CHAPTER SEVEN
Beth drew in a long breath as she walked into Connor’s room. It was filled with all kinds of different scents but all very distinctly male. She couldn’t help but be drawn to that.
“I’ll change the bed linen,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Sorry.”
Studying him, Beth gave him a half smile as he turned away. She’d been afraid of him at first, afraid of his strength and believing he’d be just as bad, if not worse, than Stephen. It turned out that he was exactly the opposite.
Sinking down on the bed, Beth closed her eyes and let out her breath slowly, refusing to start panicking again. She’d been strong, telling the White Fire pack what had happened to her. Connor’s strength had helped her to speak, helped her to be honest. She wasn’t about to start growing cowardly again.
Opening her eyes, Beth’s eyes roved around the room. It was sparse, with only a wardrobe and a bedside table. There weren’t any soft furnishings, nothing personal left out. What did that say about Connor? A small smile played around her mouth. Connor didn’t like to show his softer side. She had identified that already. The minute Jenny had made a comment about how he’d been reacting toward Beth, he’d practically barked at her. She’d felt him tense when Ross had given him the responsibility to look out for her, but she wasn’t sure why. Was he frustrated with being told what to do? Did he want his freedom, want to go hunting with Ross and Ash? Her smile slowly faded as she dropped her head, staring at her knees. Was he being forced into being around her?
A slight cough had her lifting her head, scrambling up from the bed as she saw Connor reappear with a stack of bedlinen in his hands.
“I can do it,” she said quietly, holding out her hands for the linen. “I’m sure you’ve got other things to do.”
To her surprise, he grinned at her. “Not much else to do other than sleep!” His grin softened. “Can I get you anything to eat? I know it’s late, but it’s been a long night and you haven’t eaten anything.”
Beth paused, appreciating his generosity. “Something small, maybe?”
“Great.” He walked toward the door before stopping and glancing back at her. “Are you going to be OK alone?”
Her stomach tightened at the concern in his eyes. “You’re coming back, right?”
He nodded. “Of course, I am.”
“Then I’ll be fine,” she replied quietly. “Thank you, Connor.”
He watched her for a moment then ducked out of the doorway. Beth heard his footsteps, heard the door to the kitchen open, then close.
Focusing on what she had to do, Beth stripped the bed and quickly put on the new linen. Then she folded the old linen carefully, trying not to react to the scent of his body that clung to the sheets.
Why am I reacting like this? she thought to herself, tugging at the corner of one of the sheets. He protected you, Beth, but that’s all there is to it. Try as she might tell herself otherwise, Beth couldn't get rid of the desire to be close to Connor. He'd been there for her when no one else was, effectively saving her from Stephen and the life she'd been forced to live. Beth dropped the linen down in the laundry basket, sighing heavily. Connor had trusted her when she'd first told him the truth about Stephen, never once questioning her. She didn't know why he'd been so willing to accept that she was telling the truth, but she was grateful for it.
Wandering around the room, Beth ran her fingers over the bedside table and turned on the lamp. Immediately, the room was lit with a soft glow as she turned off the main light. Her heart warmed at the sight, as peace slowly settled in her heart. She was going to be safe here. Now that the White Fire pack were aware of Stephen’s threat, Beth knew she was probably safer than she’d ever been before.
Walking over to the windows, Beth went to draw the curtains, her eyes suddenly catching sight of something flickering in the trees just beyond the back yard of the property. Frowning, she narrowed her eyes and tried to work out what it was.
The sudden, sharp sting of realization made her gasp with horror. The white top she’d been wearing when Stephen had caught her was now stuck in one of the tree branches, fluttering in the wind. The white stood out in stark contrast to the darkness of the night, a beacon that told her Stephen wasn’t finished with her yet.
“Is something the matter?”
Beth let out a soft, involuntary shriek, startled by Connor’s presence. His arms were around her in a moment, drawing her back into his chest as she shuddered with fright.
“Are you OK? What happened?”
“I’m fine,” she stammered, her wolf growling with a sudden, fierce anger. Drawing in her breath, Beth forced herself to stand upright, away from Connor. She had to be strong. Stephen controlled through fear, but she wasn’t going to allow herself to be controlled anymore.
A quiet growl rippled from Connor’s throat. “What’s that?”
He’d seen it.
“Stephen must have put it there,” she replied, lifting her chin as she looked out of the window again. “Trying to intimidate me.”
Connor growled again, but Beth put a hand on his arm.
“He’s trying to frighten me, but it’s not going to work. Not now. Not any longer. I can’t let him control me like that anymore.”
Connor’s chest rose and fell as he took in a few steadying breaths. “He came back.”
Beth nodded, pulling the curtains closed. “Stephen isn’t afraid of anyone or anything.”
“He ran away from me.”
“That’s not because he was afraid. It’s self-preservation. He knows he can’t win the fight, so he turned tail and ran.”
“Then he doesn’t have any courage,” Connor retorted, flatly.
Beth had to agree with that, walking across the room to sit on the bed and picking up a piece of toast as she went. Even though she didn’t want Connor to see, she had to admit that her legs were beginning to feel weak. The shock of seeing her top out there, waving like a flag, had hit her hard.
“Connor will always look after himself and his cause, no matter what. There is no way my top got onto the top of the tree by itself. He came back to put it there, knowing that I’d see it and understand the message behind it.” Fear coiled in her belly, but she refused to acknowledge its presence. “I’ve never refused to do what he wants before,” she said quietly, remembering the look in his eyes when she’d refused to go with him. “I don’t think he was expecting that.”
Connor handed her a mug filled with hot chocolate, sitting down on the bed beside her. A comfortable silence swept around them both as they ate. Slowly, strength came back into her limbs as the shock began to wear off. She'd meant what she'd said. Beth was determined not to be intimidated by Connor anymore.
"You said earlier that Stephen hurt you when you tried to refuse to do what he wanted before," Connor said softly. "I won't let him do that again, Beth."
Memories flooded her. She hadn’t been able to see out of her left eye for around two weeks, and the threats he’d whispered in her ear had shaken her to her very core. Weak and in pain, she’d known then that Stephen had the upper hand. He was strong, and she was not. He used his dominance as power, and she had been unable to find any way to escape.
“I hope you know that none of us here are like him.”
Startled, she looked up into his eyes. “Connor, I know you’re nothing like Stephen. Why would you even think that?”
Unease twisted his features. “I was pretty mad when you came with us,” he said, taking her empty mug and putting it down on the bedside table. “I said some pretty harsh things, but I swear I’d never lay a finger on you.”
As he sat back down, his gaze caught hers and Beth saw the concern there. After everything that had happened, after everything that he’d done, he was still worried that she might be afraid of him.
“I’m not afraid of you, Connor,” she whispered, bravely reaching for his hand. “You saved me from Stephen. You trusted me when I told you what my life was like with Stephen.” Beth felt her breath quicken as his fingers slowly twined with hers. “I know you’re nothing like my stepbrother,” she finished. “I trust you.”
Something was pushing her to move closer, aware that his breath was tickling her cheek. This wasn’t just an appreciation of what he’d done. This was a slow, building desire that both frightened and thrilled her. It was all happening so quickly, so suddenly, but she was powerless to stop it.
“Beth,” he breathed, his free hand touching her face as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I—”
He seemed unable to finish his sentence. The deep blue of his eyes seemed to darken as he ran his hand over the curve of her neck, clasping the back of her neck as his head began to lower. His eyes searched hers, as though looking for an acceptance about what was about to happen between them. Beth took a shuddering breath, seeing his eyes drift down to her lips as though he were savoring the moment.
Whatever this was, he felt it too, Beth realized. In that one moment, everything was forgotten. There was only Connor. Stephen disappeared from her thoughts, the terrifying events that led up to this wiped away. Closing her eyes, Beth lifted her face to meet his, letting her hands slide up his chest and around his neck as her lips parted slightly, ready to receive him. Tangling her fingers in his dark hair, Beth rested her forehead against Connor's, her heart pounding frantically in her chest.
Finally, his lips brushed hers, pulling away almost at once. Beth didn't let him go, keeping him close to her.
“Connor,” she heard herself say in an almost pleading tone. “Please.”
Without warning, his lips took hers again, hot, fiery, passionate, and demanding. Her body flushed with heat in an instant as she clung to him, kissing him back with a sudden, desperate need. The heat in her body suddenly rushed to her core, forcing a soft moan from her lips.
At the sound, Connor slowly pulled his lips away, staying close to her for a few seconds before easing himself away.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered, dropping his gaze and running a hand over his eyes. “I didn’t mean to. I mean . . .”
“Don’t apologize,” Beth whispered, desperate to keep him close. “Please don’t say you regret it.”
“I still shouldn’t have done that,” he said, reaching for his hand but looking away. “You’re vulnerable right now. It’s taking advantage.” Getting up from the bed, he walked toward the door. “Goodnight, Beth. I’ll be right downstairs if you need me. Just shout. I’ll hear you.” He still didn’t turn to look at her, keeping his face turned away.
Beth felt her throat tighten as she battled tears. She wanted to ask him to stay. She only really felt secure when she was in his company.
He glanced back at her over his shoulder, probably wondering why she hadn’t responded. Beth still couldn’t find anything to say, knowing her voice would break if she tried. Instead, she kept her eyes on him as he walked out of the door and pulled it closed behind him, leaving her alone in the room.