The wolves called to her again and, with a smile, Sara answered. But the wolves did not respond this time—Zach did. He lifted his muzzle and released a howl that tore through the night. He called to her. Zach assumed that she would simply respond again as she had for the other wolves, but when he lowered his head, he found her standing. She limped over to the porch rail and leaned against it while she looked out into the forest. She looked right at Zach although he was sure she couldn’t see him. She walked to the porch stairs and stood there. Debating whether she should go in search of that howl’s owner? Maybe. Zach didn’t know. He had no idea that what he did would have such an affect on her. To untrained ears, his howl was no different from the wolves who just now headed back to their den. And yet she still knew.
Her internal debate was cut short though, when she doubled-over in pain. She gripped her leg and clenched her jaw. She stood holding onto the porch rail until the worst of the pain seemed to pass. When she looked up again, he could see the tears in her eyes from where she stood. She was no longer thinking about that howl and the howl’s owner. He knew deep in his gut, that she was thinking about death. Her death. Slowly, almost like an old woman, she turned and limped back into her house, barely putting any weight on that bad leg.
This time she didn’t come back out until morning.
Chapter Five
TOC
“I don’t know, you guys.” Miki poured cream in her coffee and stared at her two friends.
Sara sipped her hot chocolate and stared back. She’d already seen Miki’s early morning reading material. A book on the world of motorcycle clubs was lying on the counter.
Miki’s second job was in a local bookstore slash Internet cafe. This meant she had constant access to just enough information to make her dangerous.
“I don’t think we should hit that party tonight.”
“What?” Angelina snapped, coming out of her coffee-induced haze. When Angelina drank her coffee, she had the ability to completely tune everyone out. Especially Miki.
“We don’t know these people, Angie. And I think there’s something weird about them.”
“You think there’s something weird about everyone.”
“Yes. And there always is.”
Miki sat down on a stool by the register, her eyes focusing on Sara. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel overly concerned.”
Miki shook her head. “It’s bugging me.”
Sara didn’t have time for this. When Miki had one of her “moments,” she could analyze something until you begged her to stop. Begged. “Look, Miki, you can come or you can stay home tonight. Your call. But I’m going.”
Miki’s eyes shifted to Angelina, causing the girl to raise one delicate eyebrow, “Like you even have to ask.”
Miki chuckled, “Fine. I’m going then. I can’t let you two out on your own. But no drinking, Sara. I need you to be rational.”
“Good luck with that.” The mug of hot chocolate was half-way to Sara’s lips when his lightly sarcastic voice stopped her. “The rational part that is.”
Sara looked up and there he was. Leaning against the door jam, quietly watching her. The morning sun was at his broad back, lightening his dark brown hair, and setting off his hazel eyes. He was once again in jeans and a black T-shirt emblazoned with a logo for a band she’d never heard of. His big arms were crossed in front of his even bigger chest and when he smiled at her he showed gleaming white teeth.
The man simply looked gorgeous without even trying. She hated him.
“What are you doing here?” Sara bit out before she could stop herself.
“That’s not very friendly. I thought Texans were friendly.”
“Texans are. But I’m not.”
Angelina quickly cut in, “So that party tonight, lots of people going to be there?”
Sara stared straight at Zach. He wouldn’t turn away, so she didn’t either. That went on for about a minute until his large blond friend, who was bringing up the rear, slammed into the back of Zach. “Where’s the coffee? I’m dyin’.”
There was no way those two huge specimens were getting through the door at the same time, so the blond simply forced his way past Zach into the shop, making a direct line for Miki at the counter.
It was Sara’s turn to smile as Zach was forced to move out of his friend’s way. But when his eyes once again focused on hers, Sara’s breath caught in her throat and she felt her clit start to throb, again, and her nipples became rock hard. Sara turned away before he could see how much he was getting to her and took a sip of her now tepid chocolate. She couldn’t even taste it.
The big blond bear stood at the counter staring at Miki.
Miki stared back at him. But she looked like a skittish colt that might bolt at any moment. “Do you actually want something?” She asked carefully.
“What?”
Miki looked at her friend, “Okay, Sara?” Sara heard the desperation in her voice. Poor thing, Sara sighed to herself. She just didn’t know how to handle someone that actually liked her.
Of course, Miki would probably say the same about her.
“Want something? Oh, yeah.” He cleared his throat, “Two large coffees to go. Please.”
Miki turned away so fast to fill his order she banged into the counter. Sara could see Angelina’s body shaking from her silent laughter, while Sara dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand to keep from embarrassing poor Miki any more than she had embarrassed herself.
“So you guys coming tonight?” The blond stalker asked Miki’s back as Zach slowly closed the space between him and Sara. Her back was still to him, but she felt him. Felt him getting closer to her. Felt her body respond. She was terrified he’d touch her. And terrified he wouldn’t. And all that “terror” was making her unbelievably wet.
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Angelina answered, probably because she knew Miki wouldn’t. But typical Angelina, she didn’t even notice the two gorgeous men right in front of her. She was, instead, flipping through one of those fashion magazines that Sara found blindingly boring. Some people called Angelina cold. Sara just called her finicky. Funny thing was, that for the first time Sara could remember, neither of these men seemed to notice Angelina. “Thor” couldn’t stop staring at Miki. And Zach, for some bizarre reason, wouldn’t stop staring at her. Even though her back was too him, she felt his eyes on her. Traveling down her body, her chest, her arms, her legs. But she kept asking herself why? What could he possibly see in her? It was making her crazy and distrustful, which thankfully was helping her control her desire to take his cock in her mouth.
What is wrong with you?
Angelina tossed the magazine aside and stood up, “I’ve got to get to work.” She grabbed her bag and headed toward the door.
“Wait! Don’t leave me!” Sara barked loudly before she had a chance to stop herself. They all turned to stare at her. She cleared her throat. “I’m going to be late for work. So I better leave with you.”
Angelina looked startled, “Since when do you care about being on time… ow!” Sara had grabbed Angelina’s arm and forced her out of the store.
“You’re both leaving?!” Miki barked after them, but Sara kept going. She’d have to apologize to Miki later.
Once Sara dragged her friend to the corner, Angelina snatched her arm away, “What is it with you?!” She demanded as she rubbed the now red spot that Sara had caused while desperately clutching her friend.