I could kiss him for leaving me this little present, all wrapped up in a translucent plastic bow. “Sweetheart, it would be my absolutepleasure,” I croon, all plans to workout before dinner with the guys forgotten in an instant. Her eyes narrow in distrust, but her shoulders relax when I dig my sweatshirt out of my backpack and toss it to her before kicking off my shoes and hooking my thumbs under my waistband.
“What are you?—”
“You want pants, darlin’? I mean, I certainly won’t object to you going commando if you want,” I wink. The heavy sweatsdrop to the floor and her eyes widen—I let her stare, because I’m generous like that. A pink flush creeps up her neck when I pull them off and hand them over, turning around to give her privacy. My dick reminds me that she’s naked,right there, as I pull on my spare clothes.
“Thanks,” she says, and I take that as permission to turn around. She’s swimming in my oversized sweats, and I have to smother the smug satisfaction of knowing she’ll be covered in my scent, unintentionally broadcasting my temporary claim. My dick twitches at the thought. I blame the demon, that horndog.
“Dude.”
“Ignore that.”
She scoffs and rolls up the too-long sleeves of my sweatshirt. “So are you married to the idea of breaking and entering, or should I call maintenance to unlock your dorm?”
“Don’t I have to go to the admin office to get a new key?”
I pull out my phone to confirm the time. “They’re closed now, so you’re shit out of luck until morning.” With a heavy sigh she tilts her head back against the wall. “Okay hear me out,” I begin, but my throat spasms when she looks at me through lowered eyes. “I’ll call maintenance, and pick up dinner on our way to your dorm to make up for Luther being a shithead. Deal?” She scrutinizes me, and for a moment I think she’ll refuse my offer.
“I’m not going to fuck you.”
I put my hand to my heart. “I’m offended you’d think so low of me?—”
“Nor will I blow you,” she ticks her fingers off, “or give you a hand job. Or touch your dick in any way that could be considered deliberate.”
Damn. She crooks her eyebrow waiting for me to respond. “Scouts honor I won’t do anythinguntoward.” I’ll hold up my hand in a three-finger salute but can’t resist curling them back and forth.
She rolls her eyes at my antics, but her tone is devoid of brazen sass when she speaks next. It doesn’t sound right, coming out of her.
“Thank you.”
Nope, don’t like that. “What’s your dorm number?”
“Aries 7.” I shoulder my backpack and lead the way out of the Training Center as she trails behind me. When she shivers at the blast of freezing night air, I pull the hood of my sweatshirt over her head, ignoring her scowl.
“Don’t worry, pretty girl, I won’t let you get cold.” She sighs but doesn’t take it off, and that warm bloom of satisfaction grows in my chest.
“My hero,” she deadpans, but even still, my demon preens at her praise. Does this mean I have a praise kink? I’ll have to ask Thane.
“What do you want to eat?”
“I usually just grab what’s fastest from the dining hall,” she murmurs.
“We can do better than that. How about the Mexican place in the Student Union. You like tacos?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Good.” After calling maintenance and placing a to-go order for her and the guys, I throw my arm over her shoulders. Despite her reproachful glare, she doesn’t duck away. If I bring enchiladas and tequila home for dinner, the guys will have to forgive me for blowing them off for a girl. I’m pretty sure.
Whatever, a win is a win.
“Any chance you know how I can get another phone and laptop, too?”
“Send an email to Master Roux and he’ll hook you up. You can use my phone.” If I can keep her dependent on me, she’ll be less likely to push me away before I can convince her to maybe let me touch her a bit.
Wait. That came out wrong.
“You’re being nice.”
Oh shit, she’s on to me. “Just one of the many perks of being my friend,” I tease, but my luck runs out when she shrugs off my arm with a humorless laugh.
