Page 20

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, this otherwise. ”

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 literally just got 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 .

“You think I’m beautiful.” It’s not a question, more a statement she makes while looking away and nodding to herself.

Her tone is low and flat. Strange. I can’t be the first guy to tell her she’s beautiful.

She glowed under my praise in training earlier, but doesn’t seem overly happy about this compliment. Shit. Did I mess it up again?

“Emily, you’re probably the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen. It’s hardly surprising that I noticed. But I’m not hitting on you.”

Her shoulders slump. Wait, is that disappointment? Is she actually interested in me? “You need to focus on yourself and your training right now. Unless…” I struggle to finish my sentence, not wanting to presume anything but also not wanting to cockblock myself if there is a possibility.

“Yeah, you should probably leave so I can get dressed.” Suddenly she’s cold and something has shifted within her demeanor.

The atmosphere in the room shifts. The once warm and comfortable space now feels cold and unwelcoming.

It’s as if an invisible barrier has been erected between us.

Fuck, obviously, I’ve made her uncomfortable again.

She’s clearly not remotely interested, and the last thing she needs right now is anyone creeping on her.

“Of course, sorry again. For before and again now.” I turn around and open the door to head out before freezing. My wolf is howling at me, refusing to let me leave. I hang my head and take a deep breath.

“I didn’t mean that as a come on. Obviously, you are beautiful; that’s not my opinion; it’s a fact. But I wasn’t trying to hit on you there.”

She cocks her head to the side and narrows her eyes.

“Riiight,” she draws out the word like she’s not sure how to respond. “It’s okay, Jackson; I get it. I’m pretty, but you’re not interested because I’m too weak and damaged. No need to say anymore.”

“What? No. That’s not what I said!”

“Isn’t it? I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what you meant. Pretty, but not worth the trouble.” How the fuck is that what she took from my words? My chest tightens. She’s completely twisted what I said into something I would never even think.

“And anyway, when I am ready to meet someone again, I want someone who sees me for more than my outward appearance. So, you can go now. I’d appreciate it if we could forget this conversation ever happened when we train next.

If that’s still available?” She goes to close the door, but I’m standing in the doorway.

And my wolf is refusing to let me leave .

“Wait, Emily,” I start, but when I stare into her eyes, there’s a flicker of determination there. Something has shifted in her; there’s a strength in her I didn’t see before. The strength that probably got her away from her piece of shit ex.

“Just go!” she snaps. The tone of her voice takes me by surprise.

She was so meek and timid before, I wasn’t expecting her to throw me out on my ass.

And as much as I want to fight her on this and make her listen, I know this corridor is busy and I can’t risk someone else seeing her half naked.

I'm the only one who gets to see her like this. I raise my hands in a defensive position to show her I don’t mean any harm.

“Okay, I’ll go. But please lock this door after me,” I beg. She must hear the desperation in my voice and nods her head. The last thing she needs is more fucking creeps staring at her. And yes, I’m including myself in that. Fuck, this was a disaster.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Sorry again.” My wolf, somewhat settled that at least no one else will see her, finally allows me to leave the room. The clicking of her lock as soon as she closes the door soothes him further.

He never acted like this with Sarah. I was protective of her, but it was all me in retrospect. I thought she was my mate, but my wolf never urged me to defend her, never growled when other males looked her way. I should’ve noticed how quiet he was. How wrong it all felt.

But I didn't. And my mom and sister paid the price along with five others. It’s been seven years, but I know I don’t deserve to be happy after what I did. It’s another reason I need to stop thinking about how much I want her.

I don’t deserve peace. I don’t deserve her .

But now that I’ve seen her like that—vulnerable, real, and still so damn strong—I know it’s going to be even harder to keep reminding myself of that.

I’m relieved Ryan is still away and Luca is off tonight as I start patrol.

My head is a mess and I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone.

I manage to get through most of the patrol with the bare minimum of conversation with the warriors on duty.

I wrap up around 3 a.m. and head straight to my bed, grateful Luca’s covering training for me in the morning, which means I don’t have to be up until I meet Emily at 11 .

But as soon as I start thinking about her, I’m wide awake again.

I need to know what’s going on with this girl, and I absolutely need to get over my ridiculous infatuation with her.

So what if she’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen?

What does it matter that I’m drawn to her in a way I can’t begin to understand, let alone explain?