“It’s comfortable inside,” he says, misreading my apprehension. Then his irises turn stormy with disquiet. He takes my hands in his. Big, work-roughened hands, which seem to come with an electrical charge that I’m trying hard to ignore.
“I want you to know you can trust me, Maya. I’m not gonna do anything to you that you don’t want. I promise.”
I see there’s a war inside him right now—between the honorable man and the hungry wolf, and I shiver, wondering what he’s thinking of doing to me. Is he imagining what I look like naked? Imagining how I feel inside? Is he picturing himself fucking me for the first time?
Trouble is, I do want all these things. I want them so bad right now that I can feel my panties are wet. But I’m determined to keep my promise to my mom.
“I’m not worried,” I lie.
He flashes a quick smile. “Good.” He helps me into the dinghy, starts up the motor, and we’re soon crossing the calm water. His big, powerful body guides the boat expertly. While his attention is focused away from me, I drink in the sight of his bulky muscles, straining beneath his T-shirt, and my yearning for him flares even hotter.
It’s not long before we arrive on the far shore.
When Forge ties up the boat to a tree, I look back at the mainland and realize it is pretty cool being on an island. The rest of the world at a safe distance.
And the cabin is a whole lot cozier than I expected. It’s old, rustic. But there’s a neat little porch, with two Adirondack chairs set up. Inside, the living area is clean and tidy. Rugs on the floor, a kitchenette with an electric stove, and a fridge-freezer. Two easy chairs, a bookshelf stuffed with books, and, in an alcove in the far corner, one bed. It’s king size, made up with a soft-looking plaid coverlet. But it’s the only bed in the cabin.
I stare at it in dismay. This part I hadn’t considered. How am I going to fight my attraction to him if we’re sleeping in the same small space?
“The bed’s yours, of course,” Forge says, as if he’s read my mind. “I can lay down anywhere.”
“I can’t take your bed!” I gasp.
“Maya.” He fixes me with a serious look. “I’m a wolf. I could lay out on the porch all night and be comfortable. Don’t argue.”
A thrill races through me. Is it wrong that I kind of like him bossing me around?
“Okay. Thank you,” I mumble.
As I help him to fill the fridge and freezer, my curiosity grows. This whole place is set up for survival. If there was some large-scale natural disaster, he’d be able to hole up here for weeks. Why is he so security conscious?
“Come sit outside,” he says when we’re done. “You hungry?”
“Maybe just for some chips,” I say, casting around at the snacks I bought.
He grabs two beers out of the fridge, pops the caps with his teeth and hands one to me. Then he settles into one of the Adirondacks, and I slump into the other one and tear open the bag of sour cream and jalapeño chips. Far in the distance, above the trees, is a mountain peak where the sun is setting, cooking up beautiful shades of pink and gold. I take a sip of the beer. It tastes like freedom. Peace. For a moment I close my eyes and savor it.
And then I remember that neither my brother nor my mom has any peace right now, and I jerk upright again.
Forge is watching me, the fading light glinting in his irises. “You’re safe here,” he tells me. “That’s the most important thing.”
That way of his—of knowing exactly what I’m thinking—is kind of eerie. Is it possible he also feels that weird tug between us? That sense that our minds are connected?
“Now we’ve got some space to find your brother,” he continues.
I blink. “You’ll really help me find him?”
He looks surprised. “Of course. I said I would.”
My head spins. “Why are you doing all this for me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he demands, frowning.
“It’s a lot, that’s all.”
“And you’re worth it, Maya. You’re special.” His gaze sweeps me, until I feel exposed. As vulnerable as if I was naked. “No one ever told you that before?”
I shake my head, too overwhelmed to speak.