Hunting Human - Amanda E. Alvarez [76]
“They usually do—it’s the first place the change takes hold after the bite. Still, I’m shocked I didn’t notice them before. I noticed everything else about you.” He playfully ran his fingers down the exposed skin of her back.
“Don’t.” She scrambled from the bed, taking the sheet with her as protection. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” He asked, “Don’t touch you?” He sounded honestly mystified.
God, what a mess.
“Just don’t.”
“Beth.” He pulled himself out of bed. She kept it between them when he stepped toward her. He drew up short, his forehead creasing in confusion and his mouth drawing into a thin line. “What’s wrong?”
Hysteria-induced laughter tried to bubble out of her. What wasn’t wrong? The entire situation was a disaster.
“I should get dressed. It’s probably late.”
Too late. It’s definitely too late.
“Bull,” he said, his fists tightening at his side. “Try again.”
“I think you should leave.”
“And I think you should start talking. What’s going on? Things seemed better this morning.”
“That was a mistake. It won’t happen again.” She pulled the sheet tighter around herself as if that would convince him.
“Like hell.” He stalked around the bed, advancing on her. She matched every step he took until she hit the wall. He stopped dead. “Beth, I wouldn’t hurt you.”
You already have.
She’d be damned if she allowed it to happen again.
“Don’t do this, Beth.” He pinned her with a look he backed with so much emotion it hit her resolve like a sledgehammer. “You can trust me.”
“I don’t even know you.” She ignored the part of her that even now reacted to his presence, the part of her that had coaxed her into his embrace that morning.
“Yes, you do. I’m the guy you dodged a rainstorm with, shared a steak with. I’m the guy you had passionate sex with. I’m still that guy.” He softened his tone. “That hasn’t changed.”
How could he say such a thing? Everything had changed.
“That guy? The guy that came to my apartment to do God knows what? The guy that turned into a werewolf in my driveway? The guy that Tasered me and tossed me in the trunk of his car? That guy? Because him? Him I don’t know.” She advanced away from the wall, fury propelling her forward. “Him I don’t want to know.”
He sucked air as though she’d sucker punched him. “I didn’t Taser you! And that’s not fair.”
“Neither is this.” She gestured between them. “I get it. I’m stuck here until Markko’s dealt with. I don’t have a choice. But after that? After that I do have a choice.”
“So what? You’ll leave? Bury your head in the sand? Pretend a part of you doesn’t exist?”
She shrugged and turned away from him.
“Yeah,” he said. “That’s worked really well so far.”
She whirled on him, sheet clenched in her hands, eyes flashing. “I survived it before you. I’ll survive it without you.” The mere thought of it devastated her.
It’s only sex. You’ve done without before, you can again.
That much, at least, was true. She’d had her share of relationships in college, enjoyed the sex and taken pleasure in the easy companionship. Nothing too serious, no strings. But after Rachel…well, she hadn’t missed it. Hadn’t even thought about it.
Until Braden.
The memory of him, of them, drew a physical response from her so profound it seared straight through the core of her. She’d miss his kisses, deep and drugging. The way he ran his hands over her as though he couldn’t get enough. The way he possessively toyed with her hair. She’d miss the physical.
She’d learn to live without it.
“You don’t have to survive it. Not anymore. And not alone.” He reached for her, resting his palms on her shoulders, thumbs caressing her exposed collarbone. “There’s so much I can show you. So much you can learn. Let me help you accept this part of yourself.” He implored her with his eyes and stroking thumbs, his message clear. Believe me. Trust me.
She jerked away from him, away from his touch. It was too potent, too tempting. Once was forgivable, twice would be unconscionable. Angry with her own weakness, she brushed past him to the bathroom.
“I don