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The proximity shouldn’t have affected me so much, but my body apparently hadn’t gotten the memo about playing it cool. Every inch of space between us felt charged with electricity, like static building before a storm.

“Special as in ‘needs feeding up’ special, or special as in—” I broke off as movement caught my eye. Through the rain-streaked window, I could have sworn I saw two figures—Marcus and Shadow?—sprinting into the woods. But that couldn’t be right, because the shapes seemed to blur and shift until… were those wolves?

I blinked hard. “I think I’m more tired than I thought.”

“The rain plays tricks,” Caleb said lightly. “Speaking of tired, sure you won’t stay? That guest room has your name on it.”

In the back, Scout’s tail thumped against the leather seats as if seconding the invitation.

“Can’t,” I managed, proud that my voice stayed steady despite how Caleb’s proximity made my heart race. “First day at the bookstore tomorrow. Need to at least pretend to be responsible.”

“Responsible is overrated,” he teased, and God, even his voice felt like a caress. “But I guess I’ll have to settle for driving you home.”

The way he said ‘home’ sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the storm outside. Scout whined softly from the back seat, and I caught his concerned expression in the rearview mirror. When had Caleb’s presence become so… intoxicating? He was still the same playful, charming guy who’d helped with my car, but now every smile, every look felt charged with something more.

“You’re thinking too hard,” he murmured, and I realized we’d stopped at the property gates. His hand came up to brush a strand of hair from my face, and the gentle gesture somehow felt more intimate than any kiss.

“Someone has to,” I shot back, but my attempted snark lost some impact when my breath hitched as his fingers traced down my jaw.

His laugh was low and warm. “Touché. But maybe not tonight?”

The rain continued its steady rhythm as we pulled away from the manor, but my thoughts were far from the weather. They were stuck on the lingering warmth of Caleb’s touch, the spicy scent of his cologne, and the nagging worry about Derek somewhere out in this storm. Scout’s steady presence in the back seat was oddly comforting, like having a furry guardian angel.

And certainly not about whatever shadow-wolf things I definitely hadn’t seen in the rain. Nope. Not thinking about that at all.

The rain continued its steady rhythm as we pulled away from the manor.

“Your dog’s as subtle as you are,” I commented, watching Scout’s tail thump against the designer suitcase in the rearview mirror.

“He likes you.” Caleb turned toward me, his shoulder brushing mine in the confined space. “Smart dog.”

“Is that why Shadow ran off with—” I caught myself, not wanting to bring up Marcus and that maybe-hallucination in the rain.

“Scared of a little thunder?” Caleb teased, leaning closer. His warmth radiated through the small space between us, making my breath catch in my throat.

“Please. I’ve seen scarier things in university cafeterias.” I tried for nonchalant, but my voice wavered as his fingers ghosted over my wrist, barely touching but leaving trails of electricity in their wake.

His laugh was rich and warm in the confined space. “I bet you have.”

The cottage appeared through the curtain of rain, looking like the opening scene of every supernatural thriller I’d ever watched. Lightning flashed, briefly illuminating the weatheredstone and ivy-covered walls. Thunder followed almost immediately, and I definitely didn’t jump. Much. Caleb’s hand grasped mine for just a moment, steady and reassuring.

“Cozy,” Caleb commented, pulling up as close to the door as possible. Scout was already pawing at the door, eager to escape the rain.

It took three trips to get everything inside, even with Caleb’s impressive ability to carry multiple containers at once. The cottage felt different in the storm—smaller, more intimate. The thunder made the old windows rattle, and rain lashed against the glass like it was trying to get in. Scout immediately made himself at home, shaking off his wet fur before claiming the couch like he owned it.

“You sure you don’t want Scout to stay?” Caleb asked, watching his dog’s obvious attempt to become one with my furniture. “He’s great company during storms.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. A particularly loud crack of thunder made me jump.

Scout let out a pitiful whine, his big eyes moving between me and Caleb. For a moment, he looked so much like a kid begging for a sleepover that I had to bite back a laugh.

“Really?” I asked Scout directly. “The puppy-dog eyes?”

His tail thumped against the couch cushions hopefully.

“He’s got your number.” Caleb grinned.

I sighed, pretending it was a bigger concession than it was. Truth was, the thought of spending another night alone in my sleeping bag, watching shadows dance across the cottage walls, wasn’t exactly appealing. “Fine. But no stealing my sleeping bag. The couch is all yours.”

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