Page 24 of Her Shifter Pack

OLIVER

I could see from Lexie’s shocked expression that I’d gone too far, and immediately wanted to take every word back. I meant them, of course, but it was too soon for her to hear them, or understand about our fated connection.

I turned off the ignition and tried not to let my impatience shine through. I wanted my mate where she belonged. In my arms. In my bed. In my heart.

“It’s okay,” I said, glad my voice was steady. “If you want to get out, I’ll help you with your bags. But I’d much rather you stay in the truck, and let me take you back to our place.”

I risked a glance at her and saw the indecision on her features. Her eyebrows were twisted and she was chewing on her bottom lip, an action that just made my heart pound a little faster.

Damn, she was beautiful. I’d never get used to looking at her gorgeous mouth, her delectable curves and her bright, intelligent eyes.

She twisted in her seat to face me. “I don’t... can you explain what you mean by that?”

I nodded, tamping down the sick feeling in my stomach. Had I pushed too fast, too soon? “I can. Here or at home?”

She chewed some more on her bottom lip. I barely stopped myself from leaning over and kissing her. I had to grip the steering wheel hard, then turn and stare out the windshield.

“No, I suppose we can go back to your place and chat,” she said at last. “It’s a lot nicer than my place.”

I chuckled. Although what she said was true, I didn’t think that admitting I’d live with her anywhere—even in a tree if it came to that—would go down well at this point in time.

“No problem. Do you want to go past the diner and pick anything up?”

She nodded. “Actually, yes, please.”

I drove her the ten minutes back to the establishment where I’d first run into her. She hopped out of the truck and called in through the window, “I’ll only be one minute. Left my phone charger inside.”

She didn’t give me time to agree, she just ran inside. I put the truck into park and watched her through the window.

It was hard to believe that only last night I’d been lamenting the fact that I hadn’t met my mate yet. That I wanted her more than anything. Then Fate had served Lexie up to me, making me literally crash into her.

It was said that the electrical touch that mates shared was the way Fate made sure you didn’t miss each other. That it was an obvious sign that made you sit up and take notice.

Well, I was listening and had taken notice. I was wide awake and willing to do anything necessary to keep Lexie in my life.

Markus, on the other hand... I wasn’t sure what that idiot was going to do. He was as connected to Lexie as I was. She was made for us, as we were made for her. Our perfect mate, and for her, we would be the perfect pair.

But that didn’t mean Markus would automatically do what was in his best interest. I’d seen him blow off awesome business opportunities and even great girlfriends in the past, all because of the delusional idea that he didn’t deserve such things.

Lexie came running out of the diner, her face a hot, red mess. “What happened?” I asked, reaching over to touch her arm.

“Nothing. Can we please just go?”

A big man with a red nose came barreling out of the diner. “Don’t you ever come back, you hear me? Damn trailer trash. I should never have given you a job in the first place.”

Lexie’s eyes filled with tears at the same rate anger filled my gut.

I reached for the door handle, ready to jump from the truck to tell this guy where to go, but Lexie reached for me, holding tightly to my arm. “No. Please. Let’s just go.”

“He needs some sense beaten into him,” I growled, glaring at the guy hard enough that he had the good sense to take a step back.

“No. Please,” she sobbed.

I couldn’t fight him now. Lexie would burst into tears, and I couldn’t have that. So, I put the vehicle into gear and took off.

Fighting that asshole was going to make her more upset, and it wasn’t like she needed the money. I’d pay for everything, for as long as she wanted. I’d worked hard to pay off my half of our house, and despite his resistance, so had Markus.

We were ready for the next stage of our life, in most senses of the word.

---