.

“I’ll catch on,” I replied, almost confidently, trying to mimic the movements of the other women around us.

Max grabbed my waist to stop me, and I looked at him, puzzled.

“If you’re set on this, let me help,” he offered.

“How?”

“Follow my lead until you get the hang of it.”

I did as he suggested, and thank goodness he was a better dancer than I was.

I won’t pretend we danced like the other couples, but at least I didn’t feel like I had two left feet when I was with Max.

Gradually, I grew bolder, touching him more, even grinding against him a bit, and he let me.

To be more specific, he not only allowed me to get more physical, but he reciprocated.

His hands never strayed where they shouldn’t (or should, depending on who you ask), but his touch and the way he looked at me were anything but innocent or brotherly.

I felt like I was on fire. I had never felt this way with Matt. Never.

With Max, it was as if the rest of the world was fading away. I could vaguely see Caleb and Sarah dancing nearby, but I didn’t care.

I just wanted to be closer to Max.

I pressed my body against his and felt him tense slightly, but he didn’t protest or push me away.

That gave me the courage to do more. So, I tiptoed up to his neck and kissed—no, I sucked lightly on his skin there.

In that moment, I understood what people meant when they said someone tasted delicious.

I was about to do it again when I felt his hand in my hair, gently pulling me back.

He looked at me, and my heart raced at the look in his eyes.

As he leaned in, closing the distance between us, I thought I was dreaming. And like all dreams, someone is bound to rudely wake you up.

In my case, it was Caleb.

“Estella, he’s mated. You shouldn’t be teasing him like that,” he scolded. I glared at him, not moving away from Max.

“She can do whatever she wants!” Max snapped at him, pulling me closer.

“And what about you?” Caleb challenged. “Do you have the right to lead her on when you haven’t found your destined one?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Estella is like a sister to me.”

“Then I guess I win,” Max replied cryptically.

He didn’t say anything more, and eventually, we called it a night. But when we got back to our suite, he didn’t come in.

I looked at him, confused.

“I need to take a walk, sweetheart,” he explained.

I nodded. This was his way of letting me know he was going for a run in his wolf form.

I wanted to stay up and wait for him, but I fell asleep before I knew it.

MAX

I ran for about two hours. I needed to let my wolf blow off some steam, and I preferred he didn’t do it in my head.

If I let him have his way, he’d spend the rest of the night hovering over Estella, and if I’m honest, I’d love to do the same. There’s no point in denying it to myself anymore.

I had to work hard to keep my lower body away from hers as we danced, so she wouldn’t feel my arousal.

And, though I hate to admit it, I was grateful to Caleb for interrupting when he did.

Otherwise, I would have taken her right there. The crowd ceased to exist for me when I held her in my arms.

The only thing that really worries me is if he sensed my mate bond with Estella, as Bonnie had told me alphas can. If he did, then he would tell her, and I’d be screwed.

I can only hope that the belief that mating between werewolves and humans is rare in his pack and mine will make him doubt enough to keep his mouth shut.

Until I’m ready to tell her myself.