Heat rushed through Nate and he nodded, kissing Bonnie hard on the lips before grabbing her hand and leading her back to the car so quickly she had to jog to keep up. He pulled out his phone and said, โText Nick.โ The phoneโs computer voice replied, โOkay. What would you like to say to Nick?โ โCome get us.โ โText sent to Nick.โ By the time they arrived on 61st Street, the car was waiting with Nick at the ready. โTake us back to Ms. Bonnieโs apartment.โ โYes, sir.โ Inside the car, the privacy of the large backseat drove him insane. He sat away from her, holding her hand firmly on the leather between them. He felt her looking at him and when he turned, there was worry in her eyes. โWhatโs wrong?โ She licked her lips self-consciously. โIโm just wondering why youโre way over there.โ A rueful smirk pulled at him. โIf I start touching you now, I wonโt be able to stop. And Nick has a way of hitting the brakes when we least expect it. I need you alone. Entirely alone.โ โOh!โ A reliev
Struggling, Nate began pacing back and forth. Finally, he stopped and looked at her, resigned. A wall that hadnโt been there before was between them and she hated to see it but she had no choice but to push for the truth. โAre you sure you want to know this? It might change your view of me.โ She gave him the tiniest of nods. โIโm a werewolf.โ She blinked and gulped, closing her eyes with strange relief. โI thought so.โ His eyebrows rose. โYou did?โ โYes. Didn't I guess you were a wolf earlier?โ She stayed by the door, pressing herself closer to it as though it might suddenly become pliable and warm. She needed a hug. โYes. The growl. The way they described the body in the news. The policemen askedโโ โAbout a wolf,โ he interjected. โRight. Of course, you would deduce from all thatโฆ What do you want to know then? Now that I've confirmed my secret I'll answer any questions you have for me.โ โMy mind is a blank.โ He stared at her. โI'm not surprised. Well, let me just clear up a few
โWhatever you want. Iโm yours,โ Bonnie breathed, gasping as he kissed her harder and searched her mouth with his skillful tongue. The sensations his kisses sent choked her up. Sheโd never been this happy in her life and as he lowered her to the bed, she ordered herself silently not to cry. She was with a supernatural being and one who seemed to have eyes only for her. The tears stopped cold from excitement as his fingernails sharpened and like razor blades, he used them to rip her dress from her body. Her lacy nude bra and panties were exposed to him and torn red fabric lay on either side like a frame. He stood up, his body lit from the side, the floor lamp dim and perfect for this moment. Every muscle had shadows. He looked like Heaven. โDo you want to keep your lingerie items?โ Bonnie blinked down at her body, happy to find the shadows did nice things for her curves. Her breasts in this underwire were fabulous with her resting on her elbows and gravity doing its best to make them
Panting, they quieted and he kissed the back of her neck and buried his face in her hair. โMarry me.โ She froze. โWhat?โ He pulled out, taking his time and lowering her to the bed so that he could face her. He held himself up on his elbow and searched her eyes. โMarry me, Bonnie. Be my wife.โ She chuckled and closed her eyes, looking at him again after an incredulous moment. โYouโre serious.โ He nodded. โItโs our first date.โ โSo?โ He shrugged like that meant nothing. With a fluttering heart, she pushed back a fallen lock of hair from his forehead, looking into his eyes. โI donโt believe in divorce,โ she whispered. โIf we were to do this, it would be for good. Weโd be a team and best friends. Do whatever we had to to keep it strong, and not lose the love.โ He gave her a calm, knowing smile. โI have no problem promising I can do that.โ She paused, her blood racing so much she could barely speak. The crazy thing was, she believed him! Everything about the way he was looking at he
Nate laughed at Elliott's words and tossed the magazine back onto the table where it landed at a perfect angle. โSorry. Iโm in such a good mood, I thought Iโd fuck with you.โ โSo, they didnโt?โ Knowing he was on a call, he was careful with what he said, in case someone was listening in on their call. The four of them had that habit well ingrained into their conversations where they could be overheard. โNo, they did ask me. I was driving down there that night, on my way home, you know.โ โRiiiight?โ Elliot said, stretching the word. โAnd they caught the license on a camera so they asked me if I spotted the wolf.โ Silence. โTheyโre saying itโs a wolf now? They havenโt said that on the news.โ โProbably trying to keep the city calm. I told them if I saw a wolf I would have told everyone. Can you believe it, Elliott? A WOLF escaped from the zoo.โ A real smile accompanied the fake wonder in his voice. โWe should be more careful at night around here,โ Elliott quipped. โWe should. You
Bonnie swung Nate's arm lightly as they journeyed up a dark, stone path. โThings happen when theyโre supposed to. I wouldnโt have been ready before now. In fact, I didnโt think I was even looking until I met you!โ He relaxed, feeling gratified by the distinction that he had changed her mind in some way, just by his appearing in her life. โDid you want kids with these men?โ โBoys. They were boys. And no. Thatโs one of the reasons they didnโt last.โ She gave him a sideways glance. He had to ask the burning question. โDo you want them with me?โ She walked on for a bit before answering and dropped the leaf from her hand. โI didnโt want children with them because I didnโt want to marry them. And since I want to marry youโฆthat goes to say that I do want your children. Wow. Can you be patient with my getting used to this?โ Her eyebrows lifted with curiosity. He squeezed her hand and brought it to his lips. โYouโre not the only one Iโm going to have to be patient with. Myโฆfriendsโฆthey wi
When the subway doors opened, Nate guided Bonnie on first and stepped in after her, taking both her hands in his and kissing them. โAre you alright?โ She smiled up at him and nodded. โYes. You?โ He didnโt want to tell her that she made him lose control just by her very presence, that his instincts to keep her safe overrode all others. That the self-discipline heโd formed over the years would have to be fine-tuned, to say the least. Maybe his packmates could come up with a sort of obstacle course. Heโd think of that later. The truth was he liked this feeling; wanting to protect his mate felt very right to him. He just wanted to have more control over himself, thatโs all. โIโm fine. We sometimes do these kinds of things when we hear robberies happening, stuff like that. But this is the first time I wasnโt alone.โ โExcept for last Saturday,โ she gently reminded him. โRight. Itโs just got me a little on edge.โ Changing the subject, he asked, โWhat would you like to do today?โ She ch
As Bonnie clinked her glass to theirs, sheโd never felt so happy. โWhat is this?โ โScotch,โ Elliott said, drinking a hefty gulp. She took a small sip and felt the warm sting, wincing accordingly. โOoh, that burns. I like it.โ โHere they come,โ Nate said, ear perked. โYou called them?โ Elliott shrugged. โI didnโt know you were coming back here, but I had to tell them your declaration.โ He glanced at Bonnie. โIโve got a big mouth. We donโt keep any secrets. Be warned.โ Bonnie smiled, but looked at Nate, wondering what they were talking about. He led her to the side as the sound of the front door opening reached her ears, the voices of Darrell and Donny growing louder. Oh no! She didnโt want to see those guys right now. That Danny was a little intimidating. Bonnie straightened her spine and watched the two menโฆtwo werewolvesโฆgive her the once over as they entered the room. From their faces, Nate had been right about their senses of hearing and smell. They knew she was there before
But then he heard someone behind him in the doorway and he spun around to see Linda standing there with her suitcase in one hand, her light blue coat in the other, keys jingling as she nervously fiddled. She asked, quietly โAre you okay?โ the rain pattering loudly behind her. With all the self-discipline he could barely muster, he struggled against his wolf and cracked his neck as he gave a very curt nod and grated through gritted teeth, โMyโฆfriendโฆseems to have left.โ โYou need a ride somewhere?โ Danny blinked to the ground and then back to her. He grimaced and commanded his wolf to calm the fuck down. Gasping for air, he said, โExcuse me a moment. Please, donโt leave.โ He walked to the bathroom and shut the door, splashing water on his face. The cold baptism he coupled with direct and soothing, silent mantras. Iโve got this. I can do this. Control. Control yourself. Let her go. She had to leave. Let her go. You are stronger than this. Afraid heโd lose his ride out of here, he q
He listened at the door to make sure what he heard wasnโt some kinky, consensual sex play. It wasnโt. He stepped back, looked left and right for anyone watching. No one was around. He closed his eyes and listened for heartbeats in nearby cars. The lot was empty of human beings. He focused on the door and took a single step back. Cracking his neck, his eyes began to glow and with all his supernatural strength he shot out a powerful kick. The door split in two, splintering at the hinges. A disgusting sight waited for him inside. The dead-eyed employee of the motel had a woman of at least sixty against the wall. At the explosion, they both looked toward the door. Her eyes were wide with terror and shock, his narrowed in irritation at the interruption. Her suitcase lay on its side on the ground like sheโd tried to throw it at him, the contents splayed on shag carpet. The attacker had a bite mark in his arm, but now was pinning hers. Her polyester pants were down around only one ankle and
Danny collapsed on top of her trembling body, panting as Kat held him close. She kissed his neck, lacing her fingers into his damp hair. But without a word he got up and pulled out, leaping off the bed like she was contagious. He strode swiftly to the bathroom, slammed the door and then had the audacity on top of everything, to fucking lock it. On shaking elbows, she rose up and stared at the door. The shower came on, muffled through the walls. She blinked at the sound, unable to believe what she was hearing. โOh my God,โ she whispered, stunned and terribly hurt. Getting up, she slowly paced the room. Her shirt was broken, as were her bra and panties. Only her jeans were intact so she put them on, went to his suitcase and pulled out one of his t-shirts, a black one she would no doubt swim in. Slipping it over her bedhead, she grabbed a pair of his dress socks and put them on, too. As she tugged on her sneakers, the shower turned off. She froze then ran for the door, swooping down to
He released her, glanced to the guy behind the gun-proof glass watching the scene with interest. โCome on,โ Danny grumbled, reaching for his suitcase. The fact that he held the door again was a miracle but thatโs just what he did. She hesitated. He cocked his chin as if to say, Well, what are you waiting for? โYou never cease to amaze me,โ she snarled at him, walking cautiously past like he might slam it on her if she wasnโt careful. As soon as they were outside, he led the way with the self-confidence of someone who knew she would follow. โWhy am I staying here with you? Am I a glutton for punishment or what?โ Under the minimal shelter of an insufficient awning they made their way to Room 7, millions of drops hitting them from the left. Without finesse he jammed the key in the lock and again held open the door for her. โSince when are you a gentleman?โ โIโve always been a gentleman. Have you really forgotten that?โ She shrugged and walked inside, looking around the original dรฉcor
โWish I had a towel,โ she smiled. He stared at her until it faded away. โWhat are you doing up here? Is this your car?โ โItโs my parentโs car, which you would know if youโd ever come over to their home. And Iโm going to MarhVelly.โ She paused at his expression. โWhat? Why the face?โ Danny stared at her. Thereโs no fucking way. He pushed wet hair away from his forehead and asked in a very low voice, โWhy are you going to MarhVelly, Kat?โ Flustered she blinked back to the road. โLobster. Iโve never had it there, and Iโve always wanted to.โ Pointing ahead, she glanced over to him, โOh no, looks like an accident.โ He turned and saw ominous lights of both fire engines and police cars spinning through the storm. He and Kat were quiet as they waited to see how bad the damage was. A car was turned over, the driver nowhere to be seen. Probably already taken away by a speeding ambulance. Two more driverless cars lay on one another in the fast lane. A tow truck was busy pulling the upturned
โOkay, I can handle this,โ he said, under his breath, not believing it. As though on dramatic cue, lightning illuminated the heavens followed instantly by powerful claps of thunder. In heavy undulating sheets, the rain exploded from the darkness, assaulting his Audi A4 Sedan. With every curse word he could think of he searched for the windshield wipers. He hit the turn signal, accidentally turned off the lights and put them back on, and hit the cruise control. โFor what I paid for this piece of shit, the wipers should be zipping on their own at the first drop of rain.โ Finally, the wipers moved and he cranked them up full gear. Exhaling, he sat back, gripping the wheel. โIf Eli could see me now. Heโd never let me live this ineptitude down.โ For two miles he drove fairly quickly despite the storm until suddenly red taillights illuminated the darkness. Stopped traffic. โSHIT!โ He slammed the brakes and hydroplaned to a diagonal stop, narrowly missing the rear end of a Subaru. Panting,
โItโs called conversation. Someday youโll learn how to participate in one. The car is there. Gas it up before you bring it back. And remember to let Jonathan put the gas in. A man wants to be the man,โ Marcy replied. โYou think so, eh?" Kat paused near their coat rack filled with scarves and coats. Quite a few hats were hung on the rungs as well, each assigned to at least one memory, not all of them good. โIโm going over to get the car now. Is Dad there?โ โYour father is sitting across from me. So no.โ โSince when do you and Dad have lunch together?โ She frowned at all of it. It seemed like every inch was seeped in memories. Breaking up sucks so badly. โWhatโs going on?โ โYour mother and I are getting to know one another again!โ Henry Zane called out, loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to make an undignified scene. Kat stared into her parentโs past, at the infidelities on both their parts, the fights, the estrangements. โIs this true, Mom?โ โOh, itโs Mom now, is it?โ h
As soon as he hit send, Danny jumped up and headed for the bathroom easily the size of a small Crossia studio. He hadnโt held back when heโd renovated this unit. After the Co-op approved him, heโd gutted the place to match his taste. Everything elegant. Shining. Black or charcoal grey, with the ceilings white for an added feeling of space. His bathroom had two showerheads with room for four people, not two. There was a separate, Jacuzzi bathtub. If he and his wolf friends were going to live like humans, they should live like the best of them, since by default werewolves were superior already. Not that human beings would see it that way. He ran the water extra hot and stripped off his clothes, kicking the annoyingly tight shoes aside with extra gusto. As soon as the scalding water hit his sore back, he sighed long and loud. Then he turned and got a surprise. It felt a little better than he thought it would. He glanced down. โWhat the fuck?โ He was hard as a rock. Now that he was payi
This was her chance to make a run for itโฆor to commit to him for good. He was a good man. Such a good man. Her family loved him, probably more than she did. Heโd make an okay father except for the probability that heโd not teach them anything new. Heโd probably just make carbon copies of him, a man designed by the term โnormal.โ For Godโs sake, Donโt Rock the Boat was one of his favorite things to say whenever Kat had a contrary opinion she meant to voice among their judgmental social circles. โWell, Kat. What is it?โ Her body was as tense as though she were about to cage-dive with Great Whites. She closed her eyes begging for the answer from her angels, or anyone who could tell her that she should follow her heart. The room was so quiet. She held her breath, waiting. A small voice inside of her whispered, You know what you have to do, and suddenly she inhaled. โKat, youโre scaring me.โ Meeting his frightened brown eyes, she shook her head with sadness. โIโm sorry, Joe. I canโt ma