better than that. I stopped using scented soaps when my senses became even more acute. The shampoo and conditioner, however, had a hint something I couldn’t quite pick up.
I finished up. I toweled my hair, closing all but a few glimmers of light. I treasured that relaxed, peaceful darkness. Then I realized I had forgotten to even lock the door, and I immediately regretted deciding on a shower distracted.
Not that I thought anyone would be rude enough to just barge in. I didn’t even feel comfortable changing my clothes in my big open room back home. Was there even a lock on this door? That thought made me nervous. It took five seconds before I was thinking about the worst things I possibly could.
On eggshells I crept to the bathroom door, the warm air dissipating quickly as it opened. I peeked my head around. My bags lay across the room, aside from that, there was only motionless furniture.
Feeling vulnerable, I found myself on tip-toe. I wasn’t sure when someone would come in. Naturally I was cautious. I moved with only a gray towel wrapped around myself. I scrambled at the dressers – in which drawer had I shoved my clothes. There were two, and they both looked the same. I went to the closest one.
“Shit.”
What the hell? Not in here.
I started to head over to the next dresser. And, for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why a man would need two dressers. I sighed and moved across the floors as quietly as I could. Their hardwood creaked beneath my feet.
“Colette?” Hunter’s voice was miffed but he sounded worried. I couldn’t answer before the door slammed open.
I turned to see Hunter standing in the doorway, shirtless, golden eyes alert for danger. My eyes raked his body before I could comprehend what I was doing, what he was doing. His chest wasn’t completely without a masculine dusting of hair, unlike the current trend of bare-chested boys. Black hair further defined his contours. It trailed down his muscled torso, leading naturally to the waistband of his pants and from there…
Oh boy.
I would have to address the feelings zinging through my body some other time. I crept back up to his eyes. I took my time, a little nervous to meet his gaze. His shoulders were hunched forward, his knees bent, and his calf muscles strained under his skin.
He took in the room, scoping out every nook and cranny. That’s when I saw his wolf. So close to the surface. Hunter’s skin was rolling. It was shivering with the threat of a shift. There was no way in hell I wanted to be caught in a towel by Hunter only to have his wolf burst in here with me naked?
No. No way.
“Hunter!” I screeched, “Get the hell out!”
I sounded pissed. I was pissed. Hunter turned toward on me and, suddenly, he was there. Suddenly, he was all man staring back at me, and he really saw me.
It was quick, but all inclusive. He started from my toes, which I curled under his inspection, then dragged up my body. He lingered on the shortness of the towel. My legs twitched in reflex. I wanted to cross them, rub them, move them in some way.
His eyes came level with the top of the towel I was holding with both hands. His eyes had darkened considerably. I knew what that meant, though anyone could tell. The hunger was evident. His stance changed dramatically. Gone was the crouched position, the attack-ready stance intended for whoever he thought was in this room with me.
Instead his shoulders straightened.
He was planning on moving across the room toward me. His every intention ran through me. The look he gave me was hungry, and held a promise. Thrilled me. Made my body called for him to come to me.
And then my brain took over. I saw the predator in his eyes. I wanted to run. Or maybe not. My wolf began to stir.
“Get out, Hunter,” I said, firmer this time. I needed him to leave. Our bodies might recognize each other as fated, even my quiet, stifled wolf recognized that much, but the human side did not. My human side, the one that was desperately begging me to control my urges.
Hunter grunted and turned to the door. He slammed it shut behind him. I didn’t hear his footsteps. Not unusual. All wolves know how to walk silently. Predator’s instinct.