Beverly Rae [Wild Things 03] Clawed [Samhain] (pdf)

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Chloe, would you come with me?
She hesitated again, and hated herself for doing so, then nodded. Easing out of his hug, she looked
into Conan s face, then took his hand and squeezed. All right.
Conan returned her squeeze. Give us some time. Okay, guys?
Billy and Nina murmured their agreement as she let Conan lead her into the woods.
Where are you taking me? To the pond? She quickened her pace not only to keep up with him but
in her eagerness to reach the place where they d made love and she d felt closest to him.
The place where he d shown her what he was. Her mind not on the path in front of her but on the
memory of his body changing almost sent her stumbling to her knees, but Conan caught her, his strong
arms swinging her back onto her feet.
It ll be safer and faster this way. Lifting her off the ground, he tucked one arm under her thighs, the
other wrapped around her torso. She locked her hands behind his neck, her excitement heightening. Making
sure she was securely in his arms, Conan broke into a run.
Oh, my God. She cuddled into his chest even as she rocked up and down with every step. She
listened, expecting to hear his heart doing double-time. Instead, it was as though the run with her in his
arms didn t affect him.
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Beverly Rae
Flashes of light flickered over her as they raced through the forest, into small clearings, then back into
denser foliage. His body tilted forward as they moved in an ever-increasing incline up the hillside. She
glanced around, watching the trees around them flow by until sunshine blinded her.
Conan grunted as he jumped over several rocks to land near the mouth of a small cave. She brushed
the hair away from her face as he lowered her to the ground, then took her hand.
Wait. We re going in there?
We are. He paused and regarded her as though only now realizing she might object to entering the
dark recesses of the mountain. It s not as scary as you might think.
Although she opened her mouth to refuse, she couldn t resist the gleam in his eyes. If she turned him
down, would he ever want to show her anything ever again? I ll take your word for it. But what is this
place?
A rare grin brightened his face. It s my home away from home.
She peered into the entrance and tried to imagine sleeping there. Billy told us you were staying in a
cave, but still&
Seems Billy s been flapping his mouth quite a bit lately. I should ve known he would. Most were-
coyotes have a hard time keeping secrets.
Chloe took a deep breath and started into the darkness. Okay, then. Show me.
Conan bent forward to keep from bumping his head against the top of the entrance and led her inside.
Chloe paused to let her eyes adjust to the dim light, then scanned the interior. A small duffle bag sat against
the wall, and two beds made of leaves and twigs lay on either side of a campfire pit. She walked around the
small area, taking in the lingering smell of a recent fire mixed with the familiar aroma of Conan.
This is it? This is all you have?
Conan shrugged. What did you expect? A flat-screen television?
No, but& She knelt down to pat the nearest makeshift bed. Hmm. This is softer than I would ve
thought.
Conan moved to her and squatted beside her. Try it.
She snorted, then closed her hand over her mouth. Me?
Why not?
Why not? Curious, she sat on the bed, her legs crossed in front of her. Hey, not bad.
Not bad at all. Conan sat down beside her, taking the rest of the bed. His arm brushed hers, a
movement both intimate and comforting.
You frightened me. She needed to repeat what she d said earlier. If only to stress how much he had.
I know. I m sorry you saw that part of me.
The bear part?
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Clawed
He waited a long time before answering her. No. You would ve needed to see the animal part of me
again at some point. I m sorry you saw the violent side of me. Of either side of me.
She sighed, her body slumping against his. Then why didn t you stay a man? You could have
stopped him without changing. Now he s seen you. Now he knows.
I couldn t help myself. When I saw his hands around your neck, I just reacted. He touched his
fingertips to her neck, then yanked them away when she winced at the pain. The bruises are already
showing.
Great. And me without a scarf. Her attempt at humor fell flat.
Hardness overtook his face. I wish I could have kept him from& To see the marks he left& He
clenched his teeth. Hell, I still want to tear him apart.
She jerked away from him, her heart picking up speed. That s what scares me. That s why you
scared me. I thought you were going to kill him.
I wish I had.
Chloe clutched her pillow to her chest. No, stop. I m still afraid.
Of him? He blinked, suddenly grasping what she d meant. Of me?
The hurt on his face brought an apology to her lips, but she held back. Yes, of you. Tell me. Do you
have control when you re in your altered form? Can you stop yourself from acting the way a wild animal
would? How can I trust that you won t get angry, change and hurt someone I love? Or me?
He reached out for her, but she leaned away. Determination tightened his jaw, and he tried again, this
time cupping her behind the neck to pull her closer. You can trust me because I say you can.
Other men, including Roger, have said I could trust them. She sat rigid in his grasp. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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