Taken By A Werewolf

XIV

Indy admired Coop's features from the passenger seat. He had bound his dreads together in a small bun, and now his hair was out of his face, Indy could see how beautiful it actually was. He had warm brown eyes, a straight nose and nice, full lips. Indy had thought about kissing them more than once, but she always came to the conclusion that it would be a bad idea.

Cooper had never been afraid to show his interest in her, but she had dismissed his efforts for more than one reason. She couldn't afford to grow attached to anyone, let alone a nice guy like Coop. She would disappear after graduation, so in Indy's opinion, she saved them both from a lot of trouble. And then there was always the dark, looming thought that he was playing her. What if she let down her guards, let him in, and it would all just have been a game to him? He'd use her and then go on to the next girl, like most high school boys she knew.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but after tonight, Indy started to wonder if she had been wrong about him. What if he was the good guy he seemed to be? What if he had been honest about his feelings all along?

"You're drooling," Cooper said drily, without taking his eyes from the road.

"That's because you're handsome," she said. Somewhere in her mind, she knew she would regret it the next morning, but for now, the alcohol had taken control of her tongue.

Cooper smiled.

"I knew it."

She reached for his face with her hand, grazing her finger tips over his cheek.

"Your skin is so pretty, it looks like chocolate," she remarked.

"Not Walmart chocolate, but special, expensive Belgian chocolate."

Cooper took her hand in his and rested them on her thigh.

"Thank you, beautiful, but I'm driving," he said softly.

"You think I'm beautiful?" she asked him.

"Do I not tell you every day?" he countered.

Thinking back on previous conversations, Indy realized that he had told her multiple times.

"I didn't think you meant it," she admitted.

"Of course I mean it," he said.

They sat in a comfortable silence until Cooper pulled up in the parking lot.

"Let's get you home," he said to Indy.

He walked around the car and opened the door for her. When she got out, she stumbled a bit, but Cooper held her close to him as they walked up to her room.

"Where are your keys?" Cooper asked as they were standing in front of her door.

"Somewhere here," Indy mumbled while rummaging through her bag. When she found them, she dangled them in Cooper's face, who took them and put the right one in the lock. Indy put her hand on his before he could turn the key. Cooper looked up at her questioningly.

"You know, you can come in if you want," Indy blurted out.

Cooper smiled at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I think you're a little drunk, Johnson," he said.

Indy cast her eyes down. Had she misread the signs all along? She should have known he wasn't interested in her like that. This was what she had been afraid of.

"Hey, hey, don't be like that," Cooper said, gently lifting up her chin so she would face him.

"When we do this, and we will, I want you to want it like I do," he said softly.

"I would hate it if you woke up tomorrow thinking it was a mistake. Because it's not. Next time you ask me, you won't be drunk, alright?" he smiled at her.

Indy returned his smile. That was something she could live with.

"Just a little kiss good night, then?" she asked.

Cooper chuckled.

"How could I resist you if you look at me like that," he asked, slightly leaning in.

Indy closed her eyes in anticipation of her first kiss, but then the door next to hers opened, ruining the moment.

Ares walked out and looked at her angrily. Indy gave him a similar look in return, as he passed them on his way to the washroom.

Cooper sighed.

"Good night, Johnson," he said, planting a sweet kiss on her cheek.

"Night, Coop," she smiled back at him, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks. She watched him walk down the hallway. He turned around and waved at her one more time before descending the stairs. She stood there smiling like a fool, but broke from her thoughts when Ares returned, still seemingly seething. Indy had about enough of him and his angry antics by now. He always acted like she had done him wrong and pissed him off, when in reality she didn't do anything of the sort. That she knew of, at least.

"What?" she asked him, but he ignored her, walking to his door.

She grabbed his wrist before he could enter.

"What did I ever do to you?" she tried again.

He turned around to face her, bringing his face threateningly close to hers, but Indy remained unfazed.

"Don't touch me," he said icily.

Indy looked him straight in the eye, bringing up her indexfinger to his face. He gave her a 'don't test me' glare, but when drunk, Indy was apparently fearless. She tapped Ares on the tip of his nose and he quickly swatted her hand away.

"You are such a little-" he started, but a wave of nausea suddenly washed over Indy and she quickly held her hand before her mouth.

Ares looked at her incredulous, took her arm and led her to the washroom on the other side of the hall. Just in time, he placed Indy in front of the toilet, as she threw up everything she had drunk that night. She felt Ares brushing her hair out of her face and holding it back as another wave of nausea hit her. Was he rubbing circles on her back?

When she was done, Ares pulled her up and took her to the sink. He walked out but came back after a little while with a glass and her toothbrush. If only he knew she had used that particular glass to overhear his private conversations with his friends. His judging eyes watched her silently as she brushed her teeth and washed the make-up from her face. Indy staggered as she tried to make her way to her room, so Ares lifted her arm around his neck and picked her up under her knees, carrying her back. Indy could't help but breathe in his calming, fresh scent. She wondered if she was intoxicated by the alcohol, or by him. He lied her down in her bed and took off her shoes. Indy had no idea why he was taking care of her, but it warmed her heart. She dozed off the moment he put the blanket over her.