My Weaknesses

Chapter 14

I hold my gaze with those striking green eyes. They belong to a young and handsome man with a beard. His eyes come closer as he moves effortlessly through the crowd. He hasn't changed one bit. That confident aura still emanates off of him. The group of ogling girls in the background, who glare at me because I'm the center of his attention, still trail him from a safe distance.

The closer he comes the more my heart starts racing. All these familiar feelings are hitting me all at once and I don't know what to do. I can sense his feelings and they're meddling with mine. His eyes are filled with so many emotions but what jumps out most is--confusion.

Before I can process anything else, I feel his warm hands rubbing circles into the small of my back while pulling me into a loving embrace. He smells so familiar, like home. But my home is here now, with Luke.

Lost in my own thoughts, I almost don't notice when he whispers something into my ear and kisses my cheek. "I thought you were dead." That's enough to snap me out of my trance.

"Why would you think that?"

"Why do you smell different? How did you get here?" His grip tightens slightly, I can hear the worry in his voice. He suddenly moves back, scanning the area for possible threats, looking me in the eyes again. "They aren't holding you captive are they?"

His concern for me is enough to make me blush and I look away, but I think that sends the wrong message. His eyes widen and he grips my hands ready to lead me out of this supposed oppressive prison. "I'm so sorry Karina. I'll take you home right now."

I have no intentions of going home with Charlie. I am prepared to argue when I feel his warm hand move to my cheek, holding me still while he tries to kiss me. It would seal the deal, I know nothing of how Luke kisses, but I'd probably never get to see him again if I let Charlie kiss me. "No, Charles." I rip my hand from his grasp.

"I left for a reason. You rejected me...I'm not just here for you to take me back when you feel like it." His expression is almost priceless. It's mixed with guilt, impatience, and a little bit of lust.

"I know you're angry at me for hurting you, and I've regretted it every day since you left. But I don't care if you're still mad at me, because I'm taking you home now."

"The only thing you should be going home to is your own mate. You have no jurisdiction over me, I'm not part of your pack, and I'm not--"

"Hey Karina, I've been looking for you all night! Where have you been?" Luke easily sidesteps Charlie and reaches for me. I grab his hand like a lifeline and I hug him, completely ignoring a dumbfounded Charlie.

"I could ask the same of you! I've been looking for you all night." I pull away briefly from his intoxicating scent to slap his chest. He simply looks down on me with a goofy grin.

"I see you met Charles." He briefly acknowledges Charlie with a curt nod. "It seems like you guys were in the middle of a conversation so I'll leave you two alone."

I go pale at the thought of him leaving me alone with Charles. I know we can both feel the heat coming off of his body. I can definitely feel the piercing glare. I can't hear his thoughts but from my peripheral vision I can take a good guess.

"Actually, Charlie and I were just finishing up." I sneak a glance at Charlie who glowers at me, obviously annoyed that he can't use mind-link. I smile up at Luke, who gives me a funny look before going along with my plan.

"Nina, you don't have to be so polite. Yes, Luke, you are interrupting our conversation. Please, go away." Using a nickname to make, Luke jealous is low. He's never even called me that before. Charlie looks at Luke, like he's nothing more than the bottom of his shoe. I can't see Luke's face, I can hear his irregular breathing, and I know he's getting angry.

"Charles, that was uncalled for--"

"Baby, why do you keep calling me Charles?" Charlie shifts his gaze down to me, with the lightest tone and simultaneously the most annoyed look he can muster. Luke's grip is slowly tightening on my arm, anything can set him off at this point. "I thought you'd know better." He gives me an affectionate look before reaching for me again. That's when all hell breaks loose.