Page 22 of His Virgin Angel

“No problem.” She took the paper he held out to her, and she quickly left the room, aware of them staring after her.

Leaving the grounds, she let out a sigh of relief when she spotted Drake’s car.

Her hands were shaking as she climbed into the car.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Can you take me home?”

“Sure.”

He pulled away from the college, and she let out a breath, happy to be driving away from it. Drake didn’t talk, giving her the time she needed.

When she was back to feeling safe, and normal, she turned toward him with a smile.

“I don’t have to work tonight. A rare day off, and Brian was invited ‘round for a sleepover. Even though it’s a school night, I said yes. Dean and Barbra are really nice.”

“You’re alone?”

“Yeah. It’s going to be weird. I’ve not been alone in eight years.” She smiled. “I’ll probably have a bath, study, watch some television. Maybe even do myself some spicy food. I can’t eat it because Brian complains.”

Talking about normal stuff helped her to get over whatever her problem was. She probably looked stupid reacting the way she did.

Why did she always feel in danger when that man was close by? She didn’t get it, nor did she understand it.

“Drake, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, you can ask me anything.”

“Do you think our minds, or our subconscious knows something that we don’t know yet?” She frowned at her own question. “I mean, say there’s a poisonous spider in your shoe, and every part of you is telling you not to put your foot in that shoe.”

“Survival instinct. I do believe in it. It helped save me a few times in my line of work. Never doubt yourself, Piper. You’ve got less chance of ending up dead.”

“And I don’t want that to happen.”

“You don’t. Do you mind me asking what made you ask that question?”

“Oh, something stupid I guess. Mr. Rivers had his friend drop by while he was helping me study, and I got nervous. I was alone with two men, and I guess I got a little freaked.”

“It’s only natural.”

“Yeah, I know, but shouldn’t I feel that way with you and Jack?”

“You don’t?”

“No. I always feel protected with you guys.”

“We’ve proven we’re not going to hurt you. It’s different.”

She nodded, resting against the chair. “You’re right. It is different. Thank you.”

“What’s the man’s name, the friend?”

“Robert, why?”

She saw him relax.

“Nothing, it’s fine.”

---