Chapter 4: Cravings Part 2

*Meadow*

He was silent for a moment before he started to get up, then he lost balance and fell to the floor, I jumped up and rushed to his side, my head was spinning, but I didn't care. I rested my hand on his back, and he shuddered. "Maybe I should call the nurse again? Are you ok?" I said, and he lifted his eyes to meet mine. Under the flames of the fire, I felt trapped in his deep dark gaze.

"I... I will be ok. You don't have to worry about me." He hesitated.

I sat next to him and started to look around his bandage for any trace of blood that might indicate an open wound. The truth was, I really needed a distraction from his gaze, or I would lose my mind and breathe. I didn't notice he leaned closer to me and had his eyes closed. When I looked up at him, he was breathing heavy. "I should really call the nurse," I said, getting up to head to the door, but he held my wrist, and his eyes burned me. 

"I will be ok. I will call one of my men to take you back. I am sorry," Men? he had men working for him? So he was someone important then, but the way he was hurt made my heart ache for him and forget about everything else. I managed to nod, not really wanting to leave his side. Why was I acting like this with a stranger?!

I bent to help him, he hesitated at first but took my arm. When he stood next to me, my head tilted up to meet his gaze. He was taller than me by a head, yet I could feel his breath brushing over me.

He walked towards his desk and picked up a phone. "Prepare the car, we are taking her back to get hers, at the cemetery." He cut the call immediately. I felt embarrassed now that I processed the state in which he found me. I was a mess, and he was probably feeling sorry for me now. I really needed to thank him.

"I am sorry, it just hasn't been a good week for me. I really do appreciate you giving me shelter. I didn't realize how bad the weather was going to be. I..."

"It's ok, my name is Caleb by the way. What’s yours, if you don't mind me asking?"

I lifted my eyes to find him, and it felt warm, safe. "My... my name is Meadow. Thank you, Caleb." My voice was failing me, as much as the rest of my body was.

He smiled at me and I felt my knees weak. He walked towards me and I swallowed hard. What was he doing to me? He lifted his hand and stopped inches away from me offering a handshake. I could see his eyes focused on his hand and there was a pain in them.

He put his hand in a fist and lowered his hand, closing his eyes. I felt helpless, like I was missing his touch even though it never reached me. A knock on the door pulled us both from the moment, and he stared at the door with sadness. Was he maybe sad that I was leaving? Maybe I just imagined things, wanting them to be true.

He took another look at me and smiled. "Do you mind if I accompany you to your car?" I nodded, perhaps too quick, and my head started spinning, this time I felt as if I was losing balance. It didn't take long for me to find myself in his arms. I released a small yelp unconsciously, he got worried and helped me sit on the couch taking it as a sign of pain. God was I lucky.

"Let me get the nurse to give you a quick look, does your head hurts? Do you feel dizzy?" His accent and tone of voice made me dizzy. I felt lost in his arms. A tear slid down my cheek, and he caught it with his thumb. "I am sorry, I can't let you leave like this Meadow, you are not feeling well. It would be irresponsible of me to let you go."

'Please don't let me go...' my subconscious was screaming. Another knock on the door brought panic to me; he looked at me and then grunted at the door. "Leave us for now." His voice was firm and commanding. I shivered, and he held me tight with an arm as the other pulled the blanket to cover me. "Maybe you caught a cold."

"I don't know what is happening to me, perhaps I did catch one. I am really sorry," I looked down as I felt my cheeks blush.

He shook his head and smiled. "Shhh... hush... just rest. Would you feel better if I send one of my men to bring your truck here? You can rest in one of my guest's rooms. Unless... unless someone is expecting you home." There was hesitation in his words, was he worried about me? I needed to clear his doubts fast. 'Focus Meadow! Focus!' I yelled to myself.

"I have no one waiting for me at my apartment. But I don't know where my keys are," I vaguely looked around trying to see my belongings. Then it hit me, did I just gave a stranger information about my personal life? What was wrong with me?

When I caught his eyes again, he was smiling. Was he relieved I had no one to come home to? Again, why am I giving that kind of information to someone I just met? He could be a serial killer! But what would a serial killer want from a simple woman like me? I started to think I was going crazy, and yet I was hoping I wasn’t reading him wrong.

"It's ok, my security staff has your things, I will get your truck here, and you can rest here tonight, or as long as you need to." His voice was soft and reassuring.

I smiled, blushing in a way I am sure he noticed. "Are you...?"

"Sure? More than anything in this world... stay Meadow." He almost pleaded. I knew for sure he was honest. I nodded. "Tonight... I will rest some. I have to go back tomorrow so I can get things ready for my job on Monday." I said, bittersweet feelings mixing inside me.

Yes, I was officially losing my mind, I felt vulnerable and desperate, why was I feeling like that? I just really hoped I was not the only one.

-

*Caleb*

My wolf was grinning and jumping with happiness. She decided to stay. I knew she was feeling the pull between us and I did my best to offer her natural options to excuse herself. She is delicious; I couldn't break apart from her to pick up the phone and tell my men to get her truck. I wanted to rub my skin against hers and feel her warmth, leaving my scent in the process.

Oh, this will drive me crazy.

I had one day to win her over, or one day to mess things up. I was going to be careful, but I also make sure she will always stay protected, even if she decided to leave later. My wolf growled at me in anger, the thought of our mate saying no made him angry. But I had to be realistic, there was always that possibility when the chosen mate was human.

When she blushed, oh what a wonderful sight to see her cheeks turn red. I gently brushed my fingers on her shoulders and felt her gasp.

There was no room for questions or doubts. We were going to win her over. She was ours.