"Jesus Christ!" I gasped, trying to yank my arm free. "What the fuck, man?!"
He released my wrist immediately, holding up both hands in a placating gesture. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. I saw you standing out here looking freaked out."
My heart was still pounding against my ribs. "Did you see it? The... thing with the eyes?"
His expression shifted subtly. "What thing?"
"There was something—" I turned to point toward where I'd seen the glowing eyes, but there was nothing there now. Just shadows and a few scattered pieces of trash. "Never mind. I'm just tired."
The stranger was studying me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. He was tall, taller than my roommate’s flannel guy, with broad shoulders and a jawline that could cut glass. In his left eyebrow was a black ring while his right ear had a long black industrial piercing. Just a cursory glance at him told me he was powerful, well muscled, and that bulge in his pants gave me the idea that he was probably a fuckin’ champ in the sack.
God it had been a long fucking time since I’d had sex.
"You shouldn't be out here alone this late," he said. His voice was deep and commanding in a way that made me shiver.
"Thanks for the advice," I shot back, irritation replacing my fear. Who did this guy think he was? "I live right there. I just needed some air."
"Something's been attacking pets in this neighborhood. Maybe a coyote." He glanced toward the darkness where I'd seen the eyes. "Or something worse."
A chill ran down my spine. "Something worse?"
He shook his head. "Just be careful. That's all I'm saying. Portland isn’t a safe place after dark."
I folded my arms across my chest, suddenly aware of how cold it had gotten. "Are you following me or something? Because this whole mysterious stranger routine is getting old fast."
The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like a smile. "No. I live here too, on the third floor. Saw you from my window."
He lived on the third floor too? I didn’t remember seeing him around the building. But, I’d been working so much that I couldn’t recall anyone else except my roommate. Then again, I figured I would’ve at least noticed someone as handsome as this guy.
"I'm Cal," he said, extending a hand. "Apartment 3F."
"Evan. 3C," I replied, hesitantly shaking his hand. His grip was firm, his palm warm despite the cold night air. "Pretty sure I'd remember seeing you around."
"I work nights mostly. Just moved in a couple weeks ago." His eyes flicked to something over my shoulder, narrowing slightly. "You should head back inside. It's not safe out here."
"Yeah, well, my roommate's getting laid and the walls are paper thin, so." I shrugged, trying to sound casual instead of pathetic. "Car nap it is."
Cal frowned. "You're going to sleep in your car?"
"It's not the first time." I tried to laugh it off, but it came out sounding hollow. "Half of this town’s homeless anyway, so I won’t be the only one."
He seemed to consider something for a moment as he glanced up at the full moon, then sighed. "Look, I've got a couch. It's not much, but it's better than sleeping in your car."
My stranger danger alarm went off immediately. "I don't know you."
"Fair enough." He pulled out his phone. "Give me your number. You can text someone my address, tell them exactly where you are. I'll even send you a picture of my driver's license if you want."
I stared at him, suspicious. "Why would you do that for someone you don't know?"
"Because sleeping in your car sucks, and I've been there." Something in his expression softened, though he still looked worried. “And like I said, it’s not safe out here.”
I thought back to those glowing yellow eyes in the darkness and the low growls that vibrated down to my bones. Cal might’ve been a stranger, but at least he wasn’t a wild animal. I figured my chances of defending myself against a man were a lot better than some beast that wanted to eat me. Besides, there was something inviting about Cal, and it wasn’t just his handsome face.
“Fine,” I replied, hoping I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life. “I’ll come upstairs.”
Cal’s lips curled into a warm smile. “Follow me then.”
I trailed after Cal up the stairs, glancing back once at the darkness outside. Was it my imagination, or were those yellow eyes watching us from the shadows again? I shuddered and hurried to catch up.
