2. Willow

Chapter 2

Drops of rain start to splatter on the windshield.

Wonderful.

That's when I remember I have a jumpstart kit in the back of the car just for emergencies like this.

Thank God.

I shrug on the thin, yellow rain jacket I always keep in the car this time of year because the weather is so changeable, then I get the charger out of the back of the SUV, reread the directions and get going. I pop and lift the hood on my own, proud that I'm being resourceful and scrappy in this moment of need. Hopefully I can get out of here quick and be on my way.

"What are you doing?" a deep voice growls. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Bruce stands next to me, tall and dominating, with a dark frown marring his face. The black hood of his leather coat makes him look even more intimidating than before.

I cry out in surprise.

How the heck did he get here so fast? And he's so handsome I'm a little stunned and tongue-tied for a moment. I glance down, because I can't help myself and see his crotch is tented.

I bite my lip to keep from letting out a chuckle of happiness.

Suddenly I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. All my dark worries from before fly out the window. He does have a reaction to me, but for some reason he's telling me to leave.

Why?

Not that it matters so much right now because I still need to leave. I'm not staying when he says to go. I'm going to try my best to honor his wishes even if they feel nonsensical, but it does feel better knowing that I wasn't completely wrong. The whole premise for me coming up here was still sound. I can jump-start this car and leave but think of this as visit number one. I'll think of another way to approach him.

"Well," I say, "as you can see, something's wrong with my battery. I can't get the car to start. It's crazy because I didn't leave any lights on in the car. It was working perfectly while driving up here. Luckily, I have this." I show him my charging box. "I'm single and live in a small town," I boldly remind him, "I drive around often by myself, so I figure I've got to have these kinds of things. You know, and I live in sort of this country area as well, so I bought this. It's supposed to restart the battery." I bend down and clamp it to the right places. "Hopefully this will work and then I can get out of your hair." I press the button to start the charge. Then I walk over, get in the car and try to start it again, fully expecting it to work this time.

And it still won't start. "Dammit," I grumble.

He walks over to the open driver's side door, his arms crossed. "What now?"

"This is bad. I can't jump it either."

"What does that mean?"

"This means I need a whole new battery."

"Power source?"

The sky darkens and the rain falls harder. I'm now stuck in a full-on rainstorm with the water falling in torrents. I tuck my legs into the car because even though I'm wearing the jacket I'm still in a short skirt and open-toe sandals. Shoot.

"Yes. My car is dead. I'll need it towed from here and taken to town. Or maybe they can bring a new battery along and install it right here and I can drive away. Either of these solutions require a tow truck." I pull out my cell phone. "But I have to warn you, the guy who runs the tow truck company is on vacation and his cousin is covering for him. Jason, the real owner, would move heaven and earth to come out here for me. His cousin not so much."

I put it on speakerphone so Bruce knows what's happening.

It rings and rings and rings and finally Jason's cousin picks up the line. "Yes?"

"Hey, Steve." I glance over at Bruce, who's still standing in the rain, staring at me with a disgruntled look on his face. "This is Willow Brand," I say loudly because even though I've known him my whole life, Steve has never exactly been known for his sunny disposition. Even marriage and children have only brought out a hint of levity in the man. "I'm calling to let you know my car broke down and I need your help."

"Heh. What's wrong with it?"

"The battery is dead."

"Can't you get a jump from someone nearby and bring it in yourself?"

"I tried that. It's not working. I need a new battery installed."

He grunts. "Where are you?"

I tell him.

"That's far away."

"Yes. But luckily, I'm safe while I wait. How long will it take you to get here?"

"Two hours."

"What?" I sputter. "Why so long?"

"Two hours," he repeats and then hangs up on me.

I look at my cell phone in my hand and then up at Bruce. And give him a tremulous smile. "Looks like I don't have a choice in the matter." I glance at the house because I have to admit, I'm hoping he'll finally invite me inside.

"Wait out here until the other human arrives to take you and your vehicle back to town," he orders. "I will wait inside."

I blink and try my best to hide my surprise.

"You cannot come inside," he repeats. "We need distance from each other." Then he strides off for the house, leaving me outside and alone in a rainstorm.

I cannot believe.

His front door closes behind him and he's gone. At least he brought the box of donuts inside with him.

Thunder rumbles in the distance.

If the situation were reversed, I would certainly invite him inside. Or I would've given him a ride back to town. It would be hard for me to imagine a situation where I'd let someone I knew who came up to deliver me a gift wait outside for two hours alone. In the rain.

And that's when I realize he walked with a slight limp. I didn't notice it in the grocery store, but I wasn't able to catch him walking. Maybe he's hurt and wants to be alone to recuperate? Or, this is the real reason he doesn't want to get close to me, because he thinks this is something to hide? I've heard whispers about his limp but hadn't thought too much of it. Maybe this, and his long gray sleeves covering more of his body has something to do with his need to be alone or push me away? I have no idea. I wish I knew him better so I could understand his motives.

I shut the car door with a huff because now the rain is falling harder.

This is terrible. I glance around the interior, assessing the situation. There's no food or water and my stomach grumbles. I lick my lips, feeling a little bit thirsty. "This sucks."

A heavy sigh escapes my lips.

I can do this.

My phone pings. I pick it up and see there's another text from my mother, It's raining now…

As if I didn't know.

I do not want her coming up the mountain to get me in the midst of this storm. It wouldn't be safe for her, driving her tiny car up these roads, and yet she'd do it in a heartbeat.

I'm fine, I lie. I'm in the house with Bruce. I'll tell you all about it later.

Bruce? You're on a first-name basis now with this mysterious Korn? She sends a heart-eyed emoji.

I roll my eyes and ghost.

My mom can't come and get me. And my best friend is eight months pregnant, with two small children in the house and I know for a fact her husband is at work.

Looks like I'm on my own.

Luckily, there's a new romance novel I preordered and it released today. My phone is still almost fully charged. Both Bruce Bloodworth and Steve Banks are lucky I have this book available. This decreases my anxiety by at least eighty percent. My shoulders soften as I pick up the phone again and tap on my reader app and open the first chapter. I smile, loving the familiar words and voice of my favorite author, ready to go in deep.

I settle down and happily read for the next hour on my phone, laughing out loud at my favorite parts.

This works perfectly fine for the first hour because the book is great, sucking me in deep, like usual.

But I eventually the cold gets to me. I get antsy and stiff so when I notice a pause in the rain, I step out after a while and walk around in the just to stretch my legs. But then the storm gets worse and I get back inside.

I think I see a shuffle from the drapes again, this time in a window on the first floor.

Thirty minutes later I put the phone down and look around because I'm getting disgruntled. The rain is now falling so heavy there are puddles in the front yard and driveway and it's really getting chilly out here.

After two hours and thirty minutes of this nonsense I tap the app closed and put the phone down for good and call Steve back. I can't focus on my story when I'm so hungry and thirsty.

It rings and rings and rings again and goes to a recording. I call again, trying to get him to actually pick up. Finally, he responds. "Yeah?"

I try my best to sound normal, like I don't have a care in the world even though I'm now highly agitated. "Steve, it's now almost five o'clock. Are you almost here?"

"Oh, that's right," he offers. "You're on that mountain…"

I let out a whimper of dismay.

"There's been a multi-car crash on route 40. All of us have been called in to help. I can't get to you. Isn't that old Masson house nearby?"

I glance at the house. "Yeah. I'm parked in the driveway."

"It's raining hard and the storm is only going to get worse. Just stay the night there. I know Bruce Bloodworth. Tell him I said I can't pick you up and you have to stay."

"No, I…I…"

"After I'm done helping with this mess on the freeway it's going to be late. I'm not coming out there in a storm in the middle of the night to get you when you're not in an emergency. I'll be there later in the morning. Bye."

He hangs up on me again.

Oh hell. I look over at the mansion and let out another deep sigh. Then I pull on my hood, grab my purse and sprint through the rain to the porch.

The front door opens.

"Stop," Bruce yells. "You don't want to come in here or get close to me right now. This is not a safe location for a human female."

I swear he looks even more enraged. His eyes are flaming, his skin which is normally preternaturally pale, looks flushed. And I can see both of his elongated fangs. He's standing with a wide stance and looks extremely determined to keep me out of his house.

And I don't even care because I'm fed up and standing in a rainstorm. It's growing ever darker outside and the wind is picking up. My feet are now wet and muddy and I need his help. And even though he's claiming this isn't a safe place for me, I'm ninety-nine percent certain those fears are unfounded. The Korn have been on this planet long enough that stories have filtered down about their mating practices and I know they hold the idea of consent prior to blood-sharing super serious, which I appreciate. And I have a basic understanding of their life-long mating practices. But I've already thought of all that ahead of time because I'm not stupid. I came up here basically knowing what I'd be getting into if I chose to start something with him, and I'm up for it.

"Bruce, I need?—"

"No…" he growls, cutting me off. "Stay in the vehicle, your other human will be here soon."

"No, he will not."

Bruce shakes his head. "Stay. In. Your. Vehicle."

What the hell? That's it. No more Mr. Nice Lady.

I march onto his porch. "What is wrong with you? This is ridiculous." I point at my car and word vomit out all my frustrations, raising my voice to be heard over the wind and rain, "I came up here to bring you your favorite donuts, because to be truthful, when we met for that short amount of time at the grocery store, I thought there was an attraction between the two of us. And I was hoping you'd eat the donuts and cupcakes and maybe later you'd call me? Those were the thoughts running through my mind when I first arrived. All those plans fell apart when you opened the door and said for me to…to…just leave and go? I mean, who does that? And then I did not expect you to leave me stranded, hungry and thirsty, in my car for over two hours alone in the rain. I would never do that to you, or to anyone. My car normally never causes me a moment's trouble, but the battery decided to die and needs to be replaced. This is not planned. I mean, I want out of here as much as you want me to leave. All I want is my comfy bed and leftovers from dinner last night."

"Then wait for your human and you can go home," he growls.

"Steve Banks just told me there's a pile up on route 40. He said to tell you I have to stay the night here with you. He's going to pick me up in the morning."

A muscle twitches in his jaw.

"I can't call my mom to come and get me because she doesn't see so good when it gets dark and the roads are bad. It would be dangerous for her… and my best friend can't come either. Basically it's dangerous to call for anyone to come out here right now, especially when it isn't necessary. Bruce, I'm stuck out here literally in your driveway and you have a big house with lots of extra bedrooms. What should I do?"