I make it one step out the door when I slam into a wall. What the hell? Where did that come from? I bounce back, and two hands that span shoulder to elbow grab me and hold me steady. I reach up and rub my nose. “Ouch, you should warn people they’re about to collide with an immovable object,” I accuse. Deflect, deflect, deflect. Nothing to see here, just keep moving along.

Again with the silence. “So ahhh, you think you could point me in the direction of my Jeep, big guy?”

“What were you doing in my room, little one? Didn’t I tell you to stay put?” He growls. Now that he’s close to me again, I want to climb up his big body and nuzzle my face into his straining neck. Did I say straining? Yeah, he looks like he might explode if I move, or blink, or breathe, or say the wrong thing. No nuzzle for you, Sophie.

Backing away slowly, I say, “I thought I’d just try and find my way out, save you the trouble.” I’m pretty fast. Will I make it if I run? Run where? I have no idea where Sniffer is or how to get out of this house.

“Don’t run, little one. I can see you thinking about it. Don’t. I will chase you, and neither of us is ready for what will happen when I catch you.” His hands are fisted, eyes low, jaw twitching. He looks the same as he did five years ago. No fear, Sophie, show no fear. I straighten my back for what must be my tenth attempt today and look him dead in the eyes.

More calmly this time, he says, “Why were you in my room?”

Still retreating. “I told you. I was leaving. I was just looking for a door out,” I explain again with a shrug of my shoulder.

“You,” he says, “are not going anywhere!”

CHAPTER 9

Well shit! I guess we do this now. Might as well get it over with. I hope she’s not going to witness this. I look down to the ground but steel my resolve. “You want to do this right in the hallway? Maybe, maybe, we could go out on your porch? I could use some air.” He doesn’t need to know I want a quick escape, or that being surrounded with his scent is making me dizzy.

“Sure, we’ll stop by the living room and grab your water. When I found you gone, I must have left it there.” God, his voice is sexy. What? Where did that come from?

He motions for me to walk ahead of him. I start walking and feel his large palm on my lower back. His thumb grazes my bra strap, and his pinky finger is dangerously low. I speed up a bit then quickly stop. The pressure from his hand carries me forward a step before he stops and looks down to me. “I don’t know where I’m going. I’ve been lost in here for the past five minutes, maybe, you can lead?” I lift my hand in a forward motion.