I didn’t buy it. “It’s not nothing. You came in here ready to duke it out. What’s wrong?”
He blinked. “Oh. I went back to the road to check up on your car. And I caught the scent of a strange wolf shifter in the area.”
I tensed, the chill from outside suddenly crawling down my spine. My fingers crawled tighter into fur on his shoulder and chest, and I felt the heat drain from my face.
His arms tightened around me. “I didn’t see any tracks or any other physical signs. But just to be sure, I already sent a message to the local pack. They’ll be alert for any signs of trouble.”
“But what if—” I couldn’t say the words, in case that made the danger more real.
“Even if it is your ex, he wouldn’t dare do anything with me around. I’ll protect you, Ella.”
I shook my head.
“You don’t believe me?”
“No! I mean, yes, I believe you. In fact, I’m sure you would protect me, but…”
“You don’t think I can?” He frowned. “My beast outweighs his by far; he’ll be stupid to try.”
“Intelligence was never his strong suit. But that wasn’t what I meant either.” I sighed. “You came to my aid out of the goodness of your heart. And I don’t want to add trouble to your life. This is my problem, and I don’t want it to become yours too.”
He sat on the couch and pulled me down with him. “It’s no trouble. I’m happy to warn him off. He has no claim to you.”
The seriousness in his voice had me tilting my head to watch him.
“You’re right about that. But you barely know me. I’m just the girl you picked up before a storm. And we just happen to get along really, really well.”
“I’d say I know you enough.” He frowned. “Tell me you honestly don’t feel anything between us.” He looked like he ached at the thought.
But I couldn’t say it. And it wasn’t because of his pained look, either. It was because Ididfeel something. It was something I had never felt before. And if I had to be honest with myself, I was freaking terrified.
I wasn’t ready for a relationship. I didn’t think I’deverbe ready. Hell, just accepting a real date was already more than I’d expected from myself. And that was before the connection I’d felt this morning. And now this?
Was it possible to fall for someone in a day? Everything was moving so fast.
“I can’t tell you I don’t feel anything,” I finally said, “because I do. I’m just… This isn’t what I expected this trip. It’s new and exciting, but a little scary. But not because of what you are. I’m just chicken shit when it comes to relationships.”
There. I said it. It felt silly talking about feelings and relationships with a man I’d just met, but somehow it worked, especially when the tension in his shoulders eased and a hopeful look crossed his face. He leaned in, my position in his lap making it perfect for his forehead to brush mine.
“That’s enough for me for now. And trust that I’ll protect you, no matter what. From the storm, from this wolf, from anything that tries to touch you.”
I closed my eyes and leaned into him, feeling truly safe for the first time in a long time. “Thank you. I believe you.”
After a long moment holding me, he pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. “Did you talk to Grind and Shine?”
I blinked before realizing he meant the garage. “Yeah. They said they’ll come once the roads are cleared. But they need the location, and I only have the last GPS ping and the road name.”
“I’ll send it to them. It’s the only car out there. They’ll find it. It’ll take a little time, though, because they always clear the city roads in Darlington first.”
“How long?” I asked, knowing that I’d probably need to send Mom a text to stop her from sending my two annoying brothers out to find me.
“Probably by tonight. But possibly tomorrow morning.” He grinned. “Which means we’ve still got plenty of time together. I was thinking maybe we can dig up those Christmas decorations after all.”
I brightened, excited at the prospect of decking the halls. I looked around the cabin, which already had that super cozy rustic vibe. “But we don’t have a tree.”
“We can go get one. I know a copse of juvenile pines that needs thinning.”
Excitement had me swallowing a laugh. I’d always wanted a real tree for Christmas.
