Beyond Wild Imaginings by Brieanna Robertson

reached one hand up and caressed his cheek. She ran her fingers along and down his jawline, hoping to ease some of the tension. It worked. The harsh lines of his face softened and he met her gaze, his eyes holding a wealth of emotion that she couldn’t decipher.
    He landed on the roof of her apartment building and made sure she was shielded from the rain until they reached the stairwell. Only then did he retract his wings. He was silent as they made their way to her apartment, and when Kelly looked at him, he seemed deep in thought.
    Once inside, she realized that she had left her pasta in Roger’s car and she sighed. It figured. One good dinner down the drain, just like her evening. She went to the linen closet and pulled out a towel, but Garren took it out of her hands. She looked up at him in confusion. He unfolded the towel, wrapped it around her, and dried off her wet arms and dripping hair.
    She gave a small smile. “Garren, you’re sweet, but you don’t have to.”
    “Shh.” It was a definite command, and he continued to dry her off.
    Kelly watched him. His face was intent on the task at hand, and it stirred butterflies in her stomach. She couldn’t remember if any man she’d ever been with had taken such care of her. His hands were gentle and thorough, and he made sure he left no trace of mud or water on her body. The fluttery feeling in her stomach moved upward to her heart. “Garren,” she whispered.
    “Why would your sister set you up with such a man?” he snapped.
    A small smile touched Kelly’s lips. “I don’t know, Garren. Rachel thinks she’s helping, but she has no idea what I want or need.”
    “Helping? How could she possibly think she was helping you? What has happened to the girl I remember? When did she turn her back on everything she was and become the monstrosity that was in your kitchen this morning?” He flung the towel down in the hamper and strode into the living room, obviously still more than irritated.
    Kelly sighed. “I don’t know what happened to Rachel, Garren. She’s been that way for twenty years.” She shrugged. “I know she worries about me. I don’t exactly have the best luck with men. Even before David, I knew how to pick losers. She wants to help. Unfortunately, she has no idea how to do it.”
    Garren whirled to face her. “She needs to listen to you. She needs to know you.”
    She looked up at him, and her heart reminded her that it was still fluttering. She gave him a soft smile. “I know.”
    He snorted and slashed at the air with his hands while pacing back and forth several times in agitation. “I know not how things got so out of hand in your life, but I swear to you one thing.” He turned back to her and pointed his finger at her. “No one, and I do mean no one, will ever treat you this way again.”
    She blinked and raised an eyebrow. A slow smile curved her lips, and she sat down on the couch, patting the seat next to her. “Garren, come sit down before you give yourself a stroke. You can go all barbarian on me later, okay?”
    He scowled and folded his arms over his chest. “I do not appreciate you making light of my concern and desire to protect you.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Okay, I guess men are all cavemen whether they’re real or not,” she muttered. “Garren, for crying out loud, come sit down.” She smacked the sofa cushion with force.
    He stared at her for a second, then let out a growling sound and strode over to the couch, flopping down with about as much grace as a buffalo.
    Kelly giggled and turned to face him. She studied his disgruntled appearance for a moment and found it to be the most endearing thing she had ever seen. She’d never had a man get so irate in her defense. She almost didn’t know what to do with it. It was strange, but it was also wonderful. With a smile, she moved toward him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head against his chest so she could listen to the comforting rhythm of his