He was there. Leaning against the front of her car. Waiting for her.

Maddie swallowed, backed up a step. Danger. She felt danger. She looked frantically behind her. No one was in sight. Not even a car passed on the street behind. Heart pounding in her ears, she adjusted her car keys in her hand so the ends stuck out between her fingers. Intriguing as the dark stranger had appeared as he had stood across the street after the parade, here alone in the darkness was something else.

Warily, she walked toward her car, her mouth dry. There isn't anything to worry about. This is River Bend. Nothing ever happens here. He's just a guy.

'Yeah, a dangerous looking guy,' a voice in her head warned.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice bouncing back at her off the sides of the building in a diluted echo.

He shifted position, the sound of leather creaking with his movements. He drew on his cigarette then slowly released the smoke. "Ms. Woods," he said, in a voice so deep it washed over her in a rumble.

Maddie shivered. She sensed danger, but the feeling was ... delicious. From deep within, her wild side began to emerge. She began moving toward the car. Anyone in her right mind would have turned back, run for a place with more light, more people. But not her. This dark stranger was drawing her in. She wanted ... needed ... to find out more about him. Closer now, she caught his scent. He smelled of the woods. Pine and wild things. Then, she was standing in front of him, well within his reach.

He stood still for a moment, then dropped his cigarette and ground it out on the pavement with the toe of his boot.

She breathed him in as he towered over her, his face in shadow. Warmth spread through her, moving through her veins like slow lava. "Who are you?" Maddie whispered.

"I am Raven." He raised his hand toward her.

She stepped back, caution kicking in.

"Don't be afraid." He stepped toward her. His hand, strong and firm, rose toward her face.

Maddie felt the urge to step toward him. She fought it, warning bells sounding in her brain.

With one finger, Raven stroked her cheek. "You have nothing to fear from me."

Maddie closed her eyes, reveling in the heat his touch left on her skin. No, she warned herself, don't be drawn in. With a violent shake of her head, she opened her eyes. Raven's hand dropped from her face. "Why are you here? Are you following me?"

Without waiting for an answer, she moved to the driver's side of her car, suddenly wanting to be inside, where it was safe, away from this ... Raven. She had no idea who he was or where he came from--in fact, had never seen him before. But still, he was familiar.

"I'm interested in you, Ms. Woods. The real you. Not the person you're trying to be."

Her gaze snapped to his face. What did he know about the 'real' Maddie?

Standing on the passenger side of the car, Raven's head and shoulders were visible over the roof of the car, the dim light from the side of the building lighting his face. But it was his eyes that made Maddie catch her breath. His eyes were dark, black as night. Mysterious. Exciting.

Dangerous.

She scanned the planes of his face. He had strong features, chiseled cheekbones, a perfectly formed nose, a full, very kissable mouth. His skin was smooth, giving no hint of his age. Framed by his long dark hair, his face melted her insides.

She braced herself, her hand on the window of the driver's door, before her knees gave out. The glass was cold beneath her palm. "My God," she whispered. This man was beautiful and menacing at the same time. Just looking at him caused her blood cells to heat, threatening to explode from the deep sense of passion she felt. Maddie swallowed. Hard. "I'm sorry. I have to go."

"Don't," he said, his eyes boring into hers.

She hesitated. No, no, no. She could not even consider this. Quickly, she unlocked her car door and opened it. "I'm sorry but I don't know you. I really have to go."

Raven placed his hand on the top of the car. "You must listen to me."