Sasha didn’t know what she was doing. She couldn’t explain it. Instead of running home and calling the police like she knew she should have, she’d ended up staying at her kidnapper’s home for a week.

A week.

And the worst of it was, she didn’t want to go home.

There was no reasonable explanation as to why she hadn’t left yet. The first day after their talk, she’d fully intended to leave, only to notice that the wounds on Torin’s back had become infected. That, coupled with the look in his eyes every time he looked at her forced her to stay.

Sasha still couldn’t quite understand the ‘shifting’ as Torin called it and was still quite terrified about the whole thing, but Torin had promised her he wouldn’t be shifting again any time soon. Not until his wounds had healed. That had been a relief for Sasha. She didn’t want to tell him that she kept waking up with nightmares about James crushing her against the wall only to turn into Thomas, who then turned into a wolf and began to attack her, but she was pretty sure that he knew already. She’d cried out in her sleep more than once, only to waken to her bedroom light switching on – although Torin had been nowhere to be seen. That kindness had endeared him to her even more, even though the sensible part of her told her that she should be leaving him.

“I know that,” she muttered, as she added another log to the stove. “But I just can’t.”

“Just can’t what?”

Sasha jumped as Torin walked in behind her, a grin spreading across his face as he saw how startled she was.

“You forget that I can hear you.”

Sasha tried to calm her frantically beating heart, reminded of just how scared of him she’d been when he’d first kidnapped her. “You scared me.”

The grin disappeared immediately. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Picking up the bottle of red wine from the middle of the table, he poured her a glass, as he had done the last two nights. Sasha contemplated him as she sat across from Torin, wondering what it was about him that had made her stay.

He had grown softer. More vulnerable. Open. The pain and grief he felt over, not only, his brother’s death but also the fact that he had been a serial killer, had been etched into his features and, when he had confessed as much to her, the look in his eyes had spoken to her heart. She’d never forget that look for as long as she lived. It was as though he was haunted by what Thomas had done, and berating himself for his own actions thereafter.

She had been telling the truth when she’d said she needed to find out as much about Thomas as possible, but that hadn’t meant she’d needed to stay for a week – with no intention of returning back home any day soon. He’d given her use of his laptop and, apparently, no one was concerned for her. After all, why would they be? As far as they knew, she was enjoying her holiday after closing one of the biggest cases around.

Sasha was growing aware that, as he was becoming more comfortable with her and as they spent time just talking, she was beginning to grow even more attracted to him.

It was the worst idea possible and yet, she couldn’t deny it. It didn’t help, of course, that he was tall, broad and strong with a mysterious background that she couldn’t quite understand, but there was something about his character that drew her to him. She couldn’t compare him to the furious, angry beast who had grabbed her from the forest and flung her into that room with a smile on his face, because that had been when the grief and pain of his brother’s death had taken hold. Now that he had admitted the truth, that part of him had shattered into a million pieces, never again to be resurrected. Was the reason she stayed to prove to herself that she didn’t have to be afraid of him? That her slow burning desire was, in fact, a good thing?

“Something on your mind?”

Sasha, never one to beat about the bush, lifted her wine glass in his direction. “Yes. You.”

His eyes widened in surprise as he rose to get something for Bramble from the kitchen. “Me?” he asked, coming back with a biscuit in his hand, which he threw to her dog.

She nodded, her eyes running down the length of his body. “How are those wounds, by the way?”

He grunted. “Fine.”

“Not infected anymore?”

“I don’t know,” he muttered, making to sit back down. “They don’t hurt as badly.”

“Want me to look?”

She watched as he let out a long breath, sighing for a moment. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Now that caught her interest. “Why’s that?”

He picked up his glass of whisky and threw it back, not savoring it like he usually did. “Sasha, I’m going to be honest. You confuse me.”

She chuckled, lifting her wine glass to her lips and taking a small sip. “I confuse myself,” she replied, with a small smile. “I don’t know why I’m still here.”

“Neither do I,” he said, watching her intently. There was a brief pause as he watched her, the intensity in his gaze growing. “Do I come across any better now?”

Surprised at the worry in his voice, Sasha frowned. “Are you worried that I’m still afraid of you?”

“I treated you badly, Sasha. I can’t understand what you’re still doing here.”

“It sounds like you don’t like my company.”

“No, no!” he exclaimed, sitting up a little more. “I do, I really do, it’s just that….” Trailing off, he put his whisky glass down on the side table and poured himself another measure.

“It’s just what?” she asked, a little breathlessly. Were they both battling the same strange, unexplainable emotions? Did he want more from her? Was that why, right back when she’d been in that locked room, right back when she’d started thinking he’d never really hurt her, he’d stepped back when she’d touched his arm.

“Do you like me, Torin?” she asked, when he didn’t answer. “Torin?”

She wants you.

Torin shook his head, stretching back into the armchair as he sat back down with the glass of whisky in his hand. He couldn’t touch her, even though the desire to do just that was running through him, leaving his breath ragged. She’d been here for a week and, as the days went by and they spent more and more time in one another’s company, Torin had found her softening towards him. He still couldn’t understand why she was here, why she hadn’t left, but he had to admit to himself that he was beginning to enjoy her company. Every day, she’d looked at his wounds and, every day, he’d had to suck in a breath and concentrate on the most banal thing he could think of, just to stop himself from turning around and pulling her to him.

And now, here she was, sitting opposite him with a lazy expression on her face, her eyes darkening with a deep intensity. Everything in him told him to leave, told him to get away from her. She was a human, he was a shifter. It just wasn’t done. Shifters mated with shifters, that was how things worked. But, try as he might, he simply could not leave his chair.

Her question hung, unanswered in the air. What was he going to do? Could he turn away from her again, force himself to stop thinking, stop feeling? Was the heat in her eyes his own imagination or did she really, truly, want him in the same way he wanted her? He’d never met anyone like her before. He’d never met anyone who was as strong and yet as compassionate as she was. She’d forgiven him for what he’d done to her by pushing her own fear aside and trying her best to put herself in his shoes. She’d tried to understand his pain, tried to work out why he’d taken her from the forest.

He had grown to appreciate that about her.

The decision had to be made. Was he going to leave the question unanswered, pretend he hadn’t heard it? Or was he going to act on his feelings?

His breath coming faster, Torin eased himself out of the chair, took the glass from her hand and sat down next to her on the couch, watching the way her pupils dilated as she looked at him.

“Torin?”

Torin's mouth was on hers before Sasha could ask him what he was doing. He caught her gasp with his lips, his tongue already tangling with hers as he waited for her reaction. Was she going to push him away or let this deep, unrelenting need take hold?

His passion roared to life as his lips slipped over her cheek and down her neck, nuzzling into the little hollow at the base of her throat. Torin groaned with raw need as Sasha arched against him, her hands reaching around to tangle in his hair. There was no doubt that she had wanted this, needed this, almost as much as he did.

And, even now, it still didn’t make sense.

Gently pushing her back onto the couch, Torin rested his body over hers, feeling her tremble beneath him. The scent of her arousal pushed his wolf into an almost frantic state as he struggled to control the rampaging desire running all through him. The noise that came from his throat was more wolf than man, but thankfully Sasha didn’t seem to notice.

Her skin was warm and smooth as he began to explore her body, raising her shirt with one hand. In response, she spread her hands across his chest and Torin ripped his own shirt off, tearing it at the neck. Every touch of her hands scorched his skin, burning him to his very core.

“I can’t stop,” Torin breathed, half to himself as his mouth began its exploration of her curves. His wolf was driving at him to take her, yet his mind was still screaming in confusion. Did she really want this? Did he? What was this going to lead to?

His hands slide up her legs, underneath her skirt to rest on her ass. He squeezed her cheeks and inhaled sharply. She moaned softly. “There’s my girl,” he whispered.

The heat from his touch was scorching and her arousal stared to throb heavily between her legs. With every flick of his tongue on her lips, his hands slid up and down over her curves, gripping hard.

She moaned again, needing him to touch her…there.

She lifted one leg in invitation, and he growled against her lips. “You feel so fucking good, Sasha. I’ve waited for this for a long time,” he whispered as he bit her neck hard.

Oh hell, she thought as her eyes closed with pleasure. His hand slid up her inner thigh, teasing her sex over her panties.

Sasha was getting wetter by the second, needing him to finally touch her!  She was losing control, wanting him beyond reason. His fingers continued to skim over her, but it just wasn’t enough. “Touch me,” she demanded.

His fingers finally slid beneath her panties and through her soaking wet core.

“Fuck,” he muttered, trying hard to hold his wolf in check. He inhaled sharply as his kiss became frantic. He slowly slid a finger into her, loving the heated, slick feel of her core muscles clenching firmly on his finger. Stop it! he commanded his wolf, who was frantic to break free and mark Sasha, pounding into her from behind, claiming her for his own.

He added another finger and slowly started to pump her, reveling in the mewls of sound that were breaking from her throat.

“Give it to me, Torin, please!” she begged as he scissored his fingers within her body, stretching her mercilessly. Finding her hidden g-spot, he caressed it lovingly. The sensations were overwhelming her and she didn’t think she could hold back for long. Jesus, Sasha, you haven’t even seen his cock yet. Try to get some control! But her traitorous body wasn’t going to listen. She felt the tremors start, deep within her core and knew her orgasm was coming, and it was going to be a doozy.

“I don’t want you to stop,” Sasha moaned. “Please, don’t stop, Torin.” She was gasping now, her breath coming quick and fast as he continued to pound his fingers into her, nipping at her neck and collarbone as he did.

She grabbed his rock-hard cock through his jeans and squeezed it as the tidal wave of sensation overwhelmed her.

Her vagina clenched hard on his fingers and he ratcheted up his thrusting in a rhythm that took her orgasm to the next level. The sound of her arousal was loud in the room, as she gushed while her body spasmed over and over, riding his thick fingers obsessively.

“Torin,” she moaned, as the tsunami of all orgasms ripped through her. His jaw clenched hard as he watched her ride it out.

He slowly pulled his fingers out and brought them up to his mouth to suck them as his dark eyes held hers. The intensity of his gaze was captivating, drawing her into his spell. She could sense his wolf just beneath the surface, struggling to break free. She could see the will of his wolf, fighting Torin’s control, trying to burst forth and dominate her. Who’s going to win? Will he hurt me?  I don’t know how to handle a wolf! She panicked.

Her heart rate picked up even further as she came down from her orgasm. Her breathing became erratic as she watched him try to gain control over the animal within him. His eyes started to glow that unearthly yellow color and panic overtook her. The memories of his brother trying to kill her flooded into her mind.  The pictures of the dead women who had been mauled and gored until death finally released them from their torment overwhelmed her good sense.

She leaped from the couch, pulling her skirt down and readjusting her panties. She held her hands out in front of herself, warding off the memories and Torin at the same time.

“Stay back,” her voice quavered in fear. “Don’t touch me.” She backed slowly towards the door as she spoke, not sure where she was going. She knew he could be on her in a moment and that his strength was far superior to hers. But her sense of self-preservation wouldn’t let her just sit down and give up. She had to get away!

“What’s wrong, Sasha?” Torin asked, standing to his full height and coming towards her. “Did I hurt you? Are you okay?” His face was creased with concern, not understanding what had set her off.

He reached out and grabbed her arm, trying to pull her towards him and comfort her in his arms. If he had hurt her, he would never forgive himself!

“No!” she screamed at him. “Stay back!”

What the hell, he thought? It was like she was trying to ward off a feral bear. Or…a wolf? Could she be she scared of him?

Just as he realized what might be going on, she turned and fled, grabbing his truck keys off the table by the door as she ran out of the house.

As she slammed out of the house, running as if the hounds of hell were chasing her, Torin had to hold himself from going after her. It’s probably better this way, he thought as his heart cracked in two. She would never understand that I could never hurt her…like my brother hurt those other women, he thought ruefully.

As his truck tires spit gravel while spinning out of his driveway, he stood in the doorway and watched the only woman that had ever snared his wolf, flee from his arms.