Free Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule Page B

this place…it’s like—like I’ve been here before.”
    I inwardly groaned. Great first impression. Totally show the hot guy what a weirdo you are, Shiloh.

    “I get that déjà vu feeling sometimes too. It’s cool.”
    His gaze lingered on mine. I swallowed. Correction—I tried. Damn those hypno eyes.
    An owl hooted again. I flinched. The ominous atmosphere and the eerie movement of shadows seemed to merge with being alone in the semi-darkness with Trent Donovan, which was reason enough for me to be freaking out.
    You’re tougher than this, Shiloh Ravenwolf! Now start acting like it!

    I squared my shoulders. “Ya know, you’re kinda the gossip.” I tossed hair over my shoulder. “Scandalous.”
    “Really? Me?”
    “Duh.” I lightly smacked my forehead. “Mysterious new guy in town, oh yeah. Big time…and scandalous.”
    “You said that.”
    I flashed him a smile. “Yeah, I know. Felt it needed to be said twice.” I tilted my head and let my gaze linger on his artfully tousled hair, generous mouth, and rigid gym-built muscles.
    “Why’s that?” He wiggled his eyebrows, more in amusement than curiosity.
    For a magical moment, I ignored the shadows, the fog, and the wraith. It was as if the moonlight and Trent’s gaze had transformed me into something brave and beautiful. Something enchanted, like a wildflower in the shade of the forest. He seemed to hold my gaze with a fierce unrest. The world had gone still with a seething passion, agitating the space between our bodies. Night contained only the two of us. Trent’s emerald eyes were half-closed, the pupils huge, and I felt myself falling into them. My body ached. My heart swelled with desire. So many words went unspoken as we lingered in the dark. But all thought and words seemed to slip away. A feeling of being spellbound stole over me. He looked dazed too.
    A car drove past and I blinked, breaking eye contact with Trent. What were we talking about?
    “Ohhh, I dunno,” I said, thickly. “Heard the stories, the usual wealthy playboy crap.”
    He laughed, white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. “And you believe it?” He moved closer to the entrance and rested one hand on the gate as if luring me inside.
      “Nah, but I understand how it feels to be talked about.” I looked at the ground, trying to gain the courage to step through the gate. Change my destiny. Take a risk.
    “Seriously?” His mouth softened. “Why?”
    I kept my head down and mumbled, “Maybe cause you’re talking to the town weirdo.”
    “Ah ha! I thought there was something special about you.”
    I lifted my eyes and playfully slapped his arm. “Nice comeback.”
    Without warning, he reached out a hand, his movements slow and deliberate, as he brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. At his touch, my tension dissolved, and a feeling of warmth and security took its place. His fingertips lingered on my skin. I hoisted the strap of my purse higher on my shoulder and opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.
    “Why do people call you that?” He tilted his head and studied me. “Seem perfectly normal to me.”
    “ I am —at least, I think I am.” I chewed my bottom lip. “My family…we’re sorta different . Got a bad rep years ago and it stuck. Witchcraft.” I stifled a laugh. “Ugh, small towns. Gotta love them.”
      “Could be worse…could be scandalous .”
    “Oh, we’re scandalous all right!”
    Another eruption of laughter escaped our lips.
    Trent leaned against the gate and smiled. “Witches? Yeah, that would definitely sound shady in this religious community.” He rubbed his chin. “And this town is so damn gloomy. Especially with the endless fog. Like we live in some Silent Hill-esque world.”
    My eyes widened in mock surprise. “Ya think?”
    He smirked. “Didn’t I see you in church last Sunday with that pretty blond girl?”
      “Bingo. Nothing gets past you.”
    He likes Ariana. Of course. She’s spunky and flirty and blond. Everything