Bound to Secrets Read Online Free PDF

was warm.
    At least she wasn’t crying; she was way beyond tears.
    He stood like a statue while she touched him. Edging closer, she pressed her palm against the soft wool of his sweater, felt the steady thud of his heart.
    His hands came up almost tentatively and rested on her shoulders. It occurred to her that she knew nothing about this man. Except he could turn into a wolf and somehow he could stand beside her and not scream in pain. It was enough.
    More than enough.
    She took the last step, which brought her up against his body. He was much taller, so her head tucked in beneath his chin. Breathing in, she caught a wild musky scent, which reminded her of his wolf. His arms came around her and pulled her tight against him, and for long minutes they stood wrapped close together. She thought she felt his lips brush her hair, but she wasn’t sure.
    If she turned her head slightly, she could taste him; kiss the skin of his throat. She’d never kissed a man. And up until five minutes ago, she’d been convinced she’d go to her grave without ever kissing a man.
    Why was she even thinking about kissing?
    Finally, his hands tightened on her arms and he put her slightly away from him. He stared down into her face, examining her. What did he see? She hadn’t looked into a mirror in years. Occasionally, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the still water of the loch, but never clearly. Now she wished she’d combed her hair—at least at some point in the last six months. When her mother had been alive she’d encouraged Keira at least to try and maintain a semblance of a normal life, normal routines. But since her mother had died, she’d almost given up. What did it matter what she looked like when only the animals of the moor ever saw her? And they didn’t care.
    His brows drew together in a frown. “You look a mess.”
    Well, what had she expected—romantic words? She’d read too many books. All the same, it didn’t seem fair—she’d been standing here thinking how stunning he was and he’d been thinking she looked a mess.
    His hand came up and he brushed her long hair away from her face and stroked her cheek beneath her eyes. “You’re exhausted and malnourished. Haven’t you been eating or sleeping?”
    “No and no. What are you—a doctor?”
    She’d meant the question to be sarcastic, but his lips curved into a smile. “Actually, yes.”
    “Oh.”
    “Why? I left you food. Why haven’t you been eating? And what are you doing out so early?”
    His scolding nearly broke her. She bit her lip and pulled herself together. She should tell him. “There were people here—the day before yesterday. They arrived not long after you left.”
    His brows drew together. “Hikers?”
    She shook her head. “No. They were searching, systematically. And one of them—the woman—seemed familiar.”
    “You think they were from the Agency, looking for you?”
    Could she trust him with her secrets? And would she be putting him in danger if she did?
    “I can help you, Keira.”
    “Why? Why would you want to help me? Who are you and how do you know about the Agency.”
    “I told you in my note, I know your sisters. And they’ve been looking for others like them since they escaped the Agency.”
    She wanted to believe in him so badly. But she had relied on nobody but herself for so long she was finding it hard. Too much emotion, together with the lack of sleep and food, finally caught up with her and she swayed.
    Connor tightened his hold on her arm and held her up. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
    “I’d rather stay out here. I don’t want to be stuck inside if they come back.”
    She thought he would argue, tell her she was being paranoid, but in the end, he shrugged and glanced around, his gaze resting on her sleeping bag. He nodded toward it. “Okay, get in then and get some sleep. I’ll keep watch.”
    He shrugged off the rucksack and put it on the ground and then crouched down and rummaged inside.