Untamed Vol. 1 (Untamed #1) Page 3

  “But Chloe… unprotected sex? Really?”

  I worried at my lower lip. “I know. But I was just too caught up in the moment.” I smiled, remembering Alaric’s vulnerability. “He was a virgin.”

  “No way. There’s no way.”

  “I think he was telling the truth.”

  “Please tell me you’re still on the birth control shot?”

  “Yes.”

  Anna blew out a breath. “Chloe,” she said on a sigh. “You get that it’s not normal to sleep with the strange guy who breaks into your place, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are you trying to prove a point to Ethan? Is that it?” she asked. “Because if you are, there are other, less destructive ways than this.”

  “Than what? Losing all my inhibitions and having mind-blowing sex?” I said with a touch of anger in my voice. “But no, this isn’t about Ethan.”

  “Then what? What is this about?”

  “I don’t know yet, Anna,” I said, not knowing how to convey that I felt like I was on the precipice of something grand, something that could change my life if I was just brave enough to take that step. “But I’m trying to find out.”

  “Just do me a favor, okay?” Anna said with resignation in her voice.

  “What?”

  “Just don’t do anything stupid.”

  “I won’t.” I laughed softly. “Well, any more than I already have.”

  My original idea was to hike into the forest to look for Alaric on foot, but I realized that trudging alone in a forest without any GPS equipment or even a small firearm fell firmly under the “Stupid” category. I would become bear brunch within the hour.

  So I paid a visit to the town instead, eating lunch at the local diner then going directly to the man who seemed to have all the answers.

  “How goes it?” Tim Wells asked the moment I stepped through the door of Bryson City Cabins. He put down the newspaper and walked out from the behind the tall counter. “Please, take a seat,” he said, holding out a bar stool. After I sat, he went back to his perch behind the counter.

  I studied the place, only now noticing it was set up more like a fast food restaurant than a rental office. “Good morning,” I said. “Was this a McDonald’s before?”

  Tim laughed. “No. It used to be a hot dog stand before I took it over. I didn’t see the point in tearing the fixtures down,” he said, patting the Formica counter. “I make do. Once a week I hold a storytelling time here. The kids in town come by and I make hot dogs and tell them stories about the history of this area.”

  “That sounds lovely.”

  “Yeah, they seem to enjoy it.” He eyed me quietly. “So what can I help you with? Is there a problem with the cabin?”

  “Oh no, everything’s fine,” I said then flashed him a sheepish grin. “I hope you don’t mind but I made a few changes, bought some extra things.”

  “Of course not.” He threaded his fingers together and waited for me to speak.

  I took a deep breath, my stomach trembling from memories of last night. “I wanted to ask you more about the man living in the forest.”

  Tim’s eyes brightened. “Oh? What would you like to know?”

  “Do people actually believe he exists?”

  “Strange things have been happening for a while. Things disappear without a trace. It’s even rumored that he—” Tim stopped and cleared his throat. “Yes, everyone believes he exists, even if we’ve never seen him.”

  “No sighting at all in fifteen years? Nobody knows where he lives?”

  Tim’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m not sure it’s been that long, but yes, the park rangers have scoured the mountains and have seen no sign of him.” He began to tell me about the grid search system that the rangers set up when the phone rang. “Be right back,” he said before reaching for the phone on the wall. He spoke softly, then glanced at me with wide eyes before turning his back. “Are you sure?” he asked. “Okay, I’ll be right there.”

  When he hung up, Tim’s face was rumpled with concern. “I’m sorry, Chloe, but I need to go.”

  A frisson of fear went down my spine that the news had something to do with Alaric. “What’s wrong?”

  Tim hurried around the counter with keys in hand. “Oh, just a little police business.”

  I stood up and followed him out of the store.

  “You should stay in town, look around,” he said at the sidewalk. “There are several antique stores in on Main that you might enjoy.”

  I looked down street. “I think I’ll just go back to the cabin, actually. Take a nap.”

  Tim’s eyes widened then he quickly schooled his features. “Oh, but there’s so much to do around here. So much history to discover.”

  “I’ll stick around here then. Thank you for answering my questions,” I said and waved goodbye as he got in his car and drove away. I gave him a five-minute head start before climbing in my own car and driving in the exact direction he was headed—back to the mountains and, if my suspicion was correct, the cabin.

  On the way, a police car passed me heading back towards town, and half a minute later, an ambulance. Neither vehicle had their sirens on but there was still a feeling of dread tightening around my chest, a gut instinct that something was very, very wrong.

  When I made the turn into the cabin’s gravel driveway, I found Tim and an imposing man in police uniform standing several yards away at the edge of the trees. They glanced at me then bent their heads together, speaking in hushed tones. The conversation came to an abrupt stop when I walked over.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  The officer held out his hand. “Ma’am, I’m Officer Morcillo,” he said, his grip almost painful. He was a few inches shy of six feet but the stately way he carried his wide, beefy body made him appear formidable, intimidating. “We were just investigating an attack in the area.”

  I would have bought his explanation had I not caught Tim shooting an anxious look his way. “Oh? What happened?” I asked.

  “Oh nothing too serious. A few hikers were just attacked by a wildcat,” Tim said, waving a hand dismissively. “Anyway, do you mind if I take a look around the cabin? Make sure all the locks are okay?”

  We went inside and Tim pointed out the locks that he’d just installed last month, supposedly so good even a cold draft couldn’t sneak its way in. I knew firsthand that was not the case.

  “I like what you’ve done,” Tim said, looking around the cabin’s interior. In the bedroom, he expressed a similar sentiment while he checked the locks on the sliding door. “If you’d like to leave the decorations, I would be more than happy to reimburse you,” he said.

  “Oh, sure,” I said, distracted by the news of the attack. And to think I’d almost gone hiking that morning. It could have been me on the way to the hospital.

  “I see you’ve had a chance to look at the local flora.”

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I turned to Tim then followed his gaze towards the bed. I gasped.

  On the nightstand was a bouquet of wild flowers set inside a glass of water. The beautiful, unruly mess of colors set my heart racing, sapping my tongue of moisture.

  “Miss Randall?” Officer Morcillo asked. “Is everything okay?”

  I blinked up at him, sure that my thoughts were written all over my face. Could he tell from my expression that I’d left for town that morning with an empty nightstand, the glass still in the drainer by the sink? “I’m fine,” I said, trying hard not to look at the flowers again. “Just thinking about something back in Atlanta.”

  Officer Morcillo nodded then handed me a business card. “Here’s my number and the number to the station. Call if you hear or see anything. I’ll be back later to check on the area.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I said, palming the card.

  Both men headed to the front door.

  “Please be wary of opening the door to strangers,” Morcillo said.

  The hair on the back of my neck rose. “W
hy would I have to worry about people? Aren’t we talking about wild animals here?”

  Tim jammed his hands in his pockets and looked down at the floor.

  Officer Morcillo put on his sunglasses. “Just be careful, ma’am,” he said and walked out, followed by Tim.

  I watched them from the window as they continued their conversation outside between their cars, Tim motioning to the cabin as he spoke. Finally, Morcillo nodded and said something that appeased Tim.

  I stared down at the card in my hand as the cold fingers of dread crept up my spine, telling me that something was very wrong and that it somehow involved me.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I stayed in the cabin the rest of the day in a state of disarray. But no matter what I did—hand washing the dishes, reorganizing the contents of my luggage, moving furniture around—I couldn’t untangle the jumbled thoughts in my head of wildflowers, wild animals, and even wilder men.

  By the time the sun went down in a blaze of oranges and pinks, I finally gave up hope that anything would make sense. This trip to the mountains was proving more stressful than relaxing, but it had been successful in making me forget about Ethan. There was that at least.

  At around six thirty I got up from the couch and peered into the fridge, wondering what to make with the groceries I’d bought yesterday. After deciding on a sandwich, I grabbed the bread and package of honey ham and kicked shut the fridge door.

  I froze when a hand clamped over my mouth, effectively smothering my scream. Food tumbled down to my feet.

  “Beauty,” said a raspy voice by my ear.

  The air escaped my lungs, my body sagging in relief. I tried to open my mouth but his hand prevented me from saying his name. His other hand snaked around my waist, slipping under my sweater, seeking out bare skin. He bent his head to my neck and nuzzled my sensitive skin with his nose, taking in deep breaths as his calloused hand massaged my breast.

  “Your smell,” he whispered, then traced a wet line along my shoulder with his tongue. “Your taste.”

  I backed into him, molding my back to his front. A hiss escaped from between his lips when I ground my backside into his rock hard erection. He jerked his hips forward, moving around until his length was nestled in the crevice of my ass.

  His hand moved away from my mouth and slid down to my neck, caressing my shoulders with his rough palms. “I want you so bad,” he said on a groan as he rocked his hips. “Why?”

  His question took me by surprise. I craned my head around and found a mystified expression on his face. “Why what?”

  His dark eyebrows drew together. “Why do I want you? You are just one woman.”

  I stiffened. The fog of desire dissipated in my head and I was finally able to see clearly. “And you are just a typical man,” I said, stepping away from him and turning around. “You’re just horny and deprived. Nothing more. The only reason you want me is because I have a vagina.”

  His eyes widened at my brazen use of the word, but it lasted only a second and then the dark, hungry expression returned. He shook his head, locks of wavy hair falling over his eyes. “There’s more.”

  I gulped when he took a step forward, forcing me back into the door of the fridge.

  He took hold of my hand and lifted it up to his bare chest, his eyes burning into mine. “There’s something in here that… that hurts when I’m away from you.”

  The breath stuck in my throat. How was it that a man with such a simple vocabulary could say the most exquisite things?

  I tangled my fingers through the short hair on his chest, feeling the strong, steady heartbeat against my palm.

  “Is that normal?” he asked, eyes flying across my face.

  I shook my head, still unable to say a word. It was impossible to form coherent sentences when this man was opening himself up to me, admitting something most people would take months, sometimes years, to confess.

  He set his hands on my waist, his thumbs rubbing circles on my stomach. “I came before but you weren’t here. I thought you left.” Deep lines formed between his eyebrows as his chest rose and fell.

  I lifted my chin. “What if I had? You said I’d never see you again.”

  “I tried to stay away.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I failed.”

  Then I heard the faint sound of gravel crunching and a car door slamming. A few seconds later, someone rapped on the door. “Miss Randall. It’s Officer Morcillo.”

  “Crap,” I said, pushing away from the fridge and grabbing Alaric’s hand. “You have to get out of here.”

  Alaric straightened and glared at the door, refusing to move.

  “That’s the police.” I tugged harder until he finally relented. I pulled him to the bedroom, straight into the bathroom. “Stay in here, please,” I said.

  “I’m not afraid of the police,” he said in a rough voice, setting his hands on the doorjamb.

  I pushed against his chest. “Yeah, well, you should be. You’ll go to jail if they catch you.” I closed the bathroom door and hurried to the front of the cabin. “Good evening, Officer. What can I do for you?” I asked, a little out of breath.

  “Miss Randall,” Officer Morcillo said without preamble. “I’m afraid we weren’t entirely truthful with you earlier. There was no wildcat attack.” He let out a sigh, the first break in his imposing façade. “A body was found at a campground today. The victim was murdered and all of his belongings taken.”

  My hand flew up to my mouth. “Oh my God.”

  Morcillo gave a curt nod. “This is the third murder of its kind this year. It appears we have a serial killer on the loose.”

  “That’s awful.” I paused, worrying my lower lip. “It happened nearby, didn’t it?”

  He nodded. “And there was a report a man was seen lurking around this cabin earlier in the day. We believe him to be the hermit who lives in the forest.”

  I gasped. “You mean… the Smoky Mountain Savage?”

  Morcillo’s lips thinned. “Whatever title he is given, we believe him to be involved in the murders.”

  “But…” I fought the urge to look over my shoulder, towards the bathroom. “How can you be sure it was him?”

  “A body was discovered the same day this hermit was sighted in the area. What more do you need?”

  “What if it’s just a coincidence?”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences.” He gnashed his jaws. “Miss Randall, whatever romanticized story Tim has fed you, I assure you that this Smoky Mountain Whatever is unpredictable and dangerous.”

  I sucked in a breath and instantly my mind flew to the man in my bathroom. Still, I was loath to believe the man that I knew—that I’d allowed inside me without protection—was a stone cold murderer. “How can you be so sure? Nobody’s had any contact with him in a long time.”

  “That’s precisely why. The man has been stuck inside his own head, with only his voice and his thoughts for company. He is, at best, mentally ill. At worst, homicidal,” he said. “It’s not safe for you to be out here on your own, so I need you to get your things and I will escort you back to town, where Tim has taken the liberty of getting a room for you at the B&B.”

  I nodded, struck dumb by the news, still trying to make sense of it all.

  Finally, the pragmatic Chloe kicked back to life, reminding me that this was no fantasy novel, that I could be putting myself in real danger if I didn’t listen to reason. “Okay,” I said, gulping. “All right. Let me just gather my things.”

  “I’ll give you a few minutes. I’ll be in the car if you need me,” he said and closed the door behind him. I flipped the lock, staring blankly at the door’s rough wood surface. Was it true? Was Alaric a psychotic serial killer?

  I jumped when a deep voice rasped by my ear, “Is he gone?”

  I spun around, my heart thudding painfully in my chest. Before he could corner and trap me again, I stepped out from around him. “Officer Morcillo… he’s, uh…”

  Alaric’s dark eyebrows
drew together as he glared down at me. “What?” I took a step back, a move that didn’t escape his notice. “Why are you scared?”

  I tried to act nonchalant, even as I worried the sleeves of my sweater with my trembling fingers. “I’m not scared.”

  He took a step toward me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Then why are you shaking?”

  I didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to act. I wanted to ask if it was true, if he was indeed a serial killer, but the coherent part of my brain said it would be a mistake to inform him I knew about the murders. “I’m not shaking,” I said, taking another step back. “I just remembered… I need to go into town.”

  “Right now?”

  I swallowed. “Yes.”

  He watched me for a long moment, his dark, intelligent eyes flying over my face. I stood in front of him, feeling vulnerable and nervous and, despite it all, still aroused. God, two days in the mountains and my insides were already a scrambled, irrational mess.

  His lips thinned. “You’re not coming back.”

  The little flicker of uncertainty in his eyes had me shaking my head truthfully.

  His breathing sped up as his hand fisted at his sides, but he said nothing. He didn’t ask me to stay, nor did he try to force my hand. It didn’t make sense, but then again, nothing did anymore.

  “I have to go.” I turned away before I could lose my resolve but, as I walked off, my foot caught on the curled edge of the rug and I stumbled. The last thing I remember were my hands reaching out to catch my fall and that blasted cheap coffee table rushing toward my face.

  ~

  I opened my eyes with some difficulty, my head feeling sandwiched between two cement blocks. I blinked until my eyes adjusted to the dark, searching for the wood beams of my cabin but finding instead grey stone walls all around.

  I sucked in deep breaths, trying to stave off a panic attack, and sat up. I was on a bed nestled inside various mismatched blankets and quilts, in what appeared to be a room carved out of stone. The walls were jagged, the ceilings high and curved. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought I was inside a cave.