Chapter 3

Lexie

After I shook Aiden’s hand he nearly ran back to his friends. I brought them their order and left the check. They were all suddenly acting weird. They pretty much chugged their coffee and then left like their asses were on fire. Aiden wouldn’t even look at me, not that I expected him to after what happened when I touched his hand. It was like nothing I have ever felt before. As soon as I touched his hand I felt a warm pleasant pulse go through my body. And suddenly everything around me smelt like pine and smoke from a campfire. Then there were the emotions I felt. Lust, comfort, confusion, anger, doubt, denial, and attraction. But who’s emotions they were, I couldn't be sure. I don’t know how but I think I could feel Aiden’s emotions mixed with mine. And the birthmark on my left shoulder started to burn a bit. Which made an already weird situation weirder.

I finished all my closing work, grabbed my things, and locked up. I stood at the door looking around. If it wasn’t so cold it would be a beautiful scene. Everything was covered in glittering snow. Most of it is untouched aside from the roads and sidewalks. As nice as it was to look at, I wasn't going to stand there and freeze my ass off. I quickly cross the road to the parking lot and get in my truck. I toss my bag in the seat and jump in. I’m so ready to go home. Only one problem with that.

When I tried to start my truck I realized it was dead. No lights came on. It didn’t try to turn over. Great, a dead battery. Just what I need. I pop my hood and get out. After raising my hood I jiggle the battery cables around to make sure they aren’t loose. I jump back in the truck and try again. Nothing. I pound on the steering wheel to let my frustration out. After I let it all out including some screaming I pull out my phone and think of who I can call. And that leads to another problem. I don’t know anyone other than Patsy.

I lay my head back and think of what to do. Walking was out of the question. I would get hypothermia before I ever got home. I look at my phone again and start looking up tow trucks. I’m scrolling through when something catches my eye. I look out my front window and see a gray and brown wolf standing at the very end of the parking lot at the edge of a building. I know this area has a small wolf population but seeing one in town is odd.

I stare at it thinking it will run off at any moment. But it doesn’t. It stays where it is like it is watching me. I feel drawn to the wolf. Like I need to get out of the truck and go to it. But why though? It is a wild animal and I shouldn't want to go anywhere near it. I should be afraid. I should not be thinking about getting out and going to it.

Since I’m stuck in a staring contest with the wolf I’m not paying attention to my surroundings. So when a knock comes from my window I freak out and scream. I turn to see who it is. To my surprise it is Aiden. I crack my door open since I can’t roll the window down. Sometimes having power windows and locks sucks. Before I can ask him what he is doing there he asks “ Car trouble?” I nod “ Yea. Dead battery. I was going to call a tow truck.” waving my phone at him.“ No need for that. I can jump you off,” he says. I get the feeling there is some innuendo behind that statement with the way he smirks. I shake my head “ No that’s ok. I don’t want to trouble you.” I remember how he acted earlier. Like he couldn’t wait to get away from me. I’m not going to ask for his help.

“ It is no trouble. Let me pull my truck over and hook up some cables.” He says and walks to his truck that I just now notice is parked in the corner of the lot from mine. He pulls his up in front of mine and gets out. Aiden raises his hood and locks it to place then goes to the back and grabs the cables. I pop my hood so he can hook them up. Once he raises mine I can’t see him anymore. I feel the need to look over and see if the wolf is still there. I’m a little disappointed to see it gone.

Aiden knocks on my window again. I open the door and he tries to hand me a thick coat. “ Take this. You must be cold.” I push it back at him “ No. I have already troubled you enough.” “ Please. I don’t know how long you have been sitting here but it is long enough to have your teeth chattering. Plus it would make me feel better if I knew you were warm.” I’m reluctant but I take the jacket and wrap it around me. I get a whiff of the pine and campfire scent. I pull it closer wanting to soak in that smell. It warms me, calms me, and makes me feel safe at the same time.

Weird. I look at Aiden who is hanging on to the door and my roof “ Thanks.” He gives a small smile but it is enough to make me feel butterflies in my belly. Then my birthmark starts to warm again.

I get the butterflies. Aiden is handsome as hell. Tall about six foot three maybe. Dark chocolate brown hair that hangs to his shoulders. Piercing bright hazel eyes. Strong chiseled jaw with a light covering of stubble. When he was in the diner I could see he was built when he took his jacket off. His shirt was stretched tight against his chest. Tight enough I could see his defined pecs and six-pack chest. Broad shoulders. His jeans looked like they were painted on over his thick muscular thighs and tight ass. Oh, yea when he went back to his table I got a good look and had to bite my lip to keep from groaning. To be honest, Aiden is the hottest man I have ever seen. And the only man I have ever had a physical reaction to. Another thing to add to the weird list.

But why would my birthmark start to bother me? It is probably not related to everything else I was feeling. The timing was just a coincidence. I must have pulled something. I’m sure of it. Yep, that is what happened. It is unrelated. This whole time I’m in my head Aiden is standing at my door watching me. I turn to look at him better and notice an odd look on his face. “ Everything ok?” I ask. “ I see what you mean about your eyes. While you were thinking they changed. They got a little darker.” he said. I just nod. I know it is weird when my eyes change but there is nothing I can do about it. Unfortunately, it freaks people out.