This Time

by Alisha Basso

  Oh God.

  He tasted so sweet and I moaned into his mouth. His body was long and muscular and I sighed and pulled him closer, thrilling in his weight and the feel of his skin on mine.

  He rose up, his broad shoulders rose and fell rapidly with his breaths. He grit his teeth and ripped the thin fabric of his pajama pants from his body. His arousal sprang free, thick and hard, and my eyes rolled back. Oh my Lord, he was unreal. I felt my insides clench as a thrill raced through me, settling in my belly. My head was flooded with desire.

  I sucked in a breath just as a dozen voices filled my ears. Shaking my head hard, I closed my eyes. I was not going to deal with this shit right now! I swallowed, desperate to ignore the panicked screams ringing throughout my awareness.

  Lu’s hot skin seared my own as he pressed his body close to mine. I closed my eyes, begging the voices to leave me alone.

  This was a nightmare.

  I whimpered, locking my eyes on Lu’s. He frowned and I clutched his head, bringing his lips to mine. I took his mouth and he growled, a vicious, animal sound that scattered the voices to the wind. Relief flooded me as he moved to graze his teeth along my shoulder. I moaned and he rolled onto his back, positioning me so that I straddled his hips.

  His beauty startled me as I gazed down at him. He looked at me, a question in his eyes.

  “My love?” A shadow of doubt clouded his face.

  His beauty was more than I could take, more than any woman could take, and he was mine. Overwhelmed, I sucked in my breath and slowly sank onto him.

  His neck arched back as his strong fingers dug into my hips. I cried out as he held me still and thrust up hard, filling me. My eyes closed and my muscles jerked around him.

  I held my breath, glorying in the feeling of his body in mine.

  He spoke in that language I didn’t understand as his strong hands guided me into rhythm. I felt drunk. My head lolled to the side as he began to explore my body. His hands slid up my ribcage to cup my breasts. My mind filled with flames. I opened my eyes in a daze as they licked along my flesh. He spun me onto my back and my vision blurred. I felt disconnected as he rose above me. I thought I saw wings behind him, black as soot.

  My body tingled deliciously, reveling in his heat, his fire. He looked at me, his eyes red as coals, I cried out my release as he roared his. My body cooled as he collapsed on top of me. I tried to calm my breathing and the frantic beating of my heart.

  I lay there for several minutes, my mind a twisted tangle of confusion, lust and doubt. What the hell had that been? I turned to look at my husband and realized that somehow, we had tumbled to the floor in a twisted pile of limbs.

  He lay sleeping, a smile played across his face and I frowned as exhaustion overwhelmed me.

  FOUR

  We slept for hours. I woke as night darkened the room with a twilight glow. I stood, stretched, and stumbled around the unfamiliar furniture. The door to the bathroom stood open and I entered, shutting it behind me. I twisted the lock and then remembered his fit earlier and quickly unlocked it again. I flipped on the light, it penetrated my eyes in a shock, sending a flash through my vision. I sat, muddling through what had happened between us.

  It was like a dream. I turned on the shower and stepped in. The heat was too much and I turned the knob until I could feel the cold. It chilled my skin, waking me up even more. I washed and rinsed as I tried to piece together our amazing and bizarre lovemaking. It was as if he was another person. I felt so strange.

  Was any of that real?

  I leaned against the marble and let the water beat at my side. The tattoo on my wrist began to itch and I lifted my arm to examine it.

  What?

  I began to shake.

  The thorns still wound around my right wrist, but where there once was a single rose bud on my skin, there were now two beautifully etched roses.

  That had to be wrong.

  How can I have two?

  “Good evening, wife. Are you ready to hit the tables?” Lu entered the shower, his huge presence dominating the tiny space. I felt small and I pressed against the wall in order to allow his movement. “Hounds of hell, woman, this water is like ice!” Lu spun the knob to hot and steam quickly filled the room.

  Choking on the heat, I escaped the shower and wrapped my body in one of the thick bath sheets.

  “You don’t want to play in the shower?” he called just as I left the room. Ignoring him, I moved through the room, flicking on the lights as I walked, my wrist cradled against me. I approached the closet. More proof that I belonged with this man. The closet was filled with dresses that, no doubt, belonged to me.

  I chose a simple black dress that would fall to mid-thigh and a pair of strappy heels that would have me towering over most men. But I would be with my husband and he was tall enough to allow me to wear them. I slid on a pair of black panties and a matching bra. As I reached for the dress he entered the room, a towel wrapped around his waist. I watched him move. He was so large and powerful.

  Just then, as I gazed at him, I could picture him with much longer hair. Golden stubble on his chin and… and then the image dissolved. I shook my head and laughed to myself.

  Grace, we can help. We are coming for you.

  “Stop!” I screamed to the air and Lu spun.

  “What are you yelling about?” he asked as watched my face. “Take your pill Gr… Alice.” He cleared his throat and fussed with several ties.

  I couldn’t breathe. I felt the blood drain from my face, then my neck and down as ice filled my veins. “What were you about to call me?” I stepped into his space and stopped his meaningless movements. “Lu?”

  “I was only going to remind you to take your pill. I thought the better of it.” He smiled and began to turn away again.

  “Bullshit!” I moved in front of him again. “You almost called me Grace! Why are you lying?”

  “Ali, no! Why would I wish to hurt you like that?” He stroked my cheek, sending his heat into my skin. The sensation penetrated my head, relaxing my neck and shoulders. “You worry me so much.” He kissed along my neck, down my shoulder. “You are my mate, my perfect angel, don’t you understand? I would never hurt you. I want you happy.” He kissed my lips gently, melting my knees. “Let’s stay in again. I can kiss you everywhere.” His fingers grazed the swell of my breast. “We can make love again. You would like that, wouldn’t you my darling?”

  I felt a chill race along my skin. Something was wrong. I could feel it. “No. No, we should get out for a while. I’m fine.” I gently rubbed the spot where his fingers had left a trail of heat. The feeling seemed to linger. “It’s fine.” I shook my head and smiled.

  ***

  The casino floor was bedlam. Bells rang, people spoke in excited tones, and somewhere out of my vision a live band played cover songs from a time long passed. The lights and décor filled me with sensory overload and I clung to Lu’s arm like a life raft.

  “You see these people, my darling?” Lu sounded strange and I looked up at him. “Fools. All of them.”

  He was smiling, but there was something very…disturbed about it.

  “They scurry about, clinging desperately to dreams of sudden wealth,” he said, his voice lowering with each word.

  I frowned. It was as if I was looking at a different person from just a few moments ago. The desperation and hopelessness of the people around us seemed to thrill him somehow. He sucked in a deep breath.

  “Ah, sin in droves.” He looked at me and winked. “Let’s join them.”

  He pulled gently on my arm and we moved through the room. People parted as we passed, as if they sensed he was a powerful man and didn’t wish to upset him.

  My eyes scanned the crowd. A flash of yellow hair had me pulling up short. I looked over the area. Nothing. I shook my head, feeling silly.

  “Are you well?” Lu asked, without actually looking at me. His eyes were all over the room. His strange look of giddy happiness made me feel as if I were mi
ssing something very important.

  “I’m well enough,” I replied, sliding my hand from his arm.

  He looked at me then. “You will not leave my side,” he warned, and I felt a small shard of unease. His controlling attitude toward me was understandable at first, now it filled me with apprehension.

  I backed up a step.

  “Please, my love,” he bent and kissed my lips gently, “for your safety.” He pulled a small golden box from his pocket. “Your medication.” He took my hand and emptied two blood-red pills into my palm. “We mustn’t forget again, my love.” He signaled for a cocktail waitress and ordered a water for me. She returned almost immediately, her face glowing pink as my husband placed a fifty on her tray and winked playfully at her shocked expression.

  “That was nice of you.” I smiled as I tried to choke down the pills. They were horribly bitter and something in my head told me not to swallow them down. I stared off into space, my head screaming warnings so confusing and strong that I almost spit the pills onto the floor. Instead, I simply coughed into my hand and discreetly took them from my mouth. I handed the empty glass to him and smiled.

  “That’s my girl.” He smiled and examined my face closely. I tried to stare lovingly at him, but something in me was waking up. I had a feeling that my instincts were important.

  “Hmm,” he tilted my chin up and then, apparently satisfied, he kissed me again. “Now, be a love and agree to play roulette with me?”

  I had a sickening feeling that I had been playing that game all along.

  “Of course, Lu. Anything you wish,” I smiled and ran my hand down his arm.

  He practically glowed with pleasure. “You will be the death of me.” He sucked in a breath. It hissed between his teeth, making him look violent and dangerous. “I want to show you how incredible life with me can be. Come.”

  I followed in his wake. He was a man possessed. When we reached the roulette table, all eyes were on him. After the second win, markers followed his along the table. Lu was a force to be reckoned with. He moved with a preternatural grace that hypnotized. His eyes flashed and my gut screamed that he was not who he claimed to be. He was so much more than merely dangerous. He occupied a level of menace so far beyond my comprehension, it was staggering.

  The crowd cheered, jerking me to my senses.

  He won again.

  I closed my eyes, opening them to scan the crowded floor. My eyes fell on an elderly woman sitting at a slot machine, her orthopedic shoes nesting around a battered oxygen tank.

  My heart broke as she coughed and wheezed. The poor thing was so lost. I frowned, it was so unfair. So many people in this den of lost hopes. Betting their savings, their paychecks and who knew what else. And here was Lu, already astonishingly wealthy if the American Express Black in my wallet was any indication. An immensely powerful man, and he was only getting richer. I moved around the table, watching the man that was supposed to be my husband.

  The feelings I had didn’t fit with that of a happily married woman. I gazed at his astonishing perfection, my heart battling with my senses. He was everything sensual, beautiful and powerful. Women were shoving their breasts at him, their hands running along his arms, his back, yet I felt nothing.

  Was it because he felt he was above them all? The coos and provocative looks simply slid off of him. I shook my head. It didn’t matter to any of them that the man wore a wedding ring. I watched as a woman slid her hand into the space between the buttons in his shirt. He allowed it, and still I felt nothing.

  He looked up, as if sensing my scrutiny. He met my eyes and slowly drew his bottom lip into his mouth. Drawing it out, his even teeth pulled at the plump flesh. It was a move so sensual that my body instantly responded. My knees turned to putty and I stiffened. I was hot. A fine sweat broke out along the back of my neck as if he were actually physically touching me.

  I closed my eyes, collecting myself.

  He’s my husband and he loves me. I whispered to myself, then opened my eyes as he placed his marker. I felt a tickle begin in my belly and I smiled, my eyes following the little white ball as it spun.

  Red twelve, he’d predicted.

  It bounced about as it had the last several wins, landing as predicted on the red twelve, until inexplicably, at the last second, it shifted and hopped into the space for the black thirty five.

  Shock and disappointment filled the air around us. That fast, they no longer trusted him. I stood in a sea of bodies as they flowed past, no longer pinning their hopes on Lu. No longer clamoring or crowding him. The women were gone, it was over.

  I felt his eyes watching me. I looked up and stepped back. His brows were drawn close, his mouth a tight line. Anger beat off of him as he glared, unblinking, at me. I shifted as the danger I had sensed in him screamed a warning in my head.

  He took a small step toward me and I spun, immediately finding myself covered in schnapps.

  FIVE

  “Oh, my God! Adam, get her some napkins!” A tall woman screeched as she tried to pat me dry with her bare hands. “I am so sorry.” She gushed as I gaped at her.

  “It’s really alright.” I pulled the wet fabric away from my stomach. It made a sucking sound and I curled my lip at the feeling. It was cold and sticky and smelled like almonds. I tried to smile as I shivered. She was frantic as she ripped several handfuls of paper napkins out of the silver dispenser her boyfriend had set on top of the bar.

  I looked around, searching for Lu. I couldn’t imagine he would be happy about any of this.

  “Is the garment damaged?” a man’s voice spoke close to me.

  I felt a chill and looked up into the most astonishing eyes I had ever seen.

  “Um.” I stared stupefied. “Uh…” I tried to remember what I was going to say as the man’s eyes gazed at me from thick, sooty lashes. He smiled and I jerked. “I think it’s fine.” I shook my head, feeling stupid.

  “I’m glad to hear it, Lass,” he said, and I almost fell over from the sound. His slight, Scottish accent and deep baritone were apparently too much for my hormones to take.

  God even his scent is making my heart race.

  “My name’s Stevie, by the way,” the woman pawing at my ruined dress cut in and I jumped.

  Shit. I was just drooling over her boyfriend. I’m such an ass.

  “I’m so sorry,” I held out my hand as my cheeks heated, “I’m Alice.”

  She took a look at my hand and her brows rose into her hairline. “Wow, that’s some rock!” She looked at my face just as a small group of laughing people approached us.

  “Hey, what’s going on? Are we partying or not?” The woman stopped short. “Who’s this?” She held her hand out to me.

  “I’m Alice,” I offered her my sticky hand and smiled at her when she made a face.

  “Oh, man, I’m sorry.” I laughed nervously and tried to clean my hand with the napkin. It shredded and stuck to my fingers.

  “We had a little accident,” Stevie smiled, holding a wad of frayed napkins.

  “Dang, all you did was cover her in lint,” the other woman scolded.

  I looked down. Yep, I was covered in a layer of little, white lint balls.

  Sighing, I shrugged. “That’s alright. Really.” I looked around once more, searching for Lu.

  “No way. I’m Amelia, by the way, and we need a trip to the ladies.” She “tsked” and shook her head. “Good God, this looks like Armani.” She pulled my arm. “Be back, boys!” she shouted over her shoulder as she dragged me off to the ladies, Stevie rushing behind us.

  The ladies room was huge. We entered, pushing past several women who were standing in line.

  “Don’t mind us, just a cleanup job,” Amelia smiled as she moved. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small cloth. “I think this truly is ruined. Damn, I hope your man doesn’t kill you.”

  She sounded panicked and I grabbed her frantically moving hands. “It’s fine. My husband doesn’t even know. I’m sure he’ll understand, b
esides, it’s my dress.” I assured her.

  Stevie watched me, an odd look on her face. “Is he a nice man?” She looked serious and I frowned.

  “I don’t really know,” I shrugged.

  They both gasped. “How in the heck can that be?” Stevie looked aghast. “Did you come here from Vegas?” she laughed.

  “No, we’ve been married for six years,” I said through another shrug.

  Surprise took over their features and I laughed. “I suffer from random bouts of memory loss. My husband says it’s a common malady.”

  “Convenient,” Amelia muttered under her breath, and Stevie smacked her.

  I narrowed my eyes at their odd interchange.

  “What she means is, that’s pretty sad. So, I guess you don’t remember anyone at all? You don’t remember anything?” she leaned in and I raised a brow.

  “Yeah,” Amelia sighed and looked at my dress. “I mean, wouldn’t it be cool if you had like, magical powers? You could just zap the schnapps out of your dress and voila, all taken care of.” She laughed and Stevie smacked her again, her eyes bugging out of her head.

  “Okay?” I drawled, frowning at them as they exchanged looks. They were acting like they knew something I didn’t, which was odd because they were complete strangers.

  “So,” Stevie turned and looked into the mirror. Pulling a lipstick from her tiny bag, she watched me as she smeared it on. “I noticed you liked the look of Adam.”

  My jaw hit my chest as shock and embarrassment flooded every cell in my body. All I could do was gawk as heat spread up my cheeks.

  “He is pretty overwhelming, if you’re into that kind of thing.” Amelia folded her arms and examined her cuticles as Stevie glared at her through the mirror.

  My stomach swirled at the thought of the man she had called Adam. There was no way in the world he could have missed the way I practically drooled on him. I’d acted like a total dipshit in front of his girlfriend. God how rude.