His eyes flicked toward the building. "Remember, we're dating." He took my hand and helped me down. "So I'm treating you like I would a girlfriend."
"Oh, right." That made sense. My irritation eased. "So that begins now?"
"Yeah." He chuckled and interlaced our fingers. "That is the arrangement, right?"
"I know. I forgot." That wasn't smart to admit to him.
He shut the door and guided me in the direction of the building. "Well, let's try not to forget around people, okay?"
He was counting on me. I couldn't let him down. "You’ve got it." I stepped closer to him, our arms brushing. I hoped I was doing this right, because I’d never dated anyone in my entire life. Watch him go to hold my hand, and I wind up shaking his. There were so many ways I could mess up.
The fact that his presence was comforting but nothing more than that surprised me. He was very good-looking. Probably the most attractive guy I'd ever seen, plus he was kind. Why didn’t I find him more desirable?
My skin started buzzing, and I wasn’t sure why. Anticipation? Something seemed to tug me toward the building,but maybe it was nerves. Shit had been getting weird lately, so maybe this was my new norm.
The wind blew, lifting my skirt. I managed to use my free hand to catch it before my borrowed panties were revealed to the world. I hated to wear someone else’s underwear, but with a dress, I hadn’t wanted to chance showing off my kitty. "How many classes do you have today?" I grumbled as I glared at the air around me.
"First off, I'm thinking the wind isn't scared of you." He smiled so wide dimples appeared on both sides of his cheeks. "And I have two—Battle Strategy and Supernatural History. Classes that are expected of me since my pack is responsible for defending Shadow City."
Well aware of the irony, I stared at those dimples. No wonder so many girls fell into bed with him. "And what am I supposed to do while you're busy?" The thought of hanging around all of these supernaturals by myself alarmed me.
"Trust me." He winked.
We walked past a girl who took a quick breath. I turned my head toward her and regretted the decision immediately.
If looks could kill, I'd be dead.
My internal joke fell flat. Death wasn't funny.
"You okay?" he asked.
"That girl is giving me a hateful look." I nodded behind me. "I have no clue what I did to make her dislike me." I sniffed toward each shoulder, wondering if I smelled.
He laughed loudly. "You don't stink, and I hooked up with her last weekend, so that's probably why. I don’t want to be tied down, you know?”
"Really?" No wonder she was pissed. If it'd been me, I would've beat the ever-loving shit out of him. "How the hell are we going to get everyone to believe you drastically changed your ways?"
"When you know, you know." He smiled tenderly at me and brushed his fingers against my cheek.
"Save it for everyone else." I wrinkled my nose, trying like hell to hide my laughter.
We got to the large double doors, and he pulled one open.
This time, I knew to wait. When he waved me in, I stepped inside and took in my surroundings. The walls were the standard beige with forest brown tile floor. The hallway that branched off to the left held offices that looked like they were for admissions, financial aid, and all of the various types of administrative departments needed for a college of this size.
In front of me was a back entrance that led to picnic tables and the river. To the right was a bookstore with an attached coffee shop, and to the immediate left was a cafeteria with indoor seating.
"This way." Killian took my hand again and led me into Shadow Ridge Coffee.
There was an obvious theme around here.
Inside it looked like a standard coffee shop. There were a few tables that students had already taken over, and in the center were two espresso machines and someone taking orders. The line stretched outside the entrance and into the cafeteria.
Dragging me behind him, Killian went to the front of the line where an attractive guy who had to be close to twenty stood taking orders. His shaggy brown hair hung in his eyes and sweat beaded his forehead. He chewed his bottom lip like it was a piece of gum. The nice fact that he had a deep musky scent that identified him as a wolf shifter made me feel better.
"Carter." Killian leaned his hip against the counter.
"Dude, I don't have time right now." He hit some buttons on the machine and frowned. "It's rush hour, and that bitch Deissy called in sick. Now I have to work the cash register, and a demon lives in it."