Clawed: Wild Things, Book 3 (2 page)

His pink hue grew a shade darker and the twinkle returned to his eyes. “Well, if she doesn’t, I’ll make sure I tell her.” His chuckle warmed her heart as she was sure it warmed his wife’s. “Now, how about I call a locksmith and we get the locks changed before Roger has time to think about coming back?”

“Nina, isn’t this great?” Chloe smiled at her best friend, Nina Winters. “Check out the trees and the lush foliage. Oh, and look at the beautiful flowers. This is a painter’s paradise.” She inhaled, drawing in the fresh mountain aroma.

“Yeah, it’s nice. I’m glad we got here before dark.”

Nina tossed supplies out of the back of Chloe’s SUV onto the small clearing where they’d decided to pitch their tents. Her long, black hair fell to the small of her back and shone in the sun, sparkling almost as much as her dark eyes. Nina’s half Latino and half French heritage gave her an exotic look and her lovely oval face captivated everyone. Chloe often wished she could trade her cute girl-next-door looks for her friend’s more distinctive appearance. Not that she thought she was ugly. Her brunette hair, almost as long as Nina’s, complemented her athletic frame and often drew admiring glances.

“Hey, Chloe, we’re sleeping in the dirt, right? So, tell me, wise wilderness woman, what am I supposed to do if I wake up with a snake in my sleeping bag?”

Chloe already had her tent up and had started pitching Nina’s. “We’re not sleeping
in
the dirt. We’re sleeping
in
tents
in
sleeping bags
on
the ground with an air mattress, no less. Some campers would call that luxurious. And knowing you, the snake would be the one in trouble.”

“Oh, ha-ha.” Nina rolled her eyes, but her half-smile showed her appreciation. “But you’re probably right.”

Chloe had said it before, but saying it again wouldn’t hurt. “I’m really glad you came along.”

Nina looked at the wooded area surrounding them. “You know I’ll always stick by you, and I know how much you like roughing it. Besides, who knows? Maybe I’ll get bitten by the camping bug, too. Although, let’s hope it’s not a real bug.”

Chloe stretched, then tossed her a sleeping bag. “You are a true friend.”

“And don’t you forget it.” Nina giggled. “But while we’re on the subject of sleeping, I still wish we could’ve brought along a little male companionship. You know. Kind of a sleeping-bag buddy.”

“I think you can survive a few nights without a man in your bed, don’t you?”

“Hmm, maybe. If I have to. But why can’t I sleep in the same tent with you?”

“First, the tents are too small. And plus, I snore really loud and sometimes I even kick and thrash. One time I kicked Roger so hard he—”

“Too bad you didn’t kick him hard enough to boot him all the way to the curb.”

“Yeah, I know. But trust me on the tent thing. You’ll thank me tomorrow morning.”

The frown lines on Nina’s face deepened. “Don’t count on it. With my luck, an escaped ax murderer will find us in the middle of the night and choose my tent to visit.”

Chloe wrapped her arm around her friend of ten years. “If he does, then tell him he has to see me first, okay? I’ll poke his wiener with the pointed end of my brush and throw turpentine in his eyes while you call for help. Deal?”

“Deal. Of course, if he’s cute, then maybe I’ll let him stay awhile.” Nina’s bright laughter sent the birds in the nearby trees into flight.

“Only you, Nina. Only you.”

Chloe chuckled at her friend and finished preparing the camp. She picked up the sticks scattered around the area, dropping some into the fire pit for kindling and tossing the others into the brush. Fortunately, a previous camper had arranged a couple of sturdy logs for chairs next to the fire pit. They wouldn’t have to use the folding chairs she’d brought.

Nina whipped out her cell phone. “Please tell me we get coverage out in these boonies.” She held up her phone and stalked around the campsite, looking for reception. “Oh, shit, Chloe, I’m getting one lousy bar. We’re totally cut off from civilization. There goes the pizza delivery option.”

Leave it to Nina to think Domino’s would deliver to campers in the woods. “Then it’s a good thing I brought plenty of food, huh? Including your favorite double chocolate fudge brownies.”

“Holy shit, you
are
my soul sister.”

“More than you know.” Chloe studied her work, satisfied that she’d gathered enough kindling. “Hey, how about I get a fire going and you sort through the food? But save the brownies for later.”

“Done. A fire does sound good. But then what do we do? Sit around and pick ticks off each other?”

“We’ll do what we do best.”

“Drink wine and gossip?” Nina opened the big cooler and snatched up a bottle. “Oh, no! Domestic wine? Urgh. Now that’s what I call roughing it.”

“I think you’ll survive. And the sooner we get the camp set up, the sooner we can indulge.”

“Then let’s get to it, Mountain Mama.”

The two friends worked in silence for the next hour. Chloe did most of the work to set up the camp, but Nina chipped in by placing a lantern in each tent, then setting the wine and glasses next to the campfire Chloe started. Soon, their work was finished.

Chloe could sense Nina’s eyes on her and knew what she would say. But, as Nina’s friend, she’d go ahead and let her say it. Just like she’d let her say it a million times before. She filled Nina’s glass, then poured a small amount for herself.

“I told you he wasn’t good enough for you. I knew he was an ass from the first minute I laid eyes on him.”

“Yeah, I remember. But I couldn’t help it. He was so nice…at first.” Before he’d started using her. Before he’d cheated on her. “I thought I loved the jerk.”

“Girl, you have the worst judgment when it comes to men.”

Nina was right. The men Chloe chose always let her down, always broke her trust. Even worse, lately she’d gotten involved with men who had bad tempers. She shook her head, resolving never to go down that path again.

“Come on, Chloe. You know I’m telling the truth. Plus, if you ask me, you never really loved Roger. You just got sucked up into his lies and his phony charm. I mean, how can you love a man you never really knew?”

Had she known the real Roger? Apparently not. Had she ever really loved him? A couple of months ago she would’ve said she did. But she’d known the truth in her gut if not in her head. Why had she hung onto the relationship, anyway? Still, she needed time away from the apartment, time away from the bed he’d sullied with the waitress, time to exorcise the rest of the Roger demons from her mind. “When you’re right, you’re right, Nina.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Chloe’s life with Roger seemed like a bad dream from which she’d finally awakened. “I guess some of us just take longer to get a clue.”

Nina downed the rest of her drink, then grew solemn. Her concerned gaze worked its way straight into Chloe’s heart. “I want you to be happy, you know.”

Chloe poured her friend another glass of wine. “With you as my best friend, what else could I be?”

“Sheesh, are we getting sappy or what?” Nina looked away, trying to hide her pleased grin, and surveyed the campsite. “Now what do we do?”

“Whatever you like. Maybe we could take a walk down to the stream? Or a hike up the hill?”

“Uh, have we met? Walking? Hiking? Those words are not in my vocabulary. Unless, of course, there’s a dance club at the top of the hill.”

“Okay, then, what would you suggest?”

“I would suggest you get some work done. You know, as in a little thing called a commissioned painting? I know you’re dying to see the water and sketch some ideas. So go on before it gets too late. We’ll be fine.”

“We’ll?” Chloe made a show of bending over to check under her car. “Did you sneak in a hot stowaway?”

“Ooh, I’m sorry I didn’t think of that. But, sadly, no. I meant Mr. Vino and me.”

“Ah, now I understand. You’re hoarding the alcohol for yourself.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think we’re going to run out anytime soon.”

Chloe swirled the wine in her glass. “You could come along with me.”

“Are you talking about physical exertion again? No way. I reached my limit getting this place set up. Besides, I’ve got the perfect thing for this situation.” She hurried over to the SUV and pulled out a box along with two compact discs. “I figured you might need some alone time to do your creative artist thing, so I brought along my DVD player.” She held up the CDs and grinned. “See? I’ve got my favorite movies of all time:
Married Without a Husband
and
Brickster’s Big Day Out
.”

“Wow, talk about prepared. Were you a Girl Scout?”

“Yep. And because you’re so thoughtful to worry about my boredom, I’ll let you take my flask with you. Just be careful. I put some pretty potent stuff in it.” She unhooked the flask from her belt, took a sip and handed it to Chloe. “Besides, you’ll need the alcohol to pour over any snake bites.”

Chloe started to turn down the offer, but Nina shushed her. “No, don’t. You hardly drank any wine, and I know you’re not much on hard liquor, but if anyone could use a good stiff drink, it’s you.”

Chloe took the flask, then scooped up her sketchpad and pencils. “So, are you sure you’re good? You really don’t mind if I go without you?”

Nina pretended to give the idea another moment’s thought before waving her off. “I’m sure. Now get going and sketch your heart out. I’ll be perfectly happy with my movies until you get back.”

“Great. And don’t worry. I’ll return before dark.”

“You’d better or those brownies might disappear before you make it back.”

“Don’t you dare. Think of all those carbs sticking to your hips.”

“Yeah, but it’ll be totally worth it.”

Chloe was still grinning when she strode out of the campsite and down the dirt path leading to the stream. Birds and small animals scattered at her approach, and she peered into the underbrush to watch them dash away, then took several sips of the strong, burning liquid. Maybe Nina was right. She could use something more than wine right now. Heat from the alcohol swept through her, releasing the tension in her neck and easing her mind.

She paused to inhale the heady fragrance of the pine trees surrounding her, then took another sip. Although she liked living in the city, she’d trade her apartment for the mountains anytime. The mountains always made her feel free, able to forget about her worries and responsibilities. She sighed. The forest and her art were all she needed. She took a long drink and thought again. Okay, maybe they weren’t
all
she needed.

Chloe let her mind wander, imagining a home on top of a mountain where she could paint beautiful landscapes while her children played around her. And of course she’d have a handsome hubby to warm her bed at night. She sighed and continued toward the water.

Chloe heard the sounds of the stream ahead and quickened her pace to match the faster beat of her heart. If she could spend an hour sketching the wildlife as they came to drink, she’d sleep like a baby tonight. Only through her art did she find contentment, and the fact that she was getting paid for it made everything even better.

Chloe broke through the last bushes separating her from the water, closed her eyes, and let the sunlight drench her body with its replenishing warmth. The sun’s rays strengthened her, renewing her spirit and adding to the contented glow the alcohol gave her.

If only I could stay here forever.

A splashing noise startled her out of her reverie, and she ducked behind a tree. Parting the branches for a better look, she stared in disbelief.

“Oh, wow.”

Chapter Two

Chloe slapped a hand over her mouth and squatted, making her body smaller. Fortunately, the man standing in the stream didn’t notice her. Instead, he kept his head down, his attention focused on the water, his arms stretched out in front of him and his hands open as though ready to catch a football. She squinted, unsure if she could believe her eyes. Finding a man standing in the stream was startling enough, but finding a
naked
man standing in a stream was incredible.

And what a man he was! Her gaze traveled from the top of his head, down his long dark hair, stopping to slide her attention to the left, then the right, to take in the massive width of his shoulders. Her heart pounded, and for a moment she was afraid he’d hear it above the sound of the running water.

Muscles rippled as he flexed his upper torso, twisting first to one side, then the other, and yet he kept his legs perfectly still. His back made her think of flesh-covered marble like a Greek statue come to life. His arms, remaining outstretched, were sharply defined, with edges where one muscle connected to another like rocks positioned on top of each other to form ribbons of human granite.

She swallowed, replenishing her suddenly dry mouth, then prepared to let her gaze slide lower. His broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist, but it was the granite hardness of his chest that took her breath away. The strong, sturdy legs, as thick as tree trunks, supported him as though the water wasn’t the fast current rushing around him but instead a peaceful lake.

She studied him, fascinated by his obvious comfort in the wilderness. He was a man born of the earth who had remained a part of the earth, a man fully aware of his place in the universe. Moreover, he was an unusual vision, an unexpected gift for an artist. Even if she hadn’t found him attractive, she would’ve appreciated his magnificence and would’ve known that she had to sketch him. To not do so would be unthinkable.

Going to her knees, she put pencil to pad and began to draw. Within a few minutes, she had a rough sketch completed.

He moved, striking his hands into the water and stunning her so that she dropped her pencil. Shouting a cry of victory, he straightened up to lift a large fish over his head, then tossed it to the shore.

She froze and considered what she’d seen. Had he really caught a fish with his bare hands? An image of a bear fishing for trout flashed through her mind. He’d caught the fish just like a bear would. But how? Was he a true wilderness man like those she’d thought existed only in stories?