AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stepped toward the door while raising my fist to knock.
Nope. Don’t do it. It would just turn into another mistake.
I blinked.
How long had I been standing out here with a debate going on in my head? Probably long enough to be suspicious. Though Matéo hadn’t come to the door to see if I had actually left, I could have sworn I heard him breathing on the other side. I sensed his nearness, the scent of eucalyptus and mountain in the air breathing life into my lungs as I sucked in gulp after gulp.
I couldn’t get enough.
And that was just silly.
Had I made awful mistakes before? Most certainly. There was plenty I could count on one hand—and only one hand. My adventurous spirit was typically tempered by my logical nature and my sunny disposition kept everything at an even keel.
I hardly took risks. And when I did, they were always calculated.
Matéo was a massive risk.
And one that I might never forget.
I’m harboring a fugitive, I thought as I headed to the elevator. My heart leaped from my chest, excitement pooling in its place. I smiled at my reflection as I hit the button for the first floor.No, I’m doing so much more than that. I’m protecting him from the vampires.
A shudder ripped through me as I recalled the fight we left at the diner. That mess was ridiculous. I didn’t understand why vampires constantly attacked wolves out in the open or why this particular group was dedicated to attacking Matéo specifically. He hadn’t done anything wrong. He hadn’t threatened him.
I blinked at my reflection.Or had he?
Nobody knew about this guy except me. So far. And I had to keep it that way for a while. If I put in an order with the kitchen at this hour, it wouldn’t be strange at all. Creatures came from all over to stay in our inn. They ordered food constantly. A wolf settling in for the night and wanting a hot meal wasn’t unheard of.
Shit, I thought while slapping the button to keep the doors from closing.I didn’t even ask what he wanted.
I raced back to the door, ignoring the nagging feeling that I had forgotten on purpose. That was silly, too. I just survived an attack by vampires with a sexy god from the mountains. Anyone would have been slightly forgetful, even a little overwhelmed. And maybe I had hit my head or something. Maybe I was traumatized.
I snorted.Hardly. I’m the least traumatized person here in the inn.
I shook my head as I paused in front of the door. A chilly mountain breeze whipped around my shoulders, drawing goosebumps to the surface. My eyelids fluttered as I raised my fist to knock.Again. Because apparently, I couldn’t help myself.
The door opened.
Matéo stood with a towel wrapped around his waist, torso chiseled to perfection with tattoos covering just about every inch of him. Wherever I looked, I found scenic landscapes, prancing wolves, and French words in script inserted in various places. It was a canvas I desperately wanted to touch.
And almost got to touch were it not for the way he cleared his throat. Like he was chiding me.
I met his gaze. Authoritative hues glared from the red eye while the clouded blue eye burned with desire. It almost felt like I was kind of in trouble.
And I kind oflikedit.
“Yes?” his voice broke through my thoughts like a wicked wind. “Did you forget something, Rose?”
“Oh, I…” I scrubbed my arm. “Your meal… I didn’t know… what you would want for…”
“Dinner?” His eyes roamed my body and then sharply met my gaze. He smirked. “A rare steak with a side of creamed spinach. Macaroni and cheese. If you got it.”
I gulped. “Yeah, we got it.”
“Hop to it, Rose. You don’t want to keep your guest waiting, right?”
Heavens no, I didn’t. “Yes, sir—I mean, of course—I mean, I’ll be right back. Enjoy your stay. Okay,goodbye.”
The way he watched me run off to the elevator made my heart flutter in my chest—and stung my core. He didn’t want steak for dinner—he wanted me.
