EIGHT

*** Lexie ***

Her first shift was fantastic. It was so good to be working a normal job and interacting with customers. It kept her mind occupied and off of whatever hell life is putting her through right now. Would she ever be able to just rest? She didn't want to put James in the 'good' column because if she did she would completely and totally fall into him.Yes, just like that Celine Dion song.

A risk not worth it however perfect it would be. She had to keep him safe.

The night was uneventful. She doesn't feel like she has been watched for a while now but she knows better. No one stood out but that doesn't mean she should let her guard down. She had to keep James at arms length so when she saw him standing there in all his sexy glory she felt fear. Yet as she looked at him she couldn't help but smile. It was hard to explain but he warmed her from the inside out. She felt like in his presence everything else just got pushed out of the way, out of focus and it was just the two them. He was breaking down her barriers without trying. Which meant that no matter how hard she tried she couldn't get the memories out of her system. She even tried to scrub the feel of his hands and mouth off of her skin.

Being in a car with him was quite the experience. Everything she experienced in the elevator that night felt amplified. She was much more aware of just his position in the car and how subtly his body moved. Every breath in and out of him was sweet torture. It made her think of his lips and what it felt like when that air brushed against the base of her neck. She wanted those lips on hers. Stop this Alexandra! Arms length remember. His presence was almost overwhelming her body but she doesn't think it was just lust that was making her ache for him.

She tried to be as subtle as possible to see if she smelt like the day old Wanton Soup that got spilt all over her shirt. Ooof! Good, that might make him keep away. Apparently Shannon was going to get fired anyway.Thanks Shannon.

"Honestly you don't have to walk up with me. I told you before I can take care of myself."

She huffed out annoyed. Maybe he isn't as attractive as her libido is claiming to be and the hell she'll put up with some macho Alpha shit! Is he...

"Are you smiling at me right now?"

She made sure that question carried some anger behind it. He is starting to get on her nerves.

"You're just so cute when you're angry."

At that sentence he smiles that cocky lopsided grin of his and apparently that was enough to send her stomach into a series of backflips. Why can't she resist him and why the hell is he not taking her seriously? Right now she has the element of surprise. She can grab those gorgeous curls of his and knock his charming face straight into the steering wheel. He might be an alpha but he is definitely not vigilant night now. I could take him.

She straightens her back and squares her shoulder. No Alexandra! Never go toe to toe with a wolf in an enclosed space! She couldn't. It'll draw attention if anyone was watching, they'll investigate and find out the truth about this quaint town. I won't let it happen again. This town will not go through what happened five years ago. James' smile fades.

"Are you ok Lexie?"

While that question hung in the air, she realised the only possible solution there is. She needs to leave town. Tears threaten to spill from her eyes. Instantaneously it felt like the air in the car started to thin out. She couldn't get enough air in her lungs. She tried to take bigger breaths but nothing went in. She started breathing faster trying to get oxygen in quick and her eyes started losing focus. Her hands reached out to the dash, to the roof, to the sides trying to find a stronghold. Or a god damn oxygen mask! Her mind is betraying her body again. Locking down.

She was going to fall into the cold black hole again. Last time she fell, it was after her 21st birthday, after that night. It was a cold and dark place. It took her a week to step back into the light and even then everything was dull. Lifeless. Cold. She was peering over the edge and ready to fall but she was pulled back then instantly surrounded by warmth. He heart started to slow down. Air filled her lungs again. The blurriness in her eyes started to dissipate.

James somehow managed to get her seatbelt off and pull her across into his arms. They were chest to chest, heart to heart. She could feel his breath on her hair. His smell invaded her senses once again. Home.

*** James ***

For a second she looked like she was going to give him the first degree or one serious eye roll. He couldn't help but smile at her reaction when he called her cute. To him she's adorable and sexy all rolled into one. My girl's got fire. He was ogling her when he felt the atmosphere in the car change and watched her shift from fierce determination to paralysing fear. Her breathing was suddenly so rapid and her arms were flailing everywhere. Panic attack.

Pure instinct kicked in. He reached over her waist, undid her seatbelt and lifted and twisted her across so he could hold her. She was straddling him and her head buried in his neck. He was moving his hands up and down her back hoping to help calm her down. What made her freak out like that? He was sure he didn't say anything. Slowly she started breathing at a normal rate and then her hands stilled.

"Lex."

She lifted her head at her name and looked him dead in they eye. The look in her eyes as she was staring at his own would have made his knees buckle if he was standing up and then it was gone. He could have sworn she just opened her heart to him and that she was allowing him to see deep into her soul. In a flash she put the walls up again and her eyes went cold. What happened bunny? She cleared her throat.

"Um...thanks for that. Im okay."

She opened the door and moved off of him. She held out her hand for her bag left on the passenger side floor. He moved to grab it and when he looked back at her he was sure she took a step backwards. She was scanning the streets again. She grabbed her bag, turned on her heels and walked towards her building. She turned her head yelling at him while she moved in a sing-song way that sounded foreign from her lips.

"Thanks for the ride!"

She disappeared into the building. What the fuck just happened? He was a little gobsmacked by what just took place. At first he was going to try and talk to her and find out what caused her panic attack. Instead she flipped from one emotion to another nearly giving him whiplash. If he wasn't worried before he was seriously concerned now. While he waited another ten minutes hoping that maybe she would come back out and talk to him, he scanned the dark corners of the streets. What do you keep looking for bunny? His phone vibrated.

Bunny: I'm home. You can go NOW.

James: Lex. Are you ok? Something doesn't seem right. Please let me help with whatever is going on.

Delete. His senses are now on high alert.

James: Goodnight.

He started the car and headed back to the estate. Something is definitely wrong but he won't push her. While he was messaging her the hair on the back of his neck started to rise. He was being watched and she must have sensed it too. His grip on the steering wheeled tightened causing his knuckles to whiten. He needs to protect her. Keep her safe.