***
Arianna was still trying to figure out things with Ajax when he pulled up in front of her apartment building later that night. He had offered to drive her home so that she didn’t have to take a cab. Always one to save money, she had accepted. The drive had been awkward and tension-filled.
“You live here?” he asked.
“Hey, it ain’t much, but it’s home,” she protested, pushing the door open, giving them both a clear view of the building.
Big black bars were fixed in place and some sort of fabric hung over every window. Many of the lights were off, though a few glowed brightly. A trash can lay crumpled on its side, its contents spilled across the overgrown pathway that led to the door. Grass and weeds shot up between the cracked pavement so thickly that in another year or two it seemed likely that no signs of pavement would remain.
“May I walk you to your door?” he asked from the driver’s seat as she slipped out of the truck down to the pavement.
“Uh, sure,” she said with a shrug, but she didn’t wait for him.
Ajax caught up with her as she was opening the door inside.
“I can take it from here,” she said, holding the door open with one foot.
“Are you sure?” he asked, eyes peering around, trying to pick out any trouble.
The hallway inside was empty. Brown paint was peeling from the walls and the orange, red, and yellow stone-patterned carpet smelled like mold. The nearest light fixture hung free from the ceiling, and there was a big dark spot in the hallway where the next one was missing completely. Yellow caution tape hung limply in front of an elevator that hadn’t worked for as long as she’d lived there. It looked like shit, but there was nobody around.
“Yeah, I do it every day. I think I can find my way,” she told him.
“Okay,” he said, but he didn’t move.
Arianna frowned. “Is something wrong Ajax?”
His eyes stopped dancing around inside the apartment and fixated upon her, startling her with their intensity. The big brown orbs were filled with worry and sorrow, and…something else. She couldn’t quite place it, but the sudden glimpse into his soul was heart-stopping.
“Not…anymore,” he said, the last word seeming forced. “I just, um.” He paused, clearly searching for words.
Oh my God, he’s embarrassed! She had no idea over what, but Ajax was turning a little red. Could he actually have a crush on her? Was he working up the courage to kiss her?
The thought of kissing Ajax sent her heart into overdrive, blood surging through her body like a wave as it awoke a desire in her she hadn’t known existed. The image of her arms wrapped around his neck, his big hands pulling her waist tight against him made her short of breath, her lips falling open slightly as she continued to stare into his eyes.
“I’m really sorry for putting you in danger tonight,” he said in an awkward rush, red creeping into his cheeks.
She faked a frown. “I mean, other than going for a short unexpected flight, I don’t recall being in much danger. You were the one that the bunch of other dudes wanted to beat the crap out of,” she teased, poking him in the ribs.
He winced. “Ow.”
“Oh come on,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“You had a front-row seat,” he shot back. “Did you not see the kick I took there?” Before she could answer he pulled his now-ripped shirt up, exposing his side.
“Holy shit Ajax. You need to go to the hospital!” she yelped.
His entire side was black and blue, from just above his waist all the way into his armpit. It likely extended farther, but his shirt was blocking her view. It looked incredibly painful and maybe even indicative of internal bleeding. The last thing she wanted was him dropping dead on her.
“What?” she asked, noticing the odd look Ajax was giving her.
“A hospital? For a bruise?” he said skeptically.
“You could be bleeding internally…” She trailed off as he shrugged. “Do you just not care?”
“Ari,” he said, using the shortened form of her name again. “I’m a shifter. Do you not recall any of your conspiracy stuff on us? I can tell you that our healing prowess is likely understated. It hurts, but it’ll be gone by the time I wake up, I promise.”
She reached out, tentatively running her fingers across his bruised and swollen side. “Are you sure?” she asked, pulling her hand back from where it was beginning to brush across his abs without her realizing it.
Get yourself together girl. He doesn’t want anyone like you touching him like that…does he?
Ajax hadn’t pulled away from her touch. Hell, he had been the one to expose his skin to her. Could it be that maybe he was a little bit interested in her?
Arianna pushed her glasses up on her nose, partly out of habit, partly to buy some time while she tried to figure out what to do. Ajax was just now lowering his shirt, his eyes big, brown, and looking directly at her.
“I—” she began, before trailing off as he turned to face her.
“Yes?” his voice was innocent, almost eager.
Licking her lips, she gazed up at him, trying to find what it was she was trying to say.
What was she trying to say? You’re handsome as hell and I really want to kiss you and hope that you sweep me off my feet?
She blushed at her own internal dialog, spinning away from Ajax to try and hide her face as heat blossomed in her cheeks. From experience, Arianna knew a blush like that carried well down her neck and across her chest.
“Everything okay?” Ajax asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
Instinctively she reached up to cover it with her own hand. Why it seemed instinctive Ari had no clue. She’d never even hugged the man before. So why would an intimate touch of his hand seem normal to her?
What the fuck is going on?
She needed to get inside, to clear her head. Something was screwing with her brain, making her thoughts fuzzy and trying to constantly distract her.
“I need to get some sleep,” she mumbled, turning to go inside.
As she did though, Ajax put his arms out to hug her. That hadn’t been her intent, but before she knew it, Ari found herself enveloped in his arms, pulled tight to his big, firm chest. She inhaled deeply, the thick scent of the woods mixing with the metal of his spilled blood. It wasn’t unpleasant, but she made a mental note to try it again when he was cleaned up.
She did marvel at how each individual muscle seemed to stand out. Both sides of his chest were clearly identifiable under her head. She could feel all of his abs, and even his—
Arianna’s eyes flew open as she realized what that muscle was. She froze, telling herself not to do it.
Don’t. Don’t you dare woman.
Her hips moved slightly to the side.
What did I just say? Seriously. I said DON’T do it. That meant keep yourself still, or even better, pull away from him. It did not mean to press yourself against his cock.
Fingers shook as she slowly unclasped them from around his neck. Arianna shouldn’t have done what she just did. That was taking a step—no a leap—beyond what she was ready for with Ajax. No matter how handsome and kissable he might be.
“I need to go,” she said, awkwardly disentangling herself from him.
“Uh, yeah. I should too,” he responded, much to her relief. She had thought he would protest, that he might call her out on what she had just done.
But he didn’t. He watched her as she went inside. When Arianna peeked over her shoulder before she rounded the corner to take the stairs to her third-floor apartment, he was still there, still watching her. He didn’t wave, but he smiled.
She flashed him a big, schoolgirl-like grin before fleeing out of sight and back to her apartment. The memory of his cock, contained as it was by his pants, was still fresh in her mind.
It would be a while before she got to bed that night, she thought with a grin.