Sutton freezes instantly, her body going rigid against mine. The change is so abrupt it’s like someone flipped a switch. Her eyes, which seconds ago were heavy-lidded with desire, now snap wide open, pupils contracting to pinpoints.
“What did you say?” Her voice is barely audible, strained and tight.
I blink, confused by the sudden shift. “I said you’re beautiful.”
She’s already scrambling off my lap, her movements frantic as she reaches for her discarded shirt. Her hands are shaking so badly she can barely grip the fabric.
“Sutton? What’s wrong?” I reach for her, but she flinches away from my touch like it burns.
“I can’t—I can’t do this.” She pulls her shirt over her head with jerky movements, her breathing shallow and rapid. “I’m sorry. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
“What happened?” I start to stand. “Did I hurt you? Did I say something wrong?”
What the fuck is happening?
Another clap of thunder booms outside, causing Sutton to jump, and then she’s practically running for the back door.
“Wait, Sutton. Please.” I try to reach for her but stop short of grabbing her wrist, sensing that kind of contact might make things even worse. “Talk to me. Whatever it is, I’m here.”
“I’m sorry, Shepherd. I’m-I’m sorry.”
Rain lashes against the windows as another crack of thunder shakes the house.
“Don’t be sorry. You’ve done nothing wrong. Sutton! It’s pouring out there,” I call after her, grabbing my shirt from the floor and yanking it on. “Please, just?—”
But she’s already gone, the door slamming behind her with enough force to rattle the frame. I stand there for a moment, stunned, my heart pounding and my body still thrumming with desire that’s rapidly giving way to confusion.
What the hell just happened?
One second she was in my lap, her skin warm under my hands, and the next, it was like I’d physically hurt her. Like I burned her. She couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
“Fuck!” I slam my palm against the wall, frustration and confusion warring inside me.
What did I do?
What did I say?
You’re so goddamn beautiful.
The words echo in my head. Such a simple compliment.One I’ve given countless times before without consequence. But something about those words triggered something in her. Something dark and painful that sent her running.
“Goddammit!” Even above the thunder and the rain, her voice rings out across my yard.
Shit! Sutton!
I move to the window, trying to see her through the rain-streaked glass, and when I spot her, I’m shocked to see she’s not heading toward the guest house like I expected. Instead, she’s pacing back and forth across the yard, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as rain soaks through her clothes. Even from here, I can see her mouth moving, like she’s arguing with herself.
Shit.
I should give her space. That’s what she needs, right? Space to process whatever just happened?
“Motherfucker!” she shouts again, her hands behind her head now as she paces, clearly working through something.
I want to give her the space to do whatever she needs to do, but I can’t just let her stand out there in the rain, soaked and upset. Whatever triggered her, she shouldn’t have to face it alone in the middle of a storm. I grab my jacket from the hook by the door and head outside, the cold rain immediately drenching me. Lightning flashes across the sky, briefly illuminating Sutton’s figure as she continues pacing, her hands gesturing wildly.
“You’re so fucking stupid!” she yells, and for a second I think she’s talking to me until I realize she can’t see me yet. She’s talking to herself. “Why did you run? Why do you always run?”
I approach slowly, careful not to startle her. “Sutton?”
