by Calista Fox
She didn't enter the house while he was in it, so he knew he'd have to entice her inside. The smell of a warm fire emitting from the chimney ought to do it, but just to be sure, he opened a bottle of her Shiraz and poured a glass.
Stepping back into the carport he held up the glass and said, “I swear you're safe with me. Bring the tire iron if it makes you feel better."
"I can't.” Her voice was small and meek, not at all as forceful as it had been earlier.
Garrett narrowed his gaze on her. “Why not?"
She drew in a deep breath, then said, “You've scared the crap out of me, you jerk. And I'm freezing to death. So now my legs are trembling so bad, I can't move."
Garrett couldn't help but smile. She was feisty and spirited even when she was frightened. He'd known he'd like her.
Setting the glass of wine on the dryer, he crossed to where she still stood, her back still against the corner beam. Knowing it would put her at ease, he raised his hands in the air again.
When he was close enough to her that their bodies were almost touching, he looked deep into her blue eyes and said, “I'm not going to hurt you. Not tonight. Not ever."
Her lips quivered. She tried to hold his gaze, tried to appear brazen. But he could see she was terrified. And confused.
One hand lowered and gently grazed her wet cheek. She sucked in a breath, as though she felt the jolt to the core of her being. The way he did.
"Tell me,” she said on a sharp whisper. “Where'd the dog go?"
"I've already told you,” he said, trying to keep his voice low and even. “There was no dog."
Her eyes squeezed shut. Her jaw clenched. She was trying to keep her temper on an even keel, he could tell.
Garrett let out a low sigh. He had no choice but to tell her the truth. She'd find out soon enough anyway. “It wasn't a dog that you helped. It was ... a wolf."
Her eyes flew open and she stared at him in shocked disbelief. “A wolf?” She shook her head vehemently. It moved from side to side against the thick beam. “No. I mean, come on. No way in hell would a wolf let me get that close to him. He would've bitten me—or torn my throat out."
"Not this wolf,” he said as he continued to look deep into her eyes. He felt an unfamiliar stirring, one that worked its way through his entire being and caressed his soul. Garrett knew Serena Lamond was destined to be his mate. Convincing her of that wouldn't be easy, though. “He knew you were trying to help him."
Her mouth continued to quiver and her body trembled. Still, she made no move to go inside where it was warm and dry. And safe. “Did he—it—jump out of the back of the truck on the way here?” She nodded. “Yes, of course. That's what happened."
Garrett slowly shook his head. “No, Serena. That's not what happened."
Her eyes widened. “How do you know my name?"
Still trying to remain unthreatening, he said, “I've lived in Silver my whole life. I know everyone."
She only contemplated his answer for a moment before obviously accepting it. Then she said, “What happened to the lightning?"
Her question took Garrett by surprise. So much so that he wasn't quite sure what to say.
Serena continued on, her voice a bit shaky as her teeth started to chatter. “It's still raining buckets and the thunder continues to rumble. But ever since I stopped my truck for the ... dog ... there's been no lightning. Considering how intense it was previously, this is a little weird."
He nodded. “The electrical storm passed."
She crooked an eyebrow at him. “It passed?” Glancing up at the cloudy sky, she added, “Hardly."
"Look, I can explain everything to you. But we should talk inside. It's not safe out here."
Her gaze shifted to him. “What do you mean?"
"Serena, there are things about Silver you don't know. Please ... come inside with me."
Suddenly, she demanded, “How did you know it was a wolf? In the back of my truck? You were unconscious and ... and...” She shook her head. “It was gone when you came to, so ... how the hell do you know it was a wolf?"
His jaw tightened. More than anything, he wanted to make this easy on her. He didn't want to scare her half to death with truths she was clearly unwilling—unable—to accept right now. But there were evil machinations brewing in Silver that she knew nothing about. And every moment that passed was a wasted opportunity to set things right.
Garrett needed to get her inside.
Garrett needed to make love to her, claim her as his own. Before his enemies got to her first. Before Braeden attacked her...
The time for delicacy had passed. He reached out and clasped her wrist with his hand. She flinched, but didn't pull away. Her eyes, however, grew large and questioning.
"Come inside,” he coaxed. “And I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"Everything?” she whispered.
He nodded. “And I promise you'll be safe."
Suddenly, the low snarl of wolves drifted on the cool night air. Garrett knew time was running out.
Serena shifted, moving away from the column and toward him, her body still shaking. “What's going on? What the hell is this?"
Garrett's jaw clenched for a moment.
"Mating season."
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High Voltage: Chapter 4
Serena slipped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. The electricity was still out, so she carried a candle with her and set the votive holder on the vanity. She yanked the band from her ponytail and used a towel to dry her long hair as well as possible. Then she stripped down and dried her shivering body before pulling on socks and the navy blue sweatpants she'd brought with her. She dragged the silver-colored, satin and lace camisole—the first piece of lingerie she could snatch from her dresser—over her head and then followed it with her favorite heather grey NYU sweatshirt.
Taking a few moments to compose herself, she stared at her reflection in the mirror over the small vanity. What she saw was a hint of fear mixed with intense confusion.
Lord was she confused! Serena couldn't make heads or tails of the events that had transpired this evening.
In part, she wondered if she'd simply imagined some of the bizarre coincidences. But then her sensible side assured her she hadn't.
But what did it all mean?
She'd rescued what she'd believed to be an injured dog. Yet in its place had been a naked man. And not just any man. A man who owned half of Silver, for Christ's sake. And the dog hadn't really been a dog. It'd been a...
Wolf.
Serena swallowed down a lump of uncertainty as she stepped away from the mirror. Unlocking the door, she passed through it, and the kitchen, and entered the living room. She lifted the glass of wine sitting on the coffee table and tried to take a sip of it, but her hand still shook, causing the red liquid to slosh over the side. Disgruntled, she set the glass back on the table and wiped her wet hand against her leg.
Garrett Slater stood by the alcove where her bed was situated. One broad shoulder was pressed against the corner beam. His powerful arms were crossed over his muscular chest. One long leg was cocked to the side, in an arrogant stance. He still wore the towel wrapped around his waist. And nothing more.
Serena tried to ignore the natural physical pull. She found it impossible not to be drawn to him. He was gorgeous, yes. But it was more than that. He emitted a primal sexuality that called to her. Serena found it damn near impossible to ignore his innate animal magnetism.
Her insides clenched tightly and the throbbing between her legs, which had subsided once she'd reached home and all of the peculiar events with Garrett had unfolded, roared to life. Serena turned away from Garrett and stared at the fire he'd built, her gaze focused on the tall, flickering flames. And nothing else. Yet a shiver chased up her spine, regardless of her efforts to clear her mind. And it wasn't because she felt chilled. It was a purely sexual reaction.
"Look,” Garrett said in his low, sensual to
ne. “I know you're ... upset. I want to help you understand."
She shook her head and let out a hollow laugh. “I don't think that's possible."
She heard him move away from the alcove and slowly approach her. Natural instincts warned her to be prepared for anything. But her heart told her something different. Although she had no concrete evidence, no real reason to come to this conclusion, Serena sensed that Garrett Slater would not hurt her. His intentions were still unclear to her, but she could honestly say she didn't fear him.
If he'd wanted to attack her, he would have done it already. He'd had ample opportunity to advance on her. Cleary, he was strong enough to overpower her. Serena knew she wouldn't stand a chance against him, whether she was armed or not.
So, then. What did he want from her?
He stood next to her, facing the fire as she did. Towering over her by a good six inches, he seemed even larger and more powerful than before. Heat emitted from his skin, seemingly caressing her own. She felt him on a physical level, despite the fact that he wasn't even touching her.
The trembling in her body subsided and the chill in her bones vanished. In fact, Serena suddenly felt warmed to the core of her being. She turned slightly and slid a glance up Garrett's well-defined torso, taking in every inch of smooth bronzed skin and sculpted muscle. Her gaze lifted to his handsome face, so artistically crafted.
God had certainly taken his time with this man, she thought.
When his emerald eyes met hers, Serena felt that curious pull again.
"You said you'd explain this strange night to me,” she said in a quiet voice. Her gaze remained locked with his. Serena was unable to look away. The intensity in his beautiful eyes drew her in. He was emotionally compelling and physically stimulating at the same time.
The corners of his tempting mouth quirked upward. “You're right. I did say that. But I lost my train of thought."
Serena's stomach took a little tumble.
No, he definitely didn't intend to hurt her. Maybe his intentions weren't one-hundred percent noble, but it was quite clear his motivation was sexual, not evil. The heated look in his shimmering eyes and the smoldering expression on his face told her Garrett Slater was attracted to her.
Another shiver tickled her spine.
"You're still cold,” he said in a low voice.
She shook her head. “Actually, I'm not.” In fact, her sweatshirt and pants suddenly felt as confining as a heavy ski suit. The material touching her skin was smothering her. What Serena really wanted was to shed every article of clothing and bask in the warmth radiating from the fire and the man standing next to her.
She felt as though she was suffocating in the thick material that covered her. Without thinking twice about it, Serena reached for the hem of the sweatshirt and yanked it over her head. Tossing the shirt toward the chair sitting adjacent to the sofa, she let out a sigh of relief. Although she now only wore a clingy camisole with her bottoms, she felt freed of the confines that had gripped her so fiercely.
"Much better,” she mumbled.
The man next to her eyed her with a wicked glint. As though he'd just realized what that earlier shiver stemmed from. Anticipation. Exhilaration. He knew her internal, innate response to him. And clearly, he liked it.
Slowly, his hand lifted and he brushed away strands of damp hair from her face. Serena sucked in a shaky breath as his warm fingers grazed her cheek. She wasn't one for reckless abandon, yet somehow, all caution had just been thrown to the wind. Serena couldn't say for sure why she suddenly felt so bold and daring, but she did. Nor could she stop herself from reaching out to the beautiful man who'd literally appeared out of nowhere this evening. As her fingertips pressed to the bare skin at his waist, just above the white towel he wore, she forgot her fear and her uncertainty. All the unanswered questions slipped from her mind, no longer holding weight or bearing significance.
Serena didn't care about the odd occurrences that had led to this moment. She didn't even question why he was here. All that mattered was that he was, indeed, here. With her.
Gliding her fingers upward in a light, feathery movement, she reveled at the way his muscles responded to her. They tightened under her touch, quivering oh-so-slightly. Serena had never felt the surge of feminine power evoked by Garrett's involuntary reaction to her. Her breathing quickened and her heart thumped a bit stronger in her chest.
Garrett's eyelids dipped as her hand splayed across one well-defined pectoral muscle. That he didn't stop her or move away told her all she needed to know. He felt the pull, too.
"I still need you to explain everything,” she whispered. Her body gravitated toward his until her skin brushed his warm flesh.
One large hand skimmed her thigh before rising higher, to her waist. It then slipped around to the small of her back and he pulled her body against his, causing an internal reaction that stole Serena's breath. Her insides clenched tightly, and that intense throbbing she'd felt earlier between her legs suddenly returned.
"I will explain,” he assured her, “I want you to understand who I am. I want you to know everything, Serena. But right now...” His head dipped and his lips brushed her temple. “All I want is you."
Serena had never been so swept away. As Garrett's arms tightened around her, holding her close to him, his lips moved from her temple to her cheek, then lower to her mouth. His warm lips just barely grazed hers. A whisper of a kiss that left her dying for more.
"You are so beautiful,” he said in a soft voice.
His breath teased her skin, heightening Serena's arousal. Her pulse suddenly raced. Her eyelids fluttered closed and her hands clutched his rock-hard biceps as Garrett's lips swept over hers again. His intimate touch made her heart flip. Not giving her a moment to assimilate to the tingly, deeply stirring emotions he elicited, his mouth pressed to hers, intensifying the sensuous feelings that welled inside her.
His lips coaxed hers apart. Sliding his tongue past her teeth, he engaged her in a hot, restless kiss that spoke volumes. It conveyed mutual lust and longing. Deep desires yet to be discovered and explored and fulfilled.
A tiny moan lodged in her throat. Garrett's hands slowly roamed her body, his fingers moving up the length of her spine, then over her bare shoulders and down her arms. Back up to her shoulders and down the front of her, his palms skimmed over her breasts, causing her nipples to pebble tight. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life as he embraced her again and pressed their bodies tightly together while deepening their kiss.
His touch was personal. As though he'd been holding her in his arms for years. And she felt every inch of him against her. His powerful thighs tangled with hers and his erection pressed against her belly. His chest rose just above her breasts, so that the globes were nestled beneath the ledge of his pectoral muscles. They fit together perfectly.
Garrett kissed her in a way she'd never been kissed before. It was hot and demanding, intensely erotic. She felt herself swimming in a sea of glorious sensations. One of his hands slid behind the waistband of her sweatpants. His fingers grazed her bare skin before sliding over the thin material of her satin panties.
He broke the kiss, but his lips brushed over her jaw and down her throat. Garrett said in a low voice, “I want to touch every inch of you, Serena. Your skin is so soft and warm.” The hand on her backside cupped one cheek and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “I want you to touch me, too. Anywhere—everywhere—you want."
She swallowed down a hard lump. His words sent a jolt of excitement through her body. Yet Serena's lack of sexual experience left her feeling uncertain and tentative.
But Garrett didn't intend to let her give into her insecurities. He looked deep into her eyes and said, “Let me see you, Serena. All of you."
Her labored breath made it difficult to speak. Or maybe it was Garrett that left her speechless.
Not hearing a protest from her, his other hand slipped beneath the waist of her pants and he pushed the thick material ov
er her hips and down her legs as he eased to his haunches before her. Serena stepped out of the pool of sweats and socks. She watched in surprise as Garrett's gaze moved slowly up her body, admiration glowing in his emerald eyes, which may as well have shot lasers from the pupils, the look he gave her was so hot. He took in every inch of her, and not just with his intense gaze. His hands slid slowly up her calves, over her knees to her thighs. His thumbs stroked the sensitive inner flesh of her legs as he gently coaxed her to open her stance.
Serena's heart thundered in her chest. Her breath came in soft pants. Every fiber of her being felt singed by his heat. A hot, restless sensation crept up on her until Serena felt she'd jump out of her skin if the fierce desire gripping her didn't subside soon.
Her hands clutched his broad shoulders to help steady herself.
"Garrett,” she said on a sharp breath. Her fingertips dug into his muscles as she sought some sort of reassurance and stability. As it was, she felt her emotions and her desire for him careen out of control.
Now on his knees before her, Garrett leaned close to her until his mouth skimmed her belly.
"Tell me this is what you want, Serena."
Her eyelids dipped. “Oh, yes,” she said without hesitation. “I do want this. All of this. All of you."
Garrett let out a long breath. She could feel his heat through the thin material of her satin camisole. All Serena wished for at that moment was to be completely naked so this man could touch her with his hands and mouth. She'd never wanted anything more in her life.
But she was uncertain as to how to convey her wishes ... her needs. Clamping down on her lower lip, she willed the right words to form in her head. She wanted to tell Garrett how he made her feel. She wanted to give her verbal consent that would allow him to do whatever he wanted to her body—all the things she'd fantasized about but had never experienced in reality. With any man.
When Garrett stood and his hands slipped under her camisole to gently stroke her skin, she held her sigh of relief in check.
