Page 13 of Crow Me A River

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Misty asked, breaking into his thoughts.

Vin grinned. “Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to figure something out.” She tilted her head as if trying to get her own read on him.

“I am.” His answer was quick and direct.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What?”

“You.” He didn’t hesitate, and by the surprised look on her face, that obviously wasn’t the answer she expected.

Misty stared at him for a second before giving a small shake of her head. “Good luck with that. Many have tried, me included, and failed.”

Vin had already figured out a few things about her. For one, she wasn’t used to someone coming to her aid. Her reaction to him stepping in tonight had made that pretty damn obvious. The second was that life hadn’t exactly been kind to her, and from everything he’d learned so far, she hadn’t had many people in her corner when things got rough.

What he couldn’t figure out was why.

She was funny, although he wasn’t sure she always meant to be. She had no problem standing up for herself, even when the odds were against her, and she definitely wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Hell, she’d mouthed off to Griffin while naked in the middle of a lake with six Crows surrounding her. That took either guts or a complete lack of common sense. Probably a little of both.

Yet underneath all that attitude, he’d caught glimpses of something else. Like the surprise on her face when he’d stepped in. Or the way she’d thanked him as if what he’d done was something she honestly hadn’t expected from another person. Vin didn’t like that. Not because he wanted her gratitude. He didn’t. But the thought of Misty going through life expecting no one to have her back bothered him more than it had any damn right to.

And there went his Jaguar again, pacing restlessly inside him.

“I’ll figure you out,” Vin finally said, realizing she was still staring at him.

“And again, good luck with that.” Misty actually laughed.

Vin grinned. “I like a challenge.”

The confused look she gave him made Vin decide to leave it at that for now. She was still trying to figure him out while he was doing the exact same thing with her. When she rubbed her hands over her arms again, he noticed the slight shiver she tried to hide.

Taking off his jacket, he stepped closer and wrapped it around her shoulders.

“No, I’m fine.” Misty immediately tried to shrug it off, but Vin stopped her.

“You’re freezing.”

“I’m wet.”

“I noticed.”

And damn if he hadn’t. The pale purple shirt she wore was plastered against her, making it pretty damn obvious she hadn’t put her bra back on. His eyes had already betrayed him once before he covered her with his jacket, and he refused to let them do it again. Mostly because the sight of her nipples pressing against the wet material had put thoughts in his head that had no business being there.

“Come on. Let’s get you home so you can change out of those wet clothes.” He said more roughly than he intended to. One thing about Vin was he strived to be in control of everything even his emotions and feelings. When he wasn’t in control it made him a little grumpy.

“Listen, I appreciate you helping me with those assholes, but I’m fine.” She frowned even as she burrowed deeper into his oversized jacket, which damn near swallowed her. “You don’t have to do anything else.”

“You’re welcome.” Vin took her gently by the elbow as they started away from the water. “Which way?”

“Umm, didn’t you hear what I just said?” Misty frowned up at him but kept walking toward the woods.

“Yes.” Vin reached out to move a low branch out of her way. “I’m just ignoring it. If you think I’m going to let you walk into another possible dangerous situation tonight, you’re very wrong.”

“You don’t know me well enough to know whether I can handle myself or not.” She frowned up at him, but continued to walk.

Vin cocked an eyebrow at her.

Misty’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, I was naked and at a definite disadvantage.”