And Then There Was Collection Read Online Jenika Snow

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My entire body went rock-solid, my muscles tightening, everything in me roaring out that, no, I wouldn’t have that.

I shook my head before I could stop myself. I didn’t want to come off as an overbearing asshole, but no fucking way would I allow her to be at risk like that. “I can’t have you walking home at this time of night, Korrie.” I was still shaking my head, felt a scowl no doubt darkening my face. “It sure as hell isn’t safe out there, especially at this hour.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, Bishop.”

I could tell she was used to taking care of herself. She had an independent streak in her, one that really called to me, turned me on, but that didn’t mean I liked this particular aspect of her wanting to handle things on her own.

“You don’t have to worry. I can handle myself.” She didn’t say it snarky, more matter-of-fact.

“I have no doubt you can handle herself, but what type of employer would I be if I didn’t make sure my employees got home safely, especially on the first night of work?” The hard truth was this had nothing to do with me being her boss or about her first night at work. Although I wouldn’t let any of my staff walk home in the city in the middle of the night, I especially wouldn’t let Korrie.

She already meant a hell of a lot to me, and that should have made me feel some unease, but all I felt was this pull toward her, an addiction, intoxicating where I never wanted to be sober.

I could tell she was gearing up to argue her point, but I just shook my head again and grabbed my keys, my jacket, and gestured toward the back door. The bar was closed already, so the only thing holding us up was her wanting to be stubborn. Which still turned me on.

Her brows pulled down. “Bishop, it’s really not a problem. I’ve walked home plenty of times, and I have a nice full can of pepper spray in my purse.” She lifted her purse and gave it a little shake to emphasize her point.

“Even so, I’d feel a lot better if I could take you home. If nothing else, do it for me so I can have some peace of mind?” I gave her what I hoped was an easygoing, if not “pity me” smile. The very thought of her getting hurt had this dread filling me, this tightness clawing into my gut and never letting go. “Come on, have some sympathy for your boss.” I gave her a wink and started heading toward the back, hoping she’d follow. Needing her to.

She laughed softly, maybe too softly that she thought I wouldn’t hear, but I felt myself smile at the sound.

But then I sensed her following me and breathed out in relief. I’d been holding my breath and hadn’t even realized, because I’d expected her to flat-out turn my offer down. And I would’ve pushed it, at least once more, but if she really hadn’t wanted me to, I would have conceded… and followed her home regardless.

I would have made sure nobody fucked with her.

Once out back in the alley, I led her over to my car, opening the passenger door for her and getting a concentrated scent of the sweet lemon aroma that surrounded her.

I curled my hand tightly around the car doorframe, forcing myself not to close my eyes and hum with pleasure. When she was seated, I shut the door and walked around the back of the car, once again having to adjust my hard-on. I pulled the length up to my waistband, feeling like a damn teenager who was popping boners left and right.

Once I slid into the driver seat and started the engine, I had to control myself not to take a deep breath in. The scent of her filled the interior of the car and nearly had me groaning again.

Get a grip, man. Pretend you have your shit together.

She was this drug to me, my own personal mix of ambrosia and euphoria.

“You really didn’t have to do this,” she said after a moment, breaking up the silence. “But thank you. I do appreciate it. My feet are killing me.”

I glanced over at her, the lights from the dashboard illuminating Korrie, making her even more beautiful, if that were possible. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said, meaning that so hard I wanted to declare to this woman that there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

But yeah, after a week, that was probably crossing lines and would freak her the fuck out.

She gave me the directions to her apartment building, I almost wanted to complain all over again. She would have had to walk through some shady parts of the city to get home.


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