S. Yule - Lycan Redemption

She stood and went to him. When he continued raking stray hay from the floor, she laid her hand on his forearm. His muscles bunched beneath her fingers before he stilled and slowly turned to face her.

“I understand that you are probably only passing through, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends while you are here. We are human beings, after all. Kindness and communication is normal behavior.”

He snorted. “Sorry. I have a very different outlook on human behavior. And while I can’t deny I have witnessed acts of love and kindness in my life, it is no longer the norm. Most people are out to get whatever they can for themselves without care for others.”

“Do you really believe that?” She frowned.

Good God. What had happened to him to make him have such a negative outlook? Had he been hurt by someone? If so, why? He seemed like a good man. Yeah. But you don’t really know him, do you?

“Yes. Although I have to admit that I have witnessed more kindness, caring, and selflessness in the short time I’ve spent here at your place than I’ve seen in a long time.”

A shiver slid down her spine as his hazel eyes shimmered down at her.

“I’m sorry that’s the case, but I’m happy you are seeing it now. At least you know there are people in the world who still care.”

She gave his forearm a gentle squeeze. She had the urge to comfort him, but he was no child. He was a grown man. Yet wasn’t that the kindness she’d spoken to him about only seconds ago? One human being reaching out to another just because? Without stopping to think it through, she stepped closer and hugged him.

His shirt was still damp from the rain, but he was surprisingly warm. She felt chilled to the bone, and she’d been in the inclement weather barely any time at all. He’d been in the rain for over two hours and was warm as an electric blanket. She snuggled against him, seeking the warmth of his body, and sighed when that warmth began seeping through their clothes and into her skin.

He stiffened underneath her, and a different warmth flooded her. Embarrassment. She quickly took a step away from him.

“I’m sorry. I was only trying to comfort you, but when I felt how warm you were, I couldn’t help myself.” She barely got the words past the lump in her throat.

Damn but he was sexy. And those eyes. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear they were glowing again. Must be the color of them mixed with the reflection of the light. She cleared her throat.

“You should get out of those wet clothes before you get chilled. I’d feel horrible if you got sick because of me. Speaking of which, I forgot to thank you. I don’t know how you unloaded all of that hay so fast, but I’m glad you were here.” She took another step back.

Before she could turn to leave, he reached for her, and she found herself plastered against the delicious warmth of his broad chest once again.

“I won’t get sick, and I was happy to help. Besides, that is what you are paying me to do.” He bent down and placed his lips close to her ear. “Anytime you want me out of my clothes, all you have to do is say the word.”

She gasped, but when she turned her head toward him to protest, his lips captured hers. She was right. His full lips were made for kissing. The kiss was little more than a fleeting brush of mouths, but that simple touch made her want to rub against him and purr.

“Forgive me,” he said.

“I think I can manage to forgive you for a simple kiss.”

A simple kiss? There had been nothing simple about his kiss. She had to fight the temptation to arch up and capture those delicious lips with hers again. She wanted to taste him on her tongue, breathe him into her lungs, where she could keep him and take him out on lonely winter nights.

“I’m not asking for forgiveness for that.” His hot breath fanned over her cheek.

“I don’t understand.” What did he need to be forgiven for?

He dipped his head closer, their lips a scant inch apart. She couldn’t help but lean into his touch when he cupped her cheek, then slid his hand around to palm her nape.

“Forgive me for this.”

His lips took hers once again, but this was no gentle brushing of mouths. She opened to him when his tongue slid along her bottom lip, and he devoured her. The chill in her body was replaced by shivers of red-hot desire, shivers that intensified with each stroke of his tongue. Galen touching her, kissing her, felt right, felt familiar. But she shouldn’t be kissing him. She couldn’t get mixed up with a man who would be gone from life before she blinked. She also had to think if Patrick.

She pushed at his chest, and he lifted his head. They were both breathing hard, and the look on his face excited her a hell of a lot and maybe intimidated her a tiny bit. There was something in his eyes that hinted at danger. He was quiet, intense, and moved too quietly, too light-footed for a man of his size. Something was different about him. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

“I can’t do this, Galen.”

“You can’t blame me for trying.”

“I’m not the type of woman who sleeps around, and there’s Patrick to consider. Whatever this is between us can’t happen. We both know nothing long term can come of it.”

“For the record, I’m not the kind of man who sleeps around either.”

She smiled.

“What?”

“I’m not judging you, but a man who looks like you is usually used to getting what he wants when he wants it.”

“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.” He frowned.

“You have to know that you are gorgeous. I simply meant that I’m sure you don’t find it difficult to attract women wherever you go.”

“Attracting them and sleeping with them are two different things. You are beautiful. I’m certain you have no trouble attracting men, yet you told me you don’t sleep around. Why should it be any different for me?”

Damn it. She’d stuck her big foot in her mouth. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s just that it seems different for men where sex is concerned.”

“Do tell?” he snorted.

“Forget I said anything. Okay?” She put her hands up in surrender.

“I didn’t take offense to your words, but I’m intrigued. Please tell me what you meant by sex is different where men are concerned.”

She sighed. “There are double standards for men and women where sex is involved. In general, it seems to be acceptable, maybe even commendable, when a man sleeps around. On the other hand, if a woman sleeps with different men, she’s usually considered a slut, whore, easy, a tramp, or maybe a skank. I honestly didn’t mean to accuse you of sleeping with a lot of women. I got caught up in the general consensus and prejudged. You are the kind of man most women would be interested in. I let that persuade me into making assumptions that I have no facts about.”

“You are correct. I think that does seem to be the general consensus. But it is not what I believe. If I did, as beautiful as you are, I’d have to assume that you were the biggest whore on the planet, and believe me when I say that that thought had never, has never, and will never cross my mind.”

“I feel like such a horse’s ass right now,” she murmured.

“I didn’t mean to cause you any distress. I really only wanted to hear your thoughts.”

“I don’t normally judge others by their looks or possessions or money. I don’t know why I did so with you.”

“To be fair, I don’t think you judged me, Myka. I think you are tired and cold and maybe still a bit off kilter over our kiss.”

“That’s definitely a possibility.” She laughed.

“Why don’t you go get warmed up?” He took a step closer. “Or I can warm you up some more.”