For some reason she couldn't name, she was suddenly nervous and self-conscious as she approached him. Hesitant even.
How unlike her. She was always icy cold around men, especially when they were from another species. But with Fang . . .
There was just something different.
Fang swallowed as he saw Aimee pause across the street. She was even more beautiful in the daylight than she'd been inside the dark club. The sunlight sparkled in her hair, turning it into spun gold and making his palm itch to touch its softness. She had to be freezing. All she had on was a thin Sanctuary T-shirt.
He shrugged his jacket off as she finally neared him.
"I wanted to say thank-you again," she said, her voice low and sweet. She scowled as he draped his jacket around her thin shoulders.
Fang lowered his head sheepishly as he realized why it bothered her. "I know I smell like a wolf, but it's too cold to be out here bare-armed."
She frowned even more as she looked at his arms. "You're wearing a T-shirt too."
"Yeah, but I'm used to being outside." He took the food from her. "So I take it I didn't get us banned after all."
She smiled, showing him that beckoning dimple that he would kill to kiss. "Far from it. Anyone who fights for us is always welcome here."
His features relieved, he nodded. "Good. I was afraid I'd have to listen to Vane's shi-stuff for the next few centuries."
Aimee stifled a laugh at the way he caught himself before he cussed in front of her. It was very sweet and charming and also unexpected. "You're not like other wolves, are you?"
He swallowed a drink of beer straight out of the bottle. "How do you mean?"
"I've never been around wolves who were so . . ."
He arched a brow as if daring her to insult him.
"Mannered."
Fang laughed, a warm, rich sound that lacked any hint of mockery. The expression softened his features, making him even more gorgeous and intriguing. And for some reason, she couldn't quite take her gaze off his well-sculpted arms as they flexed with every move he made. He had the best biceps she'd ever seen.
"Our sister's doing," he said after he swallowed a bite. "She has codes we have to follow and Vane enforces them to please her."
"But you don't like them?" There'd been a note in his voice as he spoke.
He didn't answer as he cut the steak with his fork.
Aimee gestured back toward the bar. "You want to eat that inside with the rest?"
"Nah. I don't like being indoors and I can't stand most of them anyway." He jerked his chin toward the saloon-styled door where Dev was standing guard again. "You should probably go back though. I'm sure your brother doesn't want you out here consorting with dogs."
"You're not a dog," she said emphatically, surprised that she actually meant it. An hour ago, she'd have been the one to hurl that insult at him and the rest of his pack.
Now . . .
He truly wasn't like the others and she really wanted to stay out here with him.
Go, Aimee.
She took a step away before she remembered that she wore his jacket. Pulling it off, she held it out to him. "Thanks again."
Fang couldn't speak as he watched her cross the street and head back into the bar. As he held his jacket against his chest, her scent hit him full force with a wave so strong he wanted to howl from it. Instead, he buried his face against the collar where her scent was the strongest. Inhaling deep, he felt his body harden to a level it had only done for one other female. . . .
He winced as old memories tore through him.
Even though they hadn't been mates, Stephanie had been his entire world.