She sighs and shakes her head.
“Well, thank you for telling me about them. They all sound interesting, and if they’re anything like you, they’re real sweet talkers with the ladies.”
I grin. I confess that I like to compliment ladies, but now that I’ve found my mate, my flirting will only be for her. “You have no idea, but if any of them sweet talk you, just let me know and I will sort them out,” I tease, but am surprised at her reaction. Instead of laughing, she tenses, and her whole energy changes. Why would she change at a comment like that?
DAKOTA 4
Hunter has surprised me. The passion and loyalty he showed when he spoke about his brothers, as he calls them, has me thinking that maybe he’s not such a bad sort after all. I wish I could just let my guard down and take him at his word, but unfortunately, I’m too wary of men since Jason to be able to let myself be vulnerable with a man again.
I actually feel very at ease with Hunter, but I still hold my suspicions close to heart and a part of me closed, as I can’t let myself get hurt again or, if I have to leave in a rush, somehow hurt him if what he says is genuine and he does come to feel something for me.
We sat and chatted about the MC most of the night until Tony started to clean up and we had to leave. Hunter insisted on walking me to the bed and breakfast, which was just a five-minute walk from the steakhouse. When he realized where I was staying, I could see he was more suspicious than ever. He tried during the evening to get information from me on my past, but I’m not sure if I should confide in him.
I remember what Gloria said, and I’m so tempted, but what if I put Hunter in danger? I know Jason. He will attempt to hurt Hunter if he finds me again, but Hunter seems capable of handling himself when it comes to danger. He has an air of danger around him, and even though I saw a sensitive and playful side to him, I’m nearly one hundred percent certain that there is much more to Hunter than meets the eye.
He talks about the MC and how they stand by each other and protect each other. Would they be able to keep Hunter safe if Jason came wanting to do him harm? Should I confide in him? My thoughts are running around in my head like a freight train. Hunter walked me to the door of the bed and breakfast, a scowl on his face when I said goodnight, thanking him for dinner and quickly entering before he could kiss me, which was obvious he would have done if I had just stayed an extra minute.
Turning in bed again, I sigh. It doesn’t look like I’m going to get any sleep, because as soon as I think of Hunter’s lips anywhere near my body, I start having crazy thoughts of where I want his lips, and then all I want to do is let him have his wild, smouldering way with me. Shaking my head, I try to think of what he said earlier.
It was so nice to hear him talk about the others like he did. It is clear they deliver parcels, but there is something else going on. He didn’t say so, but the way he explained each of the guys and what they do, it was obvious that as an MC, they are dealing in something more than just being your friendly couriers.
He said he wanted to see me again. Will he? After all, I practically ran away from his kiss tonight, and he will know that. Will he give up, or will he persevere after me? When he was talking about the men, a feeling of loneliness and homesickness surrounded me. I haven’t seen or spoken to my mother or my brother in over two years. I tried to keep in touch, but Jason was hacking the calls and managed to find me the first time through the communication.
Not knowing how my family is doing is heart-wrenching, but it must be done. Jason can’t hurt them if he realizes that I haven’t been in touch. I feel a tear streak down my cheek, and I huff in anger. I will not cry because of him. Maybe I should confide in Hunter; maybe him and his MC will be able to keep me safe and I will be able to see my family again.
My brother and I are twins. Once upon a time, he was best friends with Jason. That was before Jason started hitting me. That relationship soured quickly after my brother suspected that Jason was abusing me. He tried to get me away from him, but he was no match for Jason’s skills. When I left, Jason threatened my mother and my brother. They had a restraining order raised against him, but that would never stop him.
The first time he found me, I got away by luck. I was working at a little café in a small town where everyone knew everyone. I was in the kitchen when I saw him walking into the café. I didn’t wait around. I grabbed my purse that luckily was in the locker in the kitchen and left through the back door where staff parked their cars.
I left everything behind that day except for my purse and the clothes I was wearing. I got into the car I bought when I ran away and left town, heading to nowhere in particular. It was just three months later that he found me again. This time I saw him coming and had enough time to get my meagre belongings and leave. I realized that he tracked me by the car I had, as someone must have told him what I was driving when he found me at that café.
At the first opportunity I found, I sold the car, caught a bus to the city, and bought another second-hand car. I stayed in the city until a week ago when I started feeling like someone was watching me. Once again, I grabbed my meagre belongings and made my way here. At twenty-four, I’m lucky to have beautician training, and it’s something that I enjoy doing, allowing me to quickly find a job at the salon.
Maybe if I confide in Hunter, he will be able to somehow keep me safe. All I want is to not have to run, and to be able to talk to my family again. Suddenly, I hear a noise just outside my door. My heart starts racing. Did he find me again so soon? Sliding out of bed, I tiptoe towards the door, my hands now clammy as I fear what I might find on the other side of the door. Placing my hand on the door handle, I take a deep breath. I’m most probably being paranoid, but I must check.
Yanking the door open, I freeze. Lying on the floor right in front of my door is the biggest dog I have ever seen. When he raises his head and looks around at me, I take a step back. Umm, he isn’t a dog. He’s a darn wolf. He continues to lie there, just staring at me. The fear that I felt slowly dissipates when I realize that he’s tame. “You scared me,” I whisper, which has him inclining his head as if listening to my words.
“What are you doing outside my door?” I want to pat him, but I’m still not sure he won’t turn around and take a chunk out of my hand. He has the gentlest eyes, his eyes betraying the feral beast that I’m sure he can be. Suddenly, an image of Hunter comes to mind, and I shake my head. That man seems to be taking over my every thought.
“Are you standing guard at my door, boy?” Slowly, I approach. If he shows his teeth, I’m so running and locking myself in the bathroom. I keep a close eye, but he doesn’t move. I lean down, my hand moving ever so slowly until my fingers are touching his silky fur. “Oh, you’re so nice and soft,” I murmur as I start stroking his beautiful shiny brown fur. His eyes close in pleasure, a grunt coming out of him.
“You like that, don’t you, boy?” For some reason, knowing that he’s here outside my door gives me peace. He lowers his head to his paws as I start to stroke his head. I sit on the carpeted floor and lean against him as I continue to stroke him. He’s so comforting that I feel like I could do this the whole night, but soon, I will have to get up and go try to sleep. “You’re such a good boy,” I murmur as I lean my head against his big furry body. Closing my eyes, I feel his body rise and fall as he breathes, hearing his heartbeat lulling a calmness over me.
The next thing I know, I am waking up in bed, the sun shining in through the window. How did I get into bed? Did I dream about the wolf last night? No, it was too real to be a dream, but how did I get into bed? I don’t remember coming to bed. Looking around, I look for any vestige of anyone having been in the room, but there is none. Strange. Sitting up in bed, I shake my head. I must have gotten up and come to bed sometime during the night and don’t remember. Thank goodness I closed the door. Standing, I walk towards the door and open it quietly, but my wolf has gone. There is nothing there, no sign that he was even there last night.
Closing the door again, I walk towards my bag and take out my clothes for the day. I will ask Mrs. Pic at breakfast about him. After dressing in a low-cut pair of jeans and a black tank top, I head downstairs.
“Good morning, dear.”
“Morning.”
“How did you sleep? I heard you coming in late last night,” she says with a smile. Mrs. Pic seems like that person in town who knows everything about everyone.
“I slept quite well, thank you. I also met your wolf.”
She frowns. “My wolf? What wolf are you talking about, dear?”
“I’m sure there was a wolf outside my bedroom door last night.”