by V. Vaughn
I shake off my lust and focus on the conversation we need to have before I give him my physical commitment. I pause by my door to turn and speak to Tristan. “I’ll meet you in the Hummer.”
Tristan shakes his head. “This is a date. Wait by your door if I’m not back before you’re ready. I’m walking you to the car, and I plan to drive.”
I smile and give him a tiny nod before entering my room. He does know how to court me. I walk over to the bathroom to brush my teeth and check my makeup. Lipstick slides slowly over my lips as they burn in anticipation of being kissed. I take my time so Tristan will be waiting when I’m done.
When I’m ready, I sense he’s outside my door, and I pause to inhale his scent before I open it. I savor the electricity that races through me. Soon I’ll associate his smell with an intense reality, but for now the fantasy of what’s to come is a darn good motivator to remove the barrier between us. I exit my room.
Tristan offers me his arm, and we descend the stairs side by side, as if we’ve been doing it for years. “You fit next to me well. Just like when we were running together as bear.”
I gaze up at his icy-blue eyes. They’re like the pools of crystal-clear water I imagine exist in his homeland. “It’s a true mate thing. But I fear we’re going to have more struggles than most.”
Tristan grins at me, and his teeth sparkle in the entryway light as he pulls on the heavy front door. “Nothing we won’t be able to handle, love.”
I step through, and the contents of my purse rustle as I reach in and find the compartment that contains my car keys. I hand them to him. “Good. Now here’s my first compromise. I’ll let you drive my car.”
Tristan takes the keys with one hand and holds my fingers with his other as he brings it up to his lips. He kisses the back of my hand and whispers, “To many more.”
I smile as he leads me to the passenger’s side and lets me in. The engine roars softly when he turns it over and says, “I think we should go get dessert. I’m afraid I won’t be able to concentrate on a movie with you next to me in the dark. I may not be appropriate.”
I know what you mean. “Good idea. A table between us might help me keep my focus. I have something I need to ask you.”
“No need to wait. I’ll tell you anything. Ask me now.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Tell me about your children.”
Tristan cuts me a quick glance, and I notice he doesn’t appear surprised. “I wondered when that would come up.”
“I only just found out. Why didn’t you mention it sooner?”
“I thought you knew.” The Hummer bumps over the snow-covered dirt road toward town.
“Why would you think that?” I ask.
“Because I expect your family researched mine the way we did yours. I doubt I have many secrets.”
“You haven’t been easy to research. You’ve lived a pretty secretive life by nature of your location.”
The car slows, and Tristan pulls over to a section of the road that has a wide shoulder designed for heavy equipment to get out of the way of traffic or for turning around. “Let me give you my full attention.”
His action surprises me. “Thank you.”
He takes my hands and rubs over the backs with his thumbs. “While you’ve had a true mate you lost, I never found one and married for the sole purpose of carrying on my family name. As you can imagine, it didn’t work out so well.”
I think I see sorrow in his face and say, “I’m sorry. Was your breakup painful?”
“It was messy. Magda left the clan.”
“Did she take your children?” I notice how warm his hands are as he continues to hold mine. They’re almost hot.
“No. My mother cares for them.”
“You must miss them.”
He shrugs. “They’re better off without me. I don’t have time to devote to raising children.”
The man has been with us for more than two weeks doing as he pleases as if this is a vacation, and he doesn’t have time for his kids? I pull my hands away. “Children need their father, even if it’s only for brief periods of time.”
“You haven’t got any idea what my kingdom is like, Annie. Our kind is dwindling in numbers, and those who are left are working like dogs to survive. I don’t have time to play games.”
My mother bear instincts kick in, and I react to his dismissal of his children’s needs. “But you’ve had no trouble treating your time here like a holiday.” As soon as the words come out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back. I’ve always had a roof over my head and food in my belly. I’ve had more than most, and I cringe that I reacted so callously.
He glares at me. “That’s what you think we’ve been doing? Your clan just killed an enemy, and the Veilleux eliminated one of your best warriors. Isabelle and I have been patiently waiting to make our arrangement and trying to be sensitive to your loss.” He thumps a hand down on the steering wheel, and it shudders under the impact. “But hey, let’s call your brother and get the deal done. Because we wouldn’t want me to be frolicking in the snow while I should be reading bedtime stories to my children.”
Tristan grabs my face in his hands. “And we might as well get the true mate bond over with too.” His kiss is rough, and I try to pull back. His tongue plunges into my mouth, and while my body is responding with urgency, my mind is furious at his attack. I pound on his chest, and he loosens his hold.
I break away. “Stop.”
His release is abrupt, and I realize he had no intention of taking things further. He asks, “What’s the matter? Don’t you want efficiency?”
Hot shame burns my cheeks, and I’m grateful for the near darkness surrounding us. But I know it’s not hiding anything, because moonlight illuminates Tristan’s face, and the muscles in his jaw are flexed as I say, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I don’t know what it’s been like for you. That was a careless thing for me to say.”
Tristan turns the key and shifts the car into drive. He pulls out without speaking, and we drive to town in silence. As tempted as I am to speak, I refrain and let his anger dissipate. I gaze out at the widening funnel of light that bounces off the snowbanks and dark shadows of pine trees that line the side of the street. My lips are swollen and burn under my tongue when I lick them. Eventually the car tires crunch over the frozen bits of snow in the parking lot of the Sweetery, a local bakery and coffee shop that caters to the college kids in town.
Tristan pulls into a spot, and when he turns off the car, he says, “I’ll answer any questions you have. But I’m beginning to doubt the wisdom of our union.”
I want to crawl in a hole with the guilt I feel. I’m embarrassed at my elitist attitude, and any appetite I had for dessert is gone. “I’m so sorry, Tristan. I’ve ruined our date. Why don’t we go home?”
He sighs, “That’s a good idea.”
We ride home in silence, and I mentally kick myself as I replay the mean things I said in an endless loop. I recall Carly saying the spirits are supposed to give us what we need. Did they think I needed to be knocked off my high horse? Consider me on the ground, wiping off the dirt, because I feel about as worthy as a pile of manure right now.
I sigh too and hope tomorrow I can make up for my selfish ways.
Chapter 10
Isabelle
I glance in the rearview mirror of the truck I borrowed from the Le Roux, and I brush off a flake of mascara from under my eye. I applied dark liner for a smoky look that spelled out seduction. In case that’s not enough, I’m wearing a halter top in shimmery gold that is merely a patch of fabric covering my breasts and stomach. It could easily blow up and offer a magnificent view of all I have to offer. The tight leather skirt I wore leaves little else to the imagination. I’m dressed for sex.
I pluck my way carefully across the icy parking lot. My stiletto heels aren’t easy to walk in, but the effect of the added height makes me even more noticeable. I wonder if the man I’m meeting will be able to compete.
> When I enter the Jefferson Manor, a historical building turned into a restaurant, I command the attention of almost everyone. I saunter toward the hostess station. “I have a reservation for De Rozier.”
A pretty girl glances up at me and says, “Yes, your date is already here. Right this way.” She leads me through a room full of tables, and I smile as I catch the eye of more than one male admirer. No need to be cold when any one of them could become my next conquest. Although tonight is reserved for the man I’m meeting for dinner.
The moment the dark-blond guy stands up, my bear begins to growl in appreciation. He’s delicious, with his broad shoulders and bit of hair coming out of the top of his dress shirt. His lips are ruby red and beg to be bitten as he comes toward me. “Isabelle.”
He takes my hand, and it’s clear he possesses the alpha family effect on women by the way my skin tingles in invitation for those fingers to touch more. “Luke.”
“You’re more stunning than I was told.” He lifts my hand to kiss it, and the sensation of his damp lips on my skin races right to my core. My mind imagines how they’d feel in more intimate places, and every werebear in the room has to know what I’m thinking by my scent.
I’m not alone in my attraction, because Luke’s eyes are heavy, and he doesn’t release me when I say, “And you’re more charming. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Come. Sit.” He places a hand on the bare skin of my lower back and guides me to a chair. He can’t stop touching me. And I don’t want him to.
He places me in a chair next to him instead of across the table, and when Luke lowers himself to his seat, his thigh brushes along mine. I notice a decanter of red wine on the table of white linen. The candle flickers as if it’s having trouble breathing too.
Luke says, “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of ordering us a wine. It should be open now and ready to drink.”
I have no idea what he means by open. I’m a straight whisky girl. But I don’t give my ignorance away. I watch as the liquid gurgles into a wide globe-like glass, and he hands it to me. “Give it a try and let me know what you think.”
I sniff it like I’ve seen in the movies and then take a sip. The flavor reminds me a bit of something bitter but is followed by something slightly fruity. It’s not bad, and I decide I could get used to it. “Lovely.” I take another swallow as if I’m confirming it.
Luke’s glass is now full too, and he lifts it up for a toast. “To a long and profitable relationship.”
Glass clinks as we join our goblets, and we take another drink. The flavor has quickly grown on me. I say, “This wine is addicting.” I take another sip because I meant it. I can’t seem to stop.
Warmth on my thigh surprises me as Luke’s hand lands just above my knee. He strokes my skin with a finger and speaks in a low voice. “Intoxicating, isn’t it?”
He doesn’t waste any time. I’m used to being the one who makes inappropriate advances. But they usually happen in a bar and not a formal restaurant. I surprise myself when I spread my legs a little as an invitation, and he moves his hand a little further up my leg. I breathe out. “Yes.” But my mind begs me to focus, because I have a purpose for this meeting.
I clear my throat. “Things are moving along smoothly.”
Luke continues to stroke my skin, and his fingers move the tiniest bit higher with each one. “Tristan is in place?”
“Yes.” I slide forward on the chair, and the movement hikes my skirt up as I perch on the edge. I widen my thighs a little more. “He’s positioned himself nicely.”
“Good. And nobody suspects anything?”
Holy hell. If he keeps this up, I’m going to come in a dining room full of people. I lift my glass and glance around the room. Conversations are low, and nobody is paying us any attention. “No. Nobody has any idea what we’re up to.”
My hips thrust of their own accord in a barely perceptible movement that mimics the flexing of my core. Luke leans in closer to me, and his breath is warm on my cheek. I take in air sharply as his finger strokes under my panties and in my folds. He whispers, “Let’s keep it that way.”
I take a sip of my wine and swallow with a gulp when he slides two digits inside me. I have one hand under the table too, and I grip the edge of my chair to dig my nails into the wood. My eyelids are heavy, and I let them fall for a second as I moan softly. I set the glass of wine down and say, “That’s heavenly.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Luke’s fingers are curled, and he’s moving them quickly as his thumb presses against my clit. My belly is trembling as waves of pleasure wash over me, signaling my approaching orgasm. A low growl comes from Luke as he says, “My attraction to you is quite a surprise.”
I croak out, “You don’t do this with all the girls?”
He chuckles and then says, “No. This is a first.”
It is for me too, and I grab the menu to hide my flushed face. My head swims, and I struggle to keep from crying out.
He whispers, “This is just the appetizer. Wait until you experience the meal.”
I shudder with my silent screams as I bite my lip and drop my head to hide my ecstasy. I whisper, “Oh, God.” The menu falls to the table with a soft thud.
When I cease trembling, Luke trails his wet fingers down my leg slowly as he retreats. The waitress has arrived and asks if we’re ready to order. She’s looking at me, and I come back down to earth to say, “I’m sorry. I need a minute.”
Luke says, “She’ll have the salmon, and I’ll take the duck.”
When the server leaves, I ask, “Are you always this commanding?”
“Yes.” Luke smirks. “My apologies. We hardly know each other.” He leans back in his chair and spreads his legs in a casual pose. “Did I not give you what you wanted?”
If we weren’t in public, I’d tear open his slacks and take more. Luke’s forward way is a huge turn on, and I’ve forgotten the purpose of our meeting. All I can think about is getting him out of here and someplace where I have no restraints. I glance at his crotch and say, “The night is young. I trust I’ll have the opportunity to take what I need.”
Luke reaches forward for his wine. He swirls the burgundy liquid around and holds it up to the light. The color reminds me of fresh blood as he says, “We’re going to make a good team.”
I glance at his throat, and an overwhelming desire to bite him floods my thoughts. I blink quickly to clear my head. What’s wrong with me? One orgasm, and I want him to be my mate? I take another sip of wine and wish I had something harder instead. “Yes. I believe we will.”
Chapter 11
Isabelle
I rap lightly on Tristan’s door. It’s early, and since I didn’t hear any grunting or screams, I know Annie’s not in his bed. He opens the door, and I gaze at my brother’s hair standing on end as he rubs a hand over his stubbly chin. “C’mon in.”
I wander over to his bureau and move the pocketknife so it’s crooked as I ask, “How was your date?”
Tristan sits on his bed and leans against the headboard with his arms crossed over his chest. “It didn’t go as planned. I had hoped to get sex before the guilt trip.” He lifts his palms up as he shrugs. “But mission accomplished.”
“Tell me about it.”
Tristan breaks into a grin and leans forward with the excitement of a small boy. “It was beautiful, Izzy. I couldn’t have planned it any better. Annie got all over me about the kid thing and accused me of being lazy.” His eyes sparkle as he continues. “Once she learned about our past, she was so ashamed. She’s going to come begging for me now.” He leans back against his headboard again, and it thumps against the wall. My mind flashes to last night with Luke, and I push the memory away. But my stomach remains unsettled. He puts his arms behind his head and says, “And I’m going to love every minute.”
I pick up his pocketknife. “Of course you are. But for more than the fact that you won.” I roll the smooth plastic coating of the knife around in my hand. I r
ecall the silky-soft skin of Luke’s cock, and my fingers long to stroke it. I huff at my silly thought. I don’t need Luke to satisfy me when I have a town full of eligible men. “I’m a little worried about the true mate bond you’ll have. You realize you won’t be able to keep from caring. That’s going to make things hard.”
“Ah, dear Izzy, you underestimate me. Have you forgotten I don’t have a heart? One can’t be ruled by love if the capability doesn’t exist.”
I shake my head at my brother’s brave words as I sit on the edge of his bed. I wonder if he actually believes them. My father was a weak but evil man who loved the bottle more than people. Coupled with the cruel hand of my mother, Tristan and I learned to trust only each other. Fear dances through my veins.
He’s all I’ve got, and if I lose him to Annie, I’ll be all alone. My voice is child-like when I ask, “Don’t you love me?”
Tristan pulls me into a hug, and I lay my head on his chest. “Of course I do.” He strokes my hair and reminds me of when we were little. “You’re always mine to protect, Izzy. Never doubt that.” He releases me and asks, “So tell me about your night. Did you plant the seed of desire in our dear boy?”
I nod with a big grin as I pull away from him. Luke and I barely got through dinner, and the moment we were done, I went to his car and gave him dessert in the parking lot before I extracted myself to drive to his house for more. “He wants to lick me like an ice cream cone. He’s cute, so I might let him.” I tilt my head at my brother. “Oh wait”—I chuckle—“I did.”
Tristan lets out a low growl. “I don’t like that you’re having all the fun. I hope Annie plans to grovel soon. I need some relief.”