His head rolled back and forth on the pillow. “No. What we just experienced—what we just shared...” He let out a long sigh. “That was..."
A soft smile touched her lips. Her eyes sparkled in the dim lighting that filled the room from the flickering flames in the hearth. “Life altering?"
His grin faded. “More than you know.” His fingers caressed her cheek before pushing into her unruly, silky hair. He pulled her head to his, their gazes locked. “What just happened between us was meant to be. I won't ever let anyone hurt you, Serena."
Confusion clouded her blue eyes, but she didn't look away from him. “It does feel like this was meant to be ... But how is that possible? I mean, I don't understand...” She shook her head and let out a soft sigh. “I don't understand what happened tonight. Any of it."
"I know.” His lips grazed hers. He only meant to give her a quick kiss—one of reassurance. But as soon as his mouth touched hers, he had to have her all over again. He held her to him and kissed her, long and deep. His cock swelled when she moaned.
But then her hands pressed against his chest and she broke the kiss. Breathless and flushed, she sat up and stared at him. That she looked him directly in the eye and didn't flinch when he stared so intently back at her impressed and excited him all the more.
"We need to talk,” she said. She shoved a hand through her tousled hair and then said, “Seriously. I've had some strange things happen to me in my life, but nothing like this. It's ... surreal. And I know there's some significance to it, I just can't figure out what."
He nodded. “There's more going on than you know.” His fingers grazed her bare arm. She sat close to him and he wanted to keep it that way—wanted to keep her close to him. “The things I'm going to tell you aren't going to be easy to hear. But...” He touched her shoulder, then allowed his fingertips to sweep over her collarbone, down to the gentle slope of her breast. The pad of his index finger gently grazed her still-tight nipple and he groaned at the response he evoked in her. She shivered and her breath caught. Desire lit her eyes.
Garrett knew he'd ensnared her as much as she had him. They were connected on a visceral level now, but the physical connection still burned bright. It always would.
"But?” she prompted.
Garrett sat up. He hated that they had to travel this path right now. What he really wanted to do was make love to her again. Solidify their bond and the connection between them. He wanted to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when he told her the truth about himself—and her role in his life—she would
accept it. He wanted to know she wouldn't turn away from him, reject what he told her and offered her.
Yet, it was clear Serena needed communication of the non-physical variety right now. She needed to hear what had happened tonight. What it meant and how she was involved.
Shoving a hand through his hair, Garrett said, “You have to have an open mind, Serena.” He speared her with a steady look. “What I'm going to tell you won't be anything you've ever heard before. It'll confuse you further, and it may also ... scare you."
She shifted on the bed, getting more comfortable. She grabbed a fistful of the down comforter and yanked it toward her, so it covered the front of her. She clutched the thick material tightly to her chest, protectively, but she didn't break their eye contact. “Whatever you have to say, I want—need—to hear it."
He nodded. Garrett honestly didn't want to hold anything back—he didn't want to keep anything from her. Still. She wasn't going to like what he had to say. Reaching for her free hand, he twined his fingers with hers and stepped off the cliff. “I was right about the dog and you were right about the wolf."
Her eyes narrowed on him. He continued. “There was no dog in the back of the truck. You hit a wolf. And yes, he did leave the truck before you arrived here ... He just didn't leave in the way you think he did."
She sucked in a sharp breath. Though, still, she didn't utter a word.
Garrett said, “He was injured. The same place I was injured. He didn't jump out of the truck, he ... changed."
Something flickered in her blue eyes, but she was clearly unable to make the full correlation. Reticent to do so, actually.
"He changed form, Serena. He ... became ... a man."
Her eyes snapped shut. She snatched her hand from his and shook her head. “No."
"Yes,” Garrett insisted.
Serena opened her eyes and stared at him. He couldn't read her expression, so guarded was it, but he was damn certain she couldn't get her arms around this explanation—no matter how much she wanted to.
"Why are you saying this?” she asked. “Why is the truth so hard for you?” She slipped off the bed, still holding the comforter to her naked body, and started to pace by the fireplace.
Garrett let out a long sigh. What had he expected, anyway? That she'd simply understand and accept what he told her? That she'd buy it with no proof? Nothing to back it up?
But to provide that proof...
No. Garrett wouldn't do it. He wouldn't shift in front of her. She'd been through enough this evening. He didn't want to freak her out further. Especially after she'd given up her virginity ... Christ, the last thing he wanted to do was show her who—no, what—she'd given it up to.
"Serena—"
"I don't get any of this,” she said as she pulled up abruptly and stared at him. Her hands lifted in the air and the comforter dropped to the hardwood floor, momentarily distracting him. “None of this makes sense."