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bucks on the counter and thanked the waitress for her service. She flashed him a concerned frown then a pained smile, like maybe she, too, was worried about him. Damn. Must be something in his face that compelled that kind of quick emotional bond out of strangers. In the parking lot, Dylan Peterson stepped out of the car and made to climb in back. I ll sit in the back. Luke climbed in before Dylan could argue about the seating. The idea of sitting next to Dillinger for the ride home already had his dick at half mast. Luke hoped that by staying in the back he could turn his attention onto something else. I m sorry that I pushed you. It s okay. You were really freaked out. Dylan watched him get into Dedicated Alpha 69 the rear seat and frowned. So are we ready to do this? Do what? Luke realized he basically had to sit sideways across the seat. For a long time Dylan darted his glance from Luke to Dillinger, and then he climbed into the car without saying a word. He was clearly uncomfortable and kept itching at his arms. If Luke didn t know better, he d swear that Dylan was jonesing for drugs. Are you certain you re all right? Dillinger glanced at Dylan then returned his gaze to the road. I m fine, just confused. By? You two. I m simply giving Mr. McCall a ride back to school. Does that clear things up for you? No. Dylan sunk lower in the seat, crossed his arms, and appeared to be stopping himself from fidgeting by digging his fingers into his biceps. Seatbelts on, please. Just like the by-the-book guy he was, Dillinger kept his hands at ten and two on the steering wheel and kept his gaze alert by checking his mirrors every few minutes. Even the way the man drove a car reminded Luke he absolutely had to keep his distance. But that was going to be difficult. From the back seat, Luke smelled that scent that was uniquely Dillinger s, and he had to hold his hands to keep himself from running his fingers through his hair. Maybe it would be easier if they didn t see each other. Each day the hurt would be a little less until it was gone for good. And then Luke s gaze locked on Dillinger s through the rearview mirror. Cinnamon eyes were focused, intense, and almost tragically hurt. Luke felt like an utter ass, but he also had no other choice. 70 Anitra Lynn McLeod Chapter 11 When Dillinger s gaze collided with Luke s in the rearview mirror, he tried to look away before Luke saw the truth, but he doubted that he had succeeded. Pain stamped clear lines around his eyes, making him look grim. Dillinger found cold comfort in the fact that he wasn t the only one wearing his emotions on his face. Luke s beautiful cerulean blue eyes seemed paler, and so did his bright blond hair, almost as if he were washed out from his truncated disappearing act. But at least he wasn t throwing his life away for whatever Dillinger had done. As much as he wanted to grill Luke and get to the bottom of the issue then fix it, because that was the kind of man he was, Dillinger sensed Luke s utter terror of him doing that. So he didn t. Dillinger would keep his word and give Luke all the space he needed. And then maybe, just maybe, Luke would come to him. What was that platitude? If you love someone, set them free, if they return, they love you back? Something like that. Frankly, Dillinger thought it was a stupid fucking idea, but it was all he had at the moment. As a man of his word, he would stay away from the campus. When he got home, he d toss all those curiosities he d made note of out of his spiral bound notebook. His determination to uncover the truth at the college would simmer and burn at the back of his brain, but Dillinger wouldn t acknowledge the drive to understand what was going on. Not if doing so would end up hurting Luke. The last thing he d ever wanted to do was hurt him. Somehow, oblivious to the exact way, Dillinger had damaged Luke so much he saw his only option as running. The three of them made no effort to chat on the way home. Dylan was rubbing his arms absently like his skin was suddenly itchy, and Luke had turned his gaze out the back window. Dillinger tried not to look at him, but when he did his check of his mirrors, his gaze lingered on the turn of Dedicated Alpha 71 Luke s cheek, the way his hair rose up and tousled over that cowlick in the front. When they finally arrived at the campus, Dillinger didn t get out of the car. He didn t make eye contact or speak to either man. He simply waited for them to exit his vehicle, close the door, and then he drove off. Dillinger proceeded to drive home while obeying all the speed limits. He stopped for a full three seconds at all the stop signs. He did all of these things because he d always done all of these things, but tonight they gave him peace against the emotional chaos that swirled inside. His home seemed bigger and emptier than it ever had. He looked at [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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