He takes my shoulder and leads me toward the truck.
“How do I know you’re not a serial killer?” I squeak.
“I’m a decorated military veteran. So all my kills have been condoned by the US government.”
“Are youkiddingme?”
He laughs. “You want to call your aunt, ask him if the Connors can be trusted? My brother Maverick is a firefighter, if you’d rather he patched you up.”
My cheeks flush. “I’m not trying to be rude, I’m alone and this is all too much.”
“I understand, honey. You need to rest and have something to drink. Maybe eat something sugary, too. The scare about the bear, sitting on that roof, hurting your hand; let me take care of you.”
I look up at him and even though I’ve only just met him, I believe what he’s saying. I take another leap of faith.
“Okay.”
Declan boosts me up into the passenger seat of his huge truck, walking around to the driver’s seat. Inside, it smells of him and I take a deep breath in. That scent makes me feel safe, protected somehow. Albert scampers onto the back seat, sitting with his legs out in front of him in a very human way that makes me giggle.
“He’s pretty advanced for a raccoon.”
“Smart. He’s the one running the show, I have to warn you. Got me wrapped around his little paw.” Declan winks at me, taking a clean white T-shirt from a laundry bag and carefully wrapping it around my injured palm.
“I’m going to ruin your T-shirt.”
“It’s fine, honey.” He reaches around me, putting on my seatbelt. His sudden closeness makes me suck my breath in as my stomach muscles tense. He gazes at me for a second, before starting the engine. I lean back against the seat as he drives further up the mountain, turning off the winding road into a large clearing.
Surrounded by pines, Declan’s cabin is huge. It’s made from a mix of logs and stone, with big glass windows and a steep metal roof. A porch wraps around the house, with a bench swing swaying gently on one side.
“Thisis your place?”
He smiles. “Did you expect me to live wild under the trees? Or maybe share a tent with Albert, here?”
Albert snorts at the mention of his name. He darts out the window to perch on the porch once the truck draws to a stop.
“No, I’m sorry if that sounded rude. I’m just surprised something so beautiful is out here in these wild woods.”
He grins at me. “I’ll take that as a compliment. Let me help you down from this monster and get you inside.”
That sense of rightness floods me again once we’re inside the house. The open living area has a huge fireplace and vaulted timber beams across the ceiling. Handcrafted wooden accents and big throw blankets give it a cozy feel. It’s cooler inside, a big ceiling fan rotating above us as he leads me down a hallway.
Declan opens the door to a bathroom and I gasp, then start laughing. There’s a big, sunken tub that I wouldn’t expect to see in a log cabin.
I walk up closer to inspect it. “This is like something from an old movie. I’d expect to see Marilyn covered in bubbles in an enormous tub like that.”
Declan rummages in a side closet. “You’re exactly right. I love those old Hollywood movies. A big hotel on the other sideof Bakersville was getting rid of their stuff in a revamp, so I reclaimed the tub. Need to use it more often, I’m usually in and out of the shower in five minutes.”
He walks over, boots thudding on the tiles. He’s so tall that he has to bend his neck to look into my eyes. Shivers run up my spine and prickle the crown of my head. Taking my hand, he gently cleans the cut, applies some kind of antiseptic spray, and then expertly bandages it up.
“Now, let’s get you something to eat.”
Chapter Three
DECLAN
Walking into the kitchen, I take a sharp breath in. I’ve only taken shallow breaths since I first saw Georgia.
I have no business being attracted to this young, innocent,beautifulgirl. Even when I was bandaging her hand, my cock was pulsing in my pants like it was trying to break free. Every sinew in my body strains to be close to her. It’s like I’ve reverted to being a teenager again, except I never felt this goddamn horny when I was young.
