Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“We were on our way back home, maybe two blocks from the house, and the hair on the back of my neck suddenly stood up. Nera stopped walking and moved right in front of me as if guarding me or protecting me from something.”
I glance down at the hound, whose gaze hasn’t left his mistress.
“The air grew so cold, Jonas. Not windy, just suddenly freezing. I called out to you in my mind, but I couldn’t reach you, and Nera started to growl. Snarl. I’ve never heard him do that before. And then a red dog walked out of the bushes, but I’m telling you right now that it wasn’t really a dog. I don’t know how I know that, but I’m telling you, while it looked like a dog, it had human eyes.”
I frown down at her, and she shakes her head.
“I know it sounds crazy.”
“I didn’t say that.”
She swallows hard, and tears fill her emerald eyes. “I don’t know what it was, why it happened, but it was terrifying, Jonas.”
I pull her to me once more and hold her close, tucking her head under my chin.
“You’re safe, my darling. You’re safe right here. What happened next?”
She clears her throat and pushes her face against my shirt. I can feel the fear radiating out of her, and it’s killing me.
“What happened, Lucy?”
“It wrinkled its nose at me, and then it just walked away. It didn’t look back at us; it just left. Nera stood still and watched until it was out of sight, and then he told me we had to hurry home. Once we got there, I didn’t go in, I just kept going into the woods because I needed to get to you.”
“Do you often wear your dressing gown when you go for walks at night?”
She looks up at me in surprise and then scowls. “You’re going to criticize my outfit at a time like this?”
“No.” I drag my fingertips down her cheek. I can’t stop touching her. I’ve never felt a connection like this to anyone in my life. The very need to touch, connect, and simply be with her.
She’s the part of my soul I didn’t know was missing.
“What was it, Jonas?”
“Likely a skinwalker.”
She blinks at me and then shivers. “I thought those were only horrible stories that people made up to scare each other.”
My fingers dance over the tattoo on the back of her neck, and she closes her eyes.
“You said it yourself. You got this death ward to protect you from the paranormal things that happen in Salem. That town has always been full of activity, even before the English settled there and dating back to the indigenous tribes that moved through.”
“I know,” she whispers. “And it’s always been something I embraced. I mean, I protect myself, but I’ve never been afraid. Maybe I’m more on edge because of everything we have going on and because we don’t know how it’ll end. But this was so far out of the normal part of Salem’s paranormal that it sent me into a complete panic attack and…I just needed you.”
“I’m glad you came here,” I reply softly and kiss her forehead. “But I hate that you were frightened.”
“I’m starting to feel better,” she replies. “You can turn down the fire a bit.”
With a wave of my hand, the fire dies to a soft flame, just enough to keep the chill out of the air.
“I thought you might come to me tonight,” she admits with a half smile.
“I’d planned to,” I reply and brush her gorgeous red hair behind her ear. “I got sucked into reading, and it completely consumed me. I didn’t realize just how much until you knocked and pulled me out of my trance. I wish I had come to you earlier.”
“We’re together now,” she says, and her gaze falls to my lips. “I have a confession.”
“You can tell me anything.”
She licks her lips, and then she lifts her eyes to mine. “I’ve been attracted to men before. I’m not entirely innocent.”
My eyes narrow. “Is that supposed to make me feel good?”
“I’m not done.” She presses a fingertip to my lips, and I feel it all the way to long-dormant places. “I’m not innocent, but I’ve never had a physical reaction to anyone the way I do to you.”
“What does it feel like?” I whisper and allow my hands to roam over her lightly, gently following the contours of the gorgeous hills and valleys of her curvy body.
“It’s a burning need,” she says softly. “A wonderful and powerful yearning to be touched and to touch in return. And it feels like the only thing that will help is you. I know our minds are linked, and the urge to be near you is powerful, but I also want to touch you constantly. It’s as if I just can’t keep my hands to myself. Before this, I wouldn’t have considered myself an overly touchy-feely woman.”