Page 22 of Mated
It’s a summer fucking miracle.
I take the next left and head to Silver Rock, praying the whole way that one of the pack wants to fight. Because I need to fuck someone or hit something, and where Nisha is rapidly being concerned, it may need to be both.
Chapter 10
Nisha
I sprint to my cabin, snare a pair of regular cut-off shorts and a tank before running to my Jeep and climbing in.
It takes little detective work to deduce which direction Tanner and the goth guy, Caine, went. Though, as far as goth’s go, that one was fine to a point I’m willing to claim try-sexual status.
In other words, I’ll try anything once.
My face scalds.
All the heat in my veins should have dispelled. It hasn't. In fact, it's gotten worse. Running into Tanner, his tan body wreathed in a solid white tee two sizes too small and jeans that look like he poured them over his muscular thighs and that tight ass ...
I want to sink my teeth into his ass. Hell, into his neck, the muscle of his arms, and every damn defined ridge of his abs.
Even after I succumbed to sleep, his scent seemed to pour in from the air conditioner. And it was no surprise when he found his way into my dreams. Dreams that morphed into fangs and claws until I bolted upright a little after 8 a.m. Leaving me late for my shift.
When I called in requesting a few days off, the Captain had little to say. I didn’t mention the attack. Instead, they can all go on believing I am hiding from Chuck. I have bigger problems now.
There was no chance to go back to sleep, to rest anymore. I won't rest until the bastard that attacked me is behind bars.
And Tanner is trying to hunt for him on his own.
What was it he called me? A human? A liability?
“So what exactly are you then, Mr. Tall, Dark, and fine as hell?” I lean over my steering wheel as the truck nearly a quarter of a mile ahead dips out onto the highway. I pull out behind them and merge into traffic.
But he doesn’t head toward town. Instead, he drives down a few exits and slips out onto an old dirt road. My Jeep has no problem following.
Trees line the old byway, their branches interlock above to create a cool patch of road. The temperature in the car drops further, and I welcome the change.
No houses seem to adorn the less populated area. Indeed, only one driveway juts from the road between two high posts and a sign completely indiscernible in the dimness.
Tanner turns between the posts and pulls down the long rutted drive.
I pull over on the side of the road, engine running as my thumbs drum the wheel.
To follow or not to follow?
Now, that I'm here, a part of me doesn't want to know what I will find if I follow him. The other, louder part calls that one a pussy and makes me maneuver the car to a hollow in the trees just past the drive. I pull in far enough that the Jeep won't be readily visible. Climbing in the back, I slip my sweaty clothes off, wipe my body down with some of the camping wipes I keep just for this occasion, and redress.
My hair is a lost cause, the thick mess I got from my mother's side of the family needs another relaxing treatment before I can do much else with it. So I run a comb through the strands and leave it high at the back of my head in a ponytail.
Slipping on my worn out kicks, I climb from the car, lock it with the fob, and stuff the keys in my pocket.
A soft breeze pulls at my tank top as I walk through the narrow opening Tanner went down. High magnolia trees span the length of the drive, adding more shade and their pungent fragrance to the air.
In the distance, voices rise in a mix of bawdy laughter, excited screams, and a few rather unique roars.
Where the hell am I?
I keep walking and come to an old parking lot bordered off with railroad ties. The grass tries to grow over the old wood, thick, green, and fluffy despite the heat. A low brick building with an open screen door sits just beyond. And past that, several cabins wait with window units purring on high.
The gravel is sandy under my sneakers, like the rain from days ago didn't quite reach this part of Louisiana. I scan the immediate area. But even though I can hear them, whomever is out here isn't as easily visible.
