I blink at him and arch an eyebrow sarcastically while my entire body flushes hot.
My knees start bouncing, realizing time is running out and I need to get home to shower and dose myself with suppressants and patches and hope to God it’s enough, seeing as I forgot to take my pills last night.
Jasper is grinning at me now, clearly amused by my fidgeting. “You okay over there?”
“Fine. Totally fine. Just thinking.”
“About?”
I decide deflection is my best option. “So, what, you think it’s your turn now with me?”
He laughs, and I can absolutely drown in that sound. “Only if that’s what you want, of course. But if it were up to me? Hell yeah. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that kiss. You’ve done something to me, Anita. Something I’ve never felt before.”
My heart stutters.
I want to flirt back, to sayfuck itto all of this and just fall into their arms completely. See if maybe the universe is kind enough to give me a second chance at finding a pack who will actually adore me. Because despite the hurt and the betrayal and the walls I’ve built, I’m apparently still a foolish romantic at heart.
I got burned badly. Watched my dreams of a perfect pack life go up in flames. Promised myself I’d never be that vulnerable again.
But somehow, deep inside, I still crave a pack who will love me the way I deserve to be loved.
Is that so wrong?
Then reality crashes back in. The investigation. The lies. The fact that I’m pretending to be someone I’m not. The mess I’ve created that’s only getting more complicated by the second.
I laugh, trying to break the tension. “You’re very confident for someone who just picked up his packmates’ one-night stand.”
“Is that what you think this is?” His voice is serious now. “A one-night stand?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.”
We’re pulling up to my apartment building now, and I’m both relieved and disappointed. I need to get out of this car before I kiss him again.
He parks but doesn’t immediately unlock the doors.
“I know you need to go,” he says. “But I’m into sharing, Anita. That’s who we are as a pack. But I also need more time alone with you. Just us. No distractions.”
“Jasper—”
“If you’re free tonight, I’d love to take you out. Coffee, dinner, whatever you want. Just let me have a few hours with you.”
I’m mesmerized by this man. Completely swooning despite my best efforts. He has these qualities that just engulf me. That intensity in his eyes, the way he stares at me like I’m the only thing that matters, the careful way he touches me.
I want to fall in love with him. God help me, I want to so badly.
But with that thought come all the danger bells. All the reasons why I can’t let myself dream like that.
“I’ll let you know,” I manage. “I have to go. I’m really late.” I reach for the door handle, but his hand catches mine.
“Anita.”
I glance back at him, and the expression on his face steals my breath. Open. Honest. Hopeful.
“Just think about it. Please.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “I will.”
