The Wolf Siren

“Fine.” His jaw appeared as tight as hers. “Let me know if you need anything.” And before she could even consider replying, he turned up the radio and began singing along to the music, some country-western song about something called a redneck.

Mystified, she turned away and faced the window. She decided to practice her deep breathing, something her last therapist claimed would help calm her but which hadn’t worked so far. To her complete amazement, with Kane singing happily in the background, this time she felt tranquility washing over her. But it had nothing to do with her breaths and everything to do with Kane’s deep, melodic voice. The night before, she’d thought it was the guitar, but she realized now she’d been wrong. The instrument was only part of it. The rest was him. Something about the way he sang reached deep inside her, into her bones and her blood.

Chapter 3

Foolishness. Or so Lilly quickly told herself. That didn’t stop her from enjoying the respite from the constant buzz of trepidation that usually swirled inside her, mingling with the fear. Abstractly, she knew she wasn’t supposed to be so uneasy, but the queasy feeling that there was danger all around her persisted. She didn’t know how to stop it. Therapy was supposed to help, but it hadn’t.

In fact, she could count on the fingers of one hand the moments of calm since she’d been freed from captivity. Last night and right now—this was huge. Allowing herself a small smile while making sure Kane couldn’t see, she sighed. She closed her eyes and let herself slide into sleep.

She’d slept a little, and then they’d stopped for lunch and stretched their legs, and gotten right back on the road. They didn’t talk much, which to her surprise felt comfortable.

That night, they stopped in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. When he pulled into the small motel’s parking lot, asking her to wait in the car while he got them a room, anticipation filled her rather than dread. Because later, surely he’d sing. Stunned, she realized she craved this, the same way she’d once craved water.

After checking into their room, which oddly bore a close resemblance to the previous one, Kane suggested they walk across the parking lot to the small, brightly lit café.

“Okay.” She didn’t even have to consider her answer. The fast-food they’d consumed hours ago for lunch had long since been digested and she felt hollow. Which meant she was hungry. Not a new sensation by any means, but her body had once been accustomed to being starved. Allowing herself to want food, to actually anticipate the flavor on her taste buds, was yet another thing that should have brought her happiness, but instead stressed her out. She couldn’t shake the certainty of believing if she allowed herself to enjoy one thing—anything—it would be promptly taken away from her. Conditioning, her shrink had said. Whatever it was, it was a part of her that she now hated.

He stayed close to her side as they crossed the well-lit motel lot into the café. The place was bright and crowded, and the scent of hamburgers cooking made her mouth water.

“Heaven,” she breathed, before realizing what she’d done and immediately trying to shut the instant of pleasure down.

“Don’t,” he said quietly, as if he understood. And then, shocking her, he took her hand. When he closed his large fingers firmly around hers, she struggled against a sharp stab of panic.

“I...” Tugging, she stopped when she saw the kindness in his eyes. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” Instead of releasing her, he continued to hold on to her hand while they waited for the hostess to gather menus. As they followed the woman to their booth, Lilly wondered when Kane planned to let her go.

He released her when they reached their seats, sliding into the booth on the side facing the door. Studying him, she thought he appeared relaxed. Which was good, as that would mean they weren’t in any immediate danger.

She wished she could relax, as well.

“Are you always so jumpy?”

As if to underscore his comment, she started at his words. “Yes,” she answered, refusing to sugarcoat it. “As I’m sure you noticed, I’m pretty messed up.”

“That’s understandable.” No censure, only compassion in that wonderful, rich voice of his. He opened his menu, to her relief. “What are you in the mood for?”

“A burger,” she blurted, her mouth starting to water, “and fries.”

He nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll have the same.”

With a start, she realized the waitress stood nearby, ready to take their orders. Lilly’d been too lost in her thoughts to notice.

“And two milkshakes,” Kane continued, handing the menus back.

“What flavor?” the waitress asked.

Kane’s silver eyes met Lilly’s, causing a spark to flare low in her belly. “Are you a chocolate or vanilla person?”

“Do you have banana?” she blurted, forcing herself to meet the waitress’s gaze.

“Yep.”

“I’d like that.”

“We’ll take two,” Kane seconded, grinning so broadly Lilly wondered if she’d made some sort of public mistake.

Once the waitress moved away, Kane reached across the table and lightly touched her cheek, pretending not to notice when she flinched. “You know what you want,” he said, his tone vibrating with praise. “I like that.”

To her befuddled amazement, she felt her face heat at the compliment. “Thanks.”

When their food arrived along with the milkshakes, huge burgers next to a mound of crispy fries that looked every bit as good as they smelled, she froze. After shooting Kane a quick glance, she snatched hers up and sank her teeth into it. The flavor exploded in her mouth, making her hum with pleasure.

Half the thing was gone before she realized it. Glancing at Kane, she saw he watched her while he ate his own, much more slowly. Sheepishly, she put her burger down and made herself take some of her fries.

“You look like you’re enjoying that,” he said, smiling.

“I am.” Careful not to talk with her mouth full, she took a long drink of her shake, almost purring out loud at the sweet banana deliciousness as it slid down her throat.

He laughed, a sound of genuine pleasure. “I take it you like your milkshake, too.”

She nodded, swallowing one last sip before answering. “This is great.” Looking up, she met his laughing gaze. With a sense of shock, she realized Kane was damn near beautiful when he smiled. The thought made her full stomach hurt. Careful to look away, she tried to think of something else.

As seemed to be his wont, Kane came to the rescue. “Didn’t Lucas feed you back there in Seattle?”

“He did.” She tried to think of a diplomatic way to explain. Since there was none, she went ahead and told the truth. “Food is another one of my...neuroses. I have a lot. Too many to count, actually.” Her lame attempt at a joke fell flat. Once again, she felt her face color.

When he didn’t respond, she glanced up at him. He appeared to be engrossed in devouring the remains of his meal. With a feeling of relief, she did the same.

After they’d finished, Lilly declined dessert, even though the apple pie the waitress mentioned made her mouth water again. Amusement flickering in his eyes, Kane asked for the check. As they got up to leave, she half expected him to reach for her hand again. When he didn’t, she marveled at her feeling of disappointment.

Still, full and sated, she noticed an unusual lightness in her steps as they walked side by side to the motel.

Back in the room, as soon as he closed the door, the familiar uneasiness swept over her. She knew she should try to fight it. After all, they’d spent two days driving in the car together. Intellectually, she knew he meant her no harm, but some kind of rationality based on past experience made terror grab her by the throat and refuse to let go. Paralyzed, she tried to regain control, to push back the dizziness, to slow her rapid heartbeat.

Deep breathing, deep breathing. She would be strong. She was strong. Purposefully avoiding looking at the bed, where she longed to crawl under the covers and curl into a protective ball, she headed for the bathroom and a hot shower.

When she emerged, instead of sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for her, Kane had stretched out, still fully dressed, and fallen asleep. Padding over on her bare feet, she studied his strong profile. Even asleep, she saw the inherent strength in his hawklike features. Emboldened, she let her gaze travel over the rest of him, his impossibly long, black lashes, high cheekbones, and firm yet sensual lips. An unfamiliar warmth began inside her. He really was dangerously beautiful. Tendrils of his thick dark hair curled on his tanned forehead, and his broad shoulders and muscular arms made him look virile in his T-shirt. Even his bare arm silky with hairs and his long fingered hands fascinated her. The same way one would marvel at a great work of art, she told herself. Nothing more.

Sleep had muted the air of isolation she’d sensed in him and identified with, making him appear unexpectedly vulnerable. If not for the power she sensed coiled within him, making his aura pulse with potent masculinity, that is.

Aching to touch the heat emanating from his flesh, she cleared her throat instead. Oddly enough, she felt more at risk now than she did when he was awake with his quiet confidence filling the room.

At the sound, he opened his eyes. His silver gaze locked on hers, making her catch her breath.

“All done?” he asked, sitting up. Momentarily struck dumb, she nodded.

“Great.” Pushing himself off the bed, he smiled at her. “I’ll only be a minute or two. Go ahead and sleep if you want.”