See. This is exactly why I don’t talk to people.
Chapter Six
Afewhourslater,I’m standing on the front porch of Logan and Shiloh’s house, staring at the ominous front door as though it’s likely to eat me. My friends are very kind people to allow me to stay with them, but in no way shape or form, do I want to sleep in a house with a newly married couple who can barely stop fucking long enough to say I do. Hell to the no.
Sighing, I spin on my heel and head for a late-night walk, needing to clear my thoughts before I can even consider finding somewhere else to sleep. I’m not worried. It’s a warm night, and a comfy hammock on the deck has been calling my name since yesterday.
A short time later, I realize I’ve wound up in the quiet, thick forest. Moonlight spills through the heavy tree cover, illuminating the ground enough to give me a clear path to walk. I breathe deeply, inhaling the heady pine smell that carries on the wind like a Christmas candle. It’s seriously beautiful out here. I can understand why Logan’s family chose this property to build their futures on.
As I walk, I try to sort out the jumbled mess inside my head. I’m stuck between thoughts of my conversation with Shiloh last night. Mark, Oscar, and…him.
All throughout the wedding tonight, my mind kept flitting back to the man from yesterday. I genuinely don’t understand what it was about him that captivated me so much. His overall appearance was nerdy and shy, which is definitely not my usual type. Yes, his face was beautiful and okay, yeah, his eyes could literally incinerate a person’s soul, but damn. My body reacted to him as though he was our God and I was his willing flock, ready to do his bidding.
I’m not immune to hot men. I know it’s been a long time since I’ve gotten laid, but I’ve been on dates. I’ve been to clubs and danced with strange men. I’ve enjoyed their company over the years, but I’ve never taken the next step with any of them. Not because I’m a prude, but because they’ve just never turned me on enough to tempt fate. Why fuck someone who can’t even get my pussy wet? No thanks.
But for some strange reason, two minutes in the presence of his piercing clear-blue eyes and a smirk that could bring a nun to her knees and I’m in a constant state of arousal. I sigh, shaking my head. It’s pointless to worry about the man. I’m probably never going to see him again.
Branches rustling in the wind, crickets chirping, and an owl cooing in the distance is like a soundtrack to my tumultuous thoughts. A loud crack behind me causes me to stumble over my feet. I freeze, my ears perking up as I listen for any other noises. A strong gust of wind blows, sending the loose sleeves of my dress fluttering. The scent of pine, dirt and something else fills my nose. My brows furrow. It smells less like Christmas trees and more like—is that smoke?
I spin in place, my eyes searching the darkness for whatever caused that sound and the new scent that’s filling my lungs. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and a shiver works its way up my spine. Another snap echoes through the forest, this time it’s to my left and much closer. Anticipation and fear swirl through my gut in an instant.I’m not alone out here. My heartbeat picks up in my chest. My previous contemplative calm is now being overshadowed by the knowledge that someone is watching me.
My hands twitch, sliding down my thighs. I slowly grab the flowing chiffon dress and clutch the material in my fists. I hike it up inch by inch, preparing myself to run if I need to. My breathing picks up, turning to a shaky, silent pant. I squeeze my dress hard enough that my fingers begin to tremble. Which way is the house? Shit, I was so caught up in my thoughts I hadn’t been paying attention at all.
You’re so stupid, Rayvn. This is exactly what happens in horror movies. The idiot chick who runs into the woods instead of jumping into the car always dies first.
The unmistakable crunch of leaves beneath heavy feet sends a zing of adrenaline surging through my body, and I take off like a fucking rocket. In an instant, I’m kicking my brand new, after-wedding sandals off. Despite my fear, a tendril of irritation runs through.Those things were cute as hell. The hammering organ in my chest works overtime, pumping blood through my body so rapidly my fingertips begin to pulse with an echo of my heartbeat.
My head snaps over my shoulder as my feet continue to pound along the dirt trail. My eyes search the darkness behind me, finding absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. My brows furrow, but I ignore the little voice in my head telling me I made it all up. It’s the goosebumps on my skin and the deep sensation of not being alone that are enough to have me telling the voice to get fucked. Something is chasing me, there is no doubt about it. Whatever that sound was, combined with the primal flight reaction, caused a massive flood of adrenaline to shoot through my body. It’s intoxicating.
The shifting of my thighs rubbing together beneath my dress tell me that adrenaline isn’t the only thing flooding my body right now. My attention zeros in on my clit like a moth to a flame, and I’m surprised when I find it needy and throbbing.
Jesus, Ray. You’re so fucked up.
Looking forward, I see the bright lights from the cleanup crew at Shiloh’s coming into view. I pick up my pace, relishing in the heady waves of fear and excitement coursing through my veins.I feel alive. I smile at myself, knowing it’s a ridiculous notion to enjoy, but shit, when your existence is as boring and mediocre as my own, a hit of adrenaline is equivalent to a line of coke.
I break through the tree line, my feet finally hitting the lush, dewy grass instead of the punishing dirt path. I glance over my shoulder just in time to catch a tall, shadowy figure turning away from me and disappearing back into the darkness. My heart lodges itself in my throat, and my eyes widen as the realization that I’d been right, jolts through me.Holy shit.Someone was really following me…No, chasing me.
My body slams into something hard, causing a shrill shriek to fly through my lips. My head snaps forward just as large hands grip my shoulders, steadying me. My heart is fluttering like a hummingbird, and my body sways left and right as I try to catch my breath. Looking up, I lock eyes with a concerned Charlie.
“Everything okay,” he grunts, his eyes flicking between my face and the heavy tree line behind me. “Why were you out there?”
I stare blankly at his chest, but my eyes see nothing as the last few minutes catch up to me. My breathing finally begins to even out. The overall anxious awareness from being chased through the damn forest is still coating me like sticky tar, but I feel amped up as though I could run a marathon. I don’t know if it’s the adrenaline pumping through my veins, but it’s a feeling equivalent to a shot of epinephrine, but there is a constant buzz beneath my skin that feels a hell of a lot like electricity.
That was…
That wasamazing.
“Rayvn?” Charlie calls, rubbing my shoulders. It snaps me out of the trance-like state I’d fallen into, and finally, my eyes flicker back into focus.
“Huh?” I murmur. His brows furrow. I shake my head, clearing the cobwebby feeling away. “Sorry. I’m okay.”
He gives me a disbelieving look before glancing over my shoulder again. “Did something scare you? Hurt you?”
“Hurt me?” I ask, swallowing thickly. “Why would you ask that?” Does he know? Did he see them too? The fear swarming my insides spikes at the thought.
Charlie’s eyes drop back down to mine. He chuckles and shakes his head as his hands slide down to give my biceps a squeeze. “This is the country, Ray. There are bears and mountain lions out here. They could have mistaken your tiny footsteps for a little fox or some shit.”
Little fox?I scoff. Bears aren’t stupid. They’re apex predators. Surely, they know the difference between a full-grown woman and a tiny fox, even if both are…prey. Shit. Why do I like the sound of that so much? I roll my eyes, ignoring the far too enjoyable reaction, and bat his hands away. “I’m not an idiot,Charles,” I grit out. “I’m perfectly aware I’m not in the city right now.”