Even though it shouldn’t.
I don’t know him.He broke my car window with his bare fist, and I swore that growl sounded like it came from him.But something like that couldn’t be produced by a human.It was too deep.Almost beastly.
He clears his throat, and I realize we held eye contact for longer than necessary.“I’m sure Oliva wouldn't mind helping out, but since we’re headed in the same direction, I could give you a lift,” he offers.
Waiting for Olivia might be the better option, but the last thing I want is to spend any more time out in these woods.I glance around my wrecked car.“Unless you can smash the engine back into working condition, then yeah, I’ll take a ride.”
Something reminiscent of a chuckle passes his lips, a clipped huff.“I can bring out the tow truck tomorrow, then I’ll get to smashing.”
My pulse skips.I can imagine a few other ways his smashing would come in handy.Shit, I must’ve really hit my head.Or I’ve been listening to that audiobook for too long.
“Um…” I try to wiggle my way free, but between the crunched door and the steering wheel, it’s no use.“Could you maybe…pull me out?I’m stuck.”
This is so embarrassing.But Roen doesn’t make fun of me; instead, he stretches out his hand.My fingers barely fit around his palm.When our skin makes contact, it’s like a hot, pleasant flame.The sensation travels through my veins and shivers along my spine.
His tendons flex as he hoists me out of the seat.I groan, all the aches and pains coming back in full force.I don’t think I broke any bones, but I’m definitely banged up.
He tenses his arm to steady me, and I crawl the rest of the way over the passenger seat.I push back a wave of self-consciousness.It’s not the first time I felt awkward in my own body.Won’t be the last.
Finally, I step out and pull my hood over my hair to protect it from the rain.Just when I think the worst is over, my nipples pucker under my bra.I cross my arms over my chest.
Thankfully, Roan’s gaze is fixed above my eyes, his mouth slanted in a frown.
I raise my fingers to where it hurts the most.“Am I bleeding?
“Can’t tell.”He lifts his hand to my face.“May I?”
I nod.He brushes the pad of his thumb along the edge of my head wrap, and warmth overpowers the pain.My pulse flutters against his hand.
My gaze drops to his lips.Would I feel that same warmth if he kissed me?Would it spread to other places in my body…what if he kissed me downthere?
What on earth am I thinking?!
He pulls away, letting the cold rush in.“You’re not bleeding, but it’s starting to swell.And you’re exhausted.We should get you inside.”
I nod.Definitely exhausted.Maybe a little delusional.
“Wait inside my car.I’ll turn on the heat while I get something to patch up that window.”
“Okay, thanks.”
As I turn to follow him back to the road, he places a hand on the small of my back.I would normally push him off—but I don’t.Instead, I lean into his warmth seeping through my hoodie as he guides us up the small slope.
Then I spot something in the mud.A paw print.Bigger than any other I’ve seen before.
Roen stops and follows my gaze.I swallow a lump in my throat.“Is that…from a wolf?”
His blue eyes turn to mine.“Yes.”
I quickly scan the area.“I think I might have hit it.We should check?—”
“You didn’t.Wolves are smart enough to avoid cars.Usually.”He puts slight pressure on my back as we start walking again.“I thought you were afraid?”
I shake my head.“That’s when I thought it wanted to eat me.Wolves don’t hunt humans, right?”
He doesn't respond.I glance at his face and catch a tic in his jaw.
Oh, shit.Maybe these ones do.
