Winter Wolf(20)

She smiled. “Silly dog, I’m not running about for your entertainment.”

She reached the trees and squinted into the dark but couldn’t see anyone. Her chest heaved, dragging air into her oxygen-deprived lungs.

“Bass?” she whispered, taking a few more steps into the woods. She could only see a short distance and not very well. She moved slowly, arms outstretched so as not to face-plant into a tree.

“Bass!” she called a little louder, her heart pounding. What if it wasn’t Bass at all? “Bass, where are you?”

Arne stepped in front of her, growling. She saw his eyes first, just silver flecks like stars in the night sky, and then the outline of his large wolf. He was so dark he was almost invisible. He looked up at Katalina and then at Arne. Bass growled back and Arne instantly silenced.

“Ay! Leave him alone. He’s just protecting me from the ‘big bad wolf’, “she laughed.

His wolf padded further into the woods with Katalina following.

“Bass, slow down. I can barely see you!” she whispered. Her foot was aching something rotten and she was beginning to wish he’d come to her.

“Bass?” She’d lost sight of him. Peering into the darkness feeling disorientated, she called again, “Bass where are you?”

“Big bad wolf, am I?” he murmured, appearing before her.

Gasping, Katalina jumped. It was as if he’d just appeared out of nowhere.

He chuckled at her. “Sorry, did I scare you?”

“Yes! How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Just appear? I didn’t hear you or see you until you were in my face.”

“Partly because I’m a wolf, partly because I’m good at blending into the shadows. I told you. No one see’s me unless I want to be seen.”

“Hmm.” Katalina had just noticed his bare chest and the tattered looking pair of jeans hanging low on his waist; he wore nothing else. Immediately, she couldn’t pull together a single coherent sentence. Her mind imagined what it would feel like running her hands over each ridge of his abs.

“You’re staring, Kat.”

“Hmm, what?”

“I said you are staring.” He reached out his hand and tilted her chin up. She stared into his amused eyes.

“How long have you had those jeans on?” she asked, seeing how dirty they were.

“Well, not that long considering I’m a wolf most of the time, but being carried around by a wolf and dumped on the ground isn’t the best for keeping clothes clean.” He stepped closer, his bare skin just centimeters from her. “Am I too dirty for you, Katalina Winter?”

She gulped, feeling like smacking the smug smirk from his face. She stepped back, needing room to think of anything other than his body. Get a grip, Kat. He’s only kissed you once!

“You didn’t come last night.”

“No, the wolf who interrupted us, he tracked me after I left. He’s very good. Fortunately, I’m better. He has been very persistent in his goal to catch me. Coming to you, would have been too great a risk. I saw you waiting though.”

“You did?”

“Yes, you stood at the window for a long time.”

“Yes,” she answered, casting her eyes down in embarrassment.

“I like that you waited.”

She snapped her head up. “You do?”

He chuckled again, amusement dancing in his eyes.

God, could you sound any lamer, Kat?

He stepped forward, his arm wrapping around her waist. Her breath left her in a rush as he pulled her against him. “I do,” he breathed into her mouth, kissing her softly.

Katalina moaned as she melted against him. She looked at him breathlessly, all the questions she’d wanted to ask, buried under her desire.

“Did you miss me?” he asked her quietly.

For a moment, she wondered whether to tell him the truth. What would he think? They’d only known each other for a short time, but in that short time, he’d consumed her. She’d thought of nothing else the previous night, and when he didn’t turn up, her heart had ached.

“Yes,” she said quietly, looking to the ground again.

“Good.” He met her lips again; his hands ran slowly up her back and into her hair.

She shivered; her whole body alive from his touch. His tongue dipped into her mouth, making her knees weaken. Running her hands up his back, she gripped him tighter; his skin like fire under her fingertips.

Bass pulled away from her, breathing heavily. Smiling, Katalina felt pleased it wasn’t just her so affected.

“As much as I’d love to kiss you all night, I need to tell you something, Kat.”

She felt instantly cold, the tone of his voice suddenly going from playful to serious. “About what?”