Dire

“What if it’s the witches?”

“If there are witches, and I say if, they’d find us no matter where we are, right? Besides, what other choice do we have?”

“You do realize the last time you said that we saw the smoke and met the wolves.”

“True, but I don’t see smoke.”

“Let’s be careful.”

We walked as quietly as possible, but even so our feet crunched on the icy top layer of the snow. The tiny house looked decrepit, but it was definitely better than nothing.

“No one’s lived here in years.” Gage pushed open the old wooden door of the house. “This is an old railway house. It’s been abandoned as long as the railroad.”

“Let’s hope you’re right.”

“I’d tell you to wait here, but that might be just as dangerous.”

“We stay together. Remember?”

He took both of my hands in his. “Of course I do.”

After releasing one of my hands, Gage walked into the small house first, but I followed just behind him. The room was pitch black, and I wasn’t sure how much further in we should walk, when Gage turned on a light.

“You had a flashlight?” I asked with surprise. I was about to ask why he’d let me spend hours tripping over tree roots when the obvious answer came to me. A light would have attracted attention, which begged the question of why he had it on now. “And be careful with it.”

He laughed. “I love that I know exactly how your mind went through all that. I’m only using it to search the house. Once I know we’re alone and settled, I’ll turn it off.”

“Are we really staying here?” I asked, following closely behind.

“I don’t see another choice, do you?”

“We could try to make it to the road.” My aching feet didn’t exactly agree with me.

“It’s too late and too cold. We at least need to stop for a few hours to warm up.”

“This place is way nicer than it looked from the outside.” Despite a layer of dust, the room seemed pretty nice. In another time I might have enjoyed the old house for its history. Considering we’d just escaped wolves and all we had was a flashlight, it didn’t seem like the appropriate time.

“I think this is the best spot.” He put down his pack and started pulling out blankets before unrolling a sleeping bag.

It looked and felt just like the one in the truck. “How’d you find this?”

“The wolves must have pulled out some of our stuff before they burned it.”

“Are we going to use it again, for old times’ sake?” My body warmed thinking about exactly what memories we made inside it.

“It does hold a special place in my heart.”

I laughed. “Our first time together was undoubtedly memorable.”

“Easily my most memorable experience.” He slipped his hand up under my sweater. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you too.” I ran my fingers over his arm.

“I need you.” He kissed me hard on the mouth taking away any restraint I had. I kissed him back. He tasted so good, so strong, so intoxicating. It felt like a lifetime since the last time his lips had been on mine, and I needed every touch of his I could get.

“You can have me.” The setting wasn’t ideal, but I knew exactly how he felt. Every inch of me craved him, and a week of bottled up emotions left me desperate for more of his touch.

“I promise I’m going to take care of you. I promise that I’ll never let you down again.” His lips brushed against my ear.

“You didn’t let me down. None of this was your fault.”

“Yes it was, but I’ll make up for it. I promise you that.”

“And I promise the same.” If I was getting another chance at freedom—at Gage, I wasn’t messing it up. I pushed away any doubts Hunter had put into my head. He was only trying to upset me, to make me feel alone.

There was something real between Gage and me. It went beyond my crazy fantasies and the years of pining. If we were going to make it work I’d have to move past those old dreams, to accept the real Gage—the one whose lips were currently moving to my neck and setting me on fire.

“Make me forget everything, Gage.”

“You can forget everything except what happened in the truck. I’m not letting you forget that.”

“I don’t ever want to forget that.” I slipped my hand under the back of his sweater. “And I couldn’t possibly forget it. As crazy as this sounds, it was probably the best night of my life.”

He chuckled. “It’s not crazy, because I feel the same way. But, MaryAnne?” His hand cupped my chin.

“Yes?”

“Contrary to these first few times, I will make things romantic.”

“I don’t know what you mean. What could be more romantic than the back of your truck or an abandoned house?”

He laughed. “Just wait and see.”

“I plan on it.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Gage

I needed her. I didn’t care about where we were, I needed Mary Anne, and I was going to have her. I pulled off her sweater and cami in one motion, discarding her bra just as quickly. She pulled off my sweater and rewarded my bare skin with tiny kisses all around my neck and down to my chest.

I snapped myself out of the fog created by her touch long enough to slip off her jeans and panties. I needed her naked. I fondled one breast while my lips settled on the other. She moaned, turning me on more. My jeans tightened, but she gave me relief moments later when she undid my belt and released me. She took me in her hand, gently stroking me without saying a word.

I slipped a hand between her legs. She opened right up to me. Gone was the hesitation she’d shown in the truck. It’s as though our time apart had made hesitation pointless, and it made me realize how quickly something could be taken from you.

She was never being taken away from me again. During the week we spent together as captives, I discovered my feelings for her went far deeper than a passing attraction. I’d have given anything to protect her, and I wanted her—no needed her in my life.

“Gage.” She said my name so softly, so gently. It matched the way her hand worked over me, but it was at odds with her heavy breathing.

“Yeah?”

“I need you.”

“I know.” I grazed my teeth over her nipple. “I need you too.”

“I don’t want this to be it for us.”