Chapter 9 #2
“Yeah, I’ll be ok.” Her voice is still quiet and there is an edge of nervousness, but I take her at her word.
Standing up with her still in my arms, I savor her nearness for a moment more before setting her back down on the couch, handing her a blanket to cover up with.
I’m almost to the kitchen when I see her motion for Beretta to get on the couch.
She hops up and curls up right next to Kinley, resting her head in Kinley’s lap.
She strokes Beretta’s head. That is a good dog; there’s a bravery that most animals don’t have when faced with danger.
I know that she would protect Kinley with her very life if need be, and for that I’m incredibly thankful.
It doesn’t take me long to find what I need to make a drink for Kinley. She doesn’t seem like the fussy cocktail type, so I go with something simple. Eyeing the very expensive single malt whiskey, I add a few ice cubes and pour a few fingers worth.
I eye my surroundings, noting the lack of security. Maybe I should ask Kinley if she will be ok coming back to my cabin tonight. We won’t be alone, but she will definitely be safer there than here. Goddess knows I want to be alone with her, but her safety’s worth the sacrifice.
Kinley is exactly where I left her when I walk back in, and I can’t help but think how lovely she is. Even with the stress of tonight, there’s a glow about her that draws me in.
I reach over the couch to hand Kinley the glass when the guys knock on the back door.
Kinley startles hard at the noise, almost spilling her drink.
Beretta raises her head and growls, the deep timber of it makes, even, me pause.
It makes me wonder what sort of person would have the balls to persist after hearing that.
She doesn’t growl for long, and they both calm seeing that it isn’t strangers.
I motion for Kinley to stay where she is as I let the guys in. I don’t want Kinley to get up; she needs to relax. The guys come in, being careful not to track dirt into the house.
Kinley takes a sip of her drink. Tasting how strong it is, she shudders, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Sorry, hun, I figured you could use something strong.”
A small shy smile graces her lips in answer.
“Did you find anything else?” I ask, turning my attention to the guys as I sit down next to Kinley. Draping my arm over her shoulder I pull her into me, hoping some of my warmth and strength can ease her fears further.
“We followed the tracks down to the road, but we didn’t see any cars or people. I don’t know what to do. Whoever was out there is long gone now.” Camden and Aiden nod in agreement with Brent.
“Kinley, would you be ok coming back to my place tonight? I don’t really trust the security here.
I know it’s a big ask, and we are still getting to know each other, but I don’t think it is safe for you here.
If that doesn’t work for you, then would it be ok if I stayed here with you? Just in case anything else happens.”
I watch her as she mulls it over. Her face is so expressive and I wish I could hear the thoughts that are running through her mind.
Did I overstep by asking her to come back to the cabin? I know human women don’t think the same way Clan women do. Will she think I’m asking for too much even suggesting I stay here? But she did call me tonight when she could have called the police. She at least trusted me enough to do that.
There is no way in hell I’m leaving her alone tonight. If she isn’t ok with either option I will shift and watch from the trees.
“Would it be weird if I stayed at your place? We just met, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to watch out for me. The fact you came out tonight is enough.”
The guys chuckle as I shake my head.
“No, it wouldn’t be weird, Kinley. There is plenty of room at my place. In the end, it is ultimately your choice, but I won’t feel good leaving you alone tonight.”
The other’s nod in agreement, and Aiden seconds my statement.
“None of us are going to be ok with leaving you by yourself tonight. Your safety is our number one priority right now. I promise that it won’t be weird for any of us if you come over.”
I see her resolve to remain distant disappear with Aiden’s words.
“I can’t leave Beretta.”
“We can always use an extra set of eyes. Especially since she has proven what an excellent guard dog she is.”
Beretta’s ears prick up and her head tilts as she studies me with an almost too perceptive gaze. Was that a hint of a nod or am I seeing things?
“ Oh thank you, Don. I would feel so much better having her with me.” Her bright smile brings my entire focus back on her.
If she keeps smiling at me like that, it’s going to be incredibly difficult for me to keep my hands off her.
It doesn’t take very long for us to pack Kinley up and get her and Beretta in my truck.
It’s a tight fit, especially now that Beretta is in the back seat with Aiden and Camden.
I make Brent drive back, and persuade Kinley that, since it is such a short drive, it will be ok if she sits in my lap.
A part of me feels like I’m taking advantage of her vulnerability, but my beast and I are very much in agreement that we crave her closeness.
The cabin is still dark when we pull up. We left in a hurry to get to Kinley and didn’t even bother turning on any lights as we rushed to dress and get to the truck. We all have decent night vision.
Holding Kinley’s hand, I lead her up the porch steps and into my cabin. I guess you can’t really count it as a cabin—it’s more like a lodge due to its size. With five bedrooms and over three-thousand square feet, it’s a decent-sized lake house.
I flip on a light switch, letting warm light fill the space. The guys and Beretta trail in behind us as Kinley takes in the massive living and kitchen area. By her look of awe, I can tell she loves it just as much as I do, but I also see how tired she is.
“Come on, I’ll show you where you can sleep tonight. I’ll give you a tour in the morning.”
Don leads me down a long hallway, the walls are lined with lightly stained reclaimed wood and black and white photos of nature scenes are hung periodically. One striking image of a large cascading waterfall catches my eye, and I pause.
“I’ll have to take you there someday. It’s even more beautiful in person.” Donovan’s voice whispers against my neck as he takes in the photo with me. I shiver, and with a slight turn of my head, my lips brush his beard-covered jaw. He’s so much closer than I thought. ”Did you take these?”
His lip quirks up and his eyes twinkle, but he’s still gazing at the photograph. “Yeah, most of the photos here I’ve taken over the years. It’s one of my few hobbies, kept me out of trouble when I was deployed.”
My hand cups his face, tilting him towards me.
Everytime I learn something new about him I have this urge to connect on an even deeper level, like I won’t be satisfied until I’ve discovered all of him.
I press my lips to his. It’s just a brief kiss, but I just had to.
His smile is bright and there is a tenderness in his eyes that makes my heart beat just a little faster.
His fingers twine with mine and he pulls me down the rest of the hall and up a black metal staircase.
This mix of wood and metal makes his house feel edgy, but it still has a warmth that is welcoming.
I think I love it even more than Megan’s.
Don opens up a set of large wooden double doors, the only ones on this floor, and gestures for me to enter after he flips on the lights.
As soon as I walk in I know this is his room, his masculine scent fills the space.
The ceiling is vaulted making the room feel even larger.
The wood paneling behind the massive bed is painted a dark charcoal grey and there is a large stone fireplace on the adjacent wall bracketed by floor to ceiling windows.
I bet the view in the morning is amazing. I turn to look at him questioningly.
“Is this your room?”
“Yes, I figured you can sleep in here so you won’t have to wait for me to make up a bed.”
“Um, and where are you sleeping?”
Donovan didn’t seem like the type of guy to pull the one bed card, and I don’t even really know if I would protest too much. I want to be close to him, but it’s too soon, right?
He chuckles, his eyes glittering with humor.
“I’m going to be downstairs, the first door on the left.”
How is it possible that I could be both relieved and disappointed with that answer?
Because I am, and it confuses the hell out of me.
Tonight has been a roller coaster, that’s for damn sure, so I guess I should be grateful that he isn’t the type of guy to take advantage of my weakened emotional state.
But I really freaking want to cuddle and not be alone.
I guess I will have to settle for being surrounded by the pillows and sheets that smell like him.
If he notices my inner turmoil he chooses not to comment on it. He stays close to the doorway. Is he holding himself back, too?
“There is a bathroom through that door,” he gestures to a slightly ajar door to my left, “Feel free to snoop, and try to get some rest. I know it’s been a stressful night, but I promise you’ll feel a little better after some sleep.
If you need anything, holler; one of us will come running. You’re safe here, Kinley.”
Before I can think about it and lose my nerve, I step close to him and wrap my arms tightly around his middle.
“Thank you for everything tonight.”
He wraps his arms around me, squeezing slightly.
“Thank you for trusting me enough to call me. I know we just met, but I will do anything to keep you safe.”
He is so warm and his words are so sweet that a tear almost spills from my eye. I’m still scared, but being here in his arms and his house makes the fear ebb to a manageable level. He gently releases me and gives me a nudge towards the bed.