My apartment above the bakery is small with an open floor plan and a full bathroom off to the side. It’s functional and always smells nice from the array of treats I bake each day. It’s convenient living above where I work, and it’s all I need since it’s just me, but I hope one day to be able to afford a home with some land. I’ve always wanted enough space to walk out on my back porch naked and not have to worry about prying eyes. Well, maybe there’s one set of eyes I wouldn’t mind prying. I stop in my tracks, trying to clear away that thought. I shouldn’t be thinking about Dominic like that. I don’t even know him, but it seems my mind does what it wants these days, even in my sleep. I should want to thump him in the head for being such a pain in the ass.
Opening the basket, I place the tray of treats inside and head out. I walk out the backdoor with my basket of treats in one hand and my keys and purse in the other. Once outside, I turn and lock up. As I flip the key, and the lock clicks into place, I hear leaves crunching behind me. I twist around, holding tight to my basket, but I don’t see anything. It startles me, but I must have imagined it. Maybe it was just an animal running through the trees behind the back of the building. Walking over to my car, I hear some rustling again, and I stand there, staring into the woods for a second, trying to see if I can catch whatever it is. Being in Colorado it could be a lot of things.
Red’s Goodie Basket is located on Main Street, but the side I’m on backs up to the forest. There’s a ton of protected land here since we are so close to the national park, and behind the bakery lie acres and acres of trees and wildlife. Thinking maybe it’s a raccoon, I look around for something to scare it away with. I scan the ground around me. Maybe I can throw a little rock into the woods, and it will run off. I don’t need an animal ripping into the trash.
When I look up, I see a man I don’t recognize standing just a couple of feet away from me, like he came out of nowhere. Jesus, he must move fast. He’s really tall, and I’m not thinking that just because I’m super short. This guy has to be close to seven feet tall. His clothes are dirty and ripped, and it looks like he hasn’t bathed in a few months. Hell, maybe even years. His hair is way past his shoulders and matted up, and his long beard looks about the same. His face is covered, so I can’t really make out any features other than his mouth, and it’s scary-looking. He’s got big full lips, but his teeth are long and pointed. Did I just find Bigfoot? Those Instagram people are going to be so pissed they missed this.
“Hi. Can I help you?” I can hear the tremor in my voice, and I’m trying not to panic. Being a female and being on your own in a situation like this is scary as hell. I’m not sure what this guy is capable of, but I don’t want to make any sudden movements. I get the distinct feeling he would lunge after me if I were to turn and run right now.
When he doesn’t answer me, I start to repeat the question, but suddenly he moves. He takes a slow step forward and then tilts his head up, inhaling deeply. Some of his hair falls away from his face, and I can’t help the gasp that escapes my mouth. His features are jagged and rough, with a hard square jaw and high cheekbones. His appearance—and his teeth—remind me more of an animal than a man.
Slowly, trying not to startle him, I make a move to get into my car. I’m desperate to get in and lock it, but he’s instantly in front of me. Holy shit, he can move fast for someone so big. I could reach out my arm and touch him if I wanted, but believe me, I don’t want to.
“Mine,” he growls, inhaling deeply again like he’s trying to breathe me in. Is this, like, a Colorado thing where people just smell each other all the time?
Making my voice as soft as possible, I say, “Sir, I’m sorry, but—”
My words are cut off by a deep, resonating sound to my left, which makes me snap my head up. I see Dominic standing there, shoulders hunched forward, arms in front of him, his chin tucked. His stance is strong and he looks like he’s about to attack. His silver eyes seem to be glowing, but it must be a trick of the light. This is absolutely the scariest I’ve ever seen him look, and I lean back against my car to try to get as much distance from the two of them as possible.
I watch as Dominic’s chest expands as if he’s breathing really heavily. The stranger sidesteps, and he’s suddenly right in front of me, standing between me and Dominic, like he’s blocking me from him. Something inside me starts to panic at the separation, and I’m more scared than before. The urge to get to Dominic claws at me.
“Mine,” the stranger says through his sharp gritted teeth.
“She’s already spoken for, Xavier. Back away.” Dominic takes a step toward us, and the stranger—who I guess is named Xavier—takes a step back, getting closer to me.
I move my body a little so I can see Dominic better, the sight of him melting a little of my fear. Dominic doesn’t look scared at all. No, he just looks pissed. If I had to guess, Dominic can take him. Even though Xavier is taller and scarier-looking, he doesn’t look healthy. Maybe if he was in top shape, Dominic would have a reason to worry.