Page 11 of Into the Night

We’re all alone out here, and I’m small, even for a female.

He’s a big guy, which means his beast will be massive, and much more powerful than mine. This man could be dangerous, even if he is pretty to look at.

Stepping from the cover of the trees and into the dappled moonlight, I show myself.

“Hello there,” I call in my friendliest voice, feigning confidence I don’t really have.

After a brief pause, he grunts back, sounding tense and borderline unfriendly.

Wonderful. This was clearly a mistake. I should have stayed inside.

I shift awkwardly from foot-to-foot as he comes closer, a tight smile on his handsome face.

His gaze travels along the treeline, checking if there’s anyone with me. Striding through the water until it dips below his waist, he slowly reveals his rippling abs, and the well-defined V that runs down between his hip bones.

My eyes follow the line of dark hair that runs from his navel, down to the surface of the water, and I wish I could see where it leads. Or trace it with my tongue… The distant rumble of thunder snaps me out of my daze, and when he clears his throat, I flush, knowing he’s caught me staring. Embarrassed at so obviously checking him out, I snap my gaze back to his face, fighting the urge to apologise.

With a raised eyebrow, he doesn’t comment, mercifully, but looks pointedly at the clothes hanging over a nearby branch.

Snatching them and then forcing myself not to sniff the bundle of material, I shuffle closer and toss them to him. Reluctantly, I turn my back and allow him some privacy as he gets dressed. The strong breeze carries his scent to me, and I close my eyes, savouring it.

“Funny night to be out taking a skinny dip.” I comment, the silence unbearable. “Couldn’t wait to get home for a shower?”

The splashing of water tells me he’s stepped out, and my pulse races at the thought of him standing behind me. Naked.

I’m both disappointed and relieved when I hear him stepping into his trousers and then the sound of a zipper.

“Just needed to cool down. I didn’t expect to meet anyone else out here.” His voice is smooth and deep.

Turning, I’m just in time to see him tugging a T-shirt over his head, hiding his washboard stomach from view. He studies me, eyes narrowed and suspicious, before looking around as if to say, what are you doing out here?

Like I’m the one who’s doing something crazy, not the man I just found swimming in a lake during a storm.

“Normally you wouldn’t, but I could sense you out here, and I wanted to make sure you’re alright. Are you okay?”

I don’t want to offend him or pry, but even now, I can feel his beast roiling inside him, a storm of turmoil behind his calm facade.

He doesn’t respond, just continues to stare into the distance. From the way his hands are balled up at his sides, I get the impression he’s not happy to see me here and doesn’t want to explain himself.

“I’m good.”

That’s a lie if I ever heard one.

The ground is getting soggy now and the branches sway around us, making his stillness all the more unsettling. He gives me a once over, taking in my soaked, muddy trainers. I get that I’m not dressed for trekking through the forest, but footwear doesn’t really matter when you can shift and run.

“I’ll clear out right now. I’m sorry if me being here made you uncomfortable,” he says without looking up. His fingers deftly slip his belt through the loops, and my belly swoops watching them work.

I never knew hands could be so attractive.

Shaking my head and waving away his apology, I force my gaze to stay at eye level while he tightens the buckle and tucks the length of leather away.

“You don’t need to rush off.” I’m drawn to him. Despite being good-looking and confident, there’s an air of vulnerability to him. And his beast is almost feral, so I don’t understand how he’s even maintaining his human form with the way I can sense it thrashing about inside him.

“Is your car nearby? The storm’s getting closer. Everyone’s been told to stay indoors until it passes.”

Since coming here, I’ve avoided moving into Evan’s so I would have some solitude. Now, I’m… what? Encouraging some hot stranger to stay? I don’t know anything about this guy.

The man nods, tugging the hem of his T-shirt lower, and sadly, hiding the last strip of tanned, toned stomach from my view. As he steps forward to pick up his boots, I move back, staying out of arm’s reach. The look he gives me is intense as he takes in my stiff body language, and the distance I’m careful to keep between us.

---