The Witch Rescues Her Werewolf: A Nocturne Falls Universe story

by Cate Dean

  He let out a curse, right before he captured her lips.

  She moaned, dug her free hand into his left shoulder, and let him take the lead. He started rocking against her, the kiss turning hot, and almost desperate. If she didn’t stop him soon, his first time would end up being in a dark street—

  A loud throat-clearing stilled them both.

  Harry lifted his head, already retreating from Lidia, even though he still held her.

  “Sally.” He nearly growled her name, the muscles under Lidia’s hand tense. “What is it?”

  “Sorry for interrupting.” She didn’t look the least bit sorry. Instead, she looked—intrigued was the only word Lidia could come up with for her expression as she studied Harry. “Hank just called. There’s been a break-in at your shop.”

  “Thank you. I’ll head over there now.”

  Lidia didn’t miss the I, instead of we.

  “I’ll let him know.” She gave Lidia a long, thoughtful look before she left.

  “Harry—”

  He lowered her to the ground, not meeting her eyes. “I need to get back.”

  “I’ll go with—”

  “There is no need.” His stiff, formal tone made her want to smack him.

  “There’s every need.” She laid her hand on his arm, not surprised when he pulled free and stepped back, out of reach. “You don’t need to face everything alone, Harry.”

  “And you do not want to be burdened by my life, Lidia.”

  “That’s my decision—”

  “No.” The anger that radiated from him startled her into retreating. “I will not have you harmed by my past, or my present. Thank you for your care, Miss Reston. I hope you enjoy your time in Nocturne Falls.”

  He turned around, and stalked away from her before she could recover enough to shout at him.

  “Not likely, shifter,” she muttered.

  She knew she was flirting with potential disaster, but she followed him anyway. If there was anyone who shouldn’t be alone, it was Harrison Grey.

  Five

  The front window of The Grey Wolf had been smashed in. Again.

  Harrison stopped in front of it, his shoulders slumped, not even caring if anything had been stolen. He already knew who had destroyed the window; his long-time rival hadn’t left him alone, even after taking away everything.

  Hank Merrow, the local sheriff, and his second cousin, moved to his side. “You know who did this?”

  Harrison nodded. “Jared.”

  Hank shook his head. “That boy won’t ever let go, will he?” He laid one hand on Harrison’s right shoulder. Hank was one of the few shifters who ever touched him. It wasn’t as if his inability to shift was contagious. “Did you want to press charges?”

  Harrison opened his mouth to say no—and a familiar voice answered for him.

  “Hell, yes, he’s pressing charges.” Lidia appeared at his side, anger snapping in her clear grey eyes. “Lidia Reston.” She held out her hand, and Hank fought a smile as he shook it. “This isn’t the first time, is it?” She looked from Hank to him, her eyebrow raised. “I didn’t think so. You can’t let him get away with this, Harry. Not this time.”

  Hank raised his eyebrows. “Harry?”

  “Why does everyone keep asking that?” Lidia laid her hands on her hips. Heaven help him, she looked magnificent, anger sparkling around her. “You’d think no one had ever called him that.”

  “No one has,” Hank said, his voice quiet. “Not since his mother passed.”

  Lidia’s eyes widened, and she turned to Harrison. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I liked it,” he said. “I missed hearing it.”

  She took his hand, and he felt whole again. “We’re talking, seriously talking, after.”

  His heart pounded, hard and fast, but he nodded, squeezing her hand. He had tried to walk away from her, given her every chance to accept the distance he tried to put between them.

  Instead, she had followed him.

  Hank cleared his throat, amusement in his eyes. “I’ll take your statement in the morning, Harrison. Let Jared spend one last night thinking he got away with vandalism.” He rubbed his hands together. “I must admit, I’m looking forward to hauling his sorry carcass into the station. I already called over to the hardware store, and someone will be heading out with plywood to cover the window for the night.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime. Pleasure to meet you, Lidia.”

  After nodding to her, Hank strode to his car, leaving them on the glass-covered sidewalk.

  Harrison realized that they had been in the side street for longer than he thought; the streets had all but emptied out, tourists headed back to their rooms, or to one of the many local restaurants for dinner.

  Dinner. He had completely forgotten about their picnic.

  “Lidia—”

  “Don’t walk away from me again, Harry.” She looked up at him, and he saw the glitter of tears, before she blinked them away. “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’m not ready to let it go.”

  “Neither am I,” he whispered. Not caring what anyone who could see them thought, he gathered her into his arms, and buried his face in her hair. “I never want to hurt you, Lidia, but I’m afraid I will.”

  She let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s a risk we’re both taking, Harry. I left California because of a nasty break up. You were so not in my plans for a new, man-free life.”

  He chuckled, delighted by her refreshing honesty. “You could view it this way: I am technically not a man.”

  “Aren’t you funny?” She leaned back, meeting his eyes. “Feed me, Harry, and we’ll have that talk.”

  “Lidia.” His heart started pounding again. Every time he had gotten to this point, where he told a woman about his past, it had been the beginning of the end. “I don’t think—”

  “Then don’t think. We’ve both been hurt—let’s rescue each other.”

  He kissed her forehead, and pulled her in. Fortune had been smiling on him when she tripped him. Falling into Lidia Reston’s life had changed his, for good.

  There may be pain ahead for him, but he knew, right now, that it was worth the price. The woman in his arms was worth any price he had to pay.

  ~ * ~

  A quick call to Sally solved the dinner dilemma. Despite Harrison deserting Lidia in the deli, Sally had finished putting together their picnic, and charged him a premium for it. He managed not to flinch when he saw the amount on the receipt, because he knew it was worth the cost.

  Once Sally left, after a short but ear-blistering lecture, he and Lidia waited in the shop for the delivery from the hardware store. Lidia spent the time exploring the huge picnic basket.

  “Whoa—this is some spread, Harry. I hope she didn’t charge you too much for the special delivery.”

  “Enough.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I didn’t expect this kind of welcome. Or you, to be honest.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” He had no idea when he woke this morning that he would meet the woman who had haunted his dream. A woman who could become his, for good.

  His need to kiss her again was interrupted by the arrival of the plywood. After an endless hour, Harrison thanked the men, and handed them the check, along with a tip, before he ushered them out. Finally, he was alone with Lidia.

  His heart pounded again as he led her up to his apartment over the shop. Another first; no woman had ever stepped over this threshold. His few attempts at dating had always ended up at the woman’s place. He had been reluctant to allow anyone access to his only retreat from the world.

  Watching Lidia wander around his apartment left him feeling exposed, and vulnerable. He wanted her to like it. No, he wanted her to love it. Every piece of handmade furniture, every photograph he had taken and carefully framed, every item scattered across the tables, reflected him.

  She stopped in front
of his favorite image—a blow up of the waterfall outside town, just before sunset. Light sparkled off the surface of the pool, streaked down the waterfall, almost alive.

  “Harry—this is incredible.” She looked over at him. “Did you take it?” He nodded, swallowing. “You have an eye for composition. It just pulls me in, and I want to dive into that water. Is this the famous waterfall? The one Nocturne Falls is named after?”

  “Yes.” He cleared his throat, his chest tight. “You like it?”

  She walked over to him, and spread her hand over his pounding heart. “I’m a hobby photographer, but I have friends in California who are in some of the most prestigious galleries in the country. You blow them all away.”

  “I just—” He silently cursed the flush heating his cheeks. “I wait until the moment, the image, is right.”

  “It’s an instinct not many photographers have.” She held out her hand. “Come here.”

  He took her hand, not sure what to expect next. Lidia leaned against him, still studying the photo—until her stomach growled.

  She let out a laugh, and straightened. “Let’s eat.”

  Harrison let her lead him to the open space in front of the sofa, watched her take the wool blanket off the back of his leather armchair and spread it over the carpet. She waved him off when he moved to the basket, so he settled on the blanket, and enjoyed the view as she unpacked their picnic.

  When she joined him, loaded down with containers of food, he stood and helped her spread it out on the blanket.

  “Thanks,” she said, smiling at him. He wanted to kiss her, feel that smile against his lips. Lord, he had gone far beyond the point of no return. “Harry?”

  “Here.” He covered his lapse by grabbing the closest container and opening it. Sally’s famous Italian pasta salad. The enticing aroma of olive oil, peppers, and spices filled his nostrils, and his own stomach grumbled, ready for food. “I’ll get some plates and silverware.”

  “No need.” Lidia grabbed the basket and set it in the middle of the blanket. “Sally provided for us, along with,” she grinned and pulled out a bottle. “Non-alcoholic sparkling cider. My favorite.”

  Bless Sally for remembering his sensitivity to alcohol. “Are you certain? I can send out for beer, or wine.”

  “I may be a carnivore, but alcohol of any kind has never been my drink of choice.” She waved the heavy green bottle. “This is usually reserved for special occasions. Like now.”

  She handed him the bottle, and pulled two plastic champagne flutes out of the basket. Trust Sally to turn a simple picnic into a romantic interlude. He would have to thank her personally.

  While Lidia poured them each a glass of the bubbly apple cider, Harrison started opening containers, and loading each plate with a little of everything. He traded her a glass for a plate, and smiled when she eyed the full plate.

  “I don’t know where to start first. It all looks so appetizing.” She dug her fork into the potato salad and tasted it, her eyes closing as she chewed. “This is incredible.”

  Harrison could have watched her all night. Instead, he shook himself, and started eating. Hunger eclipsed desire, for the moment, and he devoured what was on his plate, going for seconds before she had even finished half of hers. Sally also knew his appetite, and had packed large portions; even though he couldn’t shift, his metabolism was as fast and ravenous as any shifter.

  They enjoyed the meal together, the only sounds the scraping of forks against plates, and Lidia’s occasional exclamation at a new taste. Finally, she put down her plate and stretched out on the blanket, rubbing her stomach.

  “I’m beyond stuffed, but I don’t regret a single bite.”

  Harrison stilled the second she lay down. Her shirt had hiked up, showing a strip of smooth, flat stomach. He swallowed, wanting to touch her skin, taste it, find out of it was as silky and smooth as the rest of her.

  “Harry?” Her voice jerked him out of his fantasy. She sounded amused, like she knew what he was thinking. “Okay?”

  “Good. Tired.”

  “It’s been a long day for you, hasn’t it? And it didn’t end well.” She sat, and took his hand, spreading his fingers over her thigh. “I’m sorry about the window. Whoever did that needs to be accountable—you know that.”

  “I do.” He sighed, not wanting the inevitable confrontation. But she was right. Jared had crossed the line one time too many. “I’ll press charges in the morning. I suppose it’s time for our talk?”

  She laughed. “Don’t make it sound like punishment. I just want to get to know you better. Tell me as much as you want. I’m sure you know all about me.”

  He shook his head. The Nocturne Falls grapevine had already started working. “I’m afraid I’m not in the loop.”

  “A lone wolf?”

  “Something like that.” He had almost called his shop that, and changed his mind when he thought it might be a little too self-indulgent. “I tend to keep myself apart, because of my past.”

  “Can I ask you a question? You don’t have to answer, if you’re uncomfortable.”

  “All right.” He braced himself for what he figured would be an intensely personal question—one he wasn’t sure he could answer.

  Once again, she surprised him.

  “Why did you kiss me?”

  ~ * ~

  Lidia bit back a smile when Harry blinked at her.

  “What?”

  “I know you heard me, Harry.”

  “I—” A blush stained his cheeks, and she wanted to kiss him again. The rest of their lives sounded like it might be long enough. He was simply the most kissable man she’d ever met. “I couldn’t help myself.”

  “Good.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Good?”

  “Yeah—because I couldn’t help myself, either. You were just so—kissable.”

  He surprised her by laughing. “I’ve never been described quite that way.”

  Lidia took a chance, and scooted around until she could lay her head on his thigh. Instead of retreating, he relaxed, lowering himself to his side.

  She turned her head, so she could see him. “Tell me how you grew up. It must have been different from the other shifters, since you—I mean—”

  “It’s all right.” He sighed, tracing the edge of the blanket as he continued. “I was sent away, after. I grew up in a prep school in upstate New York, then attended Cambridge.”

  “That explains your cultured speech.”

  A smile tugged at his lips. “Most around here call me a snob. Too many years around money, and kids who came from money.” He stared past her, his voice lowering to a raw whisper. “I returned home for my mom’s funeral.”

  Lidia touched his hand. “I’m so sorry, Harry.”

  “She had been sick when I left for Cambridge. I tried to come home when I graduated, but Jared and his friends made my life a living hell.”

  “He’s the one who—hurt you?”

  Harry nodded. “I was about to be given a place in the family business—one Jared coveted. He ambushed me the first night of the full moon, and stabbed me in the shoulder with a silver blade.” He rubbed his right shoulder, flinching at the contact. “Tomorrow is the anniversary of my injury. It always seems to ache more around this time.”

  She sat, and knelt next to him. “It never healed?”

  “I spent most of the night with the blade in my shoulder. My father found me, just after the moon set. I couldn’t prove Jared had been the one to attack me, especially when his cohorts gave him an alibi that couldn’t be broken.”

  “I have a crystal at home, one that might help—”

  He was shaking his head before she finished. “They don’t work. I assume you saw the crystals downstairs. I’ve tried them all.”

  “What about one charmed by an earth witch?” Lidia cradled his cheek, enjoying the feel of his stubble under her fingers. It darkened his jaw, giving him a rugged look—a far cry from the almost uptight man she had met earlier. This
Harry looked like a shifter. “I have a few of them, that I charmed before I—before. They couldn’t hurt—could they?” She wasn’t up on shifter lore, especially since she hadn’t met one until yesterday. Until Harry.

  “I suppose.” He didn’t sound convinced. “The pendant Willa made for me did nothing but make me more aware of the waxing moon.” He pulled a beautiful bronze pendant out from under his sweater—a wolf’s head, with what looked like amber eyes. Similar to the man who wore it. “I am far beyond any healing, Lidia.”

  He pushed to his feet and started cleaning up the remains of their picnic. She took his actions as a hint that the evening was over.

  “I should go,” she said. She stood, picked up the plates and glasses, and carried them over to the tall counter between the living room and the kitchen. “Thank you for a delicious—”

  “Lidia.” He stepped to her, his heat, his scent, his presence all threatening to sway her. But he’d made himself perfectly clear. It was time to leave. “I—”

  “Good night, Harrison.”

  She headed for the door, forcing herself not to run. It wasn’t until she reached the bottom of the stairs that she remembered they led into the store, and he would have to lock up behind her when she left. With a sigh, she turned around, meeting Harry halfway up the stairs.

  “I’ll let you out,” he said, looking everywhere but at her.

  “Thanks.”

  She pressed against the wall and let him pass, trying not to make contact. Any touch, even a brush of his arm, might break her flimsy resolve.

  He kept going, and she followed him, across the store and into the small, but organized back room, standing out of reach as he punched in a security code.

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “You were only offering help, and I was inexcusably rude.”

  “It’s okay. I touched a sore point, which was just as rude.”

  He turned, a smile tugging at his lips. “Are we going to argue about who was the rudest?”

  “I’d rather kiss you.” She clapped one hand over her mouth, appalled. “I didn’t—”

  “I hope you did.” He gently pulled her hand down—then hauled her up against his chest. “I find you as kissable, Lidia Reston.”