Buried Passion

by Marianne Willis

  She gave Troy a small nod. A grimace crossed his face before he stormed inside the tent.

  “Hey, I was about to come meet you,” Rachel said as Jeff stopped beside her.

  One dark, sexy brow cocked. “You think I was about to let you walk on your bad foot?” He tipped his head toward the handlebars. She took her usual seat and leaned back into his chest. He kissed her cheek, then pedalled away from the camp site.

  “I’ll miss this place next year, but I’m ready for the real deal.”

  “I think you’ll do great with the contract.”

  They stopped at the waterhole. Jeff hopped off his bike, dropped the backpack and started a campfire. Rachel rummaged through the bag and laid out towels and blankets before pouring them coffee from the thermos he’d packed.

  Jeff straightened and dusted his hands. Cinnamon eyes stared at her, his smile fading. “You’re quiet.” He dropped down beside her on the blanket and encased her hands in his. “What’s up?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m thinking about Tara. I feel sorry for her, that’s all.”

  Jeff tilted her chin. “She’s not the first to be in trouble with her parents. Is that what’s bugging you?” His thick thumb rubbed across her knuckles, the caress shot straight to her soul. “You’re not freaked out about last night?”

  “You mean when you stripped naked and showed me your wolf form? Of course not.” She aimed for a deadpan expression, but the curve of his mouth brought on her smile. They both chuckled aloud.

  “I want complete honesty between us.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

  She loved him like this, so affectionate, as though he couldn’t help but touch her. Rachel leaned into his palm as he cupped her face.

  “Don’t ever feel afraid to tell me anything. Okay?”

  The burn erupted inside again, fuelling her guilt. “Okay.”

  “There’s something else I have to tell you.”

  Here he was, so open with her and she couldn’t confess one secret, one truth. “What?” The word like gravel in her throat.

  “Everyone here calls me Jeff. Ian Jefferson is my full name, but if you prefer the nickname, it’s all good…I’m used to it.”

  “Your actual name is Ian? I didn’t know.”

  “Not many people do.” He tugged her into the space between his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Can you believe we only have a few days left on the campground?” Their time was short-lived. “I’ll try my hardest to meet with you when you go on tour.”

  Jeff squeezed her close. “I hope so. I can’t imagine a minute without you.”

  She turned and met his gaze. He was perfect, not only in looks, but everything about him was what she wanted in a guy. Sweet and sincere, loving and honest. Rachel stroked his face, stubble scratched her fingers. “That’s why we should make the most of our time.” She hoped her eyes revealed her intentions.

  Jeff kissed her nose. “You sure? I don’t want to rush you if you’re not ready.”

  She pressed her forehead into his, trying not to think about the future, the consequences, she just wanted to lose herself in the moment. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life. I want you to be my first, my last, my everything.”

  Something possessive consumed his pupils…a deep hunger. Large hands encased her face and drew her in for a heart-stopping kiss.

  Rachel’s eyes flew open. Her first. Ian was her first. Warm, sticky blood dribbled over her lip. She held the washcloth to her face and stood on shaky legs. From the lonesome life she’d lived, he might have been the only man she’d ever been with. This was so bizarre. To think after all these years, she’d run into her teenage crush who she obviously misled and deceived. And yet she’d found him on the side of the road, with no memory of her whatsoever.

  Was fate behind them crossing paths again? Everything happened for a reason, right? Maybe she had to re-enter Ian’s life to come clean with the truth, to give them closure. Or perhaps this had nothing to do with him, and this was about her. Was life showing her her mistakes from the past, so that she wouldn’t repeat history? She frowned. Crap, I’m just like Scrooge.

  Conversation drifted outside the bedroom and down the hall. Not ready to meet with the others, she made a beeline for the bathroom and rinsed her nose. Her reflection stared back at her. An exasperated sigh released as a single tear slid down her cheek. She clasped the vanity. The sensations from the flashback crashed into her soul. Those same emotions combusted like fireworks. Even after all this time, her affection had never waned. Oh, God help her, she still loved him. She’d never stopped. The memories were a misplaced puzzle piece, restoring lost emotions. If only she hadn’t remembered. The ignorance had been blissfully numbing.

  With a fist, she swiped at her tears. The one guy she loved, she had betrayed, manipulated. A guy who never belonged to her and yet she hadn’t gotten over him. Instead, she’d lived as an alcoholic. What a desolate life. Well, no more. Rachel Johnson was no longer a drunken, lovelorn witch. As a vampire, she would start anew, do what her egocentric teenage self couldn’t. Leave Ian in peace, let him move on.

  Bile rose fast. Fingers trembling against the vanity, she hovered over the sink and retched the blood she’d consumed. So disgusted with her past actions, she couldn’t even keep the meal down. Coughing and choking, she rinsed her mouth.

  Someone knocked on the bathroom door, and she jumped.

  “Rachel? Are you okay?”

  Ian. She rinsed the sink. “I’m fine, just finishing up in here.”

  “The others are waiting for you in the living room.”

  Once the evidence of her sickness washed away, she turned off the taps.

  “Do you need help?”

  She sighed. At least with his rude demeanor he’d been more predictable. The kindness fed her shame. “I’ll meet you in the living room.”

  Hesitant to open the door, she forced herself to step outside. Voices echoed from the living area, but fell silent when she entered the room. Amber and Chayton beamed. Brianna stood from the sofa, dressed in another black gown. She resembled a widow from the medieval ages. Beside her sister, Tristan gave a weak smile, as though not to startle her like the first time.

  Rachel stilled as her weeping sister approached. Brianna wrapped her in a hug, and held so tight, Rachel’s ribs hurt. She returned the embrace. A warm, fuzziness infused Rachel the second she did. She closed her eyes. The picture of two young girls sprang in her mind, no older than ten, embraced in a hug for the first time. On instinct, Rachel’s hold tightened as the real and vivid reminiscence overtook her. This had never happened before; a memory sprouting without the flash of lights.

  “You were ten when mom and dad brought you home,” Rachel’s voice shook, but she continued. “I’d been so excited to meet you. I waited by the door for hours. And when you stepped inside our house, I held you close, and couldn’t care less if I scared you or made you uncomfortable. I wanted to show you how much you meant to me already.”

  Brianna stared, then blinked. “You remember the day I was adopted?”

  Rachel chuckled and arched a brow. “Do I?”

  A sob which sounded more like a joy-filled laugh left Brianna’s lips, and she hugged her again. Rachel fought back tears of her own. The memory had to be the most powerful experience she’d recalled so far. She wanted more. Needed more moments of her family. Ian stood across the room. Her heart ached. Gaze averted, she focused on the moment.

  Brianna tucked a strand of hair behind Rachel’s ear. “Please come with us to Désuet and have the elders examine you. We want to understand what happened.”

  Rachel yearned to make sense of the radical change too, but more immediate was the chance to exact revenge on a certain vampire, and more importantly, Ian could move on. “Yes. I think it’s best if I go with you.”

  Brianna bounced on her feet, her broad smile, infectious.

  “Excuse us,” Ian muttered. Before Rachel
could blink, he snagged her arm and tugged her away from her now frowning family. He smacked open the screen door and stormed into the night with her tripping over her feet behind him. Why was he headed to his truck? He wouldn’t dare take her away from here, from her family…would he?

  “What are you doing?” She jerked her hand free when they stopped in front of his truck.

  “Me? What are you doing? Not too long ago you were frightened of these people, and now you’re quick to leave with them.”

  Rachel’s head cocked to the side. “Isn’t this why you sought me out in the first place, so my family can help me?”

  Jaw clenched, he groaned. “That was before we…” He shook his head. What she’d give to read his mind. “Forget it. Have you fed?”

  Rachel swallowed and glanced at the ground. “Yes.”

  “And?” he demanded, arms outstretched. His manner more impatient than rude. “Any further flashbacks of the past, of me?”

  She cleared her throat and stared him square in the eyes. Self-disgust prevented her from revealing the truth. Why rehash a past he clearly didn’t remember? What purpose would it serve? “It seems you were right. I met you at one of your tours, even got an autograph. As for the friend I remembered, well his actual face returned to my memory. I understand why I mistook him for you. You both share similar features.”

  Ian’s shoulders sagged. Her heart swelled with a dark and achy force. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Ian would never be hers. She would have to let him go sooner or later, so why not tonight? Why not say goodbye once and for all?

  Fingers flexed by her sides to cease its trembles, she laid one hand over his arm. “I need to be with my family. And you…” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “You need to focus on your mate.”

  Something flashed in his eyes. Anger, annoyance or realization? She did not know.

  “So that’s it?” he whispered, eyes dark and swirling as he backed her into his truck. Yes, anger. Definitely anger. “You don’t care what happened between us in the forest?”

  With the back of his hand, his knuckle traced from the hollow beneath her throat to the flat space below the centre of her cleavage. Heat prickled her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. How could she forget their romp in the forest? Their bodies hot with desire, their thrusts frenzied and purposeful, their determination to fulfil each other’s needs, and soar into a white hot, explosive climax.

  His nose dug into her jawline and inhaled deep. “You want me again.”

  She swallowed, and shook her head no.

  “Don’t forget I’ve tasted you. I recognise that heady scent…I know you want me again.” The words left his mouth on a guttural moan.

  What happened in the forest meant so much. She’d never experienced anything so uniting and fulfilling. Oh, to have more, have all of him. They would never work. He didn’t realize it yet. She was temporary. As soon as his mate entered the picture, it would all be over.

  “Ian…why are you making this difficult?” It killed her to deny him, but wouldn’t her submission be a betrayal to him all over again? His hand snaked down her waist and eased beneath her pants. Stalled breath wisped past her lips. Lost between rationality and passion, she lost focus. His palm coaxed her thighs apart, and two fingers stretched open her folds as his middle landed on her arousal. How could she protest when his delicious manipulations reduced her to a puppet? And just like a skilled puppeteer he exuded control, and her body was powerless to do anything but obey the demand of his fingers. Her mouth fell open in a silent gasp when he slipped into her slick heat with ease. Rachel bit her lip to keep from crying out. She clutched his arm, but didn’t push him away or force him to continue. She needed his strength to hold on to, to help against gravity.

  “My family’s inside, what if I scream?” She panted, relishing in the delicious coil of her belly as her body welcomed his intrusion.

  “Let them hear.” Ian kissed along her jaw before his lips feathered over her own. “You want to leave? Fine, I can’t stop you, but here’s something to remember me by.” The hurt in his words was as strong as the lust.

  As his tongue surged into her mouth, so did his fingers wedge deep into her sex, pumping hard and fast. She grunted, swept up in the ecstasy.

  Ian broke from the kiss and kept his sombre stare on her face, his movement unyielding as he watched her erupt from the blinding climax. With his free hand, he placed two fingers at her lips. “Drink,” he rasped.

  He squeezed his fingers inside her mouth, dug them against her fangs and gifted his mouth-watering blood. Yes. Thick fingers worked her heat, his delectable crimson flavor flowed down her throat. She didn’t want this to end. Body racked with spasms, her inner muscles clasped him, her culmination imminent. The thrust of his fingers and skilled swirl of his thumb sent her over the edge. Rachel came hard. Colors danced behind her eyes as she shot into that familiar world of non-existence.

  Bark and dried leaves crunched beneath her joggers as she hobbled toward the line of cabins. The swelling had eased, but her ankle still hurt a great deal. Rocked with nerves, she dreaded meeting Jeff tonight. The last two nights had been wonderful, but the closer they became, the more her guilt amplified. Tara had been right, she couldn’t live their relationship based on lies. She loved him. And she knew he loved her too. Perhaps he’d understand why she lied and schemed.

  Jeff wanted to talk about their distant locations and how they could meet up with one another. He’d promised to visit on weekends, and she too would find a way to travel to Qualla boundary. In fact, he’d already given her his address and asked her to stay with him for the next few days before the holidays ended. After tonight, she hoped he’d still want to be together.

  The memory of their first night sent an elated shiver down her spine. His gentle touch, the soft brush of his kisses, their heartbeats fast and hard. She bit her lip, recalling how tender he’d been when he laid her down on a towel before their small campfire, explored her body…a body never explored by anyone. He’d said he loved that he was her first as he devoured and worshipped her mouth. Caressing between kisses, he’d made sure she was ready before easing inside. Their powerful lovemaking fused them together, bound them in body and spirit.

  She paused before climbing the wooden stairs. A soft ruffle sounded in the distance. She spun around, squinted at the silhouette of tall trees amidst the darkness. With the strange foreboding ignored, she knocked on the cabin door. The thick wood swung open. Her heart skidded to a stop. Dressed in three quarter burgundy chinos, and a white v-neck shirt, Jeff evoked memories of their naked entwined limbs, soft sighs, and the scent of arousal and sweat.

  Jeff poked his head out, semi-dried hair swayed over one shoulder, dark brows drawn as he surveyed the front porch. “You’re alone,” he muttered and stepped aside to allow her in. Why wouldn’t she be alone? Tara had left days ago. Other than him, Rachel knew few people at the campground.

  The warm room carried his lemon and spearmint scent. Once he shut the door, she smothered into his chest, indulged in his hard strength and heat. They last saw each other that morning when they woke by the waterhole. Oh, how she missed him. A bubble caught in her throat. Please give me a second chance. “I have something to tell you.”

  Silence. The tension of his body like steel beneath her palms. She stared into his eyes. Eyes that formed into slits and brewed with shadows. Her heart sank. “Jeff?”

  “I know it’s you.” His stern voice sent a shiver down her spine. Strong hands clutched her arms and shoved as though the contact they shared disgusted him.

  She staggered back and landed on her bad foot. Her wince didn’t alter the cruel look on his face.

  “You’re the witch.”

  A cold sweat broke along her neck. No, not now. Not like this.

  He shook his head. “This whole time, the spells that affected Delta, Eddy, affected me. You tricked me,” he shouted, fists clenched by his sides.

  “I…I…”

  “You,
you…” he mocked, and ate the space between them with two purposeful strides, backing her against the wall. “You what?” A strong hand travelled down her body, and he dug his thumb into her hipbone. “You’re still tricking me, using magic to pretend you’re mine.” His face twisted as though in pain. “You disgust me. I’ll never forgive you for this.”

  She doubted he’d let her explain. “How…how do you know about my magic?”

  With a snicker, he stepped back and snatched an object off the small round table. “A good Samaritan left me a package. Guess what was inside?”

  The journal with all her deep, dark secrets. Now the boy she loved waved it in her face. The spell she’d used to separate him from Delta, along with the entry about her plan to imitate his mark. How did he get it?

  He flipped open a page. “Let’s see, where’s that line. Ah, here, and I quote…my only option is to mimic Jeff’s mark and pretend to be his bonded. That will seal the deal for good.”

  He snapped the book shut, threw it on the floor, and the journal bounced open.

  “Jeff, please…”

  “Shut up! Just shut up!” He shook his head, cinnamon eyes narrowed. “Eddy was right about you from the start.”

  Regardless of the lies and tricks, he had to understand how much she loved him. They belonged together… She froze as though doused with iced water. “The start? You knew all this time?”

  “From the moment Eddy pointed out your scent that first night.”

  Her lips scrunched, her heart pounded in her ears. “Then why not call me out then? Why wait until now?”

  “I wanted to know why you targeted Delta and what you wanted with me. But then the more I got to know you, the more I dreamt of you, thought about you. And when I saw my mark on your body, I didn’t care what you were…I knew you were mine. I gave you many chances to open up about being a witch.” He nodded to the diary. “No wonder you wouldn’t come clean. All you do is lie.”

  Lips smacked shut, she stared at the ceiling before her eyes locked with his. “What we share is real—”

  He raised his palm in the air. “Don’t! I swear, don’t you dare feed me more bullshit. Save it for the wolves.”