The Choice (The Choice Series Book 1) (8 page)

“Wha
t?” they both blurted out at the same time. 

“You know the night that Jeremy took me I almost kissed Jaso
n.”

“Wo
w!” Amber said. 

“Okay now you have
to explain.” 

“It’s hard to explain.  One moment I was trying to get away from Jeremy.  The next Jason was protecting me and fixing my wounds.  Then out of the blue I was overwhelmed with the feeling of calmness.  It felt like it was coming from Jason and I was drawn to him
.  Well now you know but I don’t want to talk about it.  I want to enjoy today.  No worries, no serious choices to make, just shopping.” 

Amber bump
ed my hip with hers and smiled.  I know she knows I shared all that for her benefit.  So she wouldn’t be embarrassed about what happened between her and Ryan. 

While shopping
I bought a new pair of jeans.   Amber found a new hot pink ruffle swimming suit.  Grace found some bracelets and earrings.  After we exhausted ourselves we ate at a little sandwich Shoppe.  I had the club sandwich and it was so… good.  The slices of avocado were fresh and delicious.  After eating we decided to go and watch a movie. We couldn’t decide what genre to see so we played Rock, paper, scissors for it.  Rock was romantic, paper was comedy and scissors was thriller.  Of course scissors won which meant we were going to watch a scary movie.  I had a love hate relationships with scary movies.  I loved getting scared but I didn’t like having to sleep with the light on for two weeks afterwards.

After we bought our tickets
we walked into the dimly lit theatre. The smell of popcorn made my mouth water.  I loved popcorn, it is one of my guilty pleasures.  Amber and Grace headed for drinks and popcorn.  I walked down the hall to the restroom.  It was located at the end of the hallway.

“Hey could you guys grab me some junior mints?  I’ll pay you back,” I asked looking over my shoulder. 

Amber
waved, “Don’t worry about it, I owe you one.”

B
efore I got to the bathroom, someone covered my mouth and pulled me into the janitors’ closet.  It smelled of chemicals and cherry almond soap.  I could also smell sandalwood. 

Just then I heard Jason’s
voice whisper in my ear.  “I am not going to hurt you, please don’t scream.” 

His warm breath on my neck tickled and goose bumps broke out on my arms. 
I nodded as he gently removed his large hands from covering my mouth.    He spun me around, my body pressed against his firm chest.  His strong arms wrapped around me. 

“Jaso
n,” I whispered. “What are you doing here?” 

I could barely see him
due to the low light in the closet.  He looked at me his green eyes piercing mine.  He brought his hand up and cupped my cheek.  My heart began to beat fast as he leaned into me.  I closed my eyes waiting for him to kiss me when his cheek pressed next to my ear.  I could feel the stubble on his face, it was very attractive. 

“You’re in dange
r, they’re planning to come for you.  I wanted to warn you.  You need to leave.”  I could hear the pleading in his voice. 

My voice sounded soft and
airless.  “Why are you helping me?”

He pulled back to look at me
skimming my wrist with his finger.  Warmness started to encompass my nerves.  I looked at him as he cast his eyes down on me.  Before I knew what was happening his lips pressed to mine. They were so soft and he tasted like cinnamon.  The familiar smell of sandalwood was intoxicating.  I wound my fingers into his wavy hair and pulled him closer.  He moved his mouth away from my lips and kissed along my neckline.  My body began to heat up and tingle.  I smiled inside and then the next thing I knew he was out the door and I was standing alone in the closet. 

I
stood there for a moment in shock until l heard Amber calling my name.  I opened the door and stepped out walking right into a hard chest.  My hands moved to his chest to steady myself.  Looking up into Enoc’s eyes I stilled.  Amber stood a few feet back.  Amber gave me the, what the crap look.  Enoc leaned into me smelling my neck.  I heard a deep growl and his eyes turned a brilliant blue.  He quickly turned and walked away from me.  Amber grabbed my hand and led me into the bathroom.  She turned me so I could look in the mirror.  My cheeks were pink and my hair was tousled my clip missing. My neck was pink from where Jason’s trailed little kisses.  I reached up and caressed my neck surprised about what just happened. 

“Who was in the closet with you Olivia?”
Amber asked as I tried to smooth out my hair.

I looked down and responded
“Jason. What is Enoc going to do?”  I asked “And why did he growl at me”

Amber looked down before answering “He’s looking for him
, for Jason, if he finds him he’ll kill him.”

Stutterin
g, “Why would he do that?” 

“
He wants to protect you.  He thinks Jason is going to hurt you.”  Amber responded. 

I
turned to leave. “I am going to talk to him he has no right to hurt him.” 

Amber reached out to stop
me, “I am telling you Enoc was jealous.” 

I didn’t know what to say.
“No way, he has barely spoken to me for almost a month.” 

Still looking at me she said something I never thought o
f, “I coul
d
smell it on him Olivia, he was majorly jealous.” 

We ended up staying for the movie
, even though I couldn’t remember what it was about.  All I could think about was Jason and Enoc.   Could it be true what Amber said about Enoc?  Could Enoc really like me?  Was he really jealous?  And what was that with Jason.  That isn’t like me at all.  Huh, I just don’t know what to think.  The drive home was quiet for the most part.  I listened as Amber told Grace what happened.  What am I going to do?

C
hapter 6

At dinner Grace, Amber and I were challenged to a bowling match, against Ryan, Enoc and David. 

Amber pointed at Ryan, “You guys are going down.” 

I smile
d and thought, yeah right I suck at bowling.  Out loud I said, “So what are we fighting for?” 

Enoc
replied, “If we win you have to clean our rooms.” 

Ryan cla
sped Enoc’s shoulder. “Nah, too much personal stuff, how about we each get a thirty minute back massage.” 

“
Okay, but if we win you have to serve us breakfast in bed for a week.” Amber replied.

“What, I don’t think so.  We will do breakfast in bed three times a week and you can give us two thirty minute back rubs.”  Ryan
responded back. 

Amber stroked
her chin mischievously, “Give us a second to talk about it.” 

Grace, Amber and I huddle which
is pointless because I knew they could hear us talk.  After talking it over with the girls I set our terms.

“Um you serve us breakfast in bed three times this week and we will give you
each two twenty minute massages.” I challenged.

David ca
me over. “We will take that deal,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder. 

I nudge
d his arm off playfully. “We’ll meet downstairs in twenty minutes, unless you’re afraid,” I taunt in a scary voice. 

The
guys headed off as we discussed our game strategy.  “Okay, just so you know I stink at bowling” I divulged. 

Amber agrees by nodding her
head, “Yeah but Grace and I are awesome.” 

“Well let’s just hope we lose that way
you can get your tiny little fingers on Ryan and I can finally have a reason to get close to Enoc.” I jokingly suggest. 

Both Grace and Amber bust
ed up.  “That is a great idea. Oh yeah, we should totally bomb it.”  Amber excitedly agreed. 

“
Yeah, but we still need to look like we’re trying to win.” Grace reminded us. 

“Okay let’s go,”
I say as I anxiously skip down the stairs. 

I notice
d the guys already had the game set up.  I was amazed to see quite a few pack members hanging around to watch. 

“Ladies first,” Enoc tells us. 

Amber’s name is on the board first.  She lined up and rolled the ball, barely knocking two pins down.  I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.  Amber usually gets strikes whenever we played at home.  Her second ball bounced and landed in the gutter. 

“Way to go Ambe
r!” I shouted as Grace slapped her high five. 

The girls in the pack cheer
ed us on.  Next in line was David.  He rolled and knocked down eight.

“Not bad David, but not good enoug
h, I nudged him playfully. 

Grace is next
.  She rolls the ball but slipped falling hard on her butt.

“Oh, Grace you okay
?” I tried not to break out laughing. 

Amber just belted
it out, tears falling from her eyes.  “I am so sorry Grace that was so freaking funny.” 

Ryan help
ed Grace up, “You okay sis?” 

“Ye
ah,” she responded while rubbing her butt. 

Enoc got up and lined
up to roll the ball.  Enoc’s baby blue t-shirt was tight across his chest.  Oh he is so dream worthy. 

Apparently
I was staring at his backside because Ryan says, “Hey Olivia take a picture it will last longer.” 

“Oh shut up Rya
n,” I say as my face turned a bright red. I slapped his shoulder.

“Oh I am wounded your strength is overpowering.”  Ryan
pretended to cower. 

Enoc gave
me one of his gorgeous smiles and I thought I was going to faint.  I just stood there staring at Enoc as he landed a strike.  He walked over to me picking up my pink bowling ball. 

“Olivia it is your turn.”  Amber tells me as she pulls me
a few steps away from Enoc’s intense stare. 

I smile and
reached out to take the ball, “Thanks Enoc.” 

Surprised I managed those
two words.  I am so nervous.  I tried to mess up but the ball rolls straight knocking all the pins over. 

“Ye
ah!” Amber and Grace cheer whistling and screaming. 

Next
up is Ryan who Amber is blushing over. 

“
Are you alright?” I bumped Amber’s hip with my own giggling.

“Ye
ah, he is just so…”

“Yummy” I
say.

“Yes h
e is definitely a ten on the yummy scale.” Amber fanned herself like she was on fire.

“
Choke Choke,” Grace chanted.  “Come on Ryan don’t roll it in the gutter” she teased. 

Ryan rol
led a strike. 
Surprise
,
surprise
I thought.  Ryan turned charging after Grace.  He pinned her to the linoleum floor her arms pinned to her side. 

He start
ed poking her in the chest. “Name ten candy bars.” 

Grace
was laughing so hard. “Stop it, Stop I am going to pee.”

Ryan retorted,
“Name ten candy bars.” 

Grace started to cry she was
laughing so hard.  “Snickers, Kit Kat uh…Baby Ruth, stop it Ryan” Grace crossed her legs to stop herself from peeing.  The whole room was roaring with laughter.  Amber runs over jumping on Ryan’s back wrapping her tiny arms around his large frame. 

“Let her up you big lug.”  Amber crie
d. 

Ryan lets go of Grace to pin Amber down.  Her face
turns a shade of red I’ve never seen before. 

“Enoc do something, Amber is going to pass out with Ryan on top of her like that.” 

Enoc laughed and then whistled so loud everyone froze.  Grace rolled over laughing grabbing her belly. 

“
Alright we got a game to finish.”  His voice was laced with authority. 

I reach
ed up to touch his shoulder. “Thanks Enoc.”  I walked over and pulled Amber back over to our side.

We continue
d to intentionally I lose.  However the guys were starting to really make fun of us.  So we decided we would just have to show them up. 

“Okay girls change of plans, you with me?”

“Yeah we need to show these guys who rocks and we definitely rock!”  Amber shouted. 

Next up Amber roll
ed a strike

“
YAY! Wahoo!  Go Amber!” I cheered. 

David gets up but before he can bowl Grace whispers something in his ear. 
His face turns red.  Enoc laughed so loud followed by Ryan and Amber. 

“What did you say Grace?”
David rolled the ball and totally bombed it. 

Grace came
over to me “I told him, if we won I couldn’t wait to have him in bed,” She coughed.  I mean breakfast in bed.” 

Laughin
g, “You’re horrible, that is too funny, I love it” I gave her a hug.

Grace lined
up next totally focused on landing a strike. 

“In your face” she raised
her hand up to the guys only to bring it down slapping her butt.  We all laughed.  Crap Enoc is going again.  I gotta make him mess up.  Enoc lined up but I make sure he sees me grab David and kiss him just as he rolls the ball.  David is totally surprised but grins.  Enoc knocks two pins down.  He turns to stare at David his eyes glowing.  David bares his neck to Enoc. 

“Oh come on Enoc, be nice.”
I teased batting my eyes. 

He rolls the ball and it rolls in the gutter. 

“Yeah, we’re winning and you’re losing,” Grace yells.

“Really matur
e!” Ryan shouts back. 

Sibling rivalr
y, “I have never had it but it sure looks fun.”

“Hey all is fair in a bowling match.”  Amber says laughing. 

Enoc hands me my ball.  His fingers touch mine and I automatically lean into him.  Enoc brushes my hair away from my neck.  He lets his fingers rest on the tender spot in the curve of my neck.  Smiling his dimple shows. Enoc leans into me inhaling my scent.  His lips touch my ear.  His breath is warm.

He
whispers, “But I really wanted my massage.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks and I t
ook a step back.  His eyes were a fierce blue. 

My mouth hang
s open, “So not fair.”

He smiled
and repeats what Amber said moments before, “All is fair when bowling.” 

I really tried to get a strike but I guttered it. 

Enoc came over after, “It is okay Olivia tell me how you really feel?” 

“Only when you tell me firs
t,” I flirted back.

He didn’t move away and I was glad.  Amber and Grace
goaded Ryan who scored a three.  Amber got a turkey which let us end up winning the game.  This was so... much fun.  It was fantastic having the pack members cheer us on.  We hugged each other jumping up and down singing, “We won! We won!”

After everyone settle
d down and the bowling alley started to clear out I heard Enoc, “Can I walk you home?”

“Ye
s,  that would be nice, thanks.” 

He held his hand out which I gladl
y reached for.  The sparks made my belly ignite. 

Amber ran up to m
e, “Hey I’ll meet you at the cabin later. I got some things I need to pick up at the main cabin.”

“Oh okay, see you in a bit
then.”  I hugged Amber goodbye. 

Grace came up afterwards and hugged me, “
See you tomorrow Olivia” 

“Ye
p tomorrow,” I yawned.

Enoc and I
walked outside.  I was amazed to see how big and bright the moon was.  It lit up the stone path.  Enoc and I walked at a leisurely pace.  I was excited to spend some alone time with Enoc.  It was nice to see his playful side tonight, usually he’s serious.  I always thought it was because he was an Alpha. He seemed nervous, which I thought was endearing. 

“So how are you adjusting
?” Enoc reached for my hand holding it, making it difficult for me to think. 

“
Well it’s been nice being with my dad and Amber.  It is also scary because of Jeremy and Caleb.  However I really like the pack.  Everyone has been really nice.”

“Good, I am especially glad that you’re her
e.”

I blush
ed at his comment.  Before I knew it we’re standing in front of mine and Amber’s cabin. 

Enoc gaze
d in my eyes capturing my full attention.  “Don’t say anything but hear me out okay?”  I nodded and he continued speaking. “I really like you.  Ever since that first moment I met you I was drawn to you.  You have no idea how difficult it has been to keep my distance.  I didn’t want to overwhelm you with my feelings.  When I knew you were dealing with some important things.” Enoc reached into his pocket and pulls something out.  “I have something for you.”

Gently g
rabbing my hand he opens my fingers and sets something in my palm.  Little currents of excitement seeped into my core.  I knew exactly what it is.  Warmth started to encompass my whole body.  It was wonderful.  I looked up at him with tears in my eyes.  I reached up and wrapped my arms around him putting my head on his chest listening to his heart beat rapidly. “Thank you, my mother and father gave this to me, it is very special.”

He rub
bed small circles into my back.  “I noticed you had lost it, the night we got back.  I went back to see if I could find it and I did.  I knew it was important to you.  You were always fiddling with it and I’ve noticed that you keep reaching for it only to find it gone.  I would have given it to you sooner but I needed to get it fixed.”

He stopped speaking and stood there for a while.  Almost like
he wascarefull
y
forming the next sentence.  “This was a way for me to show you that I know you.  That I truly care for you and I want to continue to get to know you.  I know something happened between you and Jason at the movie theatre.  I can’t blame you for what happened.  I can only be upset with myself.  I should have been more open and direct with you about how I feel. Olivia do you feel this?” he asked, holding our entwined hands up. 

“Ye
s,” I replied breathless. 

“I have never felt anything like this and I can’t imagine feeling this way for another person. 
I am amazed at how strong you are.  I admire what a wonderful caring person you are.  You’re stunning and I want you to know that I want you.”  I gasped at his boldness.  “I want to know you and I want you to know me.” I see the sincerity in his eyes.  “I want you to know that I am here for you and if you want me too please let me know.”