When they reached the brick condos where she was staying, his heart beat faster. His wolf urged not to let her go. Damon climbed out of the SUV with reluctance and helped her out, his feet heavy as he walked her to the door.
“Thanks again for everything, Damon. I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t found me.”
The Sacco wolf might have found her and then what? Would it have attacked her? Attempted to claim her? That made trespassing into their territory and fighting for her worth it.
Sophie turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. His cheek warmed with a pleasant tingle where her lips touched. When she walked to the front door, he put his hand on his face as if capturing that sensation on his skin.
His wolf was right. He couldn’t let her go. “Wait!”
She turned to face him and furrowed her brows. “What is it?”
“Have dinner with me tonight.”
Chapter 5
Sophie
What a strange night.
And an even stranger morning.
When Sophie entered the condo, Tara was sitting on the couch. Her blond hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she wore a pair of red plaid pajamas.
Tara put her mug of tea on a coaster on the coffee table. “Hey, where have you been?”
Sophie exhaled. “Long story. Did you get my text?”
“No, I just woke up and am still groggy. I ended up taking a sleeping pill last night so I’d get some sleep.”
Sophie raised her chin in question. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. Ibuprofen and sleep helped.” She frowned. “Sorry I am such a lame travel companion this weekend. The first day of my period always kicks my butt.”
Sophie shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I’m going to just take it easy today myself.”
Tara arched her brows. “Does that mean you had a good night or bad?”
Good question. When Sophie had been lost on the mountain, it had started out pretty bad. When she’d woken up in a strange place, it had turned terrifying. But after breakfast with Damon and him asking her out to dinner, it had taken a dramatic turn in a positive direction.
Sophie sighed. “It was a wild night for sure. But strangely enough, I ended up with a date for dinner.”
Tara’s eyes opened wider. “What? Ooh, exciting! I can’t remember the last time you told me you had a date.”
True, it had been a long time since Sophie had all but given up on the male species after Bobby had cheated on her. It wasn’t the first time that this had happened. She’d discovered her college boyfriend had done so as well. What was it about Sophie that wasn’t enough? What sent them looking for more excitement elsewhere? Was it because she wasn’t pretty enough or interesting enough or too short and plump?
Or did it have something to do with her radar for picking the wrong guys?
Either way, her adventures in dating had turned out to be a flop. She’d been happier being single the past six months and had no intention of changing that status.
“Did you even come home last night?” Tara asked.
Sophie exhaled with a sigh. “No.”
Tara moved her feet off the couch and patted the cushion beside her. “All right, I’ve got to hear more about this. All the juicy details. Sit. And spill.”
As Sophie told the abridged version of events leading up to now, Tara’s excited expression turned horrified. “I feel so guilty. I should have been with you. You wouldn’t have been alone. You could have died!”
Sophie attempted to alleviate Tara’s guilt. “I didn’t, and I’m okay.”
“Still. What can I do?” Tara circled through the living room. “Can I get you food? Tea? What do you need?”
First, Sophie had Damon taking care of her and now Tara? “I am absolutely fine. No need to worry. I’m just going to take it easy for a bit.”
“No kidding. I don’t blame you.” Tara looked around. “Well, we can just chill out here. They have Netflix.”
Sophie shook her head. “You’re not going to stay cooped up in here with me. You’ve been here long enough. Go check out the village or something. There’s plenty to see and do besides skiing.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. If I’m feeling better in a few hours, I’ll come join you.”
Tara exhaled. She glanced outdoors. “I was thinking of getting some cross-country skiing in. Are you okay if I go do that for an hour or two?”
“Of course,” Sophie insisted with a wave. “Go. Have fun.”
Tara grinned. “Since you have a hot date night, I should keep my eyes peeled for some hot, single guys who might like my company for dinner.”
After Tara left the condo, Sophie took advantage of the whirlpool tub. She soaked in water as hot as she could stand to soothe her sore muscles and tried to make sense of everything that had happened last night.
Still shaken, she was grateful that Damon had found her, even though the way he had cared for her was unconventional. He brought her to his cabin rather than the lodge, after all. Although she’d woken up terrified to find herself in a strange room with a man she’d only met once, he’d been sweet and alleviated her fears. Anticipation that thrummed under her skin as she pictured seeing him again.
She remained in the bath until the water turned cool. After she dressed in soft flannel pajamas, she curled up on the couch with a hot chocolate and read a mystery for a couple of hours. She picked one up about a murder in the White Mountains, always loving to read books about the places she was visiting.
Tara returned to the condo after lunch. “Cross-country skiing was great. Too bad we’re not staying for longer. It’s so beautiful out there in the woods.”
“No woods for me anytime soon,” Sophie noted in a wry tone.
“I don’t blame you. Still, it seems a shame that we need to go back to work in the real world tomorrow.”
Sophie exhaled. “True. Every time I
