Almost Midnight

by C. C. Hunter

  The sweetness faded when the first thing she saw was Shawn, still half naked, his arms crossed and a frown dominating his expression. His gaze shot to her. “You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to,” he said, his tone deep. Was that a touch of hurt she heard in his tone?

  She looked across the room and her heart leapt at the sight of the shape-shifter. He wore jeans—they appeared a little tighter than he normally wore—and a green long-sleeved polo shirt. His hair, blond with a few loose locks, looked a little mussed the way it did after he’d flown or maybe after one of their make-out sessions. His eyes were their normal bright azure, and those baby blues were on her. Staring, drawing her closer. Emotion flashed in those liquid pools of color and she felt as if that emotion echoed inside of her.

  “Do you want him to leave?” Shawn asked again, and he uncrossed his arms, showcasing his bare chest, but damn if she already hadn’t forgotten the half-naked warlock was even in the room.

  Miranda glanced back at him, and she hated knowing this might hurt him, but she couldn’t, wouldn’t send Perry away.

  “No. It’s fine. I want to see him.”

  She saw the way Shawn’s eyes reflected disappointment.

  When she looked back at Perry, his eyes were brighter.

  “Now that we’ve got that settled,” he said. His deep, familiar voice sounded like music to her ears and his tight focus stayed on Shawn. Inhaling deeply, as if fighting some other impulse, he glanced back to her. “Would you like to take a walk with me, so we might have some privacy?”

  The emphasis he put on the word “privacy” seemed to mean something. Had he already picked up on Shawn’s interest in her? If so, was Perry about to morph into some superbeast and try to teach the warlock a lesson?

  Standing frozen, feeling a bit overwhelmed, she just stared.

  Perry repeated, “A walk? It’s a nice night.”

  The word “yes” danced on her lips, when Shawn spoke up again. “Sorry. She can’t leave the apartment. I’m in charge of her care.”

  She turned to Shawn, slightly annoyed. “A quick walk. We won’t be long.”

  “No.” His frown deepened. “Sorry, Burnett’s orders were clear. No one leaves.”

  “Burnett trusts me,” Perry said, his tone deepening with anger as his eyes grew brighter with the same emotion. For a second she feared he would shift and start trouble. He didn’t.

  “Perhaps,” Shawn said. “Even as misguided as that may be, it’s not you he’s worried about. She might be in danger and I’m the agent hired to make sure nothing happens to her.”

  “As if I would let anything happen to her?” Perry countered.

  Shawn’s gaze flipped back to Miranda. She shook her head slightly, pleading for him not to do this. He seemed to understand, because she saw his wide chest expand as if taking in a pound of oxygen.

  “You can have the privacy of the living room.” He turned and walked back into the hall leading to the third bedroom.

  She watched Shawn go—feeling his unhappiness—before turning back to Perry. The shape-shifter’s gaze was on her, but brighter—anger always did that to him.

  They stared at each other for several minutes. Emotions ran though her chest like wild horses. She’d missed him so damn much. She loved him. She was so angry at him. How could he put her through all this?

  As that hurt swelled up in her heart, it bumped into the other recent painful realization about her dad.

  “Hey,” Perry said.

  “Hey,” she repeated and took a few steps closer. But it wasn’t as close as she wanted. She wanted his arms around her. His lips against hers. She wanted him to make everything that hurt inside her go away. He could do that.

  He had in the past. But never had that hurt been caused by him.

  His gaze shifted to the door where Shawn had disappeared. “So…?”

  “So what?” she asked, not wanting to explain anything about Shawn, not even sure she should. There really wasn’t anything to explain.

  “You look … nice.” His voice softened.

  And then she softened, too. She nodded and took another step closer.

  “Your hair … You decided not to streak it anymore.”

  “You don’t like it?” she asked.

  He studied her. “I like you. I don’t care what color your hair is.” He took the next few steps—closing the distance between them.

  His scent, like fresh outdoor air, filled her senses and she took a deep breath, greedy for more. Her hands ached to reach for him, but her pride made that move difficult. Mentally, emotionally, she’d been reaching for him for four weeks. He’d pushed her away. He hadn’t even called her.

  Slowly, he lifted a hand and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

  His touch sent a powerful bolt of emotion to her chest. It took everything she had not to fall against him.

  “I’ve missed you so damn much,” he said.

  Me, too! “Really?” she asked. “Normally, I think you call people when you miss them.” She wasn’t sure where she got the backbone to say that, but suddenly she realized she deserved to know.

  He lowered his hand and head. For several beats of silence he stared at the floor and didn’t move. Finally he lifted his gaze again. “I was afraid.”

  “Of what?”

  “That if I talked to you, I would have said screw the school and come running back to you.”

  “Back to the girl you broke up with? That seems odd.” Her sinuses stung and she felt tears forming.

  “Don’t you get it, Miranda? I broke up with you because I wasn’t sure that I could ever control my power, and if I couldn’t then … I’d never be able to live a normal life, not in the human world. And I know your plans for your life, you’ve told me them a hundred times.” A sad shade of blue touched his eyes. “Those plans don’t include hiding or hiding a husband. I wouldn’t fit in your world. I’d hold you back. You deserve to have what you want.”

  “Says who? Who decides what I deserve? I thought that was my decision?” A few tears fell. “Do you want to know something? I never thought I deserved better than you … not until you broke my heart. Do you know how miserable I’ve been waiting on you to call? I took up killing shape-shifters.”

  His eyes widened.

  “A game!” she said, rolling her eyes. “But I don’t even like games. Especially killing games.”

  He nodded then glanced down again. “I’m sorry. Maybe breaking up was wrong, but—”

  “Maybe?” she said, seething. How could he stand here and not see how hurt she’d been? How could he feel any justification in what he’d done? Was this what she was going to get from her dad, too? Some lame excuse for screwing up and hurting others?

  “Oh, I can’t believe you!” For the first time she understood her mom’s inability to resist turning her dad into a baboon when he infuriated her. Her pinky begged to be used and she gripped her hands to hold back the temptation.

  Perry stood there, looking too good, looking sad and frustrated at the same time. “Is this your way of trying to tell me that this is exactly what it looks like?”

  “This, what?” she asked.

  “This … him.” Perry waved toward the hall where Shawn had disappeared. “Mr. I’m-Too-Sexy-For-My-Shirt guy!”

  His remark pushed several emotions back and anger took the lead. “What do you think it is?” she asked.

  His frown deepened. “I can tell when a guy is interested in a girl.”

  “I’m surprised. Because you totally suck at telling when a girl is interested in a guy.”

  “What? Are you saying you’re not interested in him or that you are?”

  “I’m saying you suck at knowing. You sure as heck didn’t realize how I felt about you when you … broke it off and broke my heart. If you did, you wouldn’t have done it. Wouldn’t have hurt me like this.”

  He took a step closer, his eyes stared right into hers and her heart clutched. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”


  “Well, you did.”

  He tucked his hands into his jeans and took another step. So close that when she glanced up, all she could see was his face. He lowered his head just an inch and his forehead touched the top of hers. Now she could only see his lips. So close. Crazy how many nerve endings one could feel from a casual touch of foreheads.

  “I’m sorry.” His head shifted. His nose brushed against hers. His lips came to the edge of her mouth. Brushing her cheek ever so lightly, a whisper away from her mouth. “I missed you. Missed you so damn much.”

  Her heart thumped in her chest, so loud, she was certain he could hear it. She wanted his mouth on hers so badly, but should she … Should she even want it after he’d put her through hell?

  Did this wanting mean she forgave him? Yes. A little. Maybe. Oh, hell, she wasn’t even sure.

  “I’m coming home in a couple of weeks.” His words came so low and so close to her lips, she could almost taste him.

  And she wanted to taste him. She’d missed his kisses, his warm mouth, his tongue against hers. His hands touching her in intimate places. Her knees felt weak. And she wanted more. She wanted him.

  So attentive to his mouth, and the desires running through her, it took her a second to hear the words he’d said.

  Her breath caught. “You are? You’re coming home?”

  He nodded. And each slight shift of his head brought his lips to her cheek. The nearness made her dizzy.

  Recalling why he’d come here, why he broke up with her, she cut her eyes up at him. “So did they help you?”

  “Have I turned into a lion and mauled the guy in the next room yet?” A touch of mirth sparked in his eyes.

  “No,” she said and while she got his humor she realized the old Perry might have done just that. He had a hard time dealing with emotions.

  “Do you know how much I want to maul him?” he asked.

  “Probably as much as I wanted to kick your butt for breaking up with me.” She got a little more resolve then. As badly as she wanted to wrap her arms around him and tell him everything was okay, she didn’t.

  It wasn’t okay. You couldn’t hurt someone like that and just expect them to forgive you. Well, not immediately. Time. Maybe in time.

  “Do you still love me?” he asked. The side of his face pressed against her temple.

  She considered how to answer that. “I do.” She couldn’t lie. “But I’m still hurt. And all that hurt is mixed up with the love and I’m confused.”

  “Then I guess I have some making up to do when I get back.”

  She nodded and let herself feel his closeness. It felt wonderful. Too wonderful. And she felt too weak to fight it off. “You should probably … I’m tired. And tomorrow I have to…”

  “I’m going to be there tomorrow at your competition.”

  “Tomorrow is just the practice. The real competition is on Wednesday. But it’s not open to the public.”

  “Then I’ll sneak in,” he said.

  Being a shape-shifter, he could do that.

  “I’ll be there,” he said.

  All of a sudden she wasn’t sure if she was ready for him to leave. She swallowed. “I’ll call tomorrow and see if I can have them put your name on the list. You won’t have to sneak in.”

  “Good,” he said and his body brushed a little nearer. So close her breasts came against his wide chest. “Can I kiss you?” he whispered. “Just one. One little kiss.”

  Air left her lips. The exhale sounded like a sigh.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” He smiled and then that smile and those wonderful lips met hers.

  She wasn’t even sure who ended the kiss. If it was her, or him. Probably her, because the magic of it had started to fade and the hurt that he’d caused slowly rose to the surface.

  He reached up and put a palm on each of her cheeks. His forehead lowered ever so slightly and he studied her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry I hurt you,” he said. “And I know you don’t believe me, but I did it because I do care. And I’m going to do everything in my power to fix this.”

  She inhaled and words slipped out before she could stop them. “I’m not sure you can fix this.”

  “Watch me,” he said with determination.

  She didn’t say anything. Part of her wanted to believe him. Okay, most of her wanted to believe him. But the hurt from her heart, and not just the Perry hurt, but Daddy hurt, swelled up inside her.

  “What else is wrong?” he asked, his gaze soft, caring, and all-knowing.

  She swallowed, felt the knot in her throat, and didn’t think she could talk. He always did that. It was as if he could read her by looking into her eyes.

  “Are you worried about the case? I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, if that’s what it is.” He used his thumb to brush a tear from beneath her lashes. “Della told me all about the threat. I’m sure Burnett is all over it, and now I am, too.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not just that.”

  “What else?”

  “Do you remember Tabitha, the girl—”

  “The one you went to preschool with and caught spying on you at Shadow Falls?”

  Miranda nodded, a swell of emotion tightening her chest when she realized he remembered. How many guys remembered the little details of their girlfriend’s life?

  “She’s my half-sister.”

  “Damn,” Perry said. “So your dad had an affair with her mom when your mother was pregnant?”

  Miranda had to swallow before she could tell him the truth. Or at least, the truth Tabitha had told her. “She’s older.” She took a step back and swiped at a few tears lingering on her cheek. “She says that her mom and my dad were married. That my mom is … the one who had the affair.”

  “Oh.” He frowned. “Have you asked your parents?”

  “I called my dad, but he didn’t answer, and I didn’t leave a message. I didn’t know how to ask him.” She swallowed another painful lump down her throat. “My mom is on her way here.”

  “Is your dad coming?” Perry asked.

  She shook her head. “He never was into the competitions.” That’s when she realized the reasons for that. “I wonder if this is why? Did he know Tabitha was going to be competing in the same competitions as me?”

  Perry stood there as if in thought. “I’m gonna say something and I’m not sure it’s going to help, but it might.” He frowned. “As bad as your situation is, at least he was in both of your lives. Both my mom and dad left me, Miranda. And while I tell myself that it doesn’t matter, at times … like these past four weeks, missing you and feeling so lonely, it felt like it matters. So I don’t care how imperfect your parents are, it could be worse. You father, or even both your parents could have chosen not to be there at all.”

  He inched close again and put his arms around her. She leaned her head to his chest and they just stood there. His arms around her. Her chest against his chest.

  They didn’t move, or they didn’t until the front door to the apartment shot open. Perry swung her behind him to face the intruder. A deep protective growl rang out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Miranda felt the tingling current of concern surge through Perry’s back as he turned to the door. An electrical buzz radiated from him, telling her he was preparing to shift into something fierce. She wasn’t however, ready to let him do all the work to protect them. She lifted her hand, pinky ready.

  “When did you get back?” the deep voice asked and tension shattered.

  Miranda recognized Burnett’s voice and lowered her pinky.

  “This evening,” Perry answered, frustration sounding in his tone and his eyes brightened. “I would have been here sooner had I known you all were here.”

  Burnett nodded. “I called and spoke with your instructor, Mr. DeLeon. We decided it could wait until you were back from your assignment.”

  “I would have liked to have been included in that decision.” Perry’s shoulders tensed.

 
; “You are here now, that’s what matters,” Burnett replied. He moved closer and pressed a hand on Perry’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you. I’ve missed your presence at Shadow Falls.”

  She sensed some of Perry’s tension lessen. The relationship between Burnett and Perry had always been close. Not everyone knew it, but when Perry had gone into his first home, Burnett, already a teen, had been there as well. So in a way, Burnett was like an older brother to Perry. It had been because of Burnett that Perry had come to Shadow Falls.

  “I’ve missed being there,” Perry said as he shuffled his feet slightly. “Did Mr. DeLeon tell you my news?”

  Burnett smiled. “Of course he did. I’m proud of your progress.”

  Miranda suddenly felt bad that she hadn’t had more interest in his accomplishments. But maybe she’d have been more invested if he hadn’t used those accomplishments as a meter to decide if they would stay together.

  Miranda suddenly remembered where Burnett had gone this evening. “Did you speak with the twins?”

  He nodded. Footsteps echoed down the hall. Kylie and Della walked into the room. Kylie walked right up to Perry and gave him a tight hug. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Same here,” Perry said and embraced her back.

  Suddenly, Shawn showed up—with his shirt on this time. His gaze shifted to Miranda, and she spotted the disappointment in his eyes again. She glanced away, unsure why she felt guilt, but she did. Just a touch.

  As soon as Perry spotted Shawn, he dropped his arms from around Kylie. His smile turned upside down and he shifted closer to Miranda.

  “Who are the twins?” Perry questioned.

  “Fellow contestants in the competition,” Burnett offered. “They claimed to have been at the hotel during the last attack, but Miranda spotted them on the scene.”

  “And?” Miranda asked.

  “They admitted to being there. Said they initially lied because they were afraid of going against my advice not to leave the hotel.”

  “And were they lying again?” Della asked.

  “No,” Burnett said, “they were speaking the truth. That or their hearts can lie.”

  “So you are looking at one of the contestants for doing this?” Perry asked.