“I’m getting in a car with a stranger, going to a cabin that I’m not even sure exists,” Jo muttered, pacing back and forth in the office. “What’s come over you? You’re not usually this stupid!” Talking to herself wasn’t helping her to calm down in the slightest. What if he turned out to be some kind of killer and she ended up as one of those ‘missing person’ posters?
A car drew up and Nick got out, beckoning her over. Trying to smile, and pushing down the anxiety that was rising in her chest, Jo left the office and walked over to him. At least he was smiling.
“Do you want me to put your things in the car?”
“Oh, yeah. That would be great. Thank you.” Jo couldn’t help but watch as he quickly and easily hefted her bags from one car trunk to the other. His muscles rippled, reminding her, oddly, of the way the bear’s fur had moved as it had walked away. He was showing the same kind of strength, she supposed, dropping her gaze just as he caught hers. Rubbing her arms with icy hands, the wind whipping through her hair, she wondered how he managed to be so unaffected by the cold. Perhaps she was just extra tired. Regardless, he certainly gave off a particularly masculine vibe and that was something she could appreciate.
“You’re not cold?”
Cursing his stupidity for being so unaware, he fumbled for an excuse. “I’m used to it, I guess.” He shook his head to himself, frustrated.
“Right,” she mumbled, tugging her coat a little tighter.
Seeing her shiver, Nick tipped his head towards the door, a slightly feral grin playing around his mouth. “Why don’t you just get in?”
“Good idea.” Climbing into the front seat, Jo caught sight of Tom watching them from the workshop, looking slightly frustrated.
“I hope it’s all right for me to stay at the cabin,” she ventured, as they drove away. “I’m not putting you guys out or anything.”
“No, not at all. We’re happy to be able to give you the place,” he lied.
“Okay. Thanks.”
Nick couldn’t help but sense her wariness, seeing her slightly widened eyes and quick breathing. She was basically trusting two complete strangers, so he could understand her caution. He tried not to let the way she smelled affect his senses, forcing his eyes back on the road. Jasmine and lavender. “So, what are you planning to do in Dornwich, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Not at all,” Jo replied, still trying to calm her nerves. “I work for an Art Gallery. I have to meet a client, to try and convince him that we’re the best gallery to display his work.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s called Liberty Art. It’s in Thorpes.” She saw his mouth drop open in surprise. “Yes, I know. My boss likes to cut expenses in any way he can!”
“But that’s a three-day drive at least! Couldn’t he just have paid for a flight?”
She shrugged. “Apparently driving and staying in old motels was cheaper.”
“It can’t have been by much!” he exclaimed, driving down a slightly bumpier road.
“Yeah, I know.”
Nick blew out a long breath, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "I reckon your boss should start treating his employees a little better," he growled, his lip curling. The bear started to growl, but he forced it to be silent.
Jo glanced at him, surprised at the fierce expression on his face and the steely glint in his eyes. His frustration for her, over how she was being treated, made her feel almost glad that she’d hung up on Brian. She did deserve better, didn’t she? "Maybe I will treat this as a vacation after all," she muttered.
"That sounds good to me." Settling the bear's fury, telling it that they couldn’t do anything to her boss, Nick concentrated on the road. Pulling up to the small cabin, he caught Jo's quiet ‘thank goodness'. He grinned, relieved that his anger was gone and the bear quiet. "Turns out I'm not a serial killer after all."
“I wasn’t thinking that,” she retorted, the redness in her cheeks giving her lie away almost immediately.
He said nothing, just flashed her another wide grin before turning off the ignition and getting out of the car.
The cabin was certainly rustic. Encircled by trees on three sides and a clear view of the road on the fourth side, it was entirely surrounded by beautiful sights, sounds, and smells. Jo took in a huge breath, appreciating the scent of pine. "This looks amazing."
“It’s not much,” he commented, handing her the key. “But it does us on the weekends, when we want…a few days away from town. Please, go on up. I’ll get your bags.”
Taking the key from him, Jo tried not to feel the electricity that shot up her arm as their fingers brushed. Climbing the three short wooden steps, she unlocked the door and make her way inside.
The sight made her catch her breath. The log cabin was absolutely stunning. The first level had comfortable sofas and chairs surrounding a fire, and on the other side sat a table, chairs and almost an entire kitchen! Walking a little further in, Jo discovered a tiny reading corner, partially hidden by an entire wooden cabinet of books. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be readers, she thought to herself. Climbing the wooden staircase to the second level, she spotted two beds in two small rooms, with a bathroom in the middle. The entire cabin was both practical and beautiful. She hadn’t expected anything like this!
“What do you think?” Nick’s voice echoed through the cabin and she came down the stairs to greet him. His eyes flared as he watched her stunned expression, her eyes filled with surprise. He liked that she was happy.
“This is absolutely beautiful!” She cocked an eyebrow at him, her hand on her hip. “Are you sure you’re charging me full price?”
Nick wanted to smooth a finger over that eyebrow but stuck his hands in his pockets instead. “Don’t worry about that, I’m just glad you like it. Listen, I’ve put your bags at the door and I’m going to head straight back to help Tom with your car.” He glanced away for a moment, before looking back. “I was wondering if you’d like some dinner later? I mean, the refrigerator has plenty of things in it, but there’s a fantastic Chinese takeout in town.”
He licked his lips, as though unsure about what he’d just said, throwing her a quick glance. There was something flickering in his eyes, and Jo was sure it wasn’t just a hunger for Chinese food.
"I guess so," Jo replied, after a second of hesitation. "That would be nice." No matter how much her inner warning light was flashing, Jo simply couldn't turn down the offer of spending more time with this man. Ignoring her worries, Jo watched as that feral smile crept over Nick's face, his gray eyes flashing with a sudden new light. His nose twitched as he listed off some of the takeout's best dishes, making her smile. "Why don't you choose for me?" she asked, trying a coy smile. "I'm sure whatever you choose will be…delicious." Glancing at him as he grinned at her, she looked away, heat creeping into her cheeks. That word could easily be used to describe him.
His body tensed, fighting the urge to sweep her into his arms right there and then. Settling the bear, he glanced up at her. “There’s wine somewhere, as well,” he said, forcing himself to walk towards the door. “Make yourself right at home. I’ll be back later.”
"See you later." Jo couldn't help but watch him walk away, his entire body rippling. He slammed the door, calling an apology before his footsteps faded. It was as though he kept forgetting that he was strong, or something. Remembering to lock the door behind him, Jo wanted to hug herself with satisfaction. This place was amazing and she couldn't believe that she'd almost turned down the opportunity to stay here.
"And he's coming back tonight," she murmured, walking over to the window and seeing him climb into the car. The man was practically a giant next to her, strength in every sinew of his body. Giggling as she watched him slam the car door shut, she wondered why he didn't seem to feel the biting wind. "Maybe his muscles keep him warm," she joked aloud, hoping she'd be able to get another look at what lay under his shirt. To her surprise, his head whipped around and he caught her gaze from through the window. A dangerous smile spread across his face as he waved at her as the car pulled away, but she didn't wave back. Standing back from the window, she felt the heat in her cheeks. "He didn’t hear you say that,” she said to herself, trying to calm her frantic heart. “Stop being ridiculous.”
“I don’t like this,” Tom grumbled, the moment Nick got back. “It’s too dangerous for her and for you!”
“Don’t be stupid,” Nick insisted, pulling on his gloves. “If anyone – or anything – approaches, they’re going to know that she’s human. Why would they go near her?”
“What if they use her to get to you?”
Nick growled in frustration, his body tensing. “Why would they? We’ve not seen any of them for a long time. Jo’s just someone we’re helping out anyway.” His hands itched, his tension rising. He wanted to shift, to battle it out with his brother. Talking never did either of them any good.
“That’s because they’ve gone to try to work on how to get to you. They said they would be back.”
“Will you just drop it? We’re both alpha bears, remember? We can protect ourselves!”
Tom said nothing, struggling to keep his own anger under control. He could sense his brother’s frustration, his warning to stay away from him. Silently, he went back to work.
Since childhood, Tom and Nick had known that they were from a shifter family. The ability to shift had started when they were young – about the same time as they’d started to walk - but it had taken years to master. Now both of them could shift at will and were comfortable in both their skins.
Because they were from a long line of alphas, it had made them both prime targets for other bear packs but Nick and Tom had always refused. When they were young, their dad had sat them down and explained their responsibilities. They were to keep their shifting abilities secret, protected. Humans wouldn’t understand, he’d told them. Their dad had rightly predicted that others would want them in their pack. Alphas were good for fighting and for dominance. Both Tom and Nick had made a promise to never join a new pack. They would stick together, and that was all they would need. So far, their refusals had never caused problems, but now one pack had made it clear they weren’t going to accept it.
“Stop worrying,” Nick grunted, seeing Tom’s grim face. “They haven’t been back for a long time. If anything happens to Jo or the cabin, the security camera will let me know.”
“Fat lot of good that’ll do her, if you’re here and she’s there.”
“I’ll run fast,” Nick retorted, impatiently. “Anyway, I’m going back tonight.”
Tom’s eyebrows lifted so high they almost disappeared into his hair. “You are?” His voice grew louder, brimming with anger. “Why?”
“I said I’d bring her dinner.” Despite his attempt at nonchalance, Nick still had to clear his throat as a slow flush crept into his cheeks.
“I see,” Tom said calmly, his fists clenching. “And am I getting to come along?”
“You can if you want to,” Nick replied, without missing a beat. “We’re getting Chinese.”