Wild Thing Read Online Free PDF Page B

quiet in the middle of nowhere. There was an occasional bird caw, a breeze rustling the pine boughs, and then nothing but clean air and the scent of pine—so not the thing she ever wanted to smell again. At least it was dry there, unlike her first and last experience in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, which were swampy, boggy, and above all else, buggy. The memory had her rubbing her arms trying to brush off the feeling of ants crawling all over her. She gave Hunter her best New York glare. “Do you want to tell me why you feel the need to be my bodyguard?”
    “I think of myself as more of an escort than a guard—unless you need one of those too.”
    “I don’t need or want either.”
    “You tell me why you’re ready to hyperventilate at the thought of a quarter-mile hike, and I’ll leave you alone… if that’s what you want.”
    “I’m afraid of the woods.”
    “Why?”
    “I got lost.”
    “When?”
    “I was six.”
    “Where?”
    “The New Jersey Pine Barrens.”
    “For how long?”
    “Three days.”
    “Alone?”
    “Yeah, just me and my vivid imagination.”
    He took a step closer and touched her arm. “Is it always this bad?”
    She shrugged and looked away. She’d expected to be teased, but he didn’t. She feared he’d try to placate her, but no. Nor did he try to make light of it. He listened to the facts. “I’m from New York. As long as I stay out of Central Park, I’m fine. But then Bianca got involved with a big hush-hush deal and couldn’t leave the negotiations, so she sent me. It’s not going well.”
    “You never tried to go back before?”
    “Why would I? I’m not a masochist.”
    His winged brow had her fingering her collar. She suddenly felt very exposed and found herself tugging the hem of her fishnet cover-up. It didn’t help.
    “If it makes you feel any better, I haven’t lost a guest yet.”
    “It doesn’t. It’s not rational. I know that. I can’t control it so I deal with it.”
    “Stay close to me.”
    She tamped down the urge to roll her eyes. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
    “No, it’s supposed to make me feel better. I’m not sure there’s anything that will help you.”
    “A plane ticket to New York would do the trick.” She did her best to smile. He didn’t bother smiling back. No, he was all business.
    “I’m working under the theory the human body can’t survive in a constant state of panic for long, so after an extended period—”
    “I’ll die?”
    “No, you’ll stop having panic attacks.”
    “What’s your definition of an extended period?”
    “Probably longer than yours. I guess we’ll find out.”
    Toni went into her cabin and looked longingly at the pillow. Maybe she could put that in a Ziploc bag and take it with her. On second thought… she’d have to settle for a brown paper bag. With her luck, she’d wear the sucker out before she even saw the river. The door opened and shut. She didn’t need to look to see who it was. She felt him behind her and wasn’t at all happy about it. The last man she needed was a modern Davy Crockett wannabe.
    Toni turned and shot him a glare. “What? You think I’m incapable of finding a better hat and meeting you outside?”
    “Not incapable, but you’re doing a great job of avoidance. What’s the bag for?”
    “I don’t have a Ziploc big enough for my pillow, although I know they make one. It wasn’t on your required packing list. A paper bag is more portable, and I just never know when I’ll feel the need to hyperventilate or make one of those cute hand puppets.” She shut her mouth and put her hand over it to make sure she didn’t start babbling again.
    Hunter awarded her a full smile. “Don’t stop talking for my benefit. I like listening to you. So tell me… would your puppet have one of those cute collars you like to wear?”
    “I guess I can draw one on if you’d like.”
    “Yeah, I think I would.”
    She grabbed her white cap with rivet holes and a black