Baron returns and they pad quietly back inside. When he steps back into the room he smiles at the sight of her curled around a pillow with her blonde hair spilled in waves around her. Something is after her, and tomorrow she would have some questions to answer. For tonight, they will guard over her and get some rest, he settles into the recliner by the fireplace.
Chapter 6
Serenity opens her eyes slowly and turns her head, screaming when she comes face to face with a wolf. Michael jumps out of his chair with his heart pounding, tripping over the table in front of him and falls forward, landing on the floor. Baron yelps and jumps out of the bed, zipping past Michael and rushing out of the room.
“Oh, Michael are you okay?” she asks leaping out of bed. “I’m so sorry,” she says trying not to laugh him.
He grumbles something about killing his dog, as she helps him up. “Only my pride. Baron does that sometimes. I apologize if he frightened you…” he starts to say but his voice fades away as he looks at her mouth.
Michael runs a hand through his hair, stepping back from her. He shouldn’t be thinking about kissing her, but she isn’t making it easy, standing there with a smile curving her lips. She is asking him something, but for the life of him all he can think about is how she will taste.
Serenity touches his arm, “Michael? How long have you been sleeping in here?”
He drags his eyes from her mouth and answers, “A few days, or so.”
“I’m honored you would watch over me, Michael. Truly, I feel better now, just hungry. Why don’t you go to bed?” she asks with concern for him.
“Yes bed, we should get to bed. I mean…” he stammers, “I should get some sleep. I will leave you to your privacy. Good night, Serenity.” He stumbles from the room and falls into his bed, exhausted.
Serenity smiles watching his emotions flutter across his face. Confusion, embarrassment, and desire? Her heart pounds thinking about his large hands on her. She is startled by the intense physical attraction to him. “Whew, girl time to cool off. You don’t even know him, Serenity!” She tells herself as begins picking up the room. Her stomach growls and she realizes she is starving.
She heads for the door and steps into the hallway. Michael needs to rest, it shouldn’t be hard to find something to eat. How hard can it be to find the kitchen? She pads softly down the darkened hallway and wonders what time it is? She looks around, finding herself in a large open great room. The only light comes from an enormous ten foot Christmas tree. It is lit with colored lights and decorated beautifully. A piano sits in the corner and a large grandfather clock reads 4:15. A large fireplace decorated for the holidays with garland and pictures lining it. A large brown sectional with a recliner and coffee table. She turns and finds Baron, staring at her with his beautiful blue eyes. “They should have named you ghost, you certainly move like one.” He chuffs at her in response and cocks his head sideways.
“Baron, do you think you could show me to the kitchen?” He turns with a wag of his tail and leads her past a large front door, and into the kitchen. She follows quickly and decides not to turn on a light, Michael needs his rest. She finds a bowl of fruit and grabs an apple. “Best to keep it simple, right boy?” Baron pads over, and scratches on a door then looks back at her.
“Uh-oh, is nature calling?” He wags his tail and looks back at the door.
“Okay,” she says smiling as she eats her apple. She slips on a pair of large boots by the door and opens it. The glacial air takes her breath away. Snowcapped mountains greet her shocked eyes. The world is white, sparkling, as though painted with glitter, and the sky!
“The sky! Baron what is it? It’s beautiful!” she says stepping out onto the small covered porch. Oblivious to the cold, and icy snow, she stares in awe at the ribbons of color, rippling across the sky. It looks like the Northern Lights, but that’s ridiculous, she lives in Maine with her sister, Bailey.
Baron barks at her and she steps further outside, down the steps, and into the yard. She sinks into snow up to her knees, but the colors entrance her. She spins looking up at the sky, laughing while Baron jumps around barking. Michael hears the dog barking, and follows the sound. He stands watching the joy flicker across her face, and her laughter draws him outside. He leans down and makes a large snowball, then roars with laughter at the stunned look on her face, when she is struck in the chest.
Serenity grabs her chest as though in pain, and falls backwards into the snow, “Michael?” she whispers, “how could you?”
His smile fades as fear strikes. What the hell was he thinking, she is still recovering! He rushes to her side.
“Serenity, are you hurt?” Her eyes are closed and she looks so pale, he leans his head down to listen to her heart and hears… laughter. His eyes narrow just before she strikes him on the head with a large pile of snow.
“Sucker!” Serenity laughs at him and tries to move only to find he has pinned her wrists.
“Now Michael, don’t be a poor sport”…the laughter fades when his eyes drop to her pink lips. Her tongue flicks out and he leans close, inhaling her scent, into his soul. Her heart begins to pound in earnest now, “Michael, I wish you would kiss me?”
