Fire Danger by Claire Davon Read Free Book Online

now?”
    Her shrug was careful and slow. The redness continued but she didn’t feel faint, nor did she feel any sign of a fugue coming on. It was more like swallowing an energy drink, her body charging with power.
    “Dead,” he said finally. “It fits. You’re alone. Why now? Why is it happening now?” He gripped her forearms and turned them over, seeming to note the red streaks with interest. “You smell of fire. You are more than you seem. How is this possible?”
    The view out the kitchen window was an uninteresting one of the hillside and neighboring houses, but it was better than his questioning eyes.
    “I don’t know, Phoenix. I was leading a normal life, sort of. I was having fugue states and the doctors couldn’t figure out why, but there was nothing special about me. Then the wolves and shadow people yesterday. I don’t know how to answer you.”
    He kept one hand on her forearm and used the other to turn her face up to his. “We will have to investigate the fugues. And the way you smell of fire. As for the others…the wolves are a good place to start.”
    Easier than the shadow people, she supposed.
    * * * * *
    It might have been a state park, but the air of menace made it feel like something out of a bad movie. Maybe it was knowing there were werewolves somewhere in and under the park that gave it its ominous feel. Rachel had never felt this shiver of dread when seeing its name before.
    The trees were close together and their leaves rustled in a melancholy tone of warning. The grass and bushes along the ground swayed and also seemed to be scornful of her. Rachel, they called, you’re a fool to come here .
    The parking lot was nearly deserted. There were only a handful of cars decorating the lot. Did any of the cars belong to the werewolves? They must assume human form to be able to move in the world, so presumably they could get driver’s licenses and other human necessities, just like Phoenix had.
    Without warning, Phoenix put his hands under her armpits and lifted her into his arms. Their forms were wedged together in the driver’s seat of his car, chest to chest. He stirred against her. He rubbed her body over his in a back-and-forth motion, and then he kissed her boldly, his tongue thrusting into her mouth as if he owned it.
    Rachel surrendered herself to the hard feel of him and the intimate pillage of his tongue. His thrust became gentler, teasing, using the tip of his tongue to touch hers before tracing the inside edge of her lips with it.
    Finally he raised his head. His breathing was rapid and shallow.
    “What did you do that for?” she asked and was annoyed at how breathlessly the question came out.
    Phoenix’s eyes were fixed on her breasts. Her nipples pebbled at the continued intimate rubbing, and he gently drew his thumb across first one and then the other.
    The sensation was so fierce Rachel gasped. “Phoenix,” she protested. “I barely know you.”
    Reluctantly, it seemed, he raised her and placed her back in the passenger seat. “You’re weaker than they are. They are wolves. They will smell you on me and assume we are together. It will make things…easier.”
    “Easier for who?” she asked shakily, looking at his crotch, his penis pressing against the zipper of his faded jeans.
    Phoenix’s lips turned up and his eyes shone with amusement. “Not easier for me, that’s for damned sure. You make me hot. Come.” He climbed out of the SUV and shut and locked the doors.
    Phoenix took her hand and folded his around it. “We’re together, Rachel, as far as the wolves are concerned. It could save your life.”
    Her heart was beating so fast, all she could do was nod. She should have been scared, but all she could think about was this gorgeous, sexy…
    “Three blind mice, see how they run…” Rachel walked hand in hand with him into the woods. The trees seemed to close around them, and Rachel shivered. If it weren’t for the warmth of Phoenix’s hand, she wasn’t sure