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“Something on your mind, little flower?”
How he called me “little flower…"
“I-I should go.” I abruptly stood and fumbled with my backpack before hurrying toward the front door. “It’s already getting dark and I need to get back to my car before—”
“Before something big, bad, and hungry chases you through the woods again?” Oren growled in my ear. His enormous body was suddenly pressed against my back—so close I could feel the heat pouring off of him—making me release a sound somewhere between a gasp and a groan.
“It was you,” I whispered, needing no further confirmation of our shared past than the way my body was responding.
“Yes. It was.” He hummed, running his nose down the side of my neck. Scenting me. “You were so young. I had no choice but to let you get away. But now that you’re back, I don’t think I’ll be able to let you go again.”
I don’t want you to…
Even though my body was aching to drop to the pine floor and offer myself to this beast like a cat in heat, I kept my voice steady. “I can’t stay here, Oren. I have a life back in Boston…”
The half-hearted protest died on my lips. My “life” in the city could barely be called that. I worked 18-hour days, then dragged myself home to sleep in a tiny studio apartment only a few square feet larger than the closet holding my expensive wardrobe. The few friends I had were professional acquaintances at best, and I hadn’t cared enough about replacing my ex to even try.
Who needs a man when they make toys with werewolf knots?
“Let me at least have you for dinner.” The double entendre did not go unnoticed, although he physically backed off again—much to my disappointment. When I turned to face the oddly attractive beast, he continued, “I will then escort you back to your car, if that’s what you want. Although you’re also welcome to spend the night.”
I swallowed hard, but thought of how my only other option was the aforementioned diner and the sad selection it offered, followed by a long drive back to Boston.
And I’m not ready to leave just yet.
“Okay,” I nodded, a smile breaking free when I saw how his inhuman face lit up at my reply. “You may feed me, and then we can see where the night takes us from there. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect.” Oren grinned again, although he quickly sobered. “I hope you understand I won’t harm you, or do anything without your permission. You’re safe with me, little flower.”
I stared at this strange yet intriguing creature for a moment, taking in his earnest expression and how genuine he was about making me feel comfortable.
It’s more than most human men bother to do.
Suddenly, I remembered everything about the night Oren chased me through the woods.
At one point, my bare foot had caught on a tree root, and I’d crashed to the ground with a muffled scream, convinced I was about to be eaten.
Instead, an enormous black paw appeared in front of my face as the creature straddled my fallen body and nuzzled against the nape of my sweaty neck.
“You smell so sweet.” It buried its nose in my hair before deeply inhaling, somehow able to talk.
An involuntary moan had escaped me as I lifted my ass, attempting to make contact with the beast behind me—to ease the ache I was feeling, even though I didn’t fully understand what I was asking for.
The creature released a throaty growl that almost sounded pained. “Return to your bed, little flower. Perhaps someday we’ll meet again, when you’re ready for me.”
Back in the very real present, I lowered my backpack to the floor, abandoning my hasty exit in favor of closing the distance between us again.
Reaching up, I tentatively caressed the thick fur covering his temples and his jaw, discovering it indeed felt as silky as it looked. He smelled like a crisp autumn day—like a pile of leaves when you jumped in and kicked them up around you. Like something earthy and musky and untamed.
Like sex.
Oren remained deathly still as I explored, most likely not wanting to startle me with any sudden movements.
“My name’s Billie,” I murmured. “But I like it when you call me little flower.”
I watched in fascination as my finger carefully traced over a protruding canine. The hint of danger made me shiver, but I knew Oren would never hurt me—not only because of his promise that I was safe, but from his actions all those years ago.
After sending me off to bed that fateful summer night, he’d disappeared into the shadows, leaving me to return to my family’s camp unscathed.
