Surely, he must be some kind of masochist, because he was looking forward to seeing her again in the morning. He didn’t have to stay behind, but he just couldn’t leave her. His wolf would not let him either.
And so tomorrow would be another torturous day. He would have to watch her, smell her, be so close, yet unable to touch those sensuous curves—
The rapping on the window had him bolting straight up from where he was lying down in the back seat of the car. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dark, and the first thing he saw through the glass pane was a pair of mismatched eyes.
“Darius?” came Adrianna’s tentative call. “Were you asleep?”
He righted himself, running his hand through his hair before opening the door. She staggered back as he unfolded his frame from the vehicle to stand in front of her. “Yes, Miss Anderson? Is there anything I can do for you?”
She sighed, then bit her lip. “It’s just … it’s silly that you have to stay out here. It’s the middle of winter.”
“We are Lycans,” he said. “Our body adjusts to the temperature.”
“It can’t be comfortable in there.” She poked her head around him, trying to peek inside the car. “It’s so cramped and you’re so, er, large.”
“As I said, I have slept in worse conditions.” He stretched to full height, cocking his head to the side. “What are you trying to say?” Even in the low light, he could tell that her cheeks were flushed.
“I …We have five bedrooms inside. You can take the one on the ground floor. I’m sure you’ll find it adequate.”
“There is no need.”
“Just come in, okay?” she sputtered out, then turned around, grumbling something about “stubborn men” and “macho Lycans.” She straightened her spine. “As your Alpha, I order you to come in.”
He should have pointed out to her that she wasn’t Alpha yet, but bit his tongue. “As you wish.”
She trudged back to the house, and he followed her inside. Indeed, the house was much cozier than the inside of his car, and the warmth immediately made his body relax. He trailed after her as she walked down the hallway and entered the last door on the left.
“Here,” she said as she turned on the light. The room was small but neat and looked like it was kept clean. There was a dresser, a side table, and a bed, though the mattress was bare.
“The bed’s pretty comfortable. No one’s stayed here in a while, not since …” Her face went all pensive and he sensed her sadness again. She pivoted and walked toward the dresser. “Let me make the bed for you.” She began to take out some sheets from the top drawer.
“No.” He rushed to her side. “You are to be Alpha. Why would you do such a lowly task?” His uncle employed various servants back at the compound to serve him. He doubted Anatoli had ever made his own bed, much less changed the linens.
She let out a huff and pulled a sheet out from the drawer. “You don’t know anything about being a leader, do you?”
He didn’t answer.
“When I was growing up,” she began as she unfolded the sheet over the mattress, “my father told me and my brother that as a leader—whether that’s as an Alpha or head of a company—you should never ask those under you to do things you wouldn’t do yourself.” She tucked the ends under the mattress and walked around the bed to do the same to the other side. “So, we started at the bottom. When we were teens, Lucas would work in the mailroom of Fenrir Corp. I worked at Muccino’s, busing tables and hostessing on weekends. Sometimes we’d switch too.” She dusted her hands together when she was done, then looked up at him, her face earnest. “No task is lowly, because everything contributes to the greater success of the group.”
“Like a pack,” he added.
“Exactly.” She blinked, then parted her lips, a soft sigh escaping her lips. When had she gotten so close to him? He didn’t even realize, so mesmerized was he as he watched her complete the task of making the bed for him. When her lashes lowered and her cheeks pinked, it hit him—here, in the small room, free from the scents of cooking—he could smell her soft, delightful scent, tinged with arousal.
“I should go,” she stammered, moving away from him. “Blankets and pillows are in the dresser. Goodnight.”
He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, and watched as she disappeared through the doorway.
Had he imagined it? How could he have missed it all this time? The way her gaze warmed at him, and her heartbeat quickened in his presence. Maybe he was blind and deaf, or he didn’t want to see it.
That she could even have the slightest bit of attraction to him only added to his torment. And, as his hand ran over the sheets, smelling with traces of her scent, he wondered if he would be better off sleeping in the car tonight.
“Coffee?” Julianna Anderson offered as he entered the kitchen. When her gaze clashed with his, she smirked. “Looks like you could use a cup or four.” She cocked her head to the pot brewing on the kitchen counter.
“Thank you.” As he poured himself a cup, he found himself regarding the other Anderson. Though she had the same eyes and a similar face to Adrianna, that was where all resemblance between the two sisters ended. While Adrianna was petite and curvy, Julianna was a head taller and athletic. Her hair was cut in a severe style that ended at the chin, practical and no fuss, and she dressed pretty much in the same way. Today
