Creighton might be tall, muscular, and a renowned fighter at REU, but it’s his freezing stare and cold eyes that are intimidating.
“What?” I ask when he remains in place.
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll go check on the animals and finish some paperwork.”
“And then?”
“You’re awfully talkative today.”
His blank expression doesn’t falter. If anything, it’s cemented. “What will you do after you check on the animals?”
I purse my lips, and he regards me with that shimmering intensity again. The one that brims under the surface with the promise of exploding in a supernova of colors.
No, not colors. Probably just gray.
“Don’t make me ask the question again.” His voice deepens, brimming with authority.
And usually, I’d hate it. I’d try to subtly rebel against any form of a command. Not now, though.
This is different.
And I really don’t want to see what happens if he asks again.
“I’ll go back to school,” I let out in a low murmur.
He shoves a hand in his pocket, his jaw clenching.
What is he getting mad about now? I answered his question, didn’t I?
After what seems like forever, Creighton throws a glance at Tiger, who’s still peacefully sleeping on my lap, then heads to the exit.
I release a long breath and hug Tiger to my chest. “What the hell is wrong with him, huh?”
The cat gives me a yawn as an answer and I shake my head before putting him back into his cage.
I get busy with work and manage to ignore the nagging emotion scratching at a corner of my heart.
After I finish some paperwork, I stretch my arms and stand up. We’re really short on staff, so if I miss a day, administrative things would pile up to the point of being overwhelming.
I’m about to grab the smoothie I brought with me when a commotion from outside catches my attention.
Which is weird. Besides me, Cecily, and a few others, we barely get any volunteers. If ever. Dr. Stephanie and the two other technicians don’t come out much either.
Hearing noises or conversations is rare.
Unless something happened to one of the animals?
I dash out of the small office and head to the patio leading outside.
Bubbling energy reaches me in waves as the two technicians, Harry and Zoey, and one of the volunteers, Sandy, an American who studies at my brother’s university, stand there with their noses practically glued to the glass.
I inch closer to them and stop when I find the scene that’s put them in a state of spellbound shock.
Outside, Creighton has removed his shirt and is lifting two heavy bags of pet food at a time.
His abs ripple with the effort and sweat glistens over honed muscles. A spider tattoo covers his left side, bleeding into the Adonis-shaped lines on his abs. Usually, spiders would look gruesome, but on him, it’s…mysterious, camouflaging something a lot deeper.
His jeans hang low on his hips, revealing defined V-lines that go down…
Down…
I force my gaze up as Sandy whistles. “If I’d known he’d volunteer, I would’ve come more often. Look at those lickable abs.”
“I know he’s a few years younger than me,” Harry says in a British accent. “But I’d gladly choke on his cock.”
“He looks like he has big dick energy.” Zoey fans herself. “I’d be open to backdoor action any day.”
“You wish, girl.” Sandy nudges her shoulder with hers. “We don’t study at the same college, but I go to watch him fight in the underground ring all the time. He’s like at the top of the food chain. Right under Jesus.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.” No clue how I sound detached when a strange fire rattles my bones. “He’s cold, indifferent, has the personality of the North and South Pole combined, and wouldn’t talk more than two sentences, even if the queen personally conversed with him.”
The three of them turn in my direction and Harry rolls his eyes. “He doesn’t need to talk if he has the D. Fucking speaks louder than words, Anni.”
“He’s straight, Harry.” I think.
“So? Let a guy have his crush. Don’t be a spoilsport.”
“Except you keep crushing on straight guys and getting your heart broken, poor lad.” Zoey laughs.
He flips her off and they all focus back on Creighton, whose abs flex as he carries another bag.
The truck is almost empty.