Into Their Woods (The Eerie, #1)(57)

“We’ll be a little early for our appointment, but it’s close enough. Trista and Astrid won’t mind.” Karen links her arm with mine.

As we head down the steps, I note that the wind has picked up a little, and while the sun is still warming my shoulders, dark clouds are collecting along the horizon.

“No. Back off. This is girl time,” Karen snaps, suddenly vicious, pulling me closer.

Wondering what could have caused that over-the-top reaction, I glance to my side and spot two familiar figures lurking on the sidewalk. Perth is leaning against a squad car in jeans and a T-shirt, and Ruger’s standing next to him in all black, his tattoos and muscles on full display.

Fuck. My thighs tighten as attraction spreads through me like the flu with its accompanying fever and chills. My body almost feels shaky with need.

Shit. Can they tell?

My eyes lock onto them, and I stare them up and down like I’m starving. Or a perv. Or fuck, I’m not sure. All I know for certain is I want a police calendar with both of them posing shirtless on it. Maybe holding puppies so I can pretend I bought it for the animals. I have to swallow hard as my steps automatically slow when Perth catches sight of me and straightens. He smiles at me, and then so does Ruger.

Individually, they’re both hot. Dual smiles though? Shit. It’s sensory overload in every possible way. Complete logical meltdown. I can’t help it—my belly tightens and a soft smile creases my lips.

“Goddammit, don’t get puppy-eyed on me. That’s fucking gross.” Karen elbows me in the ribs.

“You just wanted me to slut up for them,” I hiss under my breath at her.

The guys’ smiles widen, and I wonder if they’re reading my unruly thoughts or if their hearing is better than I realized.

“Yeah, so you could show them who’s in charge. None of this dewy-eyed damsel crap.” She fakes a gag.

But her words startle me a little because…did I just look like I was fawning?

Shit.

What just happened with Ellery is all the proof needed to know I can’t be pulling that crap with anyone else. Not unless I’m ready to hike that mountain, and I’m not. I don’t have the gear, the experience, or the training… Crap, am I really thinking in hiking terms? Ew.

Why the hell isn’t Gannon the asshole on babysitting duty today? I definitely wouldn’t have this issue with him.

“Hey, ladies, where you headed?” Perth asks, loping up to walk a pace or two behind us down the sidewalk.

Karen gives a long-suffering sigh, pursing her green lips for a moment before she says, “You can only come if you promise to sit and stay like good boys.”

“Karen,” Ruger gently rebukes her.

“Nope. Those are my terms. Take ’em or leave ’em,” she states, walking ahead of the guys and pulling me with her like I’m a pet on a leash.

Scurrying to keep up with the witch, I notice the guys fall into line behind us. I also don’t miss the way Karen smirks at that fact.

Oh, it’s like that, is it? Well, two can play this game.

“So,” I start, my tone goading. “Bucky knows what kind of breakfast muffins you like?”

She stops mid-stride and turns to me, her free hand slowly lifting her sunglasses so she can stare directly into my eyes. “You really want to go there, Poodle?”

Nope.

Not anymore.

Not with that deranged look in her eyes. I most certainly do not.

“I do,” Perth volunteers from behind me. “What’s wrong, Karen? Got fucker’s remorse?”

Oh, shit. She’s going to consume him piece by piece and pick her teeth with his bones.

Karen glowers over her shoulder at Perth, but he’s all happy grins and smiles at having rendered her speechless.

“You are lucky we’re here and that your mate is so desperately in need of my help. I don’t have the bandwidth for you right now, but watch your back, mutt.” She lifts two fingers up to her eyes and then points them back at Perth. “Watch your back.”

Perth playfully snaps his teeth at the gesture, earning him a glare so icy it could correct global warming.

Turning to the building, I stare up at a hand-painted purple sign that says Witch Stitch in a curlicue script. I have no idea how a store that has new age crystals and antiques displayed in the window is going to be the answer to my apparel problems.

I need panties not palm-reading predictions.

Karen stands at the door and taps her foot. Perth chuckles and jogs forward to open it.

“After you,” he declares, all gentlemanly. His smile is more naughty than chivalrous though, and he looks at me like we’re sharing a secret.

Only—I’m not aware of any secret.

A little thrill runs down my spine at the gleam in his golden gaze. Karen darts into the shop ahead of me, but I pause as I walk past Perth. My body hums with some unspoken energy, and I move closer to him like I’m a satellite caught in his gravitational pull. Face to face, we watch each other—studying. Tabulating. What, exactly?

No idea.

He’s taller than me, lean defined muscle adding to his bulk and making him thicker than me too. Freckles dapple his face, and there’s a playful challenge bristling between us that makes my heart pump faster. I breathe him in, sipping on his clean cotton scent that’s mixed with a rich musk and a hint of smoke that’s kissed by something deep and slightly floral.