Free Welcome to the Neighborhood by Mary Abshire Page B

loving and attracted to her. But was it all lust? Was he another one wanting to satisfy his own carnal needs and use her? The picture of him on his knees and pleasuring her with his tongue indicated he wasn’t selfish, greedy, out to take all he could and deliver nothing in return. He acted completely opposite from all the other men she’d dealt with in her existence. Yet, doubt gnawed at her. How could she be sure of his true intentions? She couldn’t.
    For now, she wanted to get home. She gripped the keys in her hand and opened the door. As she stepped out in Greg’s shirt and clutching her soiled clothes, she prayed no one would see her.
     
     

 
    8
     
    Alexi held her clothes and purse in her lap while she stared out the side window. As soon as Greg turned from the parking lot, she relaxed against the seat. Thankfully, no one had seen her leave with Greg. The night started on a high note, then declined steadily. She’d never felt so embarrassed in all her years. When the female werewolf had walked into the bathroom and witnessed Greg licking her, Alexi wanted to hide her face in the sand like an ostrich. Adding to her growing list of problems was her misguided judgment of Greg. She’d totally pegged him wrong. She’d thought he was different, but in reality he was like any other man looking for action. Could the night get any worse? She didn’t see how it could.
    “The woman, Vickie, who walked in on us…does she live nearby?” Alexi glanced at Greg while he steered through the neighborhood. She hoped Vickie lived near the entrance of the community, far from her so she wouldn’t run into the woman much.
    “She lives a couple houses down, in the cul-de-sac. It’s the two-story yellow house with a long front porch.”
    “The cul-de-sac up ahead?” she asked with a slight tilt of her head. Great. She lived close by.
    Greg slowed the car, preparing to turn into her driveway. “Yeah. She lives with her husband, James. They a very nice couple, honest people.”
    Alexi lowered her gaze. Candid neighbors could spell trouble for her.
    Greg parked the car in front of her garage door and cut the engine. “If you’re worried about Vickie saying something, you don’t need to. I’ll talk to her, although I’m sure she won’t say a word about us.”
    Alexi tensed at the thought of Greg trying to smooth out the matter. She preferred to handle the situation herself. Since she’d put herself in such an awkward position, she’d find a way to make it better. Confronting the werewolf and apologizing, no matter how embarrassing, seemed like a better choice than to rely on a man for anything.
    “That’s all right. I’ll speak with her myself.” She pushed open the door.
    Pain radiated in her feet as she walked around the car, but she kept her lips sealed and refrained from showing her discomfort. The shoes would go in the trash before the end of the next hour. Holding her purse and dirty clothes in her arms, she headed for the entrance to her home. Greg followed. His heart and footsteps reminded her of his close presence. They stopped in front of the door and Alexi dug into her purse.
    “Is there something I’ve done to offend you?” Greg asked, and she looked up.
    “No. Why do you ask?”
    “Well, every time I offer assistance, you give me the cold shoulder.”
    “I appreciate it. Really, I do. But I’m more than capable of handling matters myself.”
    “By no means am I implying you can’t. I just want to help.”
    She gazed into his blue eyes as he took a step toward her. A sense of tranquility washed through her and in a split second she wanted claim his lips and mold her body to his. Then a breeze drifted under the oversize shirt she wore. She chilled and snapped back to reality. They both stood practically half-naked, outside where anyone could see them. It was not a good time for even a small kiss.
    She grabbed the handle on the door and pushed it open. “I’m very grateful you want to help, but