"Is that what got you interested in wolves?"
"What?" She shook her head to gain some focus. "Oh yeah. My father was an outdoorsman. Spent all his free time either hunting or fishing. As the only child, I often went with him. Although I hated the killing, I gained a surprising respect for nature and all its intricacies from him."
Brody nodded his head. "So now you try to save the wild animals instead of kill them. Interesting."
A different kind of shudder worked down Prue's back as she recalled one particular hunting trip that changed her life forever. There were rules that always had to be followed to the letter her father always said. And usually Prue did as she was told.
Except that one time. Earlier in the day they'd come across a nearby campsite of young college boys who her father was not happy to find partying in his woods. After a brief lecture about safety they'd gone down stream and set up camp a ways away.
Unfortunately, the college guys had caught her curiosity and she'd snuck off late in the night to get a closer look. Since the boys had not listened to any of her father's suggestions, she wasn't the only one who went looking.
Not far from their pitched tents, she'd come across a hungry grizzly bear. In a panic, Prue had forgotten her father's bear rules and she'd run and the bear, thinking she was prey, gave chase.
She squeezed her eyes closed and shut down the memory before it got worse. It had taken years to sleep through the night after her father's death and a trip down memory lane would not help her now.
"I owe everything to my father. He taught me all that I know."
Brody's face tightened as she talked. His body language stiffened too. God, if only she had more experience with men like him. Or any men really she might be able to understand him better.
"My father taught me everything I know too. Unfortunately, I don't think it had the same results. He has a lot of hate in his heart and it’s only recently I came to my senses. I had to make some drastic changes that landed me here."
Her resolve to stick to business and not get involved with anyone began to thaw. She reached out and grabbed his hand, this time embracing the electric spark that sizzled up her arm and spread through her chest.
"What about your sister? Allison, right? She seems friendly."
His lips curved in a small smile. "She's great. Stubborn, opinionated and spoiled now thanks to Diego. But yeah, she's great."
She squeezed his fingers. "I always thought it would be fun to have a sibling. Someone to share the good and the bad."
"It might be overrated."
He sounded serious, but she didn't believe him for a second. The affection in his voice when he talked about his sister made it clear they were close. She got the feeling though, he'd been in a lot of pain lately. Something really bad had to have happened to turn him away from the rest of his family.
“Why did you stick up for me back there?” she asked. “You made your friends seem like you knew me. But you don't know me at all. Certainly not enough to vouch for me.”
He shrugged. "Call it a hunch."
He didn't expand his explanation and she got the feeling there was more he wanted to say.
"Thank you," she whispered. "It's been a long time since anyone has been so nice."
He reached out and touched the side of her face. "That's a shame. You deserve so much more."
Prue cocked her head and tried to read between the lines of his words by staring at his eyes. She could swear they were lighter now. More golden around the edge of the pupil than before.
"Why would you say that? How do you know I'm not a mass murderer who is going to go on a rampage after dark?"
His thumb moved back and forth across her cheek. "Are you?"
She swallowed, willing the lump in her throat to go away. "No, I guess not."
"Just because you aren't used to someone being nice to you doesn't mean you don't deserve it," he said.
"Shouldn't that go both ways?" Who was this gorgeous enigma of a man, who despite not knowing her very long, inspired her to not only feel comfortable with him, but also trust him? How was that possible?
"Eventually." He leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to the top of her ear. "Although my only concern is you and your pleasure."
Her arousal spiked hard with his heated breath tickling her sensitive ear. A shiver worked up her back and goose bumps broke out on her arms.
"You're making it really hard for me to concentrate on my job right now."
"Am I?" he whispered while trailing his fingers down the sides of her neck to her shoulders. "I'd rather be touching you."
Prue moaned. "So not fair."
"Fair is overrated," he said with a smile.