Page 38 of Fallout
“I was just offering.” Blaine winks at me, letting me know that he’s teasing Parker.
I laugh. “Blaine, we both know you’re not actually interested in me like that. Let’s not tease poor Parker, he’s having a rough night.”
“He doesn’t want to leave you while the pack goes for our run,” Blaine says.
Parker frowns. “I wouldn’t go if my father hadn’t commanded me to.”
Wow, he really is torn up about this. I didn’t realize it was going to be so hard on him.
I grab Parker’s hand beneath the table, squeezing it. “I’ll be fine. I never get time alone anymore. I’ll knit while I read a book or something.”
Blaine snorts. “Maybe you shouldn’t knit any more socks. I’m pretty sure you have enough.”
I stick my tongue out at him, which makes him laugh harder.
Parker stands from the table. “I should take you home. The pack will be leaving for their run soon and I want to make sure you make it home all right.”
I stand up beside him. He laces our fingers together.
“I guess I’ll see you later, Blaine.” I wave at him with my free hand.
“Later, Vixen.”
Parker growls, which only makes Blaine chuckle.
“It’s cute that you’re jealous,” I tease, as Parker leads me through the crowd.
“Blaine should know better than to flirt with my mate,” Parker counters.
“He’s not flirting.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “He’s just a charismatic guy and it can sometimes come off as flirty.”
Parker raises an eyebrow. “He calls you Vixen.”
I nod. “Because it bugs you. Blaine gets great joy in life from teasing you.”
“I wish he’d tease a little less,” Parker grumbles.
When we get to Parker’s red Jeep, he opens the passenger side door for me. Before I get in, he leans closer to kiss me. Before he can, I hear a group of young girls giggling. I look behind him to see Parker’s younger sister, Gemma, and a group of her friends. They’re very clearly watching us as they walk past.
Parker growls but backs up. “Siblings are annoying.”
“You love them,” I counter.
He narrows his eyes. “Debatable.”
But I know Parker. He does love his siblings—all six of them.
As soon as Gemma is gone, Parker leans forward and gives me a soft kiss. My heart races as it always does when we get close which makes Parker grin as he pulls back.
“I better get you home. The moon will be rising soon—I can already feel its pull,” Parker says.
My stomach sinks at his proclamation. Of course he needs to go. This is what he does. He’s a wolf shifter. But it’s another reminder of how different we are. He can feel the moon—I can’t. Not even a little. I will be at home, locked up in my house.
“There will be guards watching outside your house tonight,” Parker tells me, as he gets in the driver’s seat of his Jeep. “I will be watching, as will Blaine and Will. We’ll make sure that other supernatural can’t get close to you.”
I smile. “I know you’ll protect me.”
He grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. It’s a short drive to my house, about half a mile, but I know that Parker would always hold my hand if he could.