The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

P.A. and Helen of Troy (Part 1)

2 years ago...

She looked like she was getting ready to cry.

Usually that didn't get him going, at all. In fact, it usually made P.A. run the other way. There was something about her, though, something vulnerable that called out to him, and despite the fact that he knew he was throwing away all-but-promised pussy, he stepped away from the trio of college girls he'd been talking to and headed her way.

"You okay?"

Usually his first line was all about the game, throwing some bait and seeing if they'd bite. With her, though...with her it just didn't seem right. She was already upset. The last thing she needed was some asshole hitting on her.

Her lips trembled, but she nodded. "I-I'll be fine. This isn't my usual...uh..." she motioned around herself uncertainly.

"Not your scene, huh?" he offered, dropping his voice to a soothing rasp.

It wasn't a hard guess. She wasn't exactly dressed like a party girl. If he had to place her style, it would be church lady or stuffy-old-grandma. She wore a button-down shirt and full-length jean skirt. Wool socks that tucked into sensible shoes completed the look, one that screamed sheltered, repressed.

She quickly shook her head, and a half-laugh, half-cry fell from her mouth, "No, not at all. I don't know why I even agreed to come here tonight..."

He smiled at her, not one of his come-hither snarls but a soft expression that let her know he was friendly, nonthreatening. He already knew he was going to stay here and guard her or help her find her friends, whichever she would be more comfortable with.

To his surprise, her eyes widened before she turned her whole body away from him.

He was confused, wondering how he could have offended her with a smile. Then he smelled her musk.

Holy--maybe he'd been reading the situation incorrectly. He'd never had a girl get wet for him from a simple smile.

"Oh, Wayden," she whispered. She glanced over her shoulder at him, and a terrified look entered her eyes, "It-it was nice meeting you. Thank you for checking on me. I think I'm going to get some air. Goodbye."

It was all said in a hasty jumble, the last words spoken as she was already racing away from him.

P.A. stared, shook to his core. She'd wanted him, but she'd run. Why? And why was he still watching her? From her reaction she was obviously a virgin. From her getup she was also not looking to change that. It wasn't his place to babysit her if she didn't want the company.

He almost returned to the blonde trio he'd been chatting up when something caught his attention. He wasn't even sure what drew his awareness at first, whether it was a change in body language or something on the air. As he looked for the reason his instincts were screaming at him, he saw a group of three guys eying the girl's quickly retreating form. It was then he realized she was leaving, alone and on foot, in the middle of the night. And this party wasn't on the nicest end of town.

P.A. started following her without another thought, glaring at the guys that had moved to do the same. He stared them down, claiming her without a word, letting his dominance flare between him and the other males. As expected they looked away first. He might not be the most powerful male around, but he was one of the most stubborn, and his dogged determination had won many battles.

By the time he made it outside, the trio of douches had claimed his spot with the trio of blondes. He'd lost his chance for an easy lay--or three--but he wasn't bothered by that idea as much as he normally would have been. He knew if something happened to the granny-girl that he would never forgive himself. He didn't know why it mattered to him only that it did, and he didn't care to soul search beyond that.