Too shocked to react at first, he kissed her back. Then, realizing what was happening, he pushed her away, holding her at arm’s length while she struggled. For the first time he saw that her dress was ripped, as though she’d slashed at the material with a sharp knife. “What are you doing? What the hell’s wrong with you?”
At his words, she went still, though desire still darkened her cloudy gaze. “I tried to—” She swallowed, her tone miserable. “When I try to change and fail, this is what happens. All that energy channels into a craving for sex.”
Her words made no sense. Putting them down to a possible injury, he ignored his body’s stirring and studied her. “You sound…confused. Are you all right? Are you hurt?”
“That noise…is there a…fire?” Narrowing her eyes, she sniffed. “I smell smoke.” Before he could answer, she turned, gasping when she saw the flames consuming the old frame house. “My purse is in there. My wallet—all my money!” Gaze panicked, she climbed to her knees, as though she were considering attempting a mad dash to retrieve something that was no longer there.
“They’re gone,” he told her quietly. “I’m sorry.”
Expression miserable, she jerked her head in a nod of sorts. “Did you call the fire department?”
“I called 911. They’re on their way. Our department is volunteer, so it takes them a little longer to round up the people.”
Glumly, she watched the fire crackle and dance. “By the time they get here, that house and everything inside will be ashes.”
As if on cue, sirens sounded in the distance.
“A fire?” she repeated, sounding dazed. “How? Why?”
Again he asked, “Are you all right?
“I think so. Yes.” She licked her lips, drawing his gaze, sending a stab of hunger to his belly.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m a bit dizzy, but otherwise…” She nodded. “I’m fine. Good thing I didn’t remove my contacts. If I lost them, I’d be in deep trouble.”
He was still holding her at arm’s length. “If I let you go, will you behave yourself?”
Tilting her head, she winced, then nodded. “I think so. I’m sorry. Really.”
He didn’t release her.
Seeing his hesitation, she sighed. “I can’t control it. Isn’t that awful? I can barely control my own body.”
Again, she made no sense. “Now?”
“I’ve got it under control.” But she didn’t sound certain.
“Jewel, did you hit your head?”
Frowning, she touched her temples, pushing the hair away from her face. “I don’t…no.”
“What happened here?” He jerked his head toward the huge fire. “What happened to you?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know how the fire started?”
She shook her head. “No. I was outside and I passed out in the woods. When I came to, I made it back to the house and went inside. All I remember is dropping onto my bed, and then you, awakening me to this.”
The roof caved in, sending a shower of sparks high into the sky. The fire roared in triumph.
They were both silent as they stared at the raging inferno that had been her rental house.
“But you don’t know how the fire started?” He was nothing if not persistent.
“Someone probably set it.” Her tone was flat. “Cutting my brake line didn’t work, so they thought they’d kill me in a fire.”
