“Do the people in Stone Ridge—” she pauses and worries her lip. I already know what she was about to ask but I let her ponder over her words, looking away from me, focusing on the floor. I sense her worry. “So they know about you?”
Taking another step toward her, she lifts her head and our eyes reconnect.
“Do you mean, do they know I’m a shifter?”
Taryn nods.
“Some.” Very few, but that is a conversation for another time. I want her to accept me before she is told of all the others in this area and the others that are out there.
“So what do you say?” I ask, reaching out I glide my fingertip up and over her arms. Goosebumps rise on her skin and a gentle shiver courses through her. “Can I show you around?”
“I’d love that,” her response is breathy and again I find pure enjoyment in knowing how I affect her. It is time to start to seal the deal, time to ensure Taryn never considers walking away. Because the idea of a life without her is a life I don’t ever want to live.
“And you make these yourself?” Taryn lifts the crystal high in the air, twisting it from side to side. It has been made into a necklace and the way the light catches it as she tilts it and examines its beauty is almost as beautiful as she.
“Yes dear,” Marissa tells her, watching her with amazement. Marissa is one of the oldest residents in town and she was also one of my mother's best friends. Her powers are healing and visions, she is one with the land and knows of the powers and sacred bonds that live here. Those powers that were at one time so strong and powerful have since been weakened by the loss of our people. As a pack we are stronger, losing so many before has left us all vulnerable.
“These are so amazing.” Taryn lowered one only to pick up another and repeat her analysis of every detail. “I’ve never seen anything like these before. For the next twenty minutes we watched, both Marissa and myself, equally enamored by Taryn.
Walking out of the shop with one necklace and bracelet, I feel lighter seeing the awe in Taryn’s eyes.
Those that know me already knew of her importance. They know the purpose of her being here, what it means for all of us. They played their part and I could tell it was all without great effort. The way they looked at Taryn, how they were so mesmerized by her, they love her too and it's not only because of the key she holds to the rebirth of the true Stone Ridge, but because she is without a doubt, the most gorgeous woman, both inside and out. Falling for her, it was inevitable, she has that way about her that leave people astounded.
I remain just outside my bedroom door, listening to the sounds of the shower running. The soft hum of her voice as she sings a tune low to herself. The words are hard to pick out, but the enjoyment in her mood while singing cannot be misconstrued. Taryn feels joy, she was happy. I’d like to believe that being with me played a huge part in that.
When I hear the water turn off and the sounds of her moving about, I step back and moved through the hall. The last thing I need is for her to think I’m some type of creep trying to gain a glimpse.
My pulse quickens at the idea of climbing in the shower with her, feeling her body pressed to mine and the mixture of the warm water cascading over us.
I’m standing at the bar, sipping on a bourbon so lost in the idea that I don’t hear her enter the room behind me. It isn’t until she speaks that my body jumps in reaction. “Is every room in this house overly exaggerated?”
Spinning around I see the way she is looking around my office. I love seeing her in my space, but it is what she is wearing that has my full attention.
“What?” she asks, running her hands over the nightshirt she was wearing when I found her in the woods. It is clean now. “I’ll return these sweats,” she says as she touches the cotton material hanging loosely on her legs. “I thought I should wear something underneath. Walking through the woods may get pretty cold only wearing a nightshirt. I’ll return the socks too.”
“Where are you going?” My voice is low and husky. I want to march over to her, pull her into my arms, and never let her go.
“Should I go back to my own place?” I grip my glass tighter. “I’ve already been here two nights and you’ve looked around my place more than half a dozen times.” It seems Taryn is more observant than I’d given her credit for. “I’ve been thinking that maybe I over-exaggerated. It must have been a branch rubbing the cabin or even a wild animal snooping around for food. I think I was still overwhelmed with all the things you’d shared with me and I was exhausted.”
“No.” The word escaped me before I had the chance to stop it. Taryn tilts her head to the side slightly as she looks at me. “What I mean is,” I say, placing the glass on the bartop, closing the distance between us. I watch as she lifts her chin and looks up at me. “I don’t want you to go.”
She swallows so hard I see her throat shift, but she doesn’t look away. "I don’t want to go. It feels safe here, almost like I belong.”
“You do belong, Taryn. Having you here, having you this close, it's something I’ve dreamt of for years. I know this is all strange to you.
