into psychosis—but when I’d watched him morph just as suddenly back into a naked human before he barreled out the door as my vision grew dark…
I shake my head. It wasn’t a hallucination. I’m certain of it, and his supernatural origins explain his inhuman strength and speed.
Still… WTF?
It doesn’t help that I have a headache the size of Alaska. Thanks to the blow to my head, trying to contemplate what he is only makes the pounding worse. Fingering above my ear, I wince. A goose-egg, from where I’d fallen to the floor and hit my head, rises from my scalp like a mountain. But at least the rest of me is in better shape. Wolfman cleaned me up and applied ointment to my various cuts and rope burns. They don’t hurt as much anymore, but I still don’t let my guard down.
Because it appears I’ve been abducted by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One moment, Wolfman can be sweet and caring, but the next…
My breath catches.
The floorboards creak around me. Wolfman is currently trying to decide what to pack and what to leave. He stands in nothing but a pair of shorts. He doesn’t even have shoes on.
I’ve noticed a few things about him in the hour since he untied me. He’s young, probably around my age, yet despite his youth, despair is etched into his features every time he thinks I’m not looking, as though the weight of the world rests on his shoulders.
I keep quiet as I watch him. I study his movements, taking in his predatory build. He has broad shoulders and a tapered waist, and he’s strong, like freakishly strong. A part of me isn’t sure how much of his strength comes from his rippling muscles versus his werewolf origins. Yet, he still looks like a human. His skin is clear and tanned, his jawline strong and powerful. Nothing about him screams different or other, and everything about him definitely exudes sex appeal.
A flutter of something runs through me when I take in his taut muscles and defined abs.
My head snaps back. I did not just feel that.
But that feeling is still there. I’ve recognized that he’s attractive, like crazy-hot attractive, as much as I was trying to ignore it.
I hang my head and sigh. Am I seriously attracted to him? That is so fucked up, Keller.
I fiddle with the granola bar wrapper, not realizing it’s making a quiet noise until he whips around. I stop and the wrapper flutters back to the floor. My stomach drops.
But his blue irises remain clear.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
I suck in a shuddering breath. Dr. Jekyll is still with me. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
His bunched-up shoulders settle back down. “I’m about done here, then I’ll load up. I’ve got to change that flat tire, but then we can—”
“You don’t need to accompany me. I can walk if you point me in the right direction and give me a few water bottles and granola bars.”
I hold my breath as I wait for his reply. I’ve been debating if he would let me leave on my own. I have no idea how far it is to get home, and it’s still hot enough this time of year that dehydration is a real concern, but I’m willing to take my chances even if I have a goose egg and a headache that rivals Alaska. I have a feeling that Mother Nature will be easier to contend with than Mr. Hyde.
A flash of regret crosses his features, but he smooths it before he breaks eye contact and reaches for the backpack. He fiddles with some supplies on the counter, putting them in the bag, then taking them out, before putting them back in. “I’m sorry, but it’s too far for you to walk. We’re easily fifty miles from any town. I’ll drive you, and don’t worry. I’ll take you home, then I’ll let you go. I promised I would, so I will.”
“Where are we?”
“Southern Utah. Trust me. You can’t walk from here.”
He goes back to loading the pack. It’s practically bursting with supplies.
“What’s your name?” I ask, anything to keep him acting normal and talking. I figure if I engage Dr. Jekyll, he’s less likely to morph into his malevolent side.
“Collin Ward.”
Such a normal name. “I’m Brianna.”
“I know.”
“How do you know that?”
“I looked at your driver’s license.”
“You did?” I sit up straighter. “Does that mean you still have my purse?” And my cell phone?