Page 7 of Her Shifter Pack
I forced myself to stumble further away from her, pushing down my wolf with all my might. “What is it about you?” I grumbled, putting a hand against the opposite wall to where she leaned, and breathing hard.
“What do you mean?”
I couldn’t explain it, so I shook my head. She was already freaked out enough. I didn’t need to tell her that every look made my senses overload.
When I could finally get myself under control, I stood straight and tugged at my shirt to straighten everything once more.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t help but notice the way her gaze slid over me, and she didn’t look repulsed. Quite the opposite. Even in the dim light I could see her pupils dilate.
“Come on... ah, I don’t even know your name.”
“It’s Alexandria,” she said. “But everyone calls me Lexi.”
I crossed my arms over my chest to stop from reaching out for her. “What do you prefer?”
She tilted her head and frowned at me like no one had ever asked her that before. “Lexi.”
“Done.” Sexy Lexy. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. Do you have a bag, or anywhere you’ve got some stuff stored?”
She nodded. “Sort of. I’ve been renting a loft over a Chinese restaurant on Castle Street, but my landlord is expecting my rent, and since I just lost my job and my boss didn’t give me the last two weeks’ pay he owed me, I’m kinda stuck.”
She certainly was.
I held up a hand. “Hang on a second. Are you telling me that your old boss is holding your money?” My anger began to build. I hated men like that. Using their power and influence to keep those under them captive. How was she supposed to eat? Live? “How often is he supposed to pay you?”
“Weekly. But he’s been a bit less forthcoming in recent weeks.” She bit her lip again. I had to turn and walk away, toward the entrance of the alley, to stop from pulling her into my arms and drowning her in kisses.
What was wrong with me? This chick was not my usual type at all. She wasn’t skinny and overtly sexual, and she damn sure wouldn’t be an easy to forget one-night stand.
So why did I want to take her home, put her to bed, and devour her whole?
When I noticed she wasn’t following me, I turned around and saw that she was still hanging around the trash cans.
I sighed. “Come on, Lexi. It’s late. You’re exhausted, and I’m frustrated as fuck. Let’s just go home and get some sleep, and tomorrow, we can sort out your boss and your money.”
She hurried up to me. “No. I don’t want you doing anything to him.”
I bit back my reply and instead just forced a smile to my face. “My truck’s parked a few blocks over. You can take the spare bedroom tonight, okay?”
She narrowed her eyes at me as though assessing my intent.
I put both hands up in surrender. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. I don’t do unwilling women. And Ollie wouldn’t harm a fly.”
Her eyebrows flickered up. “Ollie... that’s the guy from before?”
Jealousy like nothing else I’ve ever felt shot through me, hot and angry and uncomfortable.
“Yeah,” I managed to get out through clenched teeth. “He’s my brother.”
It was almost strange to explain to someone who Ollie was. Everyone knew us. We’d lived here our whole lives.
She inhaled sharply, then nodded once. “Thank you. I accept your offer, and I hope I’ll be able to pay you back sometime in the future.”
I shrugged and shoved my hands in my pockets so I didn’t reach for her. “Don’t sweat it. You don’t owe us anything.”