“And you, you are so much more suited for him. You’re beautiful without ever trying, and you love running and being outside. And most importantly, you’retrustworthy. I can tell.”
I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster for so long that I don’t know how to get off. My initial confusion has been somewhat cleared up. But that gave way to heartbreak for Jackson and then back to more confusion. I’m not sure if Sofia is right on our supposed compatibility, but even her belief that I could deserve someone like Jackson—someone she sees as family—has me feeling all warm and giddy inside.
I’m so grateful to Sofia for being the best friend I’ve ever had. After only a few short days, she has managed to make me feel heard, valued and respected. Before I can overthink it, I launch myself at her and hug her tightly before I can second guess myself.
“Thank you, Sofia. Thank you for choosing to be my friend and showing me that kindness still exists. You have no idea what it means to me.”
She squeezes me in a tight embrace until I let go and we walk the rest of the way back to the pack house. We say our goodbyes with a plan for Sofia to knock when she’s heading for food.
In the shower, I stand still under the stream, letting the water hit my shoulders as my thoughts swirl. I can’t stop thinking about Jackson. About what he’s been through. About what I’m feeling.
It’s all too much.
I wrap a towel around myself after stepping out, my mind still foggy, my body heavy with exhaustion. A knock at the door has me moving in a trance, surprised Sofia is back so early. I pad to the door barefoot and open it. Except, it’s not Sofia. I freeze as I take in Jackson standing in the doorway. And judging by the intensity in his eyes, he isnothappy.
Chapter 15
Jackson
I can’t believe she opened her door looking like that. Her pale skin is still glistening wet, and the towel wrapped around her barely covers her curves. Her perfect little tits are pushed up by the tightness of the towel. My mouth waters from her delicious, clean scent, undiluted from interacting with others.
A growl vibrates in my chest when I hear a couple of unmated warriors coming our way. Like fuck are they going to see her like this. I step straight inside before I can stop myself, forcing her to take a step back.
I close the door behind me and force myself to lean back instead of moving closer to her like I want to. My wolf is losing it at the thought of other males seeing her like this, but I can’t let her know that. I’m supposed to be here to apologize for blowing hot and cold. Emily continues to back away until the back of her legs hit her bed and she sits down.
“Do you always open the door half-naked without checking who’s there first?” I ask, unable to keep the snarl out of my voice. My attempt at keeping my cool a complete failure.
“Um, no. Do you always barge in on half-naked girls?” She shoots back and fuck, my dick jumps to attention at her sassy attitude. A blush rises on her otherwise pale chest and cheeks. Like a little attitude slipped out before she could stop it and she’s surprised at her own boldness.
Is it possible she’s getting more comfortable with me? Because this is a far cry from the timid and stuttering she-wolf from this morning. My wolf fucking loves the idea that she feels comfortable enough to give me attitude. And honestly, he’s not the only one.
“Can’t say that it’s a regular occurrence,” I say, scrubbing a hand through my hair before locking my fingers behind my neck to keep from reaching out to touch her.
She quirks a small smile at me and fuck if she isn’t the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen. “I was expecting Sofia,” she explains. “Obviously, I wouldn’t have opened the door like, um, well,thisotherwise.”
Her cheeks burn a shade brighter and I should probably take that as my cue to say my piece and go. I need to get this apology out, and then I need to get away from this torture. Because Emily is the most tempting thing I’ve ever seen on a normal day, but now, with her skin wet and her body barely covered? She’s a damn siren song of seduction.
And she’s not even trying, which only makes her more enticing. Her face is bare of makeup and her wet hair is pulled into a ponytail that I want to grab on to while I shove my cock between her sexy as sin lips.
Fuck. I’m going to hell.
I need to remember that this magnetic pull towards her is one-sided. Even if she has blessed me with the alluring scent of her arousal at times. She obviously can’t want anything to do with me. She literallyjustgot out of an abusive relationship.
She couldn’t want any man right now, but especially not one that can’t even protect the ones he loves.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay?” I manage. “I’ve been a dick. I’ve been all over the place, and I keep acting weird around you. I know you wouldn’t be interested in me, and I’m trying not to make you feel uncomfortable, but I keep taking it too far and being an asshole.”
“Okaaay…” she says slowly, drawing out the word and nodding while tightening her towel. She looks down at herself and then back at me. Emily opens her mouth to say something but then promptly snaps it shut, like she wants to sass me more, but she’s not there yet. I could almost imagine her asking,And locking us in a room when I’m only in a towel seemed like a faultless way to not make me uncomfortable?There’s humor in her smile, so I just smirk at her and shrug my shoulders.
“You mean this isn’t making you feel completely at ease?” I tease, hoping to extend this new playful dynamic between us.
“Strangely, I think it actually is,” she says and laughs softly. Fuck, that sound is perfection. “So, does this mean you plan to stop acting weird?”
“Uh yeah, that’s the plan anyway,” I say as I tuck my hands into the pockets of my gray sweatpants. But that draws her eyes downward. Right to where my hard-on is tenting my pants. Her eyes widen, and her breath catches.
Fucking sweatpants.
“Yeah, I’m not even going to apologize for that,” I say, looking away from her. “It’s not every day I find myself alone with a beautiful woman, a beautiful, practically naked woman.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see she wraps her towel tighter, which only serves to push her tits upward, and all humor has evaporated.
