Her breath hitched. “Are you a,” she glanced around to make sure they were alone. He knew they were. He had been listening very closely. “Are you a werewolf?” Her light brown eyebrows rose. Bracing himself for her to run from him, he nodded slowly. She stayed where she was which was a miracle to him. He blinked and took a deep breath, explaining, “But we’re not like in the horror films. We’re not ruled by the moon and I can’t turn you. You don’t have to be afraid.” Her heart had picked up speed. “We? We’re not? Do you mean Nate? Darrell? Danny?” He didn’t nod. He didn’t have to. From the look in her eyes, she already knew. It felt so strange to tell their most well-kept secret to someone outside their pack and he couldn’t help wondering how Nate did it. “That makes so much sense. The four of you when you’re together, you’re so powerful!” When he was younger he had taken pride in it but now that he was almost thirty, it was a part of life, but hearing her point it out, made him thin
“Let’s go. Hang on.” He pulled out his phone, calling Nate who picked up after the second ring. “What took you so long?” “I had to get the phone out of my pocket. How’d it go? Where are you?” “I told you those pants are too tight,” Elliott joked. “Well, it’s going well.” He shared a smile with Joan, holding her eyes as he asked, “Can you guys cover for me at work?” “Tomorrow’s Monday.” “I know. But I’m going to Tahitian for…” “Just a few days,” she whispered. “A week.” She jumped around her chair, freaking out with excitement as he grinned into the phone, “Joan and I are going to get to know each other.” Nate laughed and told the others, “They’re going to Tahitian.” Danny’s voice was stern. “Tahitian is eighteen hours away.” “How do you know that?” Darrell asked. “Never mind.” Nate asked. “You hear that?” “Yeah.” Elliott leaned in to tell Joan the bad news, “Tahitian's eighteen hours away.” She blanched. “Yeah, how about the Bahamas?” More chair jumping and she covered her
Twenty minutes later, Bonnie was tearing through her suitcase with approval. “Except for this. This color flattens you out.” She tossed a dark purple dress aside. “You’re too pale and with your light hair and eyes, it’ll wear you.” Joan pouted, “I love that dress,” picking it up. “It’d be better on me.” Bonnie laughed at the frown thrown at her. “I’ve got dark hair and eyes; it’ll blend well. Trust me. Go with pastels, and red is fantastic. Other than Red, Black is the only dark shade you should wear. Bright red is best.” “Okay, okay,” Joan threw the dress at her friend. “Take it. You convinced me.” Bonnie socked it away and held up the pink bikini. “Oh, I love this. He will drool!” Joan giggled and threw her hand over her mouth. “I just fucking giggled.” Busting up laughing, Bonnie pointed at her. “Yeah, you fucking did.” “Listen to us. We’re like sailors. My dad would slap my face if he heard me.” She got quiet and folded up a sundress. She glanced at her friend to find compa
“You okay?” Elliott set the suitcases down and took her into his arms. She couldn’t speak, trying so hard not to lose it. “Tell me you’re not crying because you hate it,” he teased, trying to get her to smile. The idea was so ridiculous her near breakdown turned to laughter and she burrowed into his chest. “It’s perfect. I love it. Thank you.” She looked up and closed her eyes for a kiss, which he gladly gave her. They kissed deeply, the sun on their faces. When they separated, he grabbed the suitcases and motioned for the bungalow. “They said the key is under the mat.” “No one’s here to let us in?” she asked, though it wasn’t that surprising. They were way out from any other properties, residential or otherwise. He gestured to the main house with his chin, a two-story brown building that had tables on a balcony meant for guest dining. “I told them we’d be fine. Just describe where to go, and we’d find the way.” Joan headed for the door and bent to lift the mat, the key there a
Joan reached over and touched him. He moaned and pushed just the tip closer to her throbbing opening. She wanted him so badly and was a little scared of his size. “Go slow,” she whispered. He nodded and met her eyes. “I promise you I will.” She saw them glow again and smiled knowing he wouldn’t run this time if she told him. But she didn’t want him self-conscious. She wanted him just. like. this. “I’m ready,” she whispered. His eyebrows lifted and his eyes glowed hotter changing from amber to pale honey. His lips parted and she could see his teeth were a little different. It was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Her heartbeat slammed in her chest and he looked toward the sound and touched her between her breasts, pressing his hand into her skin. “I won’t hurt you. You’re safe with me.” “Elliott, that’s why I’m excited!” she breathed. He stopped stroking himself and leaned down to kiss her, and this kiss was tender and loving. She wrapped her fingers around his head an
“Is that an order?” Joan whispered, her eyes going smoky. “What do you think?” he said, simply. With mischief in her eyes, she stroked him and reached down lower to take his sack in her hand, fondling it and running her fingers around where it met his body. He groaned with pleasure as she wrapped her small hand around the base of his cock and slid it up, hesitating at the top to play with the tip and make him moan. With her thumb, she rubbed it, then stroked his length again. He moved her bikini bottoms to the side and took control of his cock back, pushing the blunt tip against her opening. Her lips were parted and her hair was drenched, the hot sun already having dried her face. They stared at each other as he penetrated her, taking her legs and wrapping them around him as he stood on the sandy floor and slid into her. She glanced to the beach but he reassured her, “No one’s there. I can hear when someone comes.” “Oh,” she smiled, her breath hitching. She licked her lips and allow
Joan gasped and grabbed the side of the bed, her knuckles white and her blue eyes wide with shock. He expected to see fear and would have forgiven it, but instead, he saw awe. He couldn’t believe it. She stood up when the transformation was completed and walked to him with her hand held out. “Elliot?” she asked, hesitant. He nodded and padded to her, not sure what she would do. She got on her knees and looked him in the eye. “You’re amazing. Your coat is the color your eyes get when you let them glow. It’s like warm honey on cinnamon toast.” She smiled and ran her hand down his back, feeling his back legs and finally holding his muzzle with both hands. “You can hear me?” He nodded again and licked her nose. She laughed and shook her head in wonder. “Wow. I mean, just wow.” He was overcome, never having a human woman touch him when he was in wolf form before. He backed away and rose to two legs, completing the full shift back to a man in less than five seconds. Still on her knees on
A week after they returned, Joan rolled over in her bed and looked at Elliott’s sleeping body. His eyes shot open. “What time is it?” He leaped out of bed and ran naked through her house looking for where he’d left his slacks in the kitchen. “What’s the rush, Elliott?” Joan called after him, leaning on her elbows having risen to watch him run. He’d been acting funny for a couple of days now so when he shouted, “I have to go!” and appeared in her doorframe already dressed, she wasn’t too surprised. “Is this about that new building you guys got commissioned for?” He beamed, buttoning up his shirt, his suit jacket hanging from his arm. He only had one shoe on. “What? Um, do you know where my other shoe is?” She pointed in the direction of the living room. “You threw it and it slid under the couch during your strip tease. Which was hilarious.” He made a face and cocked an eyebrow. “It was supposed to be sexy.” Dryly she said, “Well, then you probably shouldn’t have sung brown chicke
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 “Are you okay?” 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, “My…friend…seems to have left.” “You need a ride somewhere?” 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, “Excuse me a moment. Please, don’t leave.” 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. I’ve 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 he’d lose his ride out of here, he q
He listened at the door to make sure what he heard wasn’t some kinky, consensual sex play. It wasn’t. 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 she’d 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. “Oh my God,” 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. “Come on,” Danny grumbled, reaching for his suitcase. The fact that he held the door again was a miracle but that’s just what he did. She hesitated. He cocked his chin as if to say, Well, what are you waiting for? “You never cease to amaze me,” she snarled at him, walking cautiously past like he might slam it on her if she wasn’t careful. As soon as they were outside, he led the way with the self-confidence of someone who knew she would follow. “Why am I staying here with you? Am I a glutton for punishment or what?” 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. “Since when are you a gentleman?” “I’ve always been a gentleman. Have you really forgotten that?” She shrugged and walked inside, looking around the original décor
“Wish I had a towel,” she smiled. He stared at her until it faded away. “What are you doing up here? Is this your car?” “It’s my parent’s car, which you would know if you’d ever come over to their home. And I’m going to MarhVelly.” She paused at his expression. “What? Why the face?” Danny stared at her. There’s no fucking way. He pushed wet hair away from his forehead and asked in a very low voice, “Why are you going to MarhVelly, Kat?” Flustered she blinked back to the road. “Lobster. I’ve never had it there, and I’ve always wanted to.” Pointing ahead, she glanced over to him, “Oh no, looks like an accident.” 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
“Okay, I can handle this,” 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. “For what I paid for this piece of shit, the wipers should be zipping on their own at the first drop of rain.” Finally, the wipers moved and he cranked them up full gear. Exhaling, he sat back, gripping the wheel. “If Eli could see me now. He’d never let me live this ineptitude down.” For two miles he drove fairly quickly despite the storm until suddenly red taillights illuminated the darkness. Stopped traffic. “SHIT!” He slammed the brakes and hydroplaned to a diagonal stop, narrowly missing the rear end of a Subaru. Panting,
“It’s called conversation. Someday you’ll 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,” Marcy replied. “You 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. “I’m going over to get the car now. Is Dad there?” “Your father is sitting across from me. So no.” “Since when do you and Dad have lunch together?” She frowned at all of it. It seemed like every inch was seeped in memories. Breaking up sucks so badly. “What’s going on?” “Your mother and I are getting to know one another again!” Henry Zane called out, loud enough to be heard, but not loud enough to make an undignified scene. Kat stared into her parent’s past, at the infidelities on both their parts, the fights, the estrangements. “Is this true, Mom?” “Oh, it’s Mom now, is it?” h
As soon as he hit send, Danny jumped up and headed for the bathroom easily the size of a small Crossia studio. He hadn’t held back when he’d renovated this unit. After the Co-op approved him, he’d 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. “What the fuck?” He was hard as a rock. Now that he was payi
This was her chance to make a run for it…or to commit to him for good. He was a good man. Such a good man. Her family loved him, probably more than she did. He’d make an okay father except for the probability that he’d not teach them anything new. He’d probably just make carbon copies of him, a man designed by the term “normal.” For God’s sake, Don’t 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. “Well, Kat. What is it?” 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. “Kat, you’re scaring me.” Meeting his frightened brown eyes, she shook her head with sadness. “I’m sorry, Joe. I can’t ma