[44] It's What Friends Do... PART 2

A soft waltz floated from the speakers. It wove over the dancing crowd, a beauty melody that drew men and women together.

Sebastian pulled Massie close when the song began. It was much closer than needed for this dance, enough that their chests constantly brushed against each other in movement. The hand on her back was lower too. It felt large and heavy. Without a doubt a slight downward movement would have him graze her bum.

The wedding ceremony had passed without a cinch. Kristen, wearing a shimmering, trailing white dress, accepted James' hand in marriage. The couple was officially now husband and wife. Everything had gone smoothly. The ceremony began on time, everyone was situated in their position, the music flowed in perfect beat. Kristen appeared down the aisle like an angel descending from heaven. The joy in her eyes were evident for all to see, and James couldn't stop himself from crying when he saw her.

It punched Massie in the gut, but in a good way. Love so genuine and pure...her purple eyes flickered to the wereman before her. He has been very persistent as of late. So far, she's been making it difficult for him by playing the friend card—which didn't seem to be working. If he continued at this rate she may give in soon, and that was just the truth.

Their chests were really touching this time. Massie used strategy to place distance between them. She noticed however, that every time she managed to get a couple of inches he would swirl her in a way that would force them right back to the closeness they had before. After four failed attempts, Massie felt it right to voice something.

"Sebastian...I don't think friends dance this close."

She looked around her. Only the married couples used this level of closeness.

"Yes they do." His expression remained calm, unruffled by her concern. She felt the hand on her back caress her ever so slightly. Its warmth seeped through her dress and transferred to her skin.

"You weren't this close to Keisha in the Winter Wonderland dance, and she's your friend."

She hoped that by bringing attention to this he'd put a gap between them. As 'friendly' as it may seem to him, she felt the number of eyes on them, specifically from the elders. They were hawks watching with interest and excited whisperings, no doubt speculating the nature of their relationship.

Sebastian did not respond as she expected. Instead, he gave her a small smile. "Keisha is not my friend, she is a packmate. A sister of sorts. You are my friend, and friends dance close."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. At the Winter Wonderland dance I saw you dancing very close to a human who was barely your acquaintance. I am more your friend than he is, so we will dance close."

Massie sighed but giggled nonetheless. "Okay."

He technically had a point. Besides, she quite liked him this close. He smelt of woods and spice, a scent that was making her dizzy in the most lovely way.

A row of brilliant white teeth appeared, it gleamed against his darker skin and made him look youthful. Happy even. Massie stared at him openly, slightly dumbstruck at the gorgeous wereman in front of her.

When the song came to an end another waltz streamed softly through the speakers. This was the time when people exchanged partners or went for a beverage.

"If I may, I would like to take Massie for this next dance." A voice requested from behind her.

Sebastian's smile went tight at the new appearance. "Stevens, I'm glad to see you enjoying this evening."

Sebastian's large hand settled around her waist possessively as he turned her to face the alpha's son. He further pulled her against him, molding her firmly at his side. With his free hand he pat the wereman's shoulders, a slight bit too harshly for Massie's taste.

Sebastian then decided to address Stevens' request. "Unfortunately for you, Massie has all her dances filled up."

Massie looked at him. She did? Since when? She kept her face carefully blank, allowing Sebastian to take control of the conversation. Not like she wanted to dance with that wereman anyway.

Stevens seemed critical of his statement. "Is that so, with who?" He looked around them, noting how the other wolfmen of the Dark Falls pack were all busy dancing with new partners of their own.

Sebastian smiled. "With me." His head then tilted towards a particular corner. "Your fiancés seem rather unoccupied. I'm sure you'll have a better outcome with them."

And with that, he led Massie away. They continued dancing close for the next dance, and Massie had to admit that she was enjoying herself. The music was great, the appetizers were awesome, and the wolfman she was dancing with was moving so smoothly. Who would have thought Sebastian could dance so well?

By the third dance Massie was starting to feel thirsty. Her eyes kept going to the beverage table.

It seemed Sebastian noticed, for immediately he said, "Come, let's get you a drink."

Before she could mutter a 'yes' Sebastian tugged her to the beverages. Only, instead of making a straight beeline to it, he took an odd detour. Not thinking much of it Massie followed him. Making a turn a voice stopped them.

"Mistletoe! You're under the mistletoe. Now you have to kiss!" A young voice exclaimed. His small hands pointed at them, he looked to be no more than six years old.

Massie was ready to explain they were just friends, but before she could a pair of soft lips met hers. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of shock and delight all the way to her toes. His arms tugged her close with the intention to make it deeper, but last minute he thought better of it and delicately left her in place.

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Let's get going to those drinks then," he said, almost too casually as he continued to lead her to the table.

Massie peered at him suspiciously. He most definitely made them go this way just to kiss her, but she'd allow him this one pass. "I just want to clarify that the kiss only happened because we were under the mistletoe."

He smiled. "I see, only for the mistletoe." Then, Massie noticed how one of his ears perked, as though he heard something. Molten eyes returned to her full of heavy intent, his voice turning raspier. "I'll make this one for our friendship."

Without a second's hesitation he lowered his lips down to hers, bringing her body completely flush against his. This time, the kiss was heavy with him biting and pulling on her lower lip. When the hand on her back went lower Massie took a slight intake of breath, and with that he invaded all of her. She lost herself in a sea of desire and want. His tongue kept pulling her, drawing her in with its sensual movements.

It was the realization that they were at a wedding where anyone was sure to catch them that forced her to pull away with panicked eyes. "Sebastian! We are in public!" She berated.

It would be a disaster if anyone in his pack caught them like this! Then they would think the two of them were together and make a huge mess. Massie gave him a pointed glare. This kiss from him would not be ignored, she needed to tell him this 'friendship' of his was getting out of line.

Rather than be annoyed by her glare, he smirked, putting his chin on top of her head and looking above her. "You're right. I'll wait until we're in private for these types of kisses."

Massie disentangled from his arms, seeking some fresh air away from this monster that still had her tingling all the way to her toes. When she turned to go the opposite direction, she was surprised to see Stevens a few feet away, holding two glasses of champagne as though he thought to share the other with someone else.

Again?

It's official. The wereman was a masochist. Stevens clearly got high off of chasing unavailable women. It just didn't make sense that he would be interested in her. Massie knew that if circumstances were different and she gave him the time of day, he would discard her the same way he was doing to Raven, Blair, and Ruby. Without a doubt Sebastian kissed her that way to do it in front of Stevens and further exert his entitlements as her 'friend'.

As Massie walked away she heard the last of Sebastian's smooth voice as he directed it at the alpha's son. "That other drink was for me, right?"

Massie made her way to the beverage table—the place she was suppose to be in if it weren't for all those detours.

She shook her head as she grabbed a drink. After tonight she would be setting things straight with that wereman.

"He gets it from his parents." A voice suddenly said, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Hm?"

Massie followed the voice to a beautiful werewoman with long brown hair. It was Noah's mother, Samantha. Her black eyes filled with mirth, it told Massie she had witnessed everything Sebastian did and said. Massie blushed. Great. Now that was embarrassing. This werewoman happened to also be Sebastian's aunt and was sure to say something to the others.

"That deviousness." She clarified. "He gets it from his parents. My brother Saurus is bad, but Mia is probably worse."

Massie decided she might as well be open with it instead of pretending it didn't happen. "He wasn't like that before. Ever."

What happened to the more subdued, quieter Sebastian? It really was the quiet ones...

Samantha took a sip of her glass and nodded. "Yes, my nephew was always a gentler version of his parents."

"I can't barely picture Mia as devious."

She was way too nice. Angry? Perhaps. She witnessed the other day when she was annoyed with her husband. But not devious.

Samantha coughed, and it was then Massie realized she was laughing. "Mia's my best-friend since high school, she loves petty games." Then, she seemed to catch something from her peripheral view, and the smile on her lips took a mischievous tint that reminded Massie of Noah. "Come, this is the perfect time to show you an example."

Samantha led them near Papa Saurus' and Mia's table, where the couple were apparently talking to the women who came from Everglades, as this was their first public appearance since their late night arrival the day before. Massie immediately recognized Jasmine, Ruby, Raven, and Blair.

"You ladies look lovely! Make sure to try all the drinks, we have a large variety." Mia said, ever so welcoming.

Then, Mia suddenly looked down to her right, a worried expression taking on her features. "Oh, honey, I think I just heard my phone drop. Did you push it over?"

Samuel seemed genuinely confused. "I'm not sure, I didn't hear anything."

To please his wife's concerns he looked down to his right, searching the edge of his seat. Which just happened to be the perfect angle to display a large hickey on his neck. Previously hidden by the fancy collar, but now exposed for all to see.

Massie noticed Jasmine's eyes widened, and how she gripped her dress a bit tighter.

Samuel shook his head as he came back to his previous position, occluding the mark once more. "Sorry honey, I don't see it."

Mia then 'suddenly' remembered she left the device in her room, so the sound must have been something else. Having to ensure a perfect wedding must have made her nerves a little on edge.

Massie had to stop herself from laughing because she never knew Mia could be quite that funny.

Samuel kissed his wife's cheek tenderly, staring at her as though she were his biggest treasure. "The stress of the wedding is over. Let's enjoy your hard work now."

His gestures and sweet words made Steven's fiancés all gaze in admiration at how he clearly cared for his wife.

Mia raked her fingers through Papa Saurus' hair. She turned to her guests again, as though magically remembering they were there and smiled sheepishly. "As I was saying the drinks are great, stop by the hors d'oeuvres and let me know what you think."

The ladies all nodded, with the exception of Jasmine who looked slightly uncomfortable. Her eyes kept going to Papa Saurus as though she wanted to say something, but had no other option but to join the girls as they walked off.

Papa Saurus continued to be immersed with his wife. He put a hand to her hip and brought her into a hug. As though this would lessen her 'worries' of the wedding. Then, he grew still. His fingers had felt something and he pulled the object out, his eyes narrowing as he brought it to their forefront.

Mia giggled shamelessly. "Oh, there's my phone! I was worried for no reason."

Papa Saurus clearly didn't buy it, seeming used to her ways. "Mia, why did you—"

"My favorite song! Let's go dance!" And with that she hauled her husband away to the dance floor.

At the sides, Massie and Samantha laughed together. Without a doubt, Mia was most definitely a devious woman, which meant her son could be devious as well. Massie's heart thrummed faster. Secretly, she was enjoying this hidden part of Sebastian too.

Sebastian was doing things he's never done before, running purely on instinct without thinking things twice. He reacted, doing the first thing his heart lead him to do, and it was easy to see his heart wanted Massie.

Her smile. Her laugh. Her attention. Her touch. He wanted everything. This must mean what it was to be desperate. At this point he was willing to do anything to get her.

And he could sense it. Like a sweet, soft touch, he could sense she was no longer associating him with bitterness and pain. Her walls were chipping away with each interaction they had. There was no way he's stop until she was back in his arms.

Typically, weremen shied from using their werewolf senses in huge gatherings to avoid sense overload, but experience has taught him to focus on one sound. So he focused on Massie.

He could hear the small intake of her breath, hear her heart rate accelerate whenever he did something...friendly. It was reassuring. He was rather enjoying these 'friend' privileges. It was clear she was catching up to his hoax but he'd milk it for as long as he could.

"I wonder who my nephew likes. He's never mentioned any girl." Samantha—his aunt—said quite loudly, swirling her cup of tea and looking pointedly at him and Massie.

He sighed. He knew it was a matter of time before his aunt got nosey. And everyone here knew there was nothing casual about Aunt Sammie's questions. Might as well get this over with before she continued.

"Massie." He said clearly, loud enough that anyone near him heard the answer. "I like Massie."

There he went again. Saying the first thing that popped in his head. Would he ever go back to being the same overthinker he used to be? He was being spontaneous to get her, but with the way she clutched his hand under the table it was working.

Following after his mother's example, Noah asked the next rhetorical question. "I would have never known. It's not like you danced with her all night and let no one else touch her. Totally slipped my mind. Who would have thought?"

This would be the perfect time to hit him if it wouldn't have been considered improper. Not to mention...Noah was not lying. He really hadn't let any other man touch her, much less dance with her. She was looked gorgeous today. The dress was appropriate, but tightened snuggly around areas he wanted to place his hands on. Her silky hair was done in curls that made her look playful and fun. Even her lips were tinged a deeper red. It rather drew his attention. He wanted to kiss it again. But her beauty wasn't the reason why. It was simply because he was a dry man trying to lap up as much of her as he could. Why hand her over to someone else when he was still wanted more?

It appeared the table found this funny and endearing. There were chuckles mixed with a round of "aww"s around the table. His mother in particular seemed giddy. "Son, it seems Massie didn't know this. You have her blushing."

Sebastian looked down. Indeed, she was blushing. But not of pleasure like her family thought. He knew all her blushes. This one was of embarrassment. Oops?

"If she didn't know, she knows now." He answered, looking right into her purple eyes.

He wanted to dive into them, that way he could swim into her thoughts and see what she thought of him. Was she considering him at all? Did he have a chance? She, more than anyone else in this table knew exactly how he felt about her. He displayed all of it on a platter the day he professed his deepest thoughts and feelings.

"Sebastian, work on your charms." His father joked, evidently finding he was not being romantic enough with his bluntness.

Sebastian sighed. He sucked at flowery wording. He just expressed what he felt. Did Massie want poetry? He could try. He could ask James for advice, James knew a lot about poetry.

His mother slapped his father's arm, unpleased with his negativity. "Oh honey shut up, you were no charmer yourself. A reptile. That's what you used to be."

His dad bit into a piece of chicken sourly. "Don't remind me."

His mother then kissed his cheek and whispered something in his ear. And of course, his father responded well to whatever she said by nuzzling her neck like a dog, making his mother annoyed he got grease onto her neck.

"Gross Dad, where's your charm?" Sebastian countered. Saying the same words back to him.

His family laughed and dinner continued smoothly without further interrogating into his private business. Good. He had things to work on with Massie before his relationship went public. Once that happened, it would be clear the only road he would be taking—mating. But first, he needed her acceptance.