Aflame (Apotheosis)

by Daniels, Krissy

  4

  The bar was busy, filled with rowdy kids, who’d barely reached the legal age to drink, and regulars, who claimed their favorite seats from noon until closing time. The chaos offered comfort. Helped keep her mind off Zander. Maybe she’d scared him off and would never have to see his magnificent face again. Time had allowed ample opportunity for her head to clear and thoughts to be organized. No possible way was Zander working for Tyr. Fuck. She must have looked quite the fool. She’d have to find a new gym, maybe a new job.

  “I’ll close up tonight. You go have fun,” Grayce told Jane. She rolled her eyes as her boss perked her boobs and checked her lipstick in the mirrored wall behind the bar. Once again, Jane had hooked up with a stranger from out of town and couldn’t wait to continue her evening with him, for a good romp in the hay, no doubt. Something she did quite often. “Be careful. Men are assholes you know.”

  Grayce had tried to despise Jane, mostly because of her wanton ways, but was never able to live up to the task. Jane had always been so gracious; hired her without proper identification, paid her under the table, allowed her to pick up extra shifts. Jane knew Grayce had a past without having to ask, and although it went unspoken, the two carried a deep respect for each other. Grayce often wondered if Jane harbored dark secrets of her own, but she would never pry.

  “I’m always careful, Grayce baby.” Jane winked and sauntered through the door toward a black Porsche waiting outside. A horrifying chill crept through Grayce’s bones. She wanted to stop her. Scream for her to come back.

  Locking the door, she peered cautiously into the darkness. Looking left and right, then down the alley directly across the way, she sighed and hoped like hell she wasn’t going to read in tomorrow’s paper that her boss’s dead body had been found in a ditch somewhere. As she headed to the back room to finish up, an intoxicating tingle danced across her skin. Oh fuck no. Please no. Not him, not now.

  “Grayce.” Her stomach lurched. She looked over her shoulder, half hoping it’d been her imagination. No such luck. There he sat, dark and brooding, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. His lips quivered at the corners, suppressing a smile.

  “How did you get in here?” Grayce snapped as she contemplated making a run for the door.

  “Grayce.” The word slid off his tongue like chocolate silk. Made her almost feel needed. “We have some unfinished business.”

  It should’ve frightened her senseless. Odd. Despite what happened earlier and the shameful embarrassment at her outburst, it felt right having him there. Besides, the determined glare in his eyes was a telltale sign he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

  “Thirsty?” she asked.

  “Very.” A muscle clenched deep between her legs as his tongue glided across his upper lip. Oh crap, nothing but trouble was coming her way. Pouring his beer, she decided to have one as well.

  Strategically positioned on the opposite side of the table, she placed his drink down and tried unsuccessfully to calm her trembling hands. After an intense and uncomfortable stare-down, Grayce decided to start. “Listen, I’m sorry about my meltdown earlier. It’s just—”

  “Who’s this man that hurt you?” Zander interrupted. He hadn’t touched his beer. Hadn’t taken his eyes off her, not even for a second.

  Buying time while she decided what to say, Grayce took a long drink from her glass. “I knew he didn’t send you. I—I—panicked. It—it—was just—just too much.” Great, now she was a stutterer. She shot a glance to the back door, gauging her chances for escape. Where were her car keys? Could she find them fast enough to make a clean get away? “I was overwhelmed by—”

  “Who is this man that hurt you?” he asked again. She noticed a tick in his cheek before his jaw tightened enough to accentuate the muscles in his neck. Fearsome. Still, she wasn’t afraid, not of him. What she did fear were the overwhelming feelings his presence evoked. Those terrified her.

  “That’s none of your God-damned business.” Grayce slammed her glass down and crossed her arms. Head cocked to the side, she challenged him with a glare.

  “Well, my dear. You’re wrong about that.” He huffed and for the first time tore his gaze away from Grayce. “It’s absolutely my business.” His dark tone offered no apologies. He traced the rim of his glass with a thick finger before he lifted it to his lips and drained its contents in one shot.

  “Who in the hell do you think you are?” Boiling anger churned in her gut.

  Zander jumped over the table and grabbed Grayce by the arm. “Do you feel that?”

  Oh yes, she felt it. The electricity. The life force. Almost painful. Her body absorbed it as if it were a drug. She needed it.

  “Tell me you feel it. I know you do.”

  After several failed attempts at swallowing, she managed to choke out a “yes.” It took all of her energy, all of her wits to remain strong, be brave, not lose it again. “Please.” A whisper was all she could manage. “I don’t like being manhandled.” Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry. “Please let go of my arm.”

  He released her. Regret extinguished the fire in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, um…” Scratching his head, he took a step back. “I’m sorry. I need you to understand. I don’t know how else to show you.”

  “Understand what exactly?” Hugging herself, she rubbed the warm spots his fingers left behind. “Listen. Just say it. The last couple of days have been insane. I’m going insane.”

  Lowering his face to meet hers, an exasperated sigh escaped his lips. “You’re not going insane. We are soul mates. We were meant, no not meant, we were made for each other.” He looked around the room, gnawing on his lower lip. “I’m strong, right? You’ve seen it.”

  Grayce nodded. Strong would be an understatement.

  “But when you’re near, I’m stronger. I’m more alive. That’s how I knew I’d found you.”

  Not the soul mates crap again. Does this work on all the women? “Soul mates, huh? You’re still going with that?” Sarcasm coated her voice and she gasped when a burst of heat pulsed through her body. Did that come from her or Zander? Hot flash. Yeah, had to be it. Could’ve been the beer she gulped. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he glowered at her.

  Zander inhaled and held it in. She couldn’t help but revel in his breathtaking features. Strong square jaw, glowing eyes, flawless skin. On exhale, the wrinkles in his forehead diminished. “Tell me something, Grayce. Over the past few weeks, have you felt different? Emotionally, physically or anything?” Straightening his back, he crossed his arms over his chest. Clearly eager for a response, his smirk made her wonder if he already knew the answer.

  She knew, but pretended to think about it. Needing some space from the giant super-sexy man stealing her oxygen, she headed to the bar, grabbed a bottle of cleanser and squirted a hefty dose over the stainless steel counter.

  “Yes.”

  She didn’t look, but his mood shifted, changing the current between them. “I’ve been more pissed off than usual. I’ve had more energy. Also, I’m not as...” She looked him in the eye now. “Afraid.” She refrained from telling him about her fantasies starring yours truly, how horny she’d been, or how the thought of being touched by anyone had repulsed her until he barreled into her life like a crash test dummy.

  “I don’t like hearing you were afraid. It makes my blood boil.” She believed him. Unsettling as it was, she believed him. May have been the sweet spirit dancing in his eyes, or the fact he felt familiar somehow, but there was no possible way he wasn’t speaking the truth. She felt it in her DNA.

  “Would you believe me if I promised you’ll never have to be afraid of anything, ever?”

  “No.” A life without fear was unimaginable. Fear of being found. Fear of returning to that hell. Fear of the monster.

  “What did he do to you?” Zander took a slow careful step closer.

  “Zander, I don’t know you at all. Why would I tell you this? Why would I tell you anything? Why do you care?”
She’d never told anyone her dirty little secret. Sure as shit didn’t want to share it with this beautiful beefcake. He’d seen enough of her crazy. Nobody needed to hear her story. She tapped off another mug and took a huge swig to buy some time. Or perhaps to absorb some liquid courage.

  “Tell me, please.” He stared right into her soul again, unrelenting.

  Maybe she should tell him. Maybe then, he’d leave her alone. It might feel good to tell somebody after all these years. Dump her shit on someone else’s shoulders. He had huge fucking shoulders, right? He could take it. Raising the glass to her lips, she finished her drink for dramatic effect, and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She’d truly lost her mind.

  Fuck. Fuck. Shit fuck.

  “I was young. He was handsome and rich. Said all the right things. I thought it was love at first sight.” Pausing to take a deep breath, she nervously twisted a braid. “It’s funny how easy it was for him to seduce a young girl, especially one with no self worth. Someone with Daddy issues. Shit, mommy issues if I’m going to be honest. He was wonderful, until he’d hooked me. After that, well...you can use your imagination.”

  There he had it. The very watered down version. Should satisfy his curiosity.

  “Grayce. I want to hear you say it.” He shifted slightly not breaking eye contact, slanted his head to the side, willed her to continue.

  No. Not going there. “He was abusive in every way imaginable. Took complete control over every single aspect of my life. He made me do things that...well, quite frankly, I’m not going to fucking talk about. He was a sick, perverted piece of shit. I knew I’d end up dead if I stayed. I tried to leave twice. Landed me in the hospital twice. With his wealth and power, the police were no help. My mother didn’t help me. I’m sure they were paid generously for their silence. When I escaped, I left everything behind. My mom, my friends, everything. Not a penny to my name. I’ve been running ever since.” Okay. So she went there. Now he knew. Perfect excuse to run away from the crazy lady.

  “Thank you for telling me.” Zander stepped closer making it very clear by hooking his thumbs in the back of his jeans he had no intention of touching her. “Tell me when you started to feel different. You know, braver, more pissed off, like you said earlier.” A half devilish smile spread from dimpled cheek to dimpled cheek, like the thought of her being pissed off amused him.

  The answer came at once, but again she pretended to think. Should she tell him the truth? Would he laugh?

  “The first day you came to the gym.” Whew, that felt good to say. Not a clue why, but her head felt lighter. She waited for him to laugh, then sighed in relief when he didn’t.

  “Greatest day of my life. I fell so fucking hard. It took every bit of self control I owned not to steal you away from there. I walked past you and—bam!” He smacked his hands together with a loud crack and Grayce nearly jumped out of her thrift store jeans. “Indescribable energy coursed through me, like fire. Every cell in my body ignited with new life. Almost knocked me on my ass. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful. No doubt about it, you were the one. I just knew you were mine.” Expectant wonderment sparkled like disco balls in his baby blues.

  Blinking up at him, she digested his words. Wait, did he say beautiful? Holy crap. Hold on. Mine? I knew you were mine? Shock dissipated under a thunderous roar of heated blood pounding in her ears.

  “Dammit, Z. Don’t say things like that to me.” She stomped around the bar bringing herself face to face with him. Or rather face to chest. Her face to his out-of-this-world enormous chest. “Motherfucker. Don’t say things like that to me.” Tears fought their way to the surface. “I’m not going there with another man. Ever. Fuck this soul mates shit. I’m not yours. I don’t belong to anyone.”

  Tension coiled her muscles with the overwhelming need to punch him. Or maybe touch him. Such a myriad of emotions surged through her. Anger, confusion, lust—fierce. Yeah, that was it. Fierce. Where the hell was this coming from? She glared up to meet his obnoxious, frisky expression.

  He returned her glower with equal fervor. “Lady, you have such a foul mouth.” Zander bent and brushed her ear with his lips. Muscles that had no right reacting clenched with nauseating need. “You have no idea how much it turns me on.”

  In one smooth motion, he cupped her waist and brought her to his level. Desperate hunger blazed in his eyes and he tilted his head with the threat of a kiss. Body tense, she braced for impact. Instead, he plopped her ass playfully atop the bar.

  “Grayce.” He placed his hands at each side of her hips and pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you went through that. Sorry I didn’t find you sooner.” With a sigh he brushed her heated cheek with his nose. “I’ll never touch you without your permission. I’ll never hurt you.”

  Grayce closed her eyes, stealing a moment to think. His breath warmed her face like a summer breeze. She wanted to inhale deeply and never stop. Absorb him into her being. She recoiled, unsure what to make of these foreign emotions. There was no doubt an undeniable chemical and physical attraction. But how could she ever trust again? Especially a man. Would she ever be able to let her guard down?

  Memories from her past knocked on the cellar door buried deep in the dark corners of her mind. Memories locked away a long time ago. Memories she’d no intention of revisiting. So, up went her wall.

  “Zander, I have to finish up here. I’m tired. I need to go home.” Lacking the resolve to look him in the eye, she placed her hands against his chest and pushed. He didn’t budge.

  With a loud sigh he slumped and backed away. “Of course,” he mumbled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Raw emotion triggered her ugly retort. “See me tomorrow? Pretty fucking presumptuous.”

  Zander bowed. “I’m sorry. What I meant to say was, can I please see you tomorrow, Grayce?” His eyes and posture reflected complete humility. Her heart dropped at least two inches in her chest. Ouch.

  “I’ll be at the gym tomorrow. My usual time. I suppose I’ll see you there, right?” Grayce feigned indifference. Deep down, she feared that long a wait might be the death of her.

  “Yeah, I suppose.” He grinned. A crooked playful grin that showed a dimple she hadn’t noticed before. “Finish up. I’ll walk you to your car.” Like she weighed no more than a feather, he lowered her to the floor. “We don’t know who may be lurking in the shadows.”

  * * * *

  The moist early morning air clung to his skin and cooled the slow burning embers of need that had tormented him throughout the night. Unbeknownst to Grayce, he’d followed her to the apartment and planted his sorry ass outside the window. His intention was to see her safely home, but after she’d closed the door and turned the lock, he couldn’t bring himself to go. For so many years he’d searched. Now they were together. How could he possibly leave?

  Nikolas told him it would be like this. Once he found her, it would be extremely difficult to be separated. Bastard failed to mention the mental and physical torture. Every cell in his body had morphed to a singular ball of white hot plasma. Only being near, seeing and smelling her, could quench the searing pain. Grayce was every thought in his mind, every breath in his lungs and every tiny vibration in his ears. The world could crumble at his feet and his sole focus would be protecting his mate.

  Finding a soft spot near the window, Zander stretched in the wet grass, the cool moisture no match for the heated lust pumping through his veins. If their bond was this intense already, what would it be like after they made love? Fuck. He couldn’t let his imagination go down that path, not yet. Zander grabbed his head and attempted to scratch the thought away.

  Hours ticked by. When the sun peeked through the tree line in the distance, he contemplated bringing her breakfast. Nikolas’ words rang through his ears. “She needs time. Don’t rush this. You’ve found each other and now you have eternity to spend together.” Patience had always been one of Zander’s strong character traits. Time? Yeah. He could do that. The girl
had issues. Wounds that festered. Only time would heal those.

  His stomach growled. He didn’t want to leave but breakfast and thoughts of a warm soak beckoned to him. Nikolas and Chelsea would worry if he didn’t check-in. He could tough it out for a few hours, right? Before leaving he snuck one peek through her window. Big mistake. The outline of her body and curve of her hip where she lay motionless under a thin sheet gave birth to a raging hard on. He cursed under his breath and headed home for a cold shower.

  * * * *

  Grayce scowled when she entered Armstrong’s Gym. It was packed. She hated having to wait for her favorite elliptical. The one tucked away in the corner where she could crank the volume on her mp3 player, get lost in the music, and hopefully not get noticed.

  She opted for skipping the afternoon self-defense class. She’d lost her temper during last week’s session, and the instructor had made an example of her in front of the class. Fucking bastard. She’d kill him if it were legal, just for being such a cocky prick. She’d tolerated his touch and tutelage only because it furthered her ability to protect herself should the monster come hunting her down.

  “Good afternoon, Grayce.” The perky little employee behind the counter beamed at her. “You look great today.”

  “Thanks, Carrie.” Grayce tried her best to beam back, already pulling her hood over her head.

  Carrie leaned over the counter to whisper to Grayce. “Did you hear about the man who almost died in the parking lot?”

  What? Fuck.

  “No.” Trying hard not to sound shocked, she took a step closer. “What man? What happened?” Grayce leaned toward Carrie and pulled the hood back off.

  “Some teenagers found him outside and called the police. They saved his life. If he’d been left lying there too much longer, he’d be dead.” Her cute little button nose scrunched in disgust. “Internal injuries or something like that.” She waved a hand nonchalantly in the air. “It was on the news. Police were questioning the employees. Also got a list of members who were checked-in around that time.”