Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild) - By Kate Douglas Page 0,44
was afraid to shift.” She grimaced. “Not with public sentiment so against us.”
Alex chuckled. “Yeah. Ripping out their throats probably wouldn’t make good press, but I bet it would have made you feel a hell of a lot better.”
She flashed him a quick, shy smile that hit him right in the gut. Damn, she was absolutely beautiful. He didn’t remember Annie as anything special. She’d been a tiny, shy little sprite with too much hair and not enough chest, but it wasn’t just growing boobs and getting a haircut that had worked wonders. He certainly didn’t remember thinking she was at all sexy, but damn. There was no denying the impact she had on him.
“Alex? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Jenn stood close beside him with her arms folded tightly across her chest. He’d completely forgotten her.
“Uh, yeah. Jennifer Martin, this is Annie McClintock. Annie’s folks are good friends of my parents’. We’ve known each other forever, but Annie’s been studying in England for, what? About four years now?”
Annie nodded. “Six. I graduated from Oxford a couple of years ago, but I stayed on to finish up my masters in interspecies social dynamics.”
“I’m glad you’re back.” Alex glanced at Jenn. She glared at Annie. In fact, jealousy poured off her in waves. That made no sense at all. It wasn’t like he and Jenn were in a relationship or anything. They’d gone out a few times, but nothing serious. Even the sex had been her idea.
Even so, there was no way Alex wanted to deal with her now. Didn’t she care those guys had just scared the crap out of Annie? Had assaulted her? He returned his attention to the one who needed him.
“Annie, do you have a car nearby?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t been home long enough to renew my American license. I’m supposed to call Mom to come get me when I’m through. I had some errands to run and then wanted to see a movie, but I think I’d rather just go home.”
“I’ll take you.” He glanced at Jenn. “After what happened, I don’t feel comfortable leaving Annie here alone.”
Annie shook her head. “Alex, you don’t have to—”
Jenn interrupted. “I thought you wanted to go to the movie.” “Considering the circumstances, Jenn, I think getting Annie home safely is more important than a movie.” He turned to Annie. “And no, Annie. No arguing. Your dad would have my head if he knew I’d left you alone after what happened.”
“If that’s how you want it, Alex.” Jennifer swept a dismissive look over Annie and turned away. “Another time, maybe.”
“Yeah. Right.” Alex watched her as she stalked out of the alley and disappeared around the corner. It felt as if a huge weight lifted off his chest.
“I’m sorry, Alex.” Annie was looking at the ground, shaking her head. “I don’t want to come between you and your girlfriend.”
He slung an arm over Annie’s narrow shoulders. “She’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend, and obviously not a very good one. It’s really not a problem, squirt,” he said. “C’mon. I’m parked at the end of the block.”
Annie’s soft laugh stopped him. “I don’t know that the name still fits. You used to drive me nuts, calling me squirt. I’m hoping I’ve outgrown it by now.”
He smiled at her. Damn, she was something, but he wasn’t going to let her know what he was thinking. No way. “I don’t know about that. You’re not very big. As huge as your dad is, I’m amazed at how tiny you are. I think you still qualify as a squirt.” Annie fit perfectly beneath his arm. He held her closer than he probably needed to, but it felt right. She felt right, and he wondered why he’d never noticed before just how cute she really was. Cute and sexy and so feminine she made his chest feel tight. Not to mention his jeans.
“Please, not when we’re at the compound.” She poked him in the side. “I was hoping everyone had forgotten that horrible nickname.”
“I promise.” He leaned close and sealed his promise with a kiss. Her lips were full and soft against his, and he found himself lingering longer than he’d intended. When Alex raised his head, Annie stared at him with her brows wrinkled in a tight, confused little frown.
He hugged her close and took off walking. Annie fell into step beside him. His heart thundered in his chest, and his sensitive nostrils picked up the scent of her arousal.