Chapter One
The wind howled and rain beat against the windows, it was a storm unlike any Celeste had seen before. She wrapped the blanket tighter around her body and stared into the inky night, no moon or stars shone in the midnight sky. Stepping away from the window, she curled up in her chair. Lightning flashed across the sky, the jagged streaks illuminating her small living room. It wasn’t a fit night for human or animal.
Celeste shivered when a howl rent the air. Wolves. She knew they inhabited the woods nearby, but she’d never seen one. A lone wolf howled again, sounding even closer than before. Getting up, she swiftly walked to the door and made sure it was locked. She shook her head, realizing how silly it was to think a wolf could open the door whether it was locked or not, yet the lock made her feel safer.
Pacing the wood floor, she looked at the clock. Almost midnight. She knew she should try and get some sleep, but sleep had eluded Celeste for months… ever since Micah had died. They’d been engaged, the wedding only weeks away, until a fatal car accident had taken his life. Now Celeste was alone again. Having been alone most of her life, she should be used to it, but things were harder now that Micah was gone. He’d filled a void in her life.
A scratching noise on her porch made her freeze. The door rattled in its hinges, drawing a startled breath from her. She watched with wide eyes as the knob slowly turned. When the possible intruder couldn’t open the door, they banged against it fiercely.
“Is anyone home? I need help!” a deep masculine voice called through the door.
Celeste cautiously approached the door. “What do you need?”
“I was attacked. Please, let me in before they come looking for me.”
Celeste slowly unlocked the door and opened it a crack, peering out onto the porch. A naked man was curled on the wooden slats, angry scratches running the length of his back and arms.
Two more howls, even more chilling than the others, came from the nearby woods, spurring her into action. She knew she had to get the man into her home before the wolves came looking for him.
“Oh! You poor thing,” Celeste said, opening the door further and crouching beside him. “Come on. Let’s get you inside and cleaned up.”
The man looked up at her and Celeste caught her breath. The bluest eyes she’d ever seen stared up at her through thick dark lashes. A sable mane of hair hung around his face in thick wet strands. A strong, square jaw and high cheekbones lent him a ruggedly handsome look.
Helping him to his feet, she led him into the cabin, trying to ignore the naked skin pressed against her. After she closed and locked the door, she led him down the hall to the bathroom.
“Sit here and I’ll get you some clothes,” Celeste said softly.
She scurried out of the bathroom and went up to the loft. Digging in Micah’s old closet, she found a pair of sweatpants and t-shirt that should fit her unexpected guest. As she descended the stairs, she heard the shower running. Slipping into the bathroom, she laid out a fresh towel and placed the clothes on the counter.
“I have some clothes here that I think will fit you,” she said as she backed toward the bathroom door.
“Thank you,” the man said.
“I’ll… I’ll just be in the living room.” Celeste beat a hasty retreat, closing the bathroom door firmly behind her. She pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks, the heat from them warming her hands.
Pushing away from the door, she walked back to the living room. Curling up in her chair again, she couldn’t keep her gaze from straying to the bathroom door. She’d have to have been blind to not notice the well-toned, muscular body that went along with her guest. She didn’t even know his name, yet her body already wanted him. Her heart ached for the loss of
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