Page 13 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

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Finally, the day has ended, and it wasn’t without its drama: in-laws demanding to be let into the rooms where new mothers didn’t want them. A fight broke out between opposing parents of one couple, and the police were called. Nope, never a dull day in my job.

Exiting my work building, I walk towards the car park. It’s starting to get dark out, and I swiftly make my way to my car. A bang has my heart racing, and I flick my gaze to see the swish of a long white furry tail. My feet pound the pavement as I jog the few meters to my vehicle and hurriedly climb in. My heart pounding, I lock my doors and steal a glance back over where I saw the tail to find nothing there. I must’ve imagined it, alone in the dark. I have to stop watching so many true crime shows when I’m building LEGO; they’re making me think crazy things. Starting the engine on my car, I drive towards the exit and Ravin’s house. Glancing back in my rearview mirror before I drive off, I see a…wolf. It’s white with dark grey fur covering its back and half of its face. It’s as clear as day in the mirror, glaring at me through its dark eyes.

I close my eyes.I’m seeing things.

There are no wolves in New Zealand.

There are no wolves in New Zealand.

Opening my eyes again, it’s still there. I take a deep breath and drive away, hoping the drive to the estate will take my mind off the wolf. I’m exhausted. Yes, that explains seeing the wolf. When I see Pietra tomorrow, I’ll see if I can have some time off to recharge my batteries next month. At least I only have one more client visit; then I’ll be off home to have a glass of wine and a bubble bath. Yes, that’s it. I just need to relax.

Five

WINTER

Pulling my car up the entrance of the expansive housing estate, I can’t shake that wolf from my mind. Wolves are my favourite animal. There’s always been something about them that is majestic and magical but to see one here in New Zealand; I have to be beyond exhausted and going crazy.

A car appears on the other side of the gate, stops, and a passenger gets out. As the person walks towards me, I’m not in the least surprised to see it’s Declan meeting me at the gate. I lower my car window, and he leans down, grinning.

“Back again? I must be so irresistible you just couldn’t wait to see me again.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s not you I’m here to see. Ravin Stone specifically requested me to come and see her,” I reply.

He chuckles. “I’ll bet anything my meddling sister knows exactly what she’s doing. She told me a midwife was coming, and I was put in charge of meeting her. I’m happy it’s you.” I smile and suddenly feel all giddy as he walks around the car to get inside. I’m glad he’s here too. There’s something about him that makes me feel safe after seeing that wolf, and I need that feeling now more than I could have thought. But I won’t tell him that. It’ll only inflate his ego further, or he’ll believe me crazy for stating I had seen a wolf in New Zealand.

“Start driving,” he instructs. I do as told when he breaks the silence. “So, tell me, what is it going to take to get your attention? Have a baby?”

I burst into laughter. “No, but I’d really like to see that.”

He smiles. “Okay, so that wasn’t the best idea. Will flowers get your attention?”

“Just out of curiosity, why doyouwant my attention? I told you once that I don’t date. So, tell me, what makes you think I need or want a man?”

“Ouch! That was harsh.” His tone is full of laughter.

“Sorry. I’m just tired of everyone assuming I need someone in my life.”

“Do you want someone in your life?” he asks.

Do I?I sigh. “Once, I did. I had the whole fairy tale planned out, but it didn’t work.”

“That wasn’t a no. So, I still have hope that you’ll be begging to be in my bed.”

I laugh. “Ha! In your dreams.”

“You always are.”

We arrive at Ravin’s place, and I get out of the car, then head to the boot of my car to get everything I need. I grab a bag only to have Declan lay his hand over mine, and I turn to look at him, confused as to what he’s doing. Except words no longer exist as our noses meet, and his warm breath washes over me, sending a delicious tingle down my spine.

I feel my entire body come alive as I stare at his perfectly pink lips and each imperfection on them that has me wanting to taste them with a wanton desire. I’m captivated by his entire being as the world spins around me. My brain feels hazy like there’s some kind of magical power swirling around us.

Unsteady on my feet, I rock, and he wraps an arm around my waist to steady me, but this sends my blood pressure sky-rocketing, pulse racing, and my vagina throbs to its own beat.

Smiling, he says, “Not such a self-rescuing princess after all. Seems the Big Bad Wolf makes you dizzy.”

“Wrong fairy tale,” I quip as I try to gather my senses and put them back into place. Why do I feel this way around him? Like some dizzy woman with a crush.Probably because you have one.

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