Page 102 of Quarterback Sneak
I make eye contact with Reid, so he knows I’m grateful. He heads inside, and Quint follows him in. “I didn’t even see Evie last night; I have no idea what she looked like,” Slate says in a low voice. “I just said all that to get you worked up.”
I eye him. His words still make me angry, but I get why he did it. I step close to him. “Just know, if I ever even see you glancing too long at her, you’ll find yourself missing some vital organs.”
Slate nods. “I know. There’s no worry about that from me.”
I put my hand on the shoulder of my future enforcer. “Thanks.” I head inside and get showered and dressed for the day. Reid’s grabbing his bag when I head back out. We walk outside together.
“You doing okay?” he asks quietly.
I shrug. “Better than I was.”
“You’re going to only get worse until you complete the bond.”
He doesn’t say anything I don’t already know. “I know.” He glances over at me as I stop at my truck. “She was terrified that night in the woods. I can’t do that to her again.” I run a hand over my head.
“Why don’t you let her be the judge of what she can and can’t handle. I think she’s stronger than you think.”
His quiet words make me irritated because I know my mate is strong, and I don’t need him to point that out to me. But I can’t shake his words as I stop for coffee and then head to campus.
Chapter 43
Evie
I don’t feel as energized as I normally do after my morning run. I know I owe it to my late night, but I don’t regret it. I had to get caught up on studying before I started this next week of classes. A yawn escapes me as I head down the stairs and out the front door. I watch as Zane pulls his ball cap lower on his forehead, as if that and shades will hide who he really is. He lifts his head and immediately walks my way. “Morning,” he says in a voice that sounds like he’s been up for hours. I’m going to ask him how long he’s been awake when what he’s holding suddenly catches my attention. He hands me an iced coffee with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
I groan, knowing I don’t need the extra calories; but it looks so good. “Thanks, Zane.” I put the straw in take a drink, closing my eyes when the sugar and caffeine hit my system. I groan. “That’s so good.” I open my eyes. “Want a drink?” He stares down at me with an intensity that’s hard to ignore.
“You enjoy it.” He hands me a bag, and I take it from him. Opening it, I discover what I think is a pumpkin muffin that’s still warm.
“Oh my word.” I take it out and unwrap it before taking a bite. My eyes find his. I tear off a piece and offer it to him. I think at first he’s going to decline my offer, but he eats it. “Isn’t that good?”
He smiles softly at me, and I catch my breath. “Yeah, Baby; it is.” He steps close and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Did you sleep well?” There’s an intensity to him that seems different today.
“It was fast but good. Did you?” He shrugs, and I take another sip of my coffee, eying him. He looks a little more haggard than usual. Nothing takes away from his good looks, but he looks...off. “You doing okay, Zane?” My question is soft, but he hears me just fine. His eyes never leave mine.
“I’m good.”
I take another bite of muffin. “Are you sleeping at night?”
His eyes sharpen. “Why?”
The fact that he asks answers my question. “You know you need sleep to survive, right?”
“I know.”
His gruff answer doesn’t do anything to make me feel better. “Zane?” I lower my coffee. Concern fills me when he runs a hand over his head. I step close and put my hand on his chest. “Are you okay?”
He puts his hand over mine and stares down at me. The intensity in his gaze rocks me. I glance around at the small crowd of onlookers. Just as I thought, his hat hasn’t fooled anyone. I reach out and take his large hand in mine and walk towards the side of the building. Thankfully, he follows and doesn’t take his hand from mine. When we round the corner, I put my coffee down and drop my muffin back in the bag before placing it next to my coffee. I don’t say anything as I step close to him and wrap my arms around him. He stiffens a moment, as if I’ve surprised him. Then he wraps those strong arms around me and pulls me tightly to him before burying his face in my hair. I feel him breathe deeply. “Did you just sniff my hair?” I ask, trying to coax a laugh out of him. It doesn’t work; he just holds me tightly. “Are you okay, Zane?” I ask against his hard chest. One of his hands comes up to the back of my head, and he strokes my hair. My eyes nearly roll back in my head at the feel of his hand in my hair.
“Better now,” he says in that deep voice of his. If a hug makes things better, then I’ll hug this man every single day.
I pull back slightly, so I can look at him. “I have to get to class.”
“I know. Thank you.” He pushes a hair from my face. “You made my morning so much better.” I can’t help but smile up at him, which causes him to smile in return. I release my hold on him and snag my coffee and muffin.
“Thanks for this. You made my day.”
He smiles down at me. “I’m glad.”
