The Pack (The Pack 1)

“Straight home though.” Dominic’s gaze was serious as it met ours in the rearview mirror. “No stops, detours, or helping turtles cross the road.”

“Turtles?” I snorted before I could stop myself and he glared.

“Yes, turtles.”

“Anna’s been known to stop for just about anything, but there’s been more than one turtle,” Caleb explained helpfully as Anna sank down in the seat.

“No stops,” Dominic reiterated and we nodded.

I bumped Anna’s shoulder lightly as I whispered, “I’d stop for a turtle too.”

She gave me a tiny grin as Dominic muttered a little too loudly, “Not today, you won’t.”

I skipped out on lunch so I could finish the essay I’d been putting off, and had just finished when Dominic showed up. He met my eyes for a second before he stopped to greet the librarian.

“Coach Navarre, what a pleasant surprise,” the librarian simpered and I rolled my eyes. It seemed his good looks charmed women of all ages, even those old enough to be his grandmother.

“Ms. Steele, I clearly don’t visit often enough if my presence is a surprise.”

My mouth dropped open at his flirty response. I’d thought he was only capable of grunts and the occasional chest pounding.

“Then I should expect to see you more often,” she twittered back and I pantomimed gagging. The librarian couldn’t see me but Dominic had a clear view of my opinion and he wasn’t amused.

“Of course, Ms. Steele,” he replied with a wink and I almost fell over in shock. “Right now, I need to grab a book for Coach Thomas.”

“If you need any help, you just ask,” Ms. Steele offered, batting her eyelashes and even Dominic looked uncomfortable as he gave her a close-mouthed smile, which disappeared the second he turned toward me. He tilted his head for me to follow and I gave a subtle nod as he strode past, not missing the fact that Ms. Steele was checking out his ass. I tapped my pencil impatiently as I waited for her to go back into her office so I could follow him.

“Took you long enough,” he grumbled when I came around the stack.

“Your admirer was checking out your ass.” I took some satisfaction in his wince as I continued, “I had to wait until she went in her office to follow. Wouldn’t want to be suspicious after all.”

“It’s really inconvenient having to hunt you down,” he replied, ignoring my comment.

“Not sure why you felt the need to hunt me down. You could have texted me,” I retorted, indicating the phone in my pocket.

“I don’t have your number.”

“Anna does.”

“Anna’s not here. That’s why I came to find you.”

“Why isn’t she here?”

“She wasn’t feeling good. I sent her home in the Jeep.”

“Oh,” I said in a small voice. “I hope she’s okay.”

“She’ll be fine,” Dominic said dismissively. “The bigger thing is you’ll need to wait till the scrimmage is over to walk home with me and Caleb.”

“I can see if my Dad can pick me up,” I stated in a hurry, not sure I wanted to walk home with them. Already, our close proximity in the narrow aisle was affecting me. Dominic had to stand sideways so his shoulders wouldn’t brush the bookshelves and that left me with my back pressed against the shelf and only a couple of inches between us, not nearly enough for my piece of mind.

“No,” he stated bluntly and I opened my mouth to argue. He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a sigh. “It’s not safe, Jess.” His use of my name stopped me and he peered down at me in surprise when I didn’t argue, before he slowly continued. “Things have escalated and I don’t want to take any chances with your life.”

I found myself nodding as I pressed more firmly against the shelf, the corner of a book wedged uncomfortably against my shoulder.

“You’re not going to argue?” He asked in disbelief and I shook my head. “Are you feeling okay? You aren’t feeling sick too, are you?” His disbelief morphed into sudden concern and I found myself smiling. I shook my head again and he huffed out a breath.

“I’m not going to believe you until something smartass comes out of your mouth, you realize this right?”

My grin widened and I tilted my head to the side, looking away from him.

“Jess,” he growled and the low sound made me realize when I’d turned my head, I’d exposed my neck, specifically the exact spot he’d marked. Suddenly, his body came around me, his hands on the shelf above, caging me in as his head ducked close to my own, hovering over my neck. “You have no idea how badly you tempt me.” My breath hitched at his words and I felt his chest vibrate with a rough chuckle. “You’re lucky I won’t give into my baser instincts. That I truly do want what’s best for you.”