Free Goddess Rising by Alexi Lawless Page B

not say,” Sam answered quickly, cutting Wes off at the pass. “I’m not interested in any additional attention, and remaining unnamed is my preference. Now if you don’t mind, I actually need to excuse myself,” she finished, pulling her hand from Wes’s grip. “Congratulations again on the win. It was nice meeting you, Wesley Elliott.”
    Sam stood quickly, but Wes was faster.
    “Where are you going?” he asked, snagging her elbow as she turned to go.
    “I haven’t seen my brother in a few weeks,” Sam said in a low voice, so the reporter couldn’t hear. “I really want to spend some time with him before he has to leave. We’ve only got a few hours.” She met Wes’s eyes. “And I don’t mean to be rude, but I’d appreciate it if you would stay here and talk to this reporter. I know my dad invited you but—”
    “You think I’m going to let you leave just after I finally met you?” Wes asked, incredulous.
    The reporter watched on in obvious interest.
    “Look. I apologize if you received some mixed signals, but I’m not looking to get involved with anyone—”
    “Are we talking about a barbeque or an arranged marriage here?”
    “We’re talking about neither,” Sam answered quickly. “Please don’t let me keep you.” She pulled away, moving backward in a quick two-step even as Wes advanced.
    “You’re not keeping me,” Wes replied, slipping his hand around the small of her waist as he drew her toward him. “Not yet, anyway,” he murmured, close to her ear.
    Sam breathed his scent in, imagining for a split second that his skin would taste a little spicy if she touched her lips to it—her eyes popped open. Holy shit .
    Wesley Elliott was bold as brass and astonishingly provocative without even really trying. Sam might not be very experienced, but she knew better than to play with fire. And Wes burned bright. Bright and hot. Too hot.
    Sam snapped back, eyes wide as she stared at him with a mixture of embarrassment and self-recrimination.
    “I have to go,” she insisted.
    His amber eyes glittered. “I’ll find you again, Samantha Wyatt,” he murmured, releasing her gently.
    “I’d rather you didn’t,” she told him honestly.
    “And why’s that?” he asked, his slow smile utterly disarming.
    “Like I said, I’m not looking for anything—”
    Wes leaned toward her. “Good thing you’re not the one who will be doing the looking.” He glanced over her shoulder to where her father and brother were waiting. “Send your dad my regards. Tell him I got tied up. Wouldn’t want him to think I’m standing him up, after all. I’d like to stay on his good side while I’m chasing after his daughter.”
    “You’re either deaf or you’ve got a big set of balls, Wesley Elliott,” she replied tartly.
    “Probably a bit of both,” he admitted with an amused expression. “My mama always said I had selective hearing. And as for the other thing… Well, guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.”
    Dear Lord. Sam flushed. “ That’s my cue to go.”
    The reporter tapped Wes on the shoulder. “Are we continuing with this interview, Wes, or should I move on?”
    “He’s all yours,” Sam replied, neatly stepping away.
    She didn’t look back as she left him, though she could have sworn she heard his soft chuckle.

Chapter 6

    September—An Hour Later
    Wes and Chris’s Apartment, Texas A&M
    W E S L E Y
    C hris looked up from the kitchen table where he was studying as Wes strolled in, whistling a little ditty.
    “You’re in a good mood,” Chris muttered around the pen in his mouth. “Interview with the paper go well?”
    “Hmmm?” Wes dropped his keys on the counter, opening the fridge to reach for a beer, completely distracted.
    “Wasn’t the interview with The Statesman today?”
    Wes nodded as he popped the cap off the Shiner Bock. “Want one?”
    “Nah, working on this psych paper. Gotta keep a clear head so I can nail it.”
    Wes leaned against the counter