Page 5 of One Forbidden Moment

She panted, unable to get enough air.

His hand shifted on her stomach, pressing firmly into her abdomen."Don't," he muttered roughly against her ear."Don't panic."

"You kidnapped me," she whispered."I think I'm allowed to panic."

He gave no indication that he'd heard her.The bike rolled underneath the sign and deeper into the strange town.

There was a restaurant on the left.A courthouse on the right.Set back off the street, there was a grocery store.She searched for people, but there was no one around.

Deeper into the town, houses lined the street.They were older homes, worn but not abandoned.Lights glowed in a few windows, soft and warm, like people lived there.But she didn't see anyone.No cars.No movement.No sound.

Her teeth chattered, partly from cold, partly from fear.She tucked her chin again, trying to hide from the eerie stillness pressing in on her.She didn't know what this place was, but it wasn't normal.It wasn't safe.

The man behind her slowed the bike even more, his body tense against hers.He was looking around like he recognized the place.Like he'd been here before.

Jillian's breath hitched."Where are we?"she asked again, voice barely audible.

His chest rumbled against her back as he said, "Everstill."

The quiet reverence he gave the town made her skin crawl.

He turned around in the street and headed back through town until he reached the restaurant.He stopped the motorcycle at the side of the street.The engine idled beneath them, the only sound in the entire town.He made no move to get off the bike, and he kept his grip on her, not letting her get away.

His heart beat against her back.He remained alert.That terrified her more than anything else.

Jillian stared into the empty street, her breath fogging in the suddenly cool night air.She didn't know how to get home.She didn't know if she'd ever see her mom again.

All she knew was that she was alone in a strange town with a dangerous man who looked like he belonged here.

And, she didn't

Chapter 3

Moe

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