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Authors: Samantha Towle

First Bitten (20 page)

BOOK: First Bitten
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Pulling myself together, I shake my head and say, “Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.”


What?”


No way am I getting on that thing.” I gesture at the beautiful, but monstrous, motorbike.


Why not?” he asks, laughing.


Well I could fall off it for starters … ”


You’re not gonna fall off it.” He chuckles. “But if you did, you’d heal quickly anyway.” His smile is all fox.

I pull a face at him. “Yeah, well that’s not a theory I fancy putting to the test, thanks all the same.”

I start to get to my feet but he takes hold of my arm, keeping me there. I glance at his hand, then up at his face. “Come out with me,” he says, his tone is inviting and daring, and it’s making me feel like we are the only two people in the world right now.

Trembles erupt deep within me. “I can’t.” My voice is barely working. “I can’t risk being seen by people in case they recognise me, remember?”


You won’t be seen,” he assures me, not moving his eyes from mine. “I’ll keep you safe.”

I can’t think straight. His touch is distracting.

Then he lets go of my arm and the spell is broken. “I’m just gonna take us up to Dalby Forest, that’s all.” He lifts his voice but his tone is still smooth. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

Fun? I really don’t think I should be considering the word fun and Nathan in the same sentence in my current state.

I tuck my hair behind my ear. “You’re not trying to take me hunting again, are you?” I let my obvious distaste at that thought spread plain across my face.

He laughs. It’s a slow, dry laugh, and sexy as hell. “No, Alex. I’m not going to try and take you hunting again.” I love it when he says my name.

He gets to his feet. “Don’t make me beg.” A grin plays like a tune on his face.


Fine,” I huff. “I’ll come.”

He smiles a winning smile.

I pick the jacket and helmet up, and get to my feet so that we’re just stood here facing one another. I’m not sure what to do, or just exactly what it is he’s waiting for. He still hasn’t looked away from my face and my pulse has started to beat loudly in my ears.


Jeans,” he finally says, raising his eyebrows.


Oh yeah, of course.” I flush as the realisation thuds into me like a ton of bricks. “Hold these. I won’t be a minute.” Embarrassed, I shove the helmet and jacket into his arms and quickly make for the house.

Nathan’s already sitting astride the bike when I get back, the helmet and jacket waiting for me on the seat behind him.


You were quick,” he comments.


Would you rather I go back in and take a bit longer?” I flash my eyes at him.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Just get your ass on the bike.”

I slip the leather jacket on. It fits perfectly. I wonder where it came from. Maybe it belonged to an ex-girlfriend. Jealously spikes me. I hate that he can make me feel this way without even knowing. I try to zip it up, but the zipper's stiff and I can’t do it.


Come here.” Nathan gestures to me.

I go and stand in front of him. He takes hold of the zipper, fits it in and pulls it up in one easy movement.

I slide my eyes up from the zipper, meeting his on the way up. “Thanks.” My mouth is so sticky it is like talking through a mouthful of chewing gum.

His eyes smile at me. “No worries.”


Where you two off to?” I jolt away from Nathan at the sound of Cal’s voice like I’ve just heard a gun go off.

Nathan pulls his own black helmet from off the handle bars. “I’m just taking Alex out for a ride to Dalby Forest,” he answers in an even tone. He puts his helmet on. I can sense the tension between them. Even if I hadn’t overheard their conversation last night, I’d know something was off.

I can’t bring myself to turn around and acknowledge Cal, but I also can’t let on that I overheard their conversation, so I force myself to relax and try to act no differently than I normally would around him.


Well you’ve got a good day for it,” Cal comments, pointing up at the sky. “I’ll catch you later.” And with a nod, he disappears into the house.


You getting on or not?” Nathan says, his voice now monotone, and I can’t tell if he’s being arsey or joking.


On,” I say. I pick my helmet up, put it on and fasten the chin strap, then I gingerly climb onto the seat behind him.

He turns the key in the ignition. The explosion of the engine startles me as its power vibrates up through my body. My nerves instantly kick in.

I put my hands around his waist, holding on, but keep a safe distance between us.

He kicks the bike stand away and rolls it forward, quickly gaining speed.

Without meaning to, I squeal out when he takes the bend at the top of the driveway. I grip hold of him tighter, practically digging my fingers into his ribs. I feel his low laughter rumble through his body.

It’s only a matter of seconds before we’re at the end of the driveway. He stops the bike, resting his foot to the floor, and takes hold of both my hands and pulls me in closer to him. My heart stutters.

With a quick check, he pulls out onto the road and we roar off in a trail of dust, leaving my stomach still somewhere on his driveway and my heart completely in his hands.

 

 

Chapter 16

 

The Beginning

 

Nathan pulls up at the entrance to Dalby Forest to pay. He lifts his visor, gets some coins out of his pocket and hands them to the guy at the entrance.

He takes the ride slow down the main road, leading us right into the heart of the forest.

It’s been years since I’ve been here. The last time I came was when I was a kid with my mum and dad. I’d forgotten what a beautiful place it really is. I always think of beautiful sights as being other places in the world, always forgetting about the ones in my own back yard. The trees are lush and green, the sun is beating down, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be right now than here with Nathan, my arms wrapped tightly around him.

After a few minutes, Nathan turns off onto a narrow track just wide enough for the bike to fit down. As we cut through the bushes it opens out onto a big lake completely surrounded by the forest. He pulls the bike around and parks it up by the bushes, and turns the ignition off. I climb off the bike. My legs are like jelly. It takes me a moment to get them working properly.

I lift my visor up a touch, allowing me to look around properly. This place is a hidden oasis. It’s really secluded. The sun is glinting off the water, a rainbow of colours rippling down to the water’s edge. “It’s beautiful here,” I murmur.

Nathan pulls off his helmet, hangs it on the handle bar and kicks the bike stand out. He turns his head to look at me, resting his chin on his shoulder. “I thought you might like it.”

His tousled hair is stuck to his forehead from the helmet. The urge to want to reach out and brush it back off his face is overwhelming. I bind my hands together in front of me.

Nathan stands, leaving the bike between his legs and takes his jacket off. Then he swings his long leg over and gets off the bike. “You’re okay to take this off.” He reaches over and taps my helmet with his fingers. “There’s no one around.”

Hands shaking, I fumble with the chin strap. Finally I undo it. As I remove the helmet, my damp hair sticks to my head too - attractive. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to make it look nicer.

I turn and see that Nathan is watching me. He looks away and unhooks the rucksack that was fastened to the side of the bike. He sits the bag on the bike seat, opens it up and pulls out a folded-up picnic blanket and a small cooler bag.

I look at him with open surprise.

He shrugs. “You mentioned a picnic when I took you on the ill-fated hunting trip and I thought today was as good a day to have one.”

A smile broadens my lips.


Don’t get excited,” he’s quick to add, moving away from me, “it’s nothing fancy, just some sandwiches.”

But I can’t help it, I am excited. Nathan is doing something thoughtful for me. He has been thinking of me.

I take off my jacket and put it and the helmet down on the bike seat. I go over to where Nathan has set down the blanket on the grass a touch in from the shoreline.

I watch him as he sits down on the blanket, stretches his long legs out in front of him and looks up at the sky. Emotions squeeze tightly on my heart. I turn away, looking out over the lake.

Warm from the heat and wanting to feel the water on my skin, I pull off my trainers and roll up the bottoms of my jeans. Treading carefully over the pebbly edge, I step into the shallow water, letting the cool water tickle over my feet. I breathe in the clean air deeply, letting the tranquilly settle all over me like a shield. I feel a sudden sense of freedom here. I feel safe here, like nothing can touch me. I hadn’t realised how much of a prisoner I had felt until just now, not that I’ve ever been a prisoner with Nathan, far from it. I’ve been a prisoner of my own being and Nathan bringing me here has done more than I thought it would. Maybe he knows more about me than I realise.

I turn around, the water splashing around my feet as I let a smile ghost my lips. “Thanks for bringing me here.”


No probs.” He shrugs. A smile briefly flickers over his face. “So how was the ride?” He tips his head in the direction of his motorbike. “As bad as you thought it would be?”


It was okay, I guess, well once I’d gotten used to the crazy speed you drive at.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “I don’t drive that fast.”

I widen my eyes and put my hands on my hips. “Er, yeah you do.”

He purses his lips. “You wait for the ride back, then. I’ll show you what fast is.” He flashes his eyes daringly at me.

I shake my head disapprovingly, then, suddenly feeling mischievous, I kick water at him.


Oi!” he yells jumping to his feet.


Afraid of a bit of water?” I taunt.

He pushes his tongue between his teeth, giving me a dangerous look. He shakes his head. My stomach tumults.


Actually you look like you could do with a good wash … ” I tease, lifting my foot, readying to kick more water at him.

He moves so quickly I have no time to react and the next thing I know he’s behind me, wrapping his arms around me, pinning mine by my side. His body pressed up against mine. I can feel his heat radiating through our clothes, and his heart beating against my back. It stutters mine into irregular beats, doing inexplicable things to me.


Now what you gonna do?” he whispers jokingly into my ear. His hot breath blows down my neck, taking mine and I’m left breathless. My heart reaches out to him, stuttering, sending feelings so strong flowing through me I’m powerless to stop them.

Then I feel it. It’s like a dirty bomb filled with pure emotion imploding between us, splintering off in all different directions. And I know he feels it too by the way his whole body stiffens against me.


Alex,” he practically breathes my name. He releases his hold on me but doesn’t move away. I slowly turn to look at him, my whole body trembling. My shoulder brushes against his chest.

And when I meet his eyes, I just know.

The warm breeze passes by, moving the water around us, washing it up against our legs. “Your boots,” I say, not moving my eyes from his, “they’ll be getting soaked.”

Without a word he slips his hand into mine and leads me over to our blanket. Nathan sits first, then me beside him, facing him. He doesn’t let go of my hand and I don’t want him to, ever again.

My mind won’t take me anywhere close to the words I want to say, I have no idea where to go from here, and it seems neither does he. So, I opt for what I do best - small talk. “Do you ever come here to shift?” I gesture to the beautiful woods surrounding us, pushing my damp feet into the blanket.


Sometimes.” He runs his thumb over the back of my hand, his rough skin tickling mine, leaving a heavenly trail of warmth wherever he touches. “Not as often I’d like, though. It’s a bit further out and I tend to stick to local places like … ” He pauses, not finishing his sentence. I see a flicker of regret in his eyes.

We both know what he was going to say. He was going to say the woods near my home, the woods where he saved me.

I know his eyes are on me so I avoid them and cast mine out over the scenery behind him. “It really is pretty here,” I say, filling the awkward silence.


Are you okay?” he asks ignoring my attempt. He slides his fingers in-between mine gripping hold of my hand.


I’m fine,” I answer instinctively.
Well, except for the fact I have no clue what’s going on here between me and you,
I fail to add.


Fine,” he echoes, his tone disbelieving. It makes the hairs on my arms prickle. “You don’t seem fine. I’d say the dead giveaway is that you can’t even make eye contact with me when the subject of your attack comes up.”

My insides freeze solid. I pull my hard eyes back to his. “And how would you expect me to be?” There’s zero tone to my voice.

BOOK: First Bitten
8.58Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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