I’m pacing back and forth across my living room, running through everything that has happened. I haven’t spoken since Rabbit Man had revealed he’s the White Rabbit from the story books. The bombshell had sent me into a massive thinking cloud, forcing me to contemplate everything I’ve learned. I frequently look over at White during my pacing. He’s watching me in amusement, the corners of his silver eyes crinkled. Every so often, he looks at the watch on his wrist and studies the face.

I’m between being horrified with everything that’s happening and being in awe at the possibilities these events have opened up for me. Of course, there have been scientists who talk about wormholes, other dimensions, and all that. And I’ve seen plenty of sci-fi shows and read plenty of books that talk of such things. Did I ever expect to meet someone who was a character from one of those books? Hell, no! And who claimed the white rabbit was just a rabbit in a waistcoat? They are completely wrong. Someone needs to know that the white rabbit turns into a drop dead gorgeous man. And how can I have been so lucky to have that same man currently looking me up and down in appreciation as I pace across the carpet? His eyes on me send goosebumps racing along my arms, making me extremely aware of just how attractive he is. It’s infuriating.

He shrugs off his waistcoat and sets it to the side, the blood stain making the green a dark-brown color where it touched. I’m sad to see the stain. I would have to attempt to wash it out for him later. But for now, I can’t seem to keep my eyes off of the delectable muscles revealed. His body is extremely well defined, his skin perfectly smooth. He’s sitting on the couch in his brown leather pants and nothing else save for a tiny chain with a weird symbol on the end of it. I can’t help but notice the tattoos the waistcoat had hidden, intricate designs etched into his back and across his shoulders and chest, all in white ink. I make out the image of a clock and filigree scrollwork before I give in to my urge to pace.

“I like your hair.”

I stop pacing and look at him. He has a smile on his face as he sits with languid calmness, his legs spread in a way that puts him on display. Even his bare feet are sexy. I fight the urge to growl at the unfairness of it. Why does he have to be so beautiful? It’s making it difficult to concentrate.

I unconsciously smooth down my curls, knowing they have to be a mess after everything that has happened. The red curls have a mind of their own. I squish down the feeling of glee at his words. I need to focus, get some answers. What is the White Rabbit doing in California? How had he ended up as a test subject?

“What do I call you?” I ask, moving closer to him. I force my eyes to focus on his rather than the amount of skin on display.

“Most people call me White. Here, I go by Alistair White. I liked when you called me W in the lab, but you can call me whatever you choose as long as it’s me you’re talking to.”

“You were just a rabbit then. Not a person.”

“They’re one and the same. You just knew me in one form before the other.”

I sigh and rub my forehead.

“Okay, White. I have a lot of questions for you.”

He smiles.

“I have no doubt that you do. Your brilliant mind is likely running around in circles.”

I fight the blush that threatens to climb my neck at his compliment and worry my bottom lip, trying to decide where to start.

“How did you end up in the lab?” I ask.

“I had this feeling that I needed to be there. When I meandered around the doors, Dylan grabbed me and took me inside. I could have escaped any time, but I felt like I was where I needed to be. So, I stayed.”

“You went through all that pain for a feeling?” I shake my head. “And then I came along and stole you.”

“You saved me,” he grins wide. “Like my very own knight in shining armor.”

A chuckle slips past my lips at his words, and I sigh.

“So much has happened. And I’m still trying to process it all. I was just threatened and almost attacked by the coworker I completely thought the safer of the two, only for the rabbit I saved from the lab to turn into a man and kill him.” I meet White’s eyes and hold his gaze. “I’m done for. I’m going to be arrested and deemed criminally insane if I say a word of that to the cops.”

White stands from his position on the couch and steps towards me.

“You can always come with me.” He glances at his watch. “I’m afraid I’m quite late.”

I scoff. “Seriously? I’m worried about going to jail for murder, and you’re worried about the time?”

His eyes snap to mine again, a fire in their depths that I haven’t seen before.

“I wasn’t going to let the idiot hurt you, Jupiter. I won’t apologize for how I handled the situation, and I feel no remorse. You have no idea what he planned to do to you.”

“How do you know? Maybe he was bluffing.” I know that for the lie it is, but still I say it. I just need to understand the entire situation before I decide what to do. If I don’t call the cops soon, there will be too much suspicion on me. I’d most certainly go to jail. There is no proof against Josh.

White’s eyes go hard at my words.

“It’s amazing the things people tell animals when they think they can’t repeat it,” he says, his fists clenching at his side.

“What?” I ask, dumbfounded by the fierceness I see in his eyes. I knew he had a rough beauty before, but with that fire swirling in silver, I can imagine him suddenly with a sword and armor.

White begins to stalk towards me, his muscles rippling with the movement. I gulp and step backwards, away from the intensity. My back hits the wall, preventing my escape, and he stops right in front of me, so close, there’s only an inch between our bodies. I look up into those molten eyes, my fingers twitching, the urge to touch so strong I have to fight it. My breath stutters. His body heat soaks in through my t-shirt and jeans, shooting my awareness of him even higher.

“Do you know what he told me, Jupiter?” I don’t answer, but he doesn’t seem to be waiting for one. “He planned on keeping you, the new woman with no friends in the city and no family to miss her. You’re an easy target. Any ideas what he wanted to do once he had you?”

Suddenly, I don’t think I want to know. Not those details. I know they’re going to be bad.

“Don’t,” I whisper. “Don’t tell me.”

White’s arms brace against the wall, caging me in. I don’t feel threatened, and I’m confused as to why. White feels infinitely more dangerous than Josh, and yet I know he won’t hurt me somehow. It’s an odd feeling, considering I dismissed Josh as nothing to worry about originally, but the instinct is so strong, I can’t even question it. I know without a doubt, that the White Rabbit means me no harm. Not physically at least. Mentally, he might destroy me if I’m not careful.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his face so close I can feel his breath fluttering across my lips. “You’re strong enough to handle it.”

I shake my head. I don’t doubt that I can handle the words, but I don’t want to hear them from White’s lips. I don’t want them to stain my home. The side of White’s lips curl the smallest amount as he looks into my eyes. If I stand on my tiptoes, I can close the distance and press my lips to his. It’s difficult to resist, but I do so. While there’s an undeniable connection, I still don’t know White well enough to give in. Not yet. I do give in to one temptation, though. I place my hand against the white ink on his chest, my fingers spread across the solid muscle there. His smile widens.

“What now?” Do I call the cops? Do I just run, knowing that I’m going to be blamed?

“Come with me,” he whispers, his body shifting closer until his hips meet mine. I suck in a huge gulp of air at the contact.

“Where?” My eyelashes flutter at the feeling of his body pressed into me, the ridges of his muscles pushing against my softness.

“You know where.” One of his hands drops to my waist, his fingers grazing my skin where they dip under the edge of my t-shirt, sending small bolts of electricity through my body. “I can take you on an adventure. The most intense adventure you’ve ever been on.”

My eyes widen before they flick over to the picture of me and my sister. It takes only a few seconds to decide.

“Tell me more.”