Chapter 71. Alert

Orion’s POV

In the passenger seat, Layla has her arms crossed and her back ramrod-rigid, looking the other way out the window and refusing to meet my eye. I practically feel her annoyance radiating from her like heat waves.

But then again, I don’t care at all.

She was here.

In my car.

That’s all.

After ages, I had her close enough for me to sense her shampoo lingering in the atmosphere. Close enough even to see goosebumps rise along her skin from the chill.

I should have persisted when she turned down the jacket I had given to her earlier, but I knew better. She would freeze before accepting anything from me.

I had both my hands holding the steering wheel with an urge to speak unashamedly.

But if I say anything it would push her further away. There was no doubt she wanted nothing to do with me.

The endlessness of that drive just went on in a silence I was not going to break. I kept sneaking glances at her; each tick