Page 8 of Wilder Obsessions

“It’s nothing,” I lie, trying to put distance between us.

“Don’t fucking lie to me,” he demands.“How long?”

“Why do you care?”I fire back, taking another step away.His presence makes my head spin, like I can’t get enough of it, like he has an addicting draw that I didn’t know existed.He gives me an irritated expression, and my eyes widen when the gold in his irises seem to change color and darken slightly.Is that normal?

“Tell me.”His face holds a blank expression, but his tone is dark with a threat.

“Only a couple years...”My gaze lowers, hoping he’ll be satisfied and move on.My mind is playing tug-of-war as the pain rushes back, and Wilder’s reaction intensifies.

“I’ll kill him!”he shouts, startling me.His fists are tight, veins popping.He seems to want to keep me safe.But no, I have to maintain distance.

Why is he so angry?Why does it seem like he wants to help me?

“No.It’s my fault.”I lower my eyes to the ground again, trying to take a deep breath.Jarrod always convinces me that my circumstances are because I’m not good enough.I’m too fat, and I don’t make enough money to support all of his habits.

Tears threaten the corners of my eyes.I’m terrified of what Wilder will do now that he knows my situation.Will he go after Jarrod?

Wilder may be bigger than Jarrod, but I don’t need someone fighting my battles.I’m so close to getting out from under Jarrod.I only need a couple hundred dollars for the bus ticket and enough money to live on until I find a new job.

“You better start talking, and tell me what happened, right fucking now,” he seethes, grabbing my arms.He pulls me in closer and lowers his voice.He’s careful with his tone, but his hold is like a vice.“Arwen, you won’t like how this will end if you don’t tell me who did this.”

“It was an accident—he was mad that the tips were lower than expected.The night was slow, and I couldn’t pull in a lot.”I try to look anywhere but at his handsome face.“But you need to let me go.”

He scoffs, “An accident?How can someone wrapping their hands around someone’s neck be considered an accident?”Wilder’s grip tightens, and I can feel the tension radiating off him like heat from a fire.“Arwen, you matter to me, even if I just met you.I can’t stand by and let him hurt you.”

“I’m not worth saving.You don’t even know me,” I say, biting back a sob.

He lets me go and runs his hands through his hair, tension practically radiating off his muscular frame.I swallow past the lump in my throat.

“You’re mine now.”

I look at him like he’s crazy and wonder what kind of mind fuck game he’s playing with me.Is it an act to get me to fall into his bed so he can take what he wants?Then what?Dump me at my apartment later tonight and move on to his next piece of ass?What the actual fuck!

“I’m not yours and I have to get back to work.”

“You are, you just haven’t realized it yet,” he retorts with a clipped tone.“This isn’t over, Arwen.He will never lay another finger on you.”His threat rings through the air.

Before I can reply the door opens, bringing a blast of warm air as Kit pops her head out and calls, “Break is almost over.I’m sorry.Are you okay?”she asks, looking over my shoulder at the man behind me.

The warmth from Wilder fades as a chill runs through me, reminding me how exposed I am.“Yes.Thank you.”I turn to look at Wilder, his stony mask firmly in place, only his golden eyes give him away.I follow Kit inside, leaving this beast of a man behind.

Kit stands behind the bar next to me, passing out drinks as I try to distract myself and pick up more orders.

“Be careful with that one,” Kit begins.“I sense a shifter a mile away.”

A gasp leaves my throat.He’s a ...shifter?They aren’t necessarily well liked in town.No wonder his eyes were so intense.The color change wasn’t an illusion like I’d thought.

“He was ...looking for directions,” I lie, my hands trembling with this new knowledge.A glass slips from my fingers, shattering on the floor.A quietness falls over the bar as everyone looks at me.

I rush around the counter and clean the mess, dumping the large pieces into the trash, slicing my hand in the process.Before I realize what’s happening, I’m being scooped up by strong muscular arms and carried to the bathroom.

“Hey!What the hell?”I yelp.“Put me down!”He doesn’t answer, just moves swiftly, expertly navigating the cramped corridors of the bar until he pushes open the bathroom door and kicks it shut behind him.

“I said, put me down!”

Wilder finally complies, setting me on the counter next to the tiny sink.“You’re bleeding.”

He grabs my wrist and examines the small cut.

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