AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Terrible idea. Oh, right, I didn’t because I wanted to save them because their cost is still questionable.
Master Zane raises a brow, his cruel eyes rolling over me. His grip feels tight on my body, and he squeezes even harder. All that does is make me feel safe and protected, yet a part of me tenses instinctively, remembering the times when a tight grip meant danger. The atmosphere around us grows heavy and suffocating as tension coils around us like a deadly serpent ready to strike. His gaze is equal parts creepy and endearing.
Where the hell did that thought come from?
“You, ah…” I wiggle in all the wrong ways. “Can let me down now.”
He jolts back to reality, his grip loosening ever so slightly but still tight enough to leave bruises. A haze seemingly clears from his mind as he shakes his head, trying to regain control of himself.
“Sorry,” he snarls through gritted teeth as he roughly sets me down, his grip on my arms tight and unyielding. The pressure from his hands is suffocating, nearly crushing my bones. “You almost gave me a heart attack, Aria,” he seethes, his eyes blazing with anger and fear.
For me? Can’t be. He’s acting like he hates me.
I shrug, attempting to play it off. “Just overdid it, I guess.”
His gaze narrows, penetrating through my false nonchalance. “You need to start taking care of yourself,” he rumbles with a hint of anger. The intensity in his voice sends shivers down my spine—a warning I can’t ignore.
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumble, attempting to brush past him.
“Wait.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “You’re not going anywhere in those wet clothes.”
“I’m fine,” I protest, but the shivering of my body betrays me. I’m stubborn enough to walk home like this in winter just to avoid him.
“Like hell you are.” Zane steps in front of me, blocking my path. “You’ll catch your death out there.”
That would be sweet if it were true, but it’s nothing more than an old wives’ tale.
“It’s just a short walk,” I argue, wrapping my arms around myself in a feeble attempt to retain some warmth. It is not, in fact, a short walk. Actually, it’s a long drive back home, and I need to call for a ride.
“Short walk or not, you’re not leaving like this.” His gaze softens slightly, but his determination is tenacious. “Wait here.”
Before I can protest further, Zane disappears into another room, leaving me standing there, dripping wet and freezing. I shift from foot to foot, trying to keep the cold at bay. Moments later, he returns with a thick, fluffy towel and a bundle of clothes.
“Here,” he says, thrusting the towel into my hands. “Dry off and change into these.”
I take the towel reluctantly, knowing arguing is pointless. Zane’s protective streak is as fierce as it is unexpected. As I dry myself off, I glance at the clothes he brought—one of his shirts and a pair of sweatpants. They’ll be huge on me, but they are warm and dry.
I can’t sniff them, though, or the hussy of an omega inside me might get the wrong idea. Hell, she already has the wrong idea.
“Thanks,” I mutter, taking the clothes and retreating to the changing room. As I peel off my soaked clothes and slip into Zane’s, I can’t help but notice how his scent clings to the fabric—clean, masculine, and somehow comforting. Is that leather and sandalwood?
Guess I’m not the only one covering up my scents.
I check each little piece of duct tape, ensuring they are still on. They are and still emitting a delicious mix. When I emerge, Zane is waiting, dressed in sinful gray sweats. Why did it have to be those? His expression softens slightly when he sees me. “Better?”
“Better,” I admit, feeling warmth slowly seep back into my bones.
“Good.” He gestures toward a bench. “Sit down for a minute.”
I do as he says, my legs still shaky from the cold and exhaustion. Zane sits next to me, his presence solid and reassuring.
“When did you last eat?” he questions, and there is a hardness in his eyes, as though he is furious about that.
“Last night,” I answer truthfully.
He growls to himself before abruptly standing. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” I blink up at him. He sure is demanding and angry. He’s like a hot potato jumping from one thing that annoys him to another. I kind of want to keep pushing his buttons.
