Bite For Once

Chapter 2

The dog still circled below me. Crap. Crap. Crap! “Go—” I started again, but the dog stopped mid-grunt. His head was tilted to the right, and his ears were pricked up. Then, without even a glance in my direction, it turned and went into the woods.

Yes. I stepped back. Blood dripped down my arm. This will teach me a lesson that I shouldn't leave my pepper spray at home. But I thought, that I was no longer where we used to live. Apparently, wild, wild dogs can happen here.

I gasped when I touched the claw marks. Ten to one chance it will heal quickly. Then I was the not-so-cool girl with the fingernail marks on her arm.

"Are you okay?"

I heard a man's deep voice. My head lifted, and my eyes searched for the baritone voice. I frowned because I didn't see anyone.

Then he stepped out of the shadows. Oh, wow. Tall, tanned skin, and lots of muscles. I could see his abs because the man was not wearing a top. He was wearing only a pair of old faded jogging shorts, tennis shoes, and nothing else.

His thick lack hair was quite long, and his pair of eyes were hypnotizing. He seemed to be about my age, maybe a year or two older. One look, and he knew I had a problem. The really good kind of excitement that can make a girl want to go out late at night.

And I landed on the tree, bloody. That's right. That's how a killer makes a first impression. Things must be different this time. I cleared my throat and felt the need to warn him. “You have to be careful! There's some kind of wild dog running out here.” My voice broke a little.

He blinked and raised an eyebrow. "dog?"

There was another c***k. Stronger this time and I knew— The branch broke, and I went down. In that half second, I braced myself for the impact and the shocking humiliation of falling at the handsome man's feet.

But I didn't fall to the ground. He caught me.

He caught me.

My arms were locked with him. He was warm and strong and…I cleared my throat. “Thank you."

A small smile appeared on his lips. Beautiful lips. Not too thin. Not too thick. "You spend a lot of time climbing trees?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Only on days when the dog chases me."

His smile faded quickly, and he looked down at my arm.

I'm still holding on to him. Okay, now this is getting awkward. "You can put me down now." His face was truly perfect, in a dark-and-dangerous kind of way. Strong character. Hard jaw. Incredibly white teeth.

He slowly lowered me to the ground. I didn't want to stain him with blood—and I didn't know him in the first place. We were alone in the woods and my father didn't raise a fool—so I took a few steps back. Adding a little space can be a good thing.

"What happened?" He wanted to know.

Do all the men here look like you ? I bit back the question. Because I think this is not the right time or place to be curious about him. I even have a tendency to blurt things out.

I make that habit. And I should be hiding that attitude, too. The teachers at my old school actually thought my behavior was quite annoying.

My hand covered the marks. "The dog scratched me."

"That explains why you climb up the tree?"

I closed my eyes. Where is the mistake in my plan? "That sounds like a better idea than just standing here and letting the dog bite me."

He looked back at me. "Are you sure it's a dog?"

“Uh, yeah…” But at that moment, a new sound filled the forest. A long, sad howl.

He laughed then, and showed his white teeth. "You don't know anything about animals?"

I cleared my throat. "Are you saying it's… a wolf?" I almost got eaten by a wolf?

He took a step then, and his hand went up to my hair. I was stunned because I didn't expect that move.

"Easy." I could hardly breathe what he said. Then he pulled a branch from my hair.

But, I thought no such luck. Bloody, dirty, and there were branches in my hair. I swallowed and tried to calm my pounding heart. I've been in difficult situations many times, worse than before.

I was one step away from him. Not because I'm nervous. "My name is Amara Lambino. You, who are you?"

Another howl filled the air, and I was thrown back on my heels. His face hardened. "You shouldn't come out here," he told me. "You don't know this place. You'll get lost—"

"I don't get lost." I said quickly. And except for one nasty confession to an ex-boyfriend, I've kept that secret for over three years, ever since I first assembled my little present on my thirteenth birthday. But give me a wolf, a claw mark, and a hot guy, and suddenly I'm talkative.

His eyebrows met at what I said. "What?"

"I know my way home," I whispered, knowing my cheeks were red. I feel the heat on my face.

“Good.” Although he wasn't particularly convinced.

I straightened my shoulders. Despite my screaming to run into the woods— did he see any of that?

I know how to handle myself. Out here, I might just be a fresh meat.

Note to self...just be strong, Amara. I cleared my throat, "Who are you?" I asked again, but this time, I made my voice stronger, harder.

He stared at me for a moment, and I hoped I didn't look as bad as I felt. "Be careful walking in the woods," he told me, only not telling me his name as he turned and walked away. "You never know what's waiting here."

Okay. I removed my hands, blood staining my shorts as I pressed my palms into the material. The man saved me from more bruises, maybe even from a broken leg.

So, of course, I just watched him walk away.

I admired that view.

Then, when he was gone, I turned and started jogging home. And with every move I make, it's like someone is just watching me. The woods are no longer interesting. Now they seem dark and dangerous and at this moment, I am taking the shortest route to my new home.

*****