Jack went on ahead.
Her mouth went dry. What was going on?
Marshall stopped her and placed his palm against her cheek. “I need you to stop being afraid. We’re not going to hurt you, and we’re not going to bully you. It’s over, and we’re not going to do it again.”
She really wanted to trust him, but she couldn’t. For so long he’d made her life a misery. How could she even trust him now?
“Jack needs your keys.”
Scarlett searched her bag, pulling out her keys and handing them to Marshall. He threw the keys toward Jack and then helped her toward his car. She was surprised by his attention. He opened the door, helping her up into her seat. She slid inside, wanting him to stop touching her. Scarlett didn’t trust his touch.
He closed the door, rounding the car to get behind the wheel. His masculine scent filled the small space, and she didn’t like how comforting his smell was.
Mate!
“Hey, are you with me?” he asked.
She nodded as she kept her eyes closed. Scarlett didn’t want to look at him.
“That was some defense with the ball.”
Opening her eyes, she looked at him. His black hair was slick with sweat that hadn’t dried yet. His gaze was straight ahead on the road. His jaw looked firm as if he was gritting his teeth. She wondered what he was thinking.
“You really think I was trying to get the ball that landed in my face?”
“Um, no, but it was pretty damn good for what you did.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. He chuckled along with her, and for the first time in his company, she started to relax.
Resting her head along the back of the chair, she groaned at the ache that had started to build.
“How are you holding up?” He touched her cheek.
“I’ve got a really bad headache. Seriously, it hurts.” She pressed a hand to her head.
“We’ll have you home in no time.”
“Why are you caring?” she asked. The words were out of her mouth before she could even stop them.
He didn’t say anything. “Why wouldn’t I care?”
She snorted. “You’ve done nothing but bully me. Why are you being nice?”
He glanced down at her before going back to looking at the road. “I turned over a new leaf. I’m no longer going to be an ass to you.”
Scarlett kept her gaze on him, not believing it. There’s no way a guy like Marshall changed.
“You don’t believe me?”
“No, sorry, I don’t.”
“I guess I deserve that. I’ve got a lot to make up for.”
She decided not to say anything. There was no need for words. He pulled up outside of her home several minutes later.
Opening the door, she grabbed her bag, sliding out of the car. He was there in front of her, quicker than she thought possible.
“You’re fast.”
“I’ve got great reflexes.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and led the way toward her house. Jack arrived within minutes of Marshall pulling up outside her home, and he handed her the keys.
She slid the key into the lock as Marshall led her into her home. “I’ve got it from here.”
“I want to make sure you’re safe.”
“No. I’m fine.”
He didn’t listen and helped her into her home. Marshall closed the door behind them, leaving them alone.
“Don’t you think that’s rude?” she asked.
“Do you really want Jack in here?”
She shook her head. She didn’t want him in here, but he’d invited himself in anyway.
Marshall helped her through to the kitchen. She took a seat and watched as he opened drawers and cupboards.
“What are you looking for?”
“Some aspirin that will help with your headache.”
Pressing a hand to her temple, she shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll deal with it.”
She heard him cheer and then the water running. In no time at all he stood in front of her with a glass in his hand.
“Drink up.”
Taking the two white pills from his hand, she swallowed them down.
“You should have checked they were aspirin.”
Her stomach twisted as she looked up at him. Marshall was smiling.
“I’m joking, Scarlett. They were aspirin.” He shook his head, taking the water from her. “Come on, I’ll help you upstairs.”
“I don’t think so.” She was calling a stop to this.
“Don’t you want help?”
“I’m going to shower and go to bed. I don’t want you upstairs.” She placed a hand on his chest, stalling him.
“I’m good at washing backs.”
“I don’t care. You can wash other girls’ backs.” She started to guide him back to the door.
“You’re being completely unfair.”
“I appreciate your help, Marshall. Thank you.”
She opened the front door, ushering him out. He didn’t fight her. Scarlett was oddly touched by his attention.
“Call me if you need anything.”
Shaking her head, Scarlett shut the door. She wouldn’t be calling Marshall for anything.
Mate.
Chapter Six
Marshall whistled as he made his way back to his car.
“What has got you so cheery?” Jack asked.
“I’ve got an idea.”
He climbed behind his wheel and turned the ignition over.
“Are you going to tell me about that bright idea?”
“Trey’s not a problem. I can get rid of him easily.” He headed back toward his home. Gym was the last lesson of the day, and he didn’t need to go back for anything.
“She’s really your mate, isn’t she?”
Marshall gripped the steering wheel tighter. Being close to her and knowing she didn’t trust him made his wolf crazy. His wolf wasn’t happy with him for treating her so appallingly. He would gladly go back and change the shit he’d done to her, but he couldn’t. The only thing he could do was make sure he never hurt her again. He wouldn’t. Scarlett calmed his beast, and having her in his arms today made him realize how important she was. When they were on the track, running behind her and Trey, it had taken every ounce of control not to run the bastard down, and claim her in the middle of the track. He’d kept his eye on her body, watching her run around the track. She was in good shape regardless of her weight. He’d been surprised by how well she’d kept up with Trey. Marshall had listened to her pulse racing as she made her way around the track.
When they got to the dodgeball he’d been unable to let her take a hit. He tried to guard her as best he could. The moment the ball hit her, his wolf had wanted to exact revenge for his woman. Scarlett was his in every way, and the more time he spent with her, the more he saw how amazing she was. He couldn’t wait until he had her trusting him.
She had relaxed a little in the car but not enough for his liking.
It has only been two days.
He needed to stop forgetting that little fact. Two days was not enough time to make up for the years of torture he’d put her through.
“Yes, she is.”
“I can sense it. I don’t know what it is, but when I’m around her, I sense the pack. She’s family.”
“I know.”
“How are you holding up? I mean, you can’t even get close enough to her, and yet you’re holding it together.”
Marshall blew out a breath. “I’m taking it one minute at a time.” If he tried to go any faster he’d crumble.
“So what’s your big plan?”
“Trey may think he’s completely in love with my woman, but we’re going to show him there’s more than one woman out there for him.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Cheryl. She likes taking on new men. The moment Trey falls for her, Scarlett will be out of the picture.”
“And you’ll be there to sweep up the mess?” Jack asked.
“Something like that.”
“How is your wolf going to handle it?”
Marshall frowned. “Handle what?”
“If Scarlett has feelings for Trey and she’d upset, how is your wolf going to handle that kind of pain?”
He’d not thought of that. Marshall ran a hand down his face as he pulled up outside of his home. There was no sign of his parents or Jack’s. “Are you coming in?”
“Yeah, I think you need me.”
Jack followed him inside his home.
“I’m going to have to handle my wolf. There’s not a lot I can do.” The moment he thought about Scarlett, he felt all control over his sanity slipping. She called to him in ways that he really didn’t understand. The bond that was forming inside him demanded that she feel the same way. It wasn’t fair of him to demand anything from Scarlett. She didn’t know about his kind or the burning need that worked its way through his body whenever they were close.
“So we’ve got to get close to Trey. He’s not just going to fall under Cheryl’s spell.”
Marshall clapped his hands together. “Then that’s what we’ve got to do. It’ll take time, but I want Trey as far from Scarlett as possible.”
“If we hang out with Trey it’ll mean you’ll be close to Scarlett.”
“Exactly.”
“Son, I hope you’ve got a better plan than this,” Luke said, appearing around the corner.