It took her ten long seconds to get her breath back, to lower the hand she’d pressed to her cheek and follow him. Just as she stepped into the kitchen, the lights flashed on, making her yelp. Even as she laughed at herself, she wondered how the man moved so fast. The kitchen was empty, her lights were on, and it was as if he’d never been there.

She pulled open the back door and winced when the wind and rain lashed at her. Shivering a little, she leaned out. “Liam?” But there was nothing but the rain and the dark. “Don’t go,” she murmured, leaning on the doorjamb as the rain soaked her shirt. “Please don’t leave me alone.”

The next burst of lightning shot the forest into bright relief. And gleamed off the coat of the wolf that stood in the driving rain at the foot of the steps.

“God.” She fumbled on the wall for the light switch, flicked it and had the floodlights pouring on. He was still there, his coat gleaming with rain, his eyes patiently watching. She moistened her lips, took a slow step back. “You should come in out of the rain.”

A thrill sprinted up her spine as he leaped gracefully onto the porch. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until his damp fur brushed her leg as he walked inside, and she released it with a shiver.

“Well.” Trembling a little, she turned so they watched each other. “There’s a wolf in the house. An incredibly handsome wolf,” she murmured, and found herself not thinking twice about shutting the door and closing them inside together. “Um, I’m going to go in …” She gestured vaguely. “There. It’s warm. You can—”

She broke off, charmed and baffled when he simply swung around and stalked through the doorway. She followed to see him walk to the fire, settle himself, then look back at her as if waiting.

“Smart, aren’t you?” she murmured. “Very smart.” As she approached cautiously, his gaze never left her face. She lowered herself to the ottoman. “Do you belong to anyone?” She lifted her hand, her fingers itching to touch. She waited for a growl, a snarl, a warning, and when none came she lightly laid her hand on his head. “No, you wouldn’t belong to anyone but yourself. That’s how it is for the brave and the beautiful.”

When her fingers stroked down to his neck, rubbing gently, his eyes narrowed. She thought she recognized pleasure in them and smiled a little. “You like that? Me, too. Touching’s as good as being touched, and no one’s really touched me for so long. But you don’t want to hear the story of my life. It’s not very interesting. Yours would be,” she mused. “I bet you’d have fascinating tales to tell.”