Page 16 of Hired for Research
Her mood shifted at the thought, guilt growing. Knowing that what she would present with her observations would never be allowed to reach the public, it was simply a front to do the other part of her research. The part to change what an alpha was. They could say it was for the alpha’s good, so they could be released from the camps and have a modicum of freedom, but would they really be free if they were forced to take a medication that took away parts of themselves?
Evelyn stood abruptly, her chair scraping the ground behind her though the noise was hidden under the racket of conversations in the room. Jett’s brows rose, his gaze turning sharp as he looked at her.
“Is everything okay?”
She pressed her lips together, fighting the urge to tell him exactly what was wrong. She’d grown comfortable with him after the past few hours spent together, but she had no idea how he would react if he knew the truth of what she was doing there.
“The day seems to have caught up with me. I think I need to go ahead and call it a night.“
Jett stood, concern written on his face, and she turned away so she didn’t have to see it. She was handling all the guilt she could manage, and his concern only made it worse.
“I’ll take care of the bill.”
“No, let me. I’d have never found this place on my own.”
He opened his mouth to argue but Evelyn strode toward the hostess stand in the front. He followed her, but she moved faster, requesting the bill as soon as the pretty blonde looked up. She could see his frown from the corner of her eye but she ignored it, paying and leaving a hefty tip before reaching for the door. Jett opened it for her, holding it as she stepped out into the cold breeze.
The day had been sunny and comfortable, but it was late winter, and the temperature had dropped with the sun. She’d forgotten to take her coat from her luggage before leaving it at the hotel, and she instantly regretted it.
“Here, it’s cold.”
Her held his arm out, leaving her to decide whether to accept his offer to share body warmth or freeze on her own. She told herself she only accepted so she could help keep him warm too, since he didn’t have a jacket either.
Tucking herself into his side, she let out a sigh as his arm wrapped around her shoulders, warmth soaking into her flesh. He was as good as a heated blanket, though the wind still tormented the flesh he couldn’t cover.
“Thank you,” she mumbled, already sniffling from the cold.
“Let’s get you to your room.”
A shiver that had nothing to do with the temperature roll through her, leaving her nipples pebbled and her core clenching. She knew he didn’t mean it in that way, but she couldn’t stop herself from imagining having him in bed with her, their flesh sliding against each other, the heat they produced warming them more than any heater ever could.
She was thankful for the breeze that carried her scent away, keeping the alpha from smelling her reaction to his closeness. She had to get a handle on her body, or it was going to be a long and embarrassing week if she smelled of arousal every time she was close to an alpha.
The walk to the hotel was short, but the wind increased when they turned the corner, and Evelyn shuddered. Jett squeezed her closer to his side, hunching to block as much as he could, but the chill slipped through every space it found. By the time they entered the lobby of the hotel her fingers and toes were numb, and she was sure her nose was bright red. Jett slowly released her but continued to watch her with his brows drawn together, mouth in a grim line.
“Are you going to be okay to work tomorrow? I haven’t gotten the announcement yet so you could always change it to the next day.”
Just as he said that, an annoying wail sounded from the pocket of his pants. Evelyn snorted, lips pulling up on one side at the ironic timing.
“I’ll be fine, I just need some sleep. I don’t usually eat that much so I’m sure that’ll help me feel better, too.”
His expression said he didn’t believe her, but he nodded anyway.
“Okay then. What time would you like me to be here in the morning?”
Evelyn straightened, unwrapping her arms from around herself and trying to look firm.
“You can meet me at the hospital at seven thirty.”
His mouth opened as if he wanted to protest, but after holding her gaze for a moment he closed it, nodding again.
“Goodnight, Evelyn.”
8. Jett
Jett waited until she disappeared into the lift before turning and heading for the door. The wind bit into him as soon as he stepped out, but the cold didn’t seem to affect him as much as it had Evelyn.
He tried to ignore the way it had felt to have her pressed against him. Her scent still lingered, teasing him despite the wind.
