Page 72 of Pack of Crooks

“No.”

“Didn’t think so.” The subway rocks as it tears through the tunnels, but Kill stands tall, not even holding onto a support bar. There’s not much else to be said with so many people around us, and as weird as it sounds, the way he watches me says so much.

The longer I hold his gaze, the more it darkens with delight, like my ability to hold his stare amuses and intrigues him. Iget the feeling he can’t wait to get me alone, and the simple knowledge of that fills my chest with warmth.

The overhead announcement crackles through the car and people start to move. It breaks the moment. Someone bumps into Kill, and my eyes widen when his hand slips into the guy’s pocket and back out in a matter of seconds. The guy mumbles an apology and Kill nods, extending a hand toward me. I take it, allowing him to pull me flush against his body. The rest of the world falls away. His proximity sends a shiver down my spine and stirs up desire I can’t deny. He inhales, chest rumbling in approval, and someone beside us mutters something about us getting a room.

“Maybe we should,” he whispers.

“I have work.”

Sighing, he lifts his hand, as if to touch me, mark me with his scent, but he hesitates. Confusion and hurt ripple through me. There’s nothing I’d love more than to have his scent tangling with mine. Little reminders of the pack I’m starting to wish was mine.

“You can’t smell like us,” he says quickly.

“Oh.” I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “Right.” The job comes first.

Regret flashes across his face, but the doors sweep open and we’re both all but forced out of the train. He walks with me, keeping me company out of the tunnel, and the silence between us strains as my omega desires war with logic. Being denied a scent mark guts me. Keeping up appearances at Kain Industries is important.

We wait at a light, surrounded by people. I can’t bring myself to look at him. Too afraid I might do something embarrassing like cry. Omega hormones are the worst. Kill hooks his pinky with mine. The slightest touch. Two small parts of our bodyintertwine, but it’s like he’s shoved the weight of the world off of my shoulders.

Exhaling shakily, I shoot him an appreciative smile and we stay linked until we’re a few buildings away from Kain Industries. Kill stops walking. I pause too, glancing at him.

“Here. For you.”

I glance at his open palm, eyes widening at the pretty diamond necklace. “How did you know?”

“The guy was staring at it on the subway. It was probably for his side piece.” Kill looks annoyed about that, which makes me adore him even more. “I figured you deserved it more.”

“You’re terrible,” I murmur, grinning like an idiot. “Put it on me?” I hand it to him and turn around, body buzzing as he secures it and carefully moves my hair, handling me like I’m some precious omega and not a dirty, rotten thief.

My fingers hold the diamond and I turn, smiling up at him. “Well?”

“Perfection.” His gaze bores into mine. The thing between us pulses, drawing me a little closer, but with the reminder that I can’t smell like I’ve been claimed, I don’t press my body against his. It’s torture.

“I want you,” I confess.

“You have no idea how much I want you, how much my pack wants you,” he murmurs, reaching up and barely brushing his thumb on my cheek, the faintest touch of his scent.

His words, the traces of vanilla and chocolate scent on my skin, it means the world to me. It tells me I’m not crazy. Everything between us is real. More than just lust. More than a job.

“Leaving is going to be hell,” he says softly. “But I’ll see you tonight.”

The next words hurt. “I don’t think you should come inside the apartment anymore.”

He stiffens.

“Only because of my sister,” I say quickly. “She knows something is up, and I don’t want her to walk in on one of you standing over me. As much as I love that you guys are stalking me, I don’t know how I’d explain that.”

His jaw clenches, but he nods. “Fine.”

“I’m sorry.”

Softening, he squeezes my pinky. “I get it.” He glances toward the Kain Industries building. “You should go. Don’t want to be late.”

Biting my cheek to keep from admitting I really don’t want to go, I nod and take a step away. His pinky stays linked with mine in protest. The stubborn look on his face makes me smile. “Maybe I can sneak down and see you for a few minutes?”

“A midnight rendezvous?”