“Why are you still trying?” she grits out.
I shrug a shoulder, waggling my brows. “Guess I’m just persistent.”
“Butwhy?”
“Because I like you, Blair,” I admit, my beer buzz providing just enough liquid courage to put it all out there. “I think you’rebrilliant, and you’re great co-worker– even if youarea little mean– and you’re really beautiful. The prettiest girl in the room by a mile.”
She snorts a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Are you fuckin’ kidding me? You just come in here, swinging your big dick and throwing around compliments, and I’m supposed to, what? Swoon or something?”
My big dick?
Iknewshe looked in the shower.
I stand a little taller, a smirk pulling at the corner of my mouth. “Well yeah, swooning would be ideal, but I’ll settle for a real conversation. Something that doesn’t have to do with work for a change.”
Blair huffs out a breath, crossing one leg over the other and nearly teetering off her stool in the process. “I need another drink, then,” she mutters.
“Haven’t you had, like, ten shots?”
She frowns. “And youweren’tstalking me?”
“I just don’t want you to get sick or something,” I quip.
She barks a laugh, shaking her head. “Unlike you humans, shifters can handle their alcohol.”
“Never said you couldn’t, I just…”
Blair suddenly hops down off her stool, swaying on her heels and almost losing her balance. I snap an arm out, grabbing ahold of her elbow to steady her.
“Whoa, you alright?” I ask, blinking at her in concern.
She snatches her arm back with a scowl. “Fine,” she huffs, smoothing her glossy dark hair back.
I silently appraise her, concluding that she’s definitely tipsier than she’s letting on. Cam got drunk every night for weeks after Ben died, so I know what it looks like when someone’s three sheets to the wind.
“Why don’t you let me walk you home?” I suggest.
Blair furrows her brow, making a scoffing sound in her throat. “Who says I’m ready to leave?” she challenges, stumbling again.
Once more, I’m quick to catch her. “The fact that you’re having trouble just standing? C’mon, Blair, I’m not fucking around. Let me walk you.”
“Get off me,” she growls, swatting my hands away.
I lift them between us, showing her my palms. “Fine, then let me grab Avery to walk you back.”
“Oh sure, just tattle to our boss about how I’m wasted,” she grumbles.
“Blair…”
“Matty,” she mocks, punching a fist against her hip. The motion throws her off balance again and she giggles to herself as I steady her.
“Come on, I’m taking you,” I say, keeping a firm grip on her elbow as I turn to call out to the bartender. “Is she all settled up?”
He swivels his head in my direction, eyes flitting between me and Blair. “Just gotta pay for those last two,” he provides.
I stuff a hand into my pocket and pull out my wallet, slapping a twenty down on the bar before turning my attention back to Blair. She scowls at me, but she doesn’t spout off an insult or try to yank her arm out of my grip. By some miracle, she actually allows me to steer her away from the bar and guide her through the crowd toward the exit.
A rush of cool air hits us in the face as we push through the door and step outside, but we only make it two steps before Blair digs in her heels and bats my hand away.
