8. Amethyst
Eight
Amethyst
T he gravel of my driveway crunches under the tires as I throw the Jeep in park. Dropping my head against the steering wheel, I let out a frustrated growl. Skyler is a fucking wolf shifter. It’s ridiculous to even let this bother me. I’ve only known the man for two days.
Two days that have made me feel emotions I didn’t know were real.
I am fucked. Everything I told myself about leaving romance behind, to only find a human partner, instantly gone out the window. From the first moment we met, I felt drawn to Skyler.
Then when he caught me today, no hesitation as his strong arms wrapped around me... that touch ignited me. Like my bones had been encased in ice, needing the fire of his touch to melt it away.
Every nerve in my body came alive on that sidewalk — including the ones between my legs. A sudden wave of sadness falls over me. Would I be able to give myself to him in that way? Could I ever trust someone else with my body again?
The warmth in my chest screams that I can trust any and every part of me with him . The thought of him harming me feels wrong. I don’t fully understand it, but subconsciously I just know he’s different. He’s special to me, even having known him for such a short time.
That pesky, perceptive part of me declares Skyler will protect me. Trusting him is a certainty written in stone. But even stone can crumble under the right circumstances; I argue with my optimism.
I wish I had paid closer attention to my social studies teacher.
We were taught about shifters, primarily wolves as they’re most common.
I know they tend to live in packs, but it isn’t required.
They are fiercely loyal, especially to their romantic partners.
Perhaps him being a wolf is not such a bad thing…
Ding.
My phone lights up with a text. Skyler.
Biting the nail of my thumb, I suddenly believe in fate ten times over.
Does he know I’m thinking of him? Does he think of me too?
There was desire painted in his eyes when he held me in his arms. It was almost like I could feel his heart beating in my mind, could feel how his body rejoiced, just like mine.
If everything about this is wrong, why does it feel perfectly right?
The sun has almost disappeared beneath the trees, the last rays casting the hazy glow of dusk. Sliding a finger across the phone screen, I bring up the message.
Skyler
The store number is 0349 Sunlight. Sorry I was late sending. I hope you are enjoying your evening. -Bitch Boy
A smile takes over my face, and I embrace the giggle that escapes.
Maybe I’m giving this too much thought and letting my anxiety get the best of me.
Skyler makes me laugh; he makes me feel safe.
That’s enough for now. If there’s meant to be more for us, I want it to happen naturally, at our own pace.
Still grinning like a fool, I pull up the app store and download Lineup. Logging in just how Skyler told me and tapping on the calendar icon, assuming it will show the schedule. I pull the phone closer to my face to read the smaller text.
It looks like Skyler and Nitasha will be with me again in the morning. Then I’m off the next day. Making a mental note to write that all down later, I take a quick screenshot.
My fingers glide across the keyboard, eager to respond.
Amethyst
I guess I’ll let your lack of promptness slide this time. Is it bad to say I think I’d be enjoying my evening more if I was still at work? Looks like I’ll see you 8 a.m. sharp again. Also please stop calling yourself bitch boy. I prefer Angel.
My stomach growls, interrupting my pining. I slip my phone in my back pocket and hop out of the Jeep hoping for two things. One, Mom has food. Two, that Skyler thinks I’m half as amusing as I find myself.