Page 15 of Gift Wrapped

“We both know I need to shift,” I say, and his eyes widen. “What? Do you think I didn’t pick up on your animal the moment I walked onto your floor? You’re a predator, Mr. Smith. Probably some big ass carnivore.”

He nods as a small smile twitches at the side of his mouth. “We do need to talk.”

“No, I need to run,” I close the door to my room to afford myself some semblance of privacy.

Wilder Smith has me twisted in knots. One minute I want to be a smart mouth brat and the next I want to fall into his strong arms and just be held like some damsel in distress.

I’m putting on a big show at the moment but inside I’m dying. I don’t know what the fuck to do. My apartment is supposed to be my safe space and Chad has violated that. He took something from me that I hadn’t realized was my most prized possession. The door to my room swings open and Wilder strides inside before pulling me against his muscular chest.

“It’s all right, Lake. I’ve got you,” he runs a hand up and down my spine trying to soothe me.

It’s only then that I realize I’ve been crying. Slowly, my tears dry but I don’t pull away from my boss’s grasp. My ligress purrs happily to be in his arms but I know it won’t last. He is only trying to make me feel better before he leaves.

“Pack a bag,” Wilder says as he holds me at arm’s length.

“What?” I ask confused.

“Get something together for a couple of days. I can’t let you stay here until I know that asshole has been taken care of.”

“Wil,” I start but catch myself. “Mr. Smith. I am thankful for your assistance, but I can take care of myself.”

Taking my chin in his hand he stares at me, making sure he has my full attention. “It wasn’t a request, Lake. Pack. Your. Shit.”

I feel the need to fall to my knees before him and offer myself to him. His dominance. His pure male alphaness is enough to have my knees shaking. He only releases my face after I nod in acceptance.

“Good girl.”

A shiver works its way up my spine. Who knew those two little words would have me feeling giddy? Why do they feel so familiar? A moment later Wilder has his phone out of his pocket and is making calls and barking orders at people as I try to clear the cobwebs from my mind. The man is like a potent drug working his way through my system. I need to get away from him before I embarrass myself.

It only takes me five minutes to gather everything I will need to get me through Christmas at a hotel. I don’t have any family and the few friends I have are more like acquaintances. We get along just fine but there isn’t anyone I could call up to stay with.

Walking out of my room I take in my apartment and the damage that Chad has wrought. My Christmas tree is tipped on its side, and ornaments are strewn all over the place. The frames I had against the wall are smashed on the floor, glass covering the hardwood I had installed last year. More tears sting my eyes as I take it all in, but crying isn’t going to solve a damn thing.

“I have someone coming in to clean everything up,” I jump when Wilder speaks but I don’t turn to face him. “I’m also getting someone to replace your door and install a better lock and a new security system.”

“That’s not,” I start to argue but he grips my shoulders and turns me to face him.

“It is necessary Lake. If I had been even two minutes later, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he frowns.

“Why are you here?” I ask curiously.

“I forgot to tell you about a meeting we were supposed to have early this morning. I wanted to pick you up on the way.”

“Shit.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says while leading me to the door. “I already moved the meeting to the new year and Trask was more than happy to oblige. Titan Industries will be closed from tomorrow into the new year so you can stop worrying.”

I didn’t even realize that we had reached the bottom of the stairs while he had been talking. Wilder opens the door to his sleek black car and helps me get inside while dropping my bag on the back seat. He stalks around the front before sliding in beside me and pulling away from the curb. His presence fills the entire vehicle and I start to get a little dizzy from his scent.

“You can just drop me at a hotel,” I say while staring out the window at the buildings passing us by.

“You’re not going to a hotel, Lake.”

“What do you mean I’m not going to a hotel?” I glare at him, and he smirks. I want to smack him but hold back because he’s driving.

“I have a house on Moloka’i. You can rest there.”

“I’m not going to an island with you!” I yell in the confined space of his car. “Yesterday you couldn’t stand to look at me and now you want me to go to a remote island with you.”

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