Page 13 of An Anomaly of Sunlight

She cracks open her car door and looks over her shoulder at me. “I’m not sure my nickname will be able to compare to those gems, but I’ll give it my best shot.” Chuckling, I grip her door as she slides into the driver’s seat. “You can call me anything, Amethyst. I’ll be whoever and whatever you need.” The last part came out accidentally, but that makes it no less true.

Shaking her head as she starts up her Jeep, she playfully slaps my arm, “You’re a hoot, Skyler.” She gently clutches her arms to her chest, eyes dropping. She looks as if she’s debating adding more. “What’s on your mind?” I ask, desperate for her answer.

“It’s just...” She lifts her head, meeting my eyes again. The orange and yellow flecks of her eyes twinkle. “You have no idea how much I needed someone like you. I think you’re an angel.” A deep warmth settles in my heart, flowing down my arm and settling at my wrist. She has no idea.

I wasn’t looking for a partner, had given up hope of finding someone to love and build a life with. Then she stepped out of that car and into my store, and all the walls I had built around my heart were crumbled. She has restored my hope, my wishful thinking.

“You, Sunlight, are the angel. I’m just a wolf.” Her eyebrows raise at that, shock flashing across face. Shit. Should I not have said that? Did she not know? I suppose there are no notable features in my human form to signal what I am.

“Well, just a wolf, I better get home. My mom will be eagerly awaiting my report of how my first day went.” She quips in her usual demeanor, and I wonder if I imagined the shift in her emotions.

“Have a good evening, Amethyst. I’ll see you soon.” I dip my head to her and when I’m sure she’s settled in her seat, push the door closed. She waves at me as she backs out of her parking spot, flashing me an alluring smile. I return the gesture.

Then as if it was second nature, light a cigarette. Could me being a shifter be why Amethyst pulled back? It just makes her all the more confusing. She showed fear around the more obvious species, then was shocked to find out what I am. Everything makes her seem human except for our bond.

Inhaling the smoke, my longing gaze follows Amethyst’s Jeep long after the taillights disappear on the horizon. The other side of me begs to take over. To shift and follow her scent, but I remain in control.

There were a few reports I needed to sign off on, although when I see Wren’s car pulling into the parking lot, I decide it can wait until tomorrow. As I slide into my car, one thing is certain; we will have to take this slow. Amethyst still has walls up, protecting herself from something. Perhaps a past that involved a wolf?

I will not push her, but I’d give anything to stand at her side as she heals from whatever haunts her.

Eight

Amethyst

The gravel of my driveway crunches under the tires as I throw the Jeep in park. Dropping my head against the steering wheel, I let out a frustrated growl. Skyler is a fucking wolf shifter. It’s ridiculous to even let this bother me. I’ve only known the man for two days.

Two days that have made me feel emotions I didn’t know were real.

I am fucked. Everything I told myself about leaving romance behind, to only find a human partner, instantly gone out the window. From the first moment we met, I felt drawn to Skyler.

Then when he caught me today, no hesitation as his strong arms wrapped around me... that touch ignited me. Like my bones had been encased in ice, needing the fire of his touch to melt it away.

Every nerve in my body came alive on that sidewalk — including the ones between my legs. A sudden wave of sadness falls over me. Would I be able to give myself to him in that way? Could I ever trust someone else with my body again?

The warmth in my chest screams that I can trust any and every part of me with him. The thought of him harming me feels wrong. I don’t fully understand it, but subconsciously I just know he’s different. He’s special to me, even having known him for such a short time.

That pesky, perceptive part of me declares Skyler will protect me. Trusting him is a certainty written in stone. But even stone can crumble under the right circumstances; I argue with my optimism.

I wish I had paid closer attention to my social studies teacher. We were taught about shifters, primarily wolves as they’re most common. I know they tend to live in packs, but it isn’t required. They are fiercely loyal, especially to their romantic partners. Perhaps him being a wolf is not such a bad thing…

Ding.

My phone lights up with a text. Skyler.

Biting the nail of my thumb, I suddenly believe in fate ten times over. Does he know I’m thinking of him? Does he think of me too? There was desire painted in his eyes when he held me in his arms. It was almost like I could feel his heart beating in my mind, could feel how his body rejoiced, just like mine.

If everything about this is wrong, why does it feel perfectly right?

The sun has almost disappeared beneath the trees, the last rays casting the hazy glow of dusk. Sliding a finger across the phone screen, I bring up the message.

Skyler

The store number is 0349 Sunlight. Sorry I was late sending. I hope you are enjoying your evening. -Bitch Boy

A smile takes over my face, and I embrace the giggle that escapes. Maybe I’m giving this too much thought and letting my anxiety get the best of me. Skyler makes me laugh; he makes me feel safe. That’s enough for now. If there’s meant to be more for us, I want it to happen naturally, at our own pace.

Still grinning like a fool, I pull up the app store and download Lineup. Logging in just how Skyler told me and tapping on the calendar icon, assuming it will show the schedule. I pull the phone closer to my face to read the smaller text.