Just the Tip Short stories of love and lust

by Aria Grace et al

  Kris Kendall

  Just the Tip: Short stories of love and lust

  Chapter 3:

  He woke to the sound of her hissing next to him. His chest clenched and he twisted around to see what was wrong. He didn’t question the worry that rose within him, and pushed away the thought that he shouldn’t care so much about a woman he’d just met.

  Olivia was sitting in the grass, a hand pressed tightly against her ribcage, directly underneath her left breast. Her eyes were wide, and there was a slight glisten of moister pooling around the rims. She blinked, and a few tears ran rivers down her silky cheeks.

  “ What’s wrong?” he asked, moving closer to her side. He frowned, unable to see any signs of harm on her body.

  She snapped her gaze to his, a spark of anger igniting. But before she could get a word out an invisible force shoved him and he fell onto his back.

  He watched as thin ribbons of neon green and blue appeared out of nowhere and twisted about him. Some spiraled up his legs while others jagged in the pattern of lightening. They stung as they went, like he was being shocked by electricity everywhere at once.

  The magic moved quickly, coagulating over the spot directly underneath his left pec muscle. He felt the burn, like his flesh was being branded, and a part of him vaguely recalled his earlier thought about wanted to be seared.

  What felt like hours was probably really only a minute, and as fast as it had come the sparks of magic dissipated. He sucked in a breath when he realized what they had left behind.

  He shot his eyes back to Olivia, feeling his entire body freeze up as she slowly dropped her hand from her rib.

  The black mark was shaped like an oval and made up of spirals done in dark black ink. A thumb print. His thumb print. The skin around it was slightly red, but it was fading, so that soon there was no sign that the tattoo was new.

  Almost too afraid to check, Jensen forced himself to glance down at his own body. A smaller oval shape was positioned in an identical place. The mark was only half the size of his actual thumb when he placed it against it and a shiver raked down his spine.

  He’d been alive for a long time now, and at one point he’d wanted this mark more than anything else. When Jericho’s had appeared, Jensen had felt the jealousy. Hadn’t he wished on multiple occasions that Kiley had ended up his mate instead of his brothers?

  But those thoughts had dwindled after his father’s death. There’d just been too much going on, too much at stake for him to worry about his loneliness. He could barely take care of his pack, the only reason he’d come this far because of the Sinclair’s. It hadn’t been fair for him to think of taking on someone else. He’d bedded she wolves, sure, but he’d never thought that they would end up getting branded.

  “ I don’t even know your name,” Olivia whispered, snapping him out of his head and reminding him she was there.

  Most of the panic had gone from her eyes. If possible, she looked almost…okay with this turn of events despite her statement. She was watching him with a calm indifference that he couldn’t figure out.

  He was terrified.

  Then it hit him. He’d just mated with her, and she didn’t even know who he was. She was tied to him for life now. One didn’t get to choose their mate. They could walk away if they were cruel enough, and strong enough, to do so, but it was very difficult. They felt a pull to one another, the need to near each other very similar to the bodies need to take in air.

  He hadn’t planned on this happening when he’d withheld his name. He’d hoped to get a feel for her-not that kind-without her acting differently around him because he was the pack leader. He’d wanted to get to know the real her so that he could better understand if what she said was truth or not.

  Though the possibility that she might be a spy didn’t seem to stop him from having sex with her. Damn heat.

  He swallowed to wet his dry throat and then opened his mouth to explain. It seemed, however, the world was hell bent on constantly interrupting them because before he could say a thing the sound of pounding footsteps pricked his ears.

  Turning his head towards the sound, he felt more guilt swamp him as a large white wolf approached.

  She was already sniffing the ground, her pink and black nose low to the dirt as her eyes honed in on the other female. Kiley was not only over protective, but paranoid as well. She trusted no one, and for good reason. She hissed out a growl when she reached them, shifting so that she was closer to her leader.

  Jensen used all his strength standing, shifting his gaze between the two females before him. Shit. This wasn’t going to end well.

  Olivia stiffened as the newcomer moved closer to her mate. I have a mate, she thought, the sound of the word odd to her. She’d only been alive for a hundred years or so, and it was strange to think she’d already found the other half of her soul. Many went centuries without ever getting a glimpse of the person they were supposed to be with.

  The only problem was she knew nothing about this Were, and even worse, the way the new female positioned herself spoke volumes of their relationship. Jealousy clawed at her, as if a living being trying to tear out of her chest. She was emitting low warning growls before she knew what she was doing, and in a flash she wore her silver wolf skin.

  The new Were seemed slightly shocked by her reaction but then bent lower to the ground, making ready to pounce. She frowned when he placed a hand on her white pelt stopping her.

  “ She’s threatening me,” the wolf’s voice echoed around them, a smooth lyrical female tone that had no doubt seduced many a men.

  Olivia hated it right away.

  “ No, she’s just reacting…” he seemed lost for words, puckering out his lips in frustration. “She can’t help it.”

  “ Can’t help it? Who is she, and why have you allowed her so close?” the other female hissed. “If you wanted to get yourself beaten, I would have gladly-”

  Olivia snapped her jaws, coming very close to nipping the other female’s muzzle with the action. It didn’t matter that she could sense she’d lose in a fight. No one was going to threaten her mate like that, not even someone he clearly knew.

  “ Stop!” he waved her off as well, taking a clear stance between the two of them with his arms held out to catch them should they disobey. “Kiley,” he turned to the white wolf, “watch what you say, she’s vulnerable right now. She can’t help what she’s doing. And Oli, back off. She’s a friend.”

  The nick name rolled off his tongue with such ease that she barely even registered he’d used one. When it did hit her, her brows winged up and she straightened on her paws.

  The other girl shifted, pulling magic around her like a cloak. In the white wolf’s place now stood a tall lithe woman with long auburn hair, her feet squared in a warrior’s stance.

  Olivia did the same, attempting to show that she wasn’t afraid of her. Weakness wasn’t acceptable to their kind.

  “ Pretty soon she isn’t going to be the only one who doesn’t have control of their actions, Jensen,” the girl, Kiley, stated, eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

  “ Kindle, trust me-”

  “ Wait.” It hit Olivia like a sledge hammer, and she cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “What did she just call you?” Oh, gods no. There was no way she could have screwed up so…royally.

  Kiley quirked a brow then paused, an odd look coming over her face. Tilting her head up, she sniffed, eyes going wide a moment later.

  “ Oh crap.”

  “ Kiley-” Jensen reached a hand towards her, but she took a step back.

  “ No, no. I don’t need an explanation. Why don’t you two…I’ll just…”she glanced towards the lake and pointed. “I’ll be over there. Give you guys some time to…figure this out.”

  Olivia waited until she was far enough out of ear shot then glared at her mate. “You’re Jensen Kalen? You’re the leader of the Moonshine pack?! You’re my mate?!”

  “ Could you at least pretend to not be so upset by
that,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sure you can understand someone in my position has to be cautious who he drops his name to. You could have been a spy sent by my brother.”

  She chucked her chin out in the direction of the other female Were. “And her? Looks like you trust her. A lot.”

  “ Kiley’s just a really good friend. I’ve known her for centuries now. For all I know, you’ve got someone back in your village.”

  “ Don’t you think I would have brought him along if that were the case?” she said. “Besides, it wouldn’t matter now anyway. Once the mark appears it can’t be removed. Destiny says we’re meant.”

  Jensen sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “We don’t have to figure anything out right now,” he began. “I understand that this isn’t something you expected, I myself am thrown. Being with a regent is dangerous, especially one whose own brother wants him dead. Why don’t we go to my camp? Get some food and rest. Nothing has to be decided here.”

  She frowned. He wasn’t really making much sense. There was nothing either of them could do other then die. It was impossible for one to leave their mate. The pull was just too strong. She thought the need of heat was terrible, this would be worse, was already so much worse.

  It was night time now, and moonlight was spilling between the branches, illuminating his head and bathing his tanned skin in a creamy white glow. The way he looked now, it was amazing that she hadn’t realized who he was sooner.

  “ We can’t separate,” she told him, just the thought of it forcing her chest to tighten in panic.

  He seemed taken aback but then shook his head. “I wasn’t suggesting we do.”

  “ Mates can’t separate.”

  “ Not true. It’s possible, but it’s hard. Kiley’s separate from her mate.” He waved a hand in the white wolf’s direction. “It’s a struggle, very unpleasant. Let’s just say I don’t want to have to go through that. But I won’t make you stay either. You don’t know me.”

  Olivia was watching the other woman now, a new respect rising. She’d never heard of anyone leaving their mate. Now that she knew, she picked up on the sadness that seemed to cloud around Kiley. There was a taint to her, like there was a huge weight on her shoulders and she was wagging her own personal war within herself.

  “ How far away is your camp?” she asked quietly.

  “ About a half hour if we run.”

  “ Alright.” She shifted again, stretching in her wolf form. She let out a little yelp to get the other female’s attention, then waited for her to make her way over. Once there, Olivia nodded. “Hello.”

  Kiley cocked her head suspiciously, but then grunted. “Hi.”

  “ We’re going to head back now,” Jensen told his second in command.

  “ I came to tell you something,” she said. “I’ve spoken to the village family, as well as their elders.”

  “ And?”

  Olivia didn’t know why, but his whole body had gone ridged at that comment. He looked very intense in that moment, like he wanted to jump out of his own skin.

  Kiley flashed a slow wolfish grin. “They accept out terms. They’ll side with us.”

  He laughed. “I don’t recall discussing any terms with you, but you did well. The mortals will be valuable allies.”

  “ Wait,” Olivia frowned, “mortals? We’re siding with humans?”

  “ I’ll explain later,” he said, his eyes pleading with her to understand. In a flash he was the large golden wolf she’d first met, and he jolted his head indicating the direction they had to go.

  The three of them said nothing as they made their way through the forest, each no doubt lost in their own heads. Olivia knew that things were going to be different, and not just because she was in a different place. Her life had changed dramatically, and the future was a major unknown now.

  She was attracted to Jensen, but could she love him?

  Epilogue: Present Day

  Jensen stood by the window watching the wolves that guarded the grounds as they made their way up and down the well trimmed lawn. How far they’d come since those days living in caves.

  A warm fire crackled in the hearth across the throne room, the smell of burnt wood filling the air. The walls were made of a rich cherry wood, the ceilings high, reminding him of those old days in the echoing cave. The double doors at the other side creaked as they were slowly opened, followed closely by a set of light footsteps.

  He smelled her long before her reflection danced back at him off the window, and there was already a smile on his face when he turned.

  She was still just as beautiful as that day he’d met her in the woods those thousands of years ago. Her dark black hair tucked behind her ears, and her eyes already sparkling alive at the sight of him.

  Her clothing was different, this being the twenty-first century. Navy skinny jeans tucked into leather boots and a bright blue tang top hugged her like a second skin as she moved forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. When she rested her head against his chest she let out a sigh that warmed him to the bones.

  “ What are you doing?” she asked quietly.

  “ I was thinking,” he said back, dropping his chin to the top of her head.

  “ About what?”

  “ Us.” He cupped her cheek when she pulled back to look at him. “Remember that day we met?”

  A mischievous look came over her face. “Hard for a girl to forget.”

  “ Oh, really?”

  She slapped him playfully on the shoulder and then sobered a little. “What got you thinking about that?”

  “ Tobias.”

  She quirked a brow, clearly not understanding.

  The elder Sinclair had been missing for a long time now, run off after breaking the law by turning a human. That very Were was luckily still alive, having survived the werewolf poison that had coursed through her veins. He’d left shortly after that, and hadn’t been heard from since. Until now.

  “ Here’s here, Oli. In the city.”

  She gasped, crossing her arms over her chest and moving away to think. She turned back a few seconds later. “Have you told Kiley yet?”

  “ No.”

  She nodded, then took his hand. “Remember how hard it was explaining to Tobias you’d left camp single and came back mated?”

  He chuckled, appreciating her attempt to change the subject. “He couldn’t believe it. We couldn’t either. Took us a whole week to figure out that the fates hadn’t made a mistake.” He ran a hand through her hair, relishing the silky feel. “I should have realized I fell in love with you that moment by the lake.”

  “ Which one?” she snuggled in closer. “Call Kiley. The sooner you get this over with, the sooner you can come to bed.” She lifted herself to her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his forehead.

  He watched her hips sashay as she exited the room, throwing a flirtatious glance over her shoulder.

  Jensen wasn’t looking forward to making this call. Even all these years later Kiley still had a temper. Still, Olivia knew him well enough to present him with the perfect motivation and before the doors shut behind her he whipped out his phone and was pressing speed dial.

  Anything to be with his mate.

  OPT

  by Xavier Harrington

  One of the perks of traveling for work is being in a different set of surroundings, which gives you options of what to do on your nights off. I had one night off and having blown the day away by sleeping, I figured that I needed to get out. I did a Google search and found two places that looked worthwhile; OPT and Club Asylum. One was a 15 minutes drive, the other was about 30 minutes. I figured it would be easier to hit up somewhere close.

  OPT was one place out of three in this structure. Once I realized that its home was in the basement, I stepped inside — the place looked like it would hold maybe100. It was small enough that when I walked in, I could see the entire place from the entryway: There were about 10 people in the whole place, including the bartend
er. I felt momentarily shy, but people seemed relatively non-threatening, so it eased me up slightly. Two wall-mounted plasma TVs on either side gave it a pool hall feel, even though the place looked like it hadn’t been updated in 10 years. The pool tables were quarter-operated and given the appearance of the place, I wasn’t surprised. I was caught off guard when a female’s voice broke my train of thought. “Hey there! If you’re looking for pool, you can ask Jim and Sandy, I’m sure they’d play.” I looked in the direction of the female’s voice and replied, “Nah, I’ll just have a drink.” I approached the bar, sat down, and made myself comfortable. I noticed that the bar tap had a Coca-Cola logo, so I just ordered a Sprite.

  As she poured the Sprite, I looked her over. Initially, I was impressed by her looks, but that’s all for show. It was my guess that she was the wife or girlfriend of whoever owned the place. “Just the one Sprite hun, or do you want to start a tab?” I took out my credit card and gave it to her. She was gorgeous! She looked to be in her mid 30s, having an accent like the locals, about 5’5, slender, gorgeous blonde hair that was put up and dressed in a top that revealed dynamite cleavage.

  I didn’t notice any hours posted anywhere, but when people were scurrying out, I thought maybe they closed at twelve-thirty. As the bartender gave me my fourth Sprite, she asked, “Are you drinking, or just doing soda?” Not thinking about it, I tapped on my glass to show that it would be all I drank. She handed me back my credit card. “There’s no point in running your card for under $10.” I thanked her, but she turned it around. “It’ll cost me more in processing fees, than it will for the overall tab.” As I put my card back into my wallet, I noticed that she was beginning to clean up the bar. ”Are you closing soon?”

  “ One-thirty, but I’ll likely be here until two-thirty, cleaning up.” Either her typical customers didn’t pay cash, or it was obvious I wasn’t a local. “So, hun, what brings you around here? I’ve never seen you here.”