A Wild Flower Among Wolves

First Kiss.

His eyes flickered at my question.

He looked confused and responded

“What?”

Now I’m the one who’s confused.

“Did you just say you ‘finally found me’..? What’s that supposed to mean?”

I set my empty mug on the bar and held his gaze again. I could see his Adam’s apple move up and down as he swallowed.

“I didn’t mean anything by it, I’ve just never met a girl like you Clover”

I didn’t know him well enough to tell if he was being sincere or not.

“I feel like I should believe you ..but.. it might just be the whiskey talking.”

I laugh as I motion towards the bartender in hopes of her refilling my mug. Without breaking her stride she whipped me up another coffee and slid in front of me. Kieran tilted his glass and let her refill him with the same whiskey she made my coffee with.

I’m not normally a drinker so two drinks to me might as well be twelve. I could feel the liquid courage running through my veins. I noticed his hand was still resting on the bar. A thin white scar led from there crease by his thumb all the way up past his wrist. I’ve worked with animals long enough to recognize past tissue trauma. I traced along the line while asking him about it.

“What’s the story here?”

His hand muscles tensed as he flipped my hand over and began tracing the lines on my palm.

“Not much of a story really.. just an old dog bite from when I was younger.”

This was the first time I noticed he didn’t look me in the eyes as he answered my question.

“Oh..” I peeped out

“.. at least you didn’t let it scare you away from dogs all together..”

He smiled as his eyes met mine again.

“Nah..” he scoffed “.. it’ll take more than a little bite to take me down.”

Three drinks deep and two hours later I realize how late it’s getting. Thankfully Kieran seems to read my mind and gestures for the bartender to close our tab.

As I stood to head for the exit, it felt all three drinks hit me at once. Everything was relaxed and I was no longer cold at all. I stumbled slightly as I descended the short staircase out front. Kieran didn’t seemed fazed by his drinks at all which made me feel a little embarrassed. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in close to him as we walked, helping me keep my balance.

The walk home went by in a flash and before I knew it we were outside the clinic where we started.

“Well Miss Clover, how do you plan on getting home from here?”

I could see the concern in his eyes but the liquor was making my head feel dizzy and I knew there was no way I could drive home.

“I’m fine, I’m probably just going to crash on the couch in the break room.”

There won’t be anyone in tomorrow so I should be able to get out of here in the morning without any explaining myself.

Kieran furrowed his brow and did not seemed pleased with my answer.

“Are you sure? Can I convince you to let me take you home?”

As much as my body wanted him, my brain did in fact remind me I barely knew this man. If Bo were here she would be telling me to be smart and that it was way too soon to take this man home or go home with him.

“I’ve stayed here after late nights at the office before, the couch is surprisingly comfortable and only me and doc have the security codes to the front door so I’ll be fine I promise.”

I reach out to take him by the hand in a comforting manner. As soon as our palms intertwined, it felt like small bolts of lightning were shooting through my finger tips and up my forearm.

Is this what people mean when they say they feel a spark with someone?.. I didn’t think it was quite so literal.

Without taking his hand from mine, Kieran pulled me close. He threaded his right hand through my hair and caressed the back of my neck. My eyes closed instinctively. He tilted my head back slightly and I opened my eyes locking them to his. My mouth parted slightly in anticipation. I released his hand to reach around his waist and pull myself closer to him. All of the common sense I thought I had was going right out the window.. Bo would be so pissed.

He took his chance and met his lips to mine almost lifting me off the ground. I wrapped both of my hands around his neck and ran my fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss.

My entire body ignited. I could kiss any chance I had of leaving this interaction with my dignity in tact, good bye.

You know what?

Fuck it.

His free hand slowly started making its way down my back and let his bottom two fingers rest right on top of my ass.

Out of nowhere he broke our connection and methodically scanned the parking lot behind me. Our eyes locked.

“I’m taking you home Clover..” he said sternly. It was the first time I heard him talk like that all night. I didn’t even question it. I got in his truck and we pulled off quickly. I almost forgot to tell him which way to turn at the light but he thankfully was already getting into the right turn lane.

When pulled into my driveway, he put the truck in park and looked over to me.

“Can I walk you to your door?”

I answered almost simultaneously.

“Absolutely..”