Page 50 of Marked By the Pack
Well, now I knew how Callum was sneaking in.
Otto grabbed on to the trellis and it looked like he was about to start climbing.
Shit.I couldn’t let him see my room. He’d ask too many questions. A normal person didn’t need so many cameras. Or lights. Or microphones. Otto kind of freaked out every time I mentioned wanting a boyfriend. The last thing our relationship, or lack of one, needed right now was the truth about my profession. He liked to share his women. But that didn’t mean he wanted to share me with strangers on the internet.
“Go to the front door,” I hissed down at him.
“What?” he said as he started to climb.
“Stop. Go to the door.” I pointed toward the front of my house.
“Oh.” He shrugged. “I guess that works.” He hopped off the trellis and disappeared around the side of the house.
I ran out of my room and tiptoed past Emma’s door, down the stairs, and hurried to the front door.
I realized that I was wearing the most unflattering outfit ever. I was pretty sure there was a hole in the seam of my yoga pants. And the sweatshirt was worn and way too big. But I couldn’t risk Otto climbing into my room if I didn’t answer the door right away. I threw it open.
Otto smiled at me. “This seems a lot less romantic than climbing up into your room.”
“It seems a lot less dangerous too.”
He shrugged. “I have nine lives.”
I laughed. “You wish. What are you doing here?”
“You said you didn’t want to sleep alone.”
I couldn’t even hide my smile.
“And as yourbodyguard, it’s my job to make you feel safe.”
I laughed. “Come in.” I stepped to the side for him.
“I brought bedtime snacks.” He handed me the box of doughnuts.
“This is really adorable. And in no way is going to help me sleep. I’m going to go into a sugar coma.”
“Well, if you don’t want any…” he tried to grab the box back.
I swatted his hand away. “No. I want one.” All I could think about now was chocolate. I’d learned in the past few days that when I was scared, I liked to eat. Or drink. Or do anything with my hands. I plopped down on the couch, opened the box, and grabbed one of the Boston cream doughnuts.
“I like this you,” he said and sat down next to me.
I swallowed down my big bite. “What does that mean?”
Otto’s eyes trailed down my body. “The casual you. The one who answers the door like this.”
I rolled my eyes. I looked like a pile of garbage. But it was sweet of him to say.
“And who eats ravenously.” He reached out and wiped the corner of my mouth where a little Boston cream had spilled. He licked his thumb.
I swallowed hard as I watched him.
He leaned forward and grabbed a doughnut for himself. “I’ve actually had a crush on you for a while, Zoey.”
“You have?”
He nodded. “And when I came over the other night and you did that thing with a banana?”
