Page 14 of Perfectly Naïve
He nods. “A little. From what I remember, Sawyer and his pack do well enough.”
“I’ll see you later?”
Nigel shakes his head. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“That’s not?—”
“I’m walking you to the door, Olivia.” He says my name like I’m in need of scolding.
There’s really no point in arguing with him, but I don’t want to give him a reason to suspect something fishy is going on. I simply beam at him. “Thanks, old man.”
Nigel huffs and leads the way.
Sawyer’s house is a basic two-story bungalow. The painted gray bricks are lined with white trim, and flower beds surround the front. I bet there are pretty flowers in the summer, but the cold has already put them into hibernation. Nigel stops at the foot of the stairs and makes a show of turning to offer me his hand.
“A gentleman always helps a lady up the stairs.”
“And you are the gentlest of gentlemen,” I tell him as I set my hand in his.
He grins and guides me up the steps. Once we’re on the porch, he releases my hand and knocks on the door three times. Hard.
I shoot him a look, but he’s intent on the door.
Sawyer opens it, sees me first, smiles, then notices Nigel. “Nigel! How are you?” He goes for a hug, but Nigel holds his hand up. Sawyer awkwardly pauses and steps back.
“Olivia is the brightest and sweetest omega I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
What is happening right now?
Sawyer rubs the back of his neck. “I know.”
“Good. Then you’ll also know that, while I’m only a driver, I can easily dispose of a body.”
“Oh my god,” I say with a gasp.
“Nigel, it’s not like that,” Sawyer tells him, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“I don’t care what it’s like. Break her heart, and you’ll regret it.”
“Wow, okay, there’s no need for that,” I say quickly,inserting myself between them and facing Nigel. “We’re only hanging out.”
Nigel gives Sawyer one last warning look before focusing on me. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but call me when you need me.”
“I’ll be fine, Nigel. Sawyer doesn’t bite.”
I swear I hear him mumble,Oh I bet he does, under his breath, but the old man pivots and heads to the car, leaving me thoroughly embarrassed with Sawyer at my back. I watch Nigel drive off and slowly turn around, nerves churning in my gut.
“Sorry,” I murmur.
Sawyer’s blue gaze bores into mine. “He cares about you. No need to apologize.”
I tuck my bottom lip between my teeth. His eyes drop to my mouth, darken, and he steps aside to let me in. He’s blocking part of the doorway. My shoulder brushes his chest as I pass, and a soft rumble fills the air for three seconds before abruptly cutting off. I pretend not to notice that he most definitely purred. Again.
Once inside, I set my purse on the ground and slip out of the jacket, handing it to Sawyer without looking at him. I bend over and take off the flats, yank the heels from my purse, and struggle for a second to put them on. By the time I straighten, my stomach is fluttering and my pulse is thrumming.
I smooth the short dress and turn to face Sawyer.
His eyes are fully dilated, and he’s so still, chest heaving as his gaze traces down my body, stopping at the shoes, and then slowly, filled with heat that makes my thighs clench, draws it back up. “What are you wearing?”
