My Wolf’s Bane(64)

“More like a nightmare,” I whispered, my gaze locking onto his. He wore nothing but a pair of boxers. As my ragged breath slowed, I realized the only other thing between us was my threadbare tank top and skimpy panties.

“Autumn.” His breathing quickened and he growled so low it sounded like a purr. Then he tilted my face to meet his and drew closer until I felt his breath on my skin. “You’re too beautiful.”





CHAPTER TWENTYONE

I wanted to scream for Zack to kiss me, but I held my breath, afraid if I said anything or moved, he’d go away again. When I met his gaze, every nerve in my body came alive. Slowly, he moved toward me, then his lips brushed mine and lingered for a brief moment. He drew back just a hair and gazed into my eyes as an almost inaudible moan escaped him.

Then his mouth was on mine.

My lips parted and when our tongues tangled, I savored the taste of him and his sweet, earthy scent. Way better than anything I’d ever imagined. I felt his hands at my sides, his fingers splayed at my waist and his thumbs just under my ribs. Our lips separated and his gentle pressure eased me backward until my head rested against the pillow. The mattress gradually took his weight as he lay over me.

Heat seared through my limbs.

I sighed as his mouth met mine again. My fingertips made a feather-light trail up his spine, then back down. I was rewarded with a shiver. As he cradled my face in his hands with his fingertips at the nape of my neck, his thumb grazed my temple. He gently turned my face and his mouth followed the curve of my jaw, the tip of his tongue burning a path to my ear.

With my palms against his lower back, I brought him closer. A low growl reached my ear and he buried his face in my neck.

“Oh, God, Autumn. I can’t do this.”

“Of course, you can,” I said and a breeze from Zack’s quick departure hit the bare skin of my legs.

“I’m sorry,” he said from my bedroom doorway, then disappeared.

My limbs trembled and my heart was still pounding. I curled up in a ball, wishing for the ache to go away. What had I been thinking? I’d known him a little over a week and was already giving myself away to someone who’d rejected me over and over. I needed to get a grip.

But I’d gotten my kiss and it was everything I’d fantasized about.

† † †

“Autumn. Wake up. We have to leave in a half hour and I need to stop at my house. With all the Daniel drama yesterday, I forgot my homework.”

Rubbing my eyes, I glanced over my shoulder at Zack in the doorway wearing only boxers and tousled hair. I lay curled up on my side, still without my comforter. He stood almost behind me, which gave him a clear view of whatever my skimpy panties didn’t cover.

As if realizing he’d entered dangerous territory with me, he backed up and bumped into the doorway. Righting himself, he yanked the door shut behind him.

I chuckled. Served him right after the kiss-and-dis the night before.

After showering, I quickly got dressed and dashed to the fridge to get a snack for later. But I’d pillaged it over the last few days and there was nothing edible left. If Zack would be staying here, I needed to go shopping.

“Autumn? You ready?” Zack called from the front door.

I grabbed my backpack and followed him outside.

“Do you mind if I drive?” he asked.

I tossed him my keys and climbed in the passenger side. Once we were on the road, he took a deep, meaningful breath.

Uh-oh, here it comes.

“About last night.” He snuck a peek at me, then focused on the road ahead.

“Yeah?”

“You’re really pretty. Any guy would be insane not to want to hook up with you.”

I felt another rejection coming on.

“Sorry.” The Mustang slowed as it hugged the curb. Zack gave me an apologetic look. “I’ll be fast.”

I waited in the car, while he dashed inside the house to get his homework. About a minute later, he flew out the front door and down the steps, then jumped into the driver’s seat without opening the door.

“You were saying?” I prodded, wanting to get it over with.

Zack inserted the key in the ignition, but didn’t start the car. He swiveled in his seat to face me. “My mom is getting worse every day and I’m not going to be here once she’s gone. I can’t stay. You know that.”

Right. I’d forgotten about all that. Zack, on the other hand, lived with the knowledge every day. What must it be like to know that your parent could die at any time and nothing could save her? I’d probably avoid attachments too, then bail first chance I got.

“It was late,” Zack continued. “I was groggy. You were wearing so little and you made me forget. But I can’t forget again. You’re a nice girl, Autumn, but with my mom’s situation and work and school and the scouts, there’s nothing left of me. You deserve better than that.”