N. Walters - Legacy Found

Her skin felt sensitive. Prickly. Her chest rose and fell, her breathing getting deeper. Her nipples felt tight and she pressed her thighs together to try to still the restless sensation low in her belly.

She was aroused.

It wasn’t unpleasant. Nor was it something she wanted to explore. She had too much on her plate without adding sex to the mix.

James’s voice pitched lower, weaving a sensual spell around her. Luring her. She wouldn’t give in.

Reaching out, she slapped at the buttons until the music stilled. Her breathing was loud and fast, the only thing she could hear above the whooshing sound in her ears.

The truck slowed and turned off the road. Shelley looked around, feeling frantic. A motel. James was pulling into a motel.

She clawed at the lock of her door and whipped off her seatbelt as he brought the truck to a stop. She had to get away. The cab of the truck was closing in around her.

“Shelley.” She heard him call her name as if from a distance.

Air. She had to have air.

She jumped out of the truck and stumbled, barely catching herself before she fell to the hard, cold ground. There were a few patches of snow clinging to the shadowy base of a tree just to the right of the entrance to the motel. It was a silly thing to notice. But she’d found that focusing on something sometimes helped her control her panic attacks.

This was the second one today. Not surprising, all things considered. But she didn’t like it. They left her feeling weak and helpless. And she was neither of those things.

James hovered next to her but didn’t touch her. A part of her was glad he was keeping his distance. Another part of her longed to have his strong arms around her like he’d done earlier today.

“It’ll get better, Shelley.”

She didn’t know who he was trying to convince, himself or her.

Minutes ticked by and finally she felt the vise loosening from around her chest. A bird called out in the distance and she could hear the rumble of traffic on the road beyond.

Slowly, she turned to face James. His eyes were narrowed and a muscle jerked in his jaw. He didn’t look angry, she decided. Not really. She couldn’t quite figure him out.

He reached his hand out, his movements slow and even. She forced herself not to flinch as he tucked a lock of hair around her ear. “Okay now?”

“I’m fine. I’m usually not this bad.” For some reason she didn’t want him to view her as weak, as a victim.

“Don’t worry about it.” He motioned to the truck. “How about we get our stuff and check in for the night. I don’t know about you, but I could do with a good meal and some sleep. I’ve been on the road for a week.”

Shelley realized just how little she knew about James. She knew his home was in North Carolina and that he had a daughter. Oh, and that he’d recently moved into a new house. That was pretty much it if you didn’t count the fact that he was a werewolf, one that she was physically attracted to.

She nibbled her lower lip. Would they share a room? Did that mean he wanted sex? She didn’t want to squander her money on a motel room, but she wasn’t having sex with any man again unless it was her choice.

Once again, James seemed to understand her fears. “Just sleep, Shelley. I’ll get a room with two double beds.” He stared down at her, his piercing golden-brown eyes unflinching. “I promise.”

Taking a deep breath, she made the decision to trust him. He’d kept his promises so far. He hadn’t hurt her. In fact, everything he’d done had been to protect her in some way.

“Okay.”

He smiled and reached in around her and dragged out her two bags of belongings and a leather case. He shut the door and locked it. “After you.” He tilted his head toward the door.

Shelley strode toward it, back straight, head held high.

The fluorescent light in the lobby hummed as they walked toward the counter. The place looked a little worn around the edges, but clean. Kind of like her.

The male desk clerk was efficient and, before she knew it, James was leading her outside again and down the walkway. He stopped in front of room 115.

She watched as he deftly juggled their bags and the keycard, fitting it into the slot. She would have offered to do it for him, but she’d never used one before and was tired of appearing ignorant around him.

James pushed the door open and ushered her inside. The walls were beige, as was the carpet and the drapes. But, true to his word, there were two double beds with a built-in nightstand separating them.

He dumped their bags on top of the low dresser. “You can use the bathroom to freshen up if you’d like. I’ve got to make a quick phone call and then we can go to the dining room and get something to eat.”

Shelley hurried into the bathroom and shut the door, more because she needed a few minutes alone than anything else. But, since she was there, she decided to take advantage of the fact. She used the bathroom and washed her hands. When she was done, she splashed some water on her face and finger-combed her hair. Thankfully, her hair was straight and she was able to make herself presentable enough to go to dinner.

Having done as much as she could, she reached for the door handle. Either James was finished with his call or he wasn’t. Curiosity ate at her and she wondered who he was calling. His daughter? Did he have a girlfriend? Probably not if he needed a housekeeper. In her limited experience, men always expected the women around them to clean up after them. Besides, he’d asked her to move in with him. She didn’t think he would have done that if he had a girlfriend.

She eased the door open and listened.

James waited until Shelley had closed the door behind her before pulling out his cell phone. He didn’t like how pale she was. The last panic attack had taken him by surprise. They’d been driving along listening to the radio when suddenly she’d been frantic to shut off the music. She’d been quiet for so long, obviously lost in thought for quite a while before the attack had struck.

He’d seen the motel and pulled in. She needed some food and rest. Not that his actions were completely altruistic. He wanted the opportunity to talk more with her, to get closer to her before he took her home.

He was under no misconceptions. The moment the word went out there was an unattached female under his roof all the unmated males in his pack would be sniffing at his front door.

A low growl broke from his throat.

Nobody was touching Shelley. Not without her consent. And maybe not even then. All his protective instincts were aroused. He’d only felt this way about two other females—his dead wife and his daughter. And the feelings he had for Shelley were anything but paternal. She was a sexy, strong female who’d obviously dealt with more than her fair share of hardships.

She was also a female lost and alone. It was his duty to protect her.

Having settled his mind, he placed his call, smiling when Alex answered. “Where are you? Are you close to home?”

James chuckled. “Slow down. Anyone would think you missed your old man.”

“And anyone would be right,” she answered tartly. “Seriously, where are you?”

He glanced around the room, doing his best to avoid looking at the beds. They reminded him of everything he wanted to do to and with Shelley.

He cleared his throat and ambled to the window. Pulling back the edge of the curtain, he looked out. It was almost full dark now, but he could see as clearly as if it were midday thanks to his preternatural vision.

“Dad?” Concern laced Alex’s voice.

“Sorry, honey. I got distracted for a second.” He let the curtain fall back into place. “I’m at a motel for the night. I’ll be home tomorrow.”