Page 29 of Hollow Forest

I fisted my hands against my knees. The pressure on my molars threatened to make them crack! I couldn’t comfort her.

She hadn’t agreed to let me touch her.

I’d stupidly thought at some point in the madness that she would invite my touch. I’d given her every opportunity while preventing trickery.

Fucking touch me!

I bit my tongue to keep from screaming those three words at her as she heaved and choked on all fours. Copper flooded my mouth. I swallowed the bloody saliva.

The monster was gone, and in her place was the soft woodland creature she convinced the world was her true form. I knew better, but watching her struggle to regain her composure was pure torture. Clearly, she needed the release. It touched something inside her, igniting a glorious, blinding fuse. But the moment was rapidly passing.

And I feared for what happened next.

Samantha sat back and winced. “Can I get off this knife now?”

The response strangled in my throat as I struggled to make my voice gentle. “Of course.”

Her body shook as she pushed to her feet.

The release had been powerful. A much-needed catharsis. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms, lift her weary form, and drag her back to the house for a shower before bed.

Instead, I stood in front of her as she wiped her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered, voice still groggy. “I didn’t know how much I needed that.”

“I’ll always give you what you need,” I promised.

Because it was true.

I was hers.

Sam lifted her bound wrists. “A key would be nice.”

I dropped it in her outstretched palm. When she laughed roughly, I added, “I don’t trust myself not to touch you, beautiful.”

“I see.”

While she worked the tiny piece of metal in the lock, I hurried to a tree and grabbed the backpack I’d dropped during the initial chase. After opening it, I returned and offered her the fleece-lined leggings.

It might be dark, but there was no missing the surprise that lit up her face. “Thank you!”

I grunted.

As she peeled off the ruined remains of her jeans, I reloaded her revolver with fresh bullets from a case in my bag. I handed it to her, then plucked the knife from the earth.

“I take it we’re done for the night?”

Was that regret in her voice? Hope flared in my chest.

“If you want more, you know what to do.” I held myself still, willing her to touch me.

She considered the weapon in her hands before slipping it in the front of her waistband. “To be honest, I didn’t think I would ever be able to come again.”

The words were hushed, and I nearly missed them under the rustles of the leaves above. Before I could demand an explanation, she spoke again.

“I think one orgasm is enough for now.”

It wasn’t.