by Simone Elise
FUCK was the first word that bounced into my mind, followed quickly by, holy fuck!
"Oh my God, I am so sorry!" she stuttered, not caring about her books; nope, her full attention was on the mess on Zane's chest. She took off her cardigan and started to dab it dry.
Zane was frozen to the spot while my mouth just hung open in shock.
"Seriously, I'm sorry. I think I, um, it’s…" She stopped and looked up at him, only to see his cold expression. Hell, at least the man was keeping up the frozen exterior well. "Ruined," she muttered softly, you could hear the regret in her voice.
Zane's eyes locked on her, then without saying anything, he stepped around her and continued walking up the hall, leaving her there embarrassed with her books splattered across the floor, not to mention the mess of orange soda.
I heard her groan and, feeling sorry for her, I dropped down and helped collect her things.
"Don't stress too much about it. He'll get over it," I said, handing her books.
She tossed the cardigan she had attempted to rescue his top with in the bin; knowing the stains weren't coming out of the white wool.
"Thanks," she mumbled. "I'm Allie by the way." She smiled out of embarrassment. "I think we've had a few classes together."
And we've fake dated, you've slapped me multiple times, and I couldn't count how many insults you have sprayed at me. "Yeah, I think we have. I'm Taylor." I smoothly smiled at her. "Hope your day gets better," I said, then left her standing there.
***
ALLIE
There are moments in life where you wish you could just wipe it from your mind completely. As I walked away from the crime scene where I had just stained the hottest guy in school’s t-shirt, if he didn't know I existed before, he sure as hell did now.
As the girl that ruined his top and stumbled out words.
I groaned.
I should have just stayed home today. Seriously, even mom encouraged it for some reason. I dragged my feet to Art Theory. It didn't help Blake nor Chase were in this class, which meant I would have to sit by myself.
I was already running late for it too, thanks to sticky hands.
The bell rang just as I stepped into the classroom. Score! No way could the teacher give me an earful for being late now. I was too busy smirking about that to notice how full the class was.
I gulped sharply.
Oh no.
Please God NO!
The only empty seat was next to Zane. This just couldn't be happening. I scanned the room four more times before I finally dragged myself to the back of the classroom.
For some strange reason, I felt like I had to ask to sit next to him. Maybe it was due to him being so bloody hot, and the most popular guy in school.
"Um, do you mind if I sit next to you?" I stared down at the table not able to meet his eyes. "I promise I will, um, keep to my side."
"Miss Winters, unless you want to spend the rest of the class standing, will you please take a seat now!" the teacher's voice boomed through the classroom.
I immediately dropped into the plastic chair next to him.
Well, this just made it even more awkward.
Chapter Forty-one
If sitting next to him wasn't awkward enough, we now had to work on an assignment together. I was positive my stomach couldn't turn into a tighter knot than it was now. We sat in silence, while everyone with their partner, started working on their assignment.
"Would you stop that?" The hardness in his voice caused my head to whip to the side to look at him.
"Stop what?"
"The tapping." He gestured to my hand, and I honestly hadn't even realized I was doing it.
As if the table had burnt me, I placed my hands on my lap under the table. "Sorry."
I snuck a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, hoping he wouldn't catch me.
There was just something about him that made a passionate pull towards him. Maybe it was because of his extremely devilish good looks, or the detailed tattooed work up his arms. Anyway, the point being, I found myself not able to take my eyes off him, or at the very least I couldn't stop the sideways glances.
When it came down to it, the sad and most pathetic thing about my crush on him is that I don't know why I have one, or how or when it started. We had never really had any communication between us. Sure, we shared some classes, but it wasn't like he had ever talked to me or cared enough to smile my way.
Although, in saying all that, one thing had changed; he wasn't usually this hard and grumpy.
"So, um, we should get started." I reached for my textbook.
He looked at me dryly. "What? It took you that long to figure that out?" His eyes were sharp as blades slicing through my innocent eyes. Well if he wanted to scare me off, he had succeeded.
***
ZANE
It was physically killing me sitting next to her while her hormones of lust swirled around me. Human Allie liked me. Screw that, human Allie wanted me, wanted to talk, and wanted to get to know me. It was killing me.
The only way I knew how to cope was to snap her out of it.
"So, um, we should get started." Her sweet, nervous voice flowed through my ears, like a wishful perfume.
She was killing me.
"What? It took you that long to figure that out?" I met her innocent eyes with a harsh glare. The only way either of us was going to survive this was if I kept the distance between us. If that meant being harsh, then I'd be harsh.
"Well, are you going to open that book or just stare blankly at me?" I snapped her out of the dazed stare she was giving me.
It seemed to have worked because her eyes snapped back to the textbook. Hopefully, those deep blue eyes I had just filled with pain wouldn't lift from those pages again.
Because I'm sure if I saw the pain in her eyes I would crumble at her feet.
***
"So, this freezing Allie out has been harder than I expected," Taylor said, emptying his second beer.
I was past counting mine. "She wanted to talk to me today." I threw the empty can to the side, while pulling one out for myself and handing Taylor one.
"Who would have thought human Allie would like you and wolf Allie would hate you," Taylor grunted, sounding half amused.
"She never hated me."
Did she?
He gave me a deadpan look. "Fine, strongly disliked you then."
"Doesn't matter anymore anyway, as she and I are finished." I had been told those words, and I had said them a million times over, but still, I didn't believe my future or my chance with Allie was completely finished. Was it wrong to cling to an impossible dream?
"She's really turned the heat up too," Taylor continued the conversation I would very much like to end. "Did you see those shorts today? Swear every bloke made excuses to walk past her."
I was about to throw a rant his way when Ebony stepped in and threw a can at his head. "Shut up, would you?"
Taylor rubbed his forehead. "Since when are you defensive about Allie."
Since she found her mate, I thought to myself.
"I'm sick of talking about her. Wasn't the whole point of us wiping her memories to forget about her, not bring her up every second?"
"But those shorts…"
I growled at Taylor.
"Fine, I'll drop it," he huffed, and stuffed a mouthful of chips in his mouth.
***
Just had to get through the day. Surely, I could avoid her for one day. I had been tormented by her all day yesterday.
Today I wouldn't be keeping an eye on her.
Today I wouldn’t let her scent suffocate the words and willpower from me.
I was still in the middle of the pep talk I was giving myself when my eyes landed on her.
It's fucking official - she is going to be the death of me.
She was wearing a tight summer-white dress that flowed out above her knees. Her beautiful locks were
curled and swinging freely down her back, but it was the wide grin on her face that she was giving some bloke I'd never seen before that finally did it.
A hand gripped my upper arm stopping me just before I went charging over there.
"Reel it in, mate. Remember what your dad said." Taylor gave me a sad smile, before letting go of my arm and walking off.
Fate would have it that Allie glanced in my direction, catching my strong glare. I saw the shock fill her eyes and her expression twist with sadness a short moment before she continued the conversation with the boy I didn't know.
I felt a sting of guilt immediately. I shouldn't have been glaring at her like that, as it wasn't her fault that I was filled with this frustration.
***
Shopping.
It wasn't something I enjoyed or wanted to do, but when you are running out of clothes, it isn't like you have an option.
I held up two printed t-shirts, both of which weren't appealing to me.
For a shopping mall that promoted having something for everyone, they were really failing to deliver.
I was scanning suit jackets when her sweet voice scared the hell out of me.
"Special occasion?" Allie asked, standing behind me.
How had I not noticed her scent or pick up on her being here!
"Um, no." I scratched the back of my neck feeling awkward. "I, um, ran out of clothes but I’m just not finding anything that, umm, suits my style."
She grinned. "Maybe that has something to do with you being on the wrong floor." She gestured to the formal fitting sign that hung behind the counter. "I think level five will be where you find what you want."
"Thanks," I stumbled out, feeling even more awkward due to her kindness. She stood there wide-eyed and with friendly advice, and I couldn't think of anything to say to her because everything I wanted to say I couldn't.
"Well, um, I’ll leave you then." Her eyes dropped, and she turned to walk away.
"Can you show me where it is?" I blurted, stopping her from walking away from me again.
She swung around with an expression of shock. "Of course, I can.”
We walked to the elevators, and I hit the button for it. It wasn’t until it opened and I was inside with her in a small space that I realized my mistake.
I pressed the fifth floor at the same time as her small tiny finger did.
One touch.
One simple touch.
That was all I needed for the wolf in me to know he was near his mate.
He wanted her.
Hell, I wanted her.
"Sorry," I apologized, making sure to use a softer tone, which, by her facial reaction, she noticed. Being a jerk to her wasn't working because I didn't want to.
It went against every muscle and everything within me to be mean to her or cause her pain so, when the elevator chimed five, and the doors opened, I knew I couldn't keep the icy front up.
Chapter Forty-two
ALLIE
Was it stupid that I had directed him to my floor? When the elevator door slid open, I stepped out.
"You got some men’s shopping to do as well?"
I spun on my heel, swallowing sharply. Why did he always turn me into a sudden stumbling mess?
I pulled my key pass out. "I, um, work here."
He arched his eyebrows. "Since when did you get a part-time job?"
I placed a hand on my hip, tilting my head to the side. "Since when did you care if I had a job?"
Uneasiness passed across his face before he returned to his blank expression. I wanted him to say something else. I wanted to talk to him.
Instead, he stepped around me and headed over to the t-shirt rack.
Well, at least there were two things I've learned about Zane. One, he can actually have a conversation, and two; the guy had money, especially if he was shopping here.
Watching his strong back stride away from me, I just couldn't give up this opportunity.
"Did you want some help, Zane?"
He froze. Not saying a word. My heartbeat began to flutter faster and faster as I waited for his answer. When a few minutes had passed, and he still hadn't said anything, I knew I had to add something onto what I said.
"After all, I do work here. It's my job to help you." I chewed on my bottom lip, just as he turned around to face me. He looked me up and down - again. Why did he keep doing that? And why was there always this boiling rage in his eyes when he did!
"Or I can leave you alone, it’s up to you," I added quickly.
"Don't want to get you into trouble with your boss because you’re helping a friend." His eyes pierced through mine like they always did when we had eye contact. It was as if he could see inside my soul, past the walls I put up to the world.
Then my mind floated back to what he said.
Friend.
We were friends?
Was he mad?
"Um, well, I guess we aren't friends really, so I'll be doing my job."
He scoffed quietly, muttering something I didn't catch.
"Well, let's get started," I said, brushing past him and heading for the department where I was sure he would find something he liked.
"What size do you wear?" I threw over my shoulder.
"Large."
"Really?"
"You saying I'm fat, Winters."
"No!" I scoffed, "I meant how could such a muscular, tattooed man like yourself, be fitting into a large. I would have guessed an extra-large for sure."
His firm fingers wrapped around my arm, pulling us to a stop and once again I was drained into those soul-sucking eyes.
"Can't tell if you are insulting me or flirting with me?" His eyes reached deep into mine, searching for the answer. Surely this wasn't normal for him to reach so deep inside me.
I swallowed sharply, prying myself out of his grasp. "A friend would know I hate being touched by strangers."
Every part of me told me I shouldn't fear him, but his appearance was enough to scare any normal girl away.
His face melted with disappointment, even if it was only for a few seconds I caught it.
So, I mentally wanted to slap myself for being mean to a guy that I have been crushing on for months.
"Zane, you don't know me. That's ok. I know I'm nobody special at school so don't feel sorry for me, or act like you want to be my friend because I know who I am."
He scoffed loudly and shook his head out of frustration.
"Fine. You be a worker, and I'll be a customer. Just show me where the darn tops are."
So I did, and he didn't say another word, and neither did I.
***
“Winters, if you drop those darn books of yours again, I swear I’ll glue them to your hands,” Blake grunted as he once again collected my textbooks off the floor.
“Sorry, I’m just clumsy.”
I honestly was sorry. That was the second time this morning I had dropped them, and it was all thanks to that stupid tattooed hot machine named Zane.
Just seeing him always resulted in me tripping or dropping something.
“I thought his power over you would have eased by now,” Blake grumbled under his breath, which only resulted in confusing me.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.” He handed me my books. “Just get a move on to second period before you’re late again.”
I wanted to press him more about his odd comment, but he was right. I couldn’t be late again.
“Fine, see you at lunch,” I threw over my shoulder as I quickened my pace.
Blake and his double-sided comments were doing my head in. Why couldn’t he just directly say what he meant? I guessed even when we were little he would always dodge questions.
Although now, it was a sort of feeling as if everyone was dodging my questions or just me in general.
***
I walked into class just as the bell rang and was sort of feeling proud of
myself until I realized once again the only seat left was next to a very unhappy looking Zane.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
I sighed, dropping my books on the table next to him and pulling the chair to the edge of the table.
The last thing I needed was another run-in with him.
I hadn’t spoken to him since I saw him at work. I also knew for a fact he hated me because I had overheard Ebony telling Gemma in the girl’s bathroom.
The teacher started the lesson, and I was half listening when my attention was pulled away. Jamie, a guy I rarely spoke too, gestured with his hand for me to lean over to him.
“What?” I hissed across the bay.
“Are you going to the beach party tonight?” The tone he used told me he was genuinely interested in whether I was going or not.
“I wasn’t planning on it; it wasn’t like I had a reason to.”
His grin dropped for a moment, and then he shook his head. “Not good enough, Allie, and I’m giving you a reason to right now.”
He was flirting with me.
Me.
Allie Winters.
I blushed slightly. “Ok, well, maybe I’ll re-think it.”
He gave me a quick wink before we both straightened up in our chairs.
I was still slightly blushing when I snuck a glance at the stone man. What a surprise! He had an intense, angry expression on his face yet again.
Was Zane ever not angry?
“You finished flirting now so we can get these questions answered?” he snapped at me.
Great a joint project yet again.
“I can just do them if you want,” I muttered, feeling uncomfortable.
“What you saying? I’m dumb or something?” he quickly snapped back, his eyes scorching mine.
“No. I just thought that I would save you the trouble of having to spend an extra moment with me, considering you hate my guts.”
I don’t know where that confidence came from, but as soon as the words slipped from my lips, so did the confidence.
“Hate you?” He screwed his face up. “Who told you that?”