Bait & Switch (Alphas Undone #1)(18)

I made a sympathetic noise that she could interpret however she wanted. Her standards weren’t exactly high, but hey, who was I to judge?

“And maybe not so selfish in bed,” she added, lifting her glass in a toast. “What about you?” She hiccupped. “Special man in your life?”

I shook my head. “No, not really.” I found myself feeling protective of Nolan, and I didn’t want to share the intimate details of our . . . whatever it was.

I winced at the memory of how emotional I’d gotten the other night. I couldn’t believe I’d broken down like that. Sobbed on his shoulder over a dog I’d known for all of three weeks. But Nolan had been so sweet and tender about the whole thing. Holding me as I cried, telling me his own story about the friend he’d lost. I was quickly starting to feel more for him than I ever dreamed possible.

Nolan’s love life was a hot mess, but he was also handsome and strong and honorable. I couldn’t walk away now, not even if I wanted to.

Soon one drink with Jamie turned into two, then three. When a round of shots was set before us, compliments of a couple of guys at the bar, Jamie squealed and handed one to me. As I sucked on the little lime wedge, I realized my head was starting to spin. There was no way I’d be driving home tonight. When I passed by the bar on my way to the restroom, I stopped at the counter, leaning over to ask the bartender if he would call cabs for my friend and me. He nodded and picked up his phone.

A few minutes later, the bartender wandered over and introduced himself as the owner, West. He was a tall, muscled linebacker of a man. Handsome, but a little scary.

When he announced that our cabs were here, Jamie stood and grabbed her purse, and I followed suit, thanking him. Outside, she climbed inside the yellow minivan and waved, saying she’d see me at work. As the van drove away, I realized that West must have assumed we’d share the cab. Meaning that I’d just missed my ride.

“Damn it.” I looked around the all-but-deserted parking lot, wondering what I was going to do now. Surely there was more than one cab in this entire town.

Then I froze. There, at the back corner of the lot, was a white sedan with its interior dome light on. I couldn’t be sure it was the same car from last week, but cold dread still crept through me, raising the hairs on the back of my neck and making me step back.

No way was I waiting out here. I’d just have to go back inside and ask West for another cab.

“Come on. I’m driving you home.”

The familiar voice surprised me, and I spun around to see Nolan approaching through an opening between the parked cars. Relief flooded through me, weakening my knees.

“How did you . . . ?”

“My buddy West called me. He recognized you as the woman I was with the other night. Said you asked for a cab.”

“And he asked you instead?”

Nolan nodded. “I’m taking you home.” His firm tone left little room for negotiation. He was definitely a man who always got what he wanted.

Through my heavy buzz, I took a moment to look at him. He wore faded jeans and a white T-shirt. I wondered if he’d been at home, in for the night. Maybe hanging out with Daniella. And he’d left the warm comfort of home to head out into the night for me. A tingle of appreciation spread through me at the thought.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said instead.

“I’m quite aware. Come on, get in the truck.” Nolan led the way and helped me inside. He glanced over at me as he started the engine. “How much did you have to drink?”

“It was ladies’ night,” was all I said. I thought I heard him chuckle softly, but couldn’t be sure.

He didn’t say anything else as he drove. The tires crunched over the gravel road and the radio played quietly in the background. Within minutes, we pulled into my building’s parking lot. I let myself out of the truck and started toward my apartment. But when I reached the stairs, Nolan’s hand caught my elbow.

“I can manage,” I said, both warmed at his concern and embarrassed that I needed it.

“I know that,” he said, but didn’t remove his hand.

I guess chivalry isn’t dead.

When we arrived at my door, he stopped. I’d expected him to walk me there and then leave, his sense of obligation fulfilled, but that wasn’t the case.

“Can I help you inside?” he asked instead, his low voice sending tingles of heat rushing along my skin.

This time, I said, “Yes.”

Unlocking the door, I slipped inside. I flipped on the hall light and tossed my purse and keys on the table. Then I just stood there, wondering what I was supposed to do next. I wasn’t good at these games, hadn’t had a man rush to my rescue before.

“Do you have to work in the morning?” he asked.

I nodded. It was only a little after ten, but I had a hunch I’d feel the tequila in the morning.

Nolan headed into the kitchen and poured me a glass of cold water from the pitcher I kept in the fridge. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.”

I led the way to my bedroom. I was about to argue, to tell him I was too old to be tucked in, but the careful way he held my hand and helped me into my room spoke louder than anything else. He was a natural guardian, and right now, he was going to see to it that I was okay.

In my darkened room, Nolan stood directly before me, the soft moonlight painting his face in shadows. He was beautiful. A strong jaw dusted in dark stubble, full lips, and dark, soulful eyes.