My pulse leapt and my belly warmed. He straightened away from the wall and held out his hand.
I gave him a small smile and moved toward him. Once I slipped my hand in his, he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Home,” he whispered.
I didn’t understand what he meant.
When he opened his eyes again, he pulled me toward him. We moved together to the music, a gentle sway that beckoned me to lean in further. I rested my cheek against his chest and sighed, floating in peace.
The music ended too soon. I lifted my head, but he didn’t stop dancing with me. Our gazes locked. Something there made my pulse flutter. In excitement or in warning, I couldn’t tell. My head was too fuzzy to think straight.
“I need some air.”
I pulled away from him, but he kept hold of my hand and led me toward the smoker’s exit near the back. Trees surrounded the overgrown patio, and he tugged me toward them.
We walked a ways into the woods then he stopped and turned toward me, only inches separating us. The distance reminded me of the night in the bathroom, and I tilted my face up toward him, wondering if he’d try something like he had that night. Part of me hoped he would. I didn't want to be alone. I wanted him to hold me, but I didn't want it to mean anything.
He turned away from me, confusing me. It took me a moment to notice that the hand holding mine shook.
“Carlos?”
“Will you do something for me, Isabelle?” he asked softly.
A shiver coursed through me at the rough edge in his voice. I tried to focus, to feel what he might be feeling, but my head was swimming too much.
“Do something?”
“Yes. For me.”
I hesitated. He wanted me to do something for him but wouldn’t turn around and look at me. Even with my head swimming, I knew that, along with the shaking, couldn’t be a good thing. Yet, he was still talking. Asking nicely. That couldn’t be too bad, could it?
“What do you want me to do?”
“Run,” he said.
I wasn’t expecting that.
“Why?”
He turned and using my hand, tugged me closer to him. My breath caught when his other hand rose to my face. His fingertips trembled against my skin as he touched me lightly along my jaw.
“Because I want to chase you.”
At first, I thought he was joking. But his serious expression told me otherwise.
“Just run?”
He nodded.
“Like tag?”
Slowly, he shook his head. I searched his face for a hint of what he might be thinking. The shaking got worse as I backed up a step, then another. He growled low, and like the insane person I’d always guessed I was, I tore free from his touch and ran.
A rumbling growl sounded behind me a moment before something came crashing through the trees after me. I let out a squeal and pushed myself to go faster. I dodged around trees and squeezed through bramble. A few times, I thought I might have gained some distance, but then I’d hear another splintering crash or growl.
Either the running or the adrenaline seemed to burn off enough of the alcohol that I realized what I was doing was crazy. I stopped suddenly and spun around to face Carlos. Only it wasn’t Carlos that burst through the trees.
A dark beast prowled closer on all fours. Its lips were pulled back in a snarl, and a spike of fear dissolved the rest of the alcohol’s effects. It looked just like the things that had attacked us.
“Carlos?” Fear pitched my voice higher than usual.
It jumped forward and knocked me down, not giving any indication that name meant anything. The beast stood over me and lowered its muzzle to my face. I could barely breathe past the terror filling me.
“If you’re Carlos, you better show me now, or I’ll make you bleed.”
The beast gave a shudder and fur started to disappear, exposing familiar tan skin. His ears receded and his teeth retracted. Within seconds, the beast leaning over me became Carlos.
His gaze locked with mine. There was no anger. Instead, everything in his expression hinted at the want he’d once let me feel, a desire so potent, a need so consuming, I’d let him hold me. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of it.
“Isabelle...” He slowly lowered his head, his breath fanning my face as he glanced at my lips.
Panic surged through my veins.
“I’m not ready,” I whispered.
He sighed, closed his eyes, and dropped his forehead to mine.
“I know.”
He didn’t move, and I became very aware of just how close we were. His inside thighs touched the outside of mine. The heat of his chest warmed me but didn’t press against me. His arms, braced on either side of me, prevented any further contact. But for how long?
“Can we get up?” I asked nervously.
He nodded, but didn’t move further.
“Carlos. Are you all right?”
“Thank you, Isabelle.”
“For what?”
“For running.”
Then he got up and offered me his hand. My eyes bugged.
“Where are your clothes?”
He looked down at himself then at me.
“I’ll need to get some new ones from the car.”