She jumps a mile, flinching back as she whirls around, frantically searching behind her.
Shit. I didn’t mean to growl at her.
“It’s me – Axel.” I take a few steps forward until I’m illuminated under a streetlight. “Where’s your coat?”
It comes out close to a bark, and she shrinks back.
“Sorry.” I try to temper my tone. “It’s just… it’s really cold tonight. And you don’t have one.”
She glances down, her brows drawing together. “I’m fine.”
“You’re shivering,” I point out darkly. It’s true. I can see her trembling from here.
When she shakes her head in stubborn refusal, I shrug out of the sweatshirt I’m wearing. She watches me with wide eyes as I stomp towards her.
“Arms up.”
She obeys instantly, and I lose her for a moment as I tug it over her head, concealing her in the fabric before her face emerges, her body swallowed by yards of thick cotton.
The sweatshirt falls nearly to her knees, smothering her in my scent.
She looks good in my clothes.
Swallowing, I nod. “Keep that one, until I get you a coat.”
Her fingers emerge from the ends of the sleeves, wrapping around the material.
“I don’t need a coat. I seem to be picking up a selection of sweatshirts.” There’s definite amusement in her words, though, so I figure I’m off the hook for acting like an overprotective bear. Her fingers curl into the material.
“You do.” I’m not arguing about this. First thing tomorrow, she’s getting a brand new coat. No way is she walking out of that restaurant at night again without one.
“It’s too cold to walk around the city without one. And you shouldn’t be walking on your own, not at this hour.”
She straightens, a hint of indignation on her face. “I can take care of myself.”
I swallow down my doubtful response, but I’m pretty sure she can read it on my face anyway.
“Where are you staying?” I ask, glancing at the dark road behind her. “I’ll walk you.”
It’s an opportunity to scope it out. I’m not buying that she has somewhere safe to stay, not when I caught her in the gym doorway not much more than a week ago. Could be a dive, maybe even a shared place. I’m betting that whatever it is, it’s not a truly safe option for an omega.
When she blanches, my suspicions are confirmed.
“Ah… that’s okay.” She skips backward a few steps. “It’s actually not far from here. Really close.”
I cock my head. “Great. So you won’t mind me coming along, if it’s not a long walk.”
Her huff is actually adorable. “I don’t need an escort!”
My temper flares up, and I take a few steps closer until I’m glowering down at her.
“If you think,” I say slowly. “That I’m going to stand here and watch you walk off on your own, late at night, then you don’t know me very well.”
She blinks up at me. “I don’t know you at all, really,” she points out. “You didn’t say much at lunch.”
It’s a direct hit, and I rub my neck in embarrassment that she’s called me out. I have a tendency to rely on my pack too much when we’re in groups. Truth is, I’m just not a big fan of people in general. Most of them are assholes.
Although I’ll make an exception for her.
