Sinful Instincts (Woodland Creek)

by J. D. Hollyfield

  “See, you feel it, too! Don’t ditch me. I can help. I promise I will do what you say this time. No arguments.”

  Her begging cuts me so deep, I just want to brush her wild hair away from her face and take her mouth against mine. I’m struggling to push her away and just leave her, but that’s what I should do. That’s what I wouldn’t have hesitated to do before her.

  “It’s not safe for you, Emma.” My voice is stiff.

  “Okay, so, you’re just going to leave me then to fend for myself? You said this… thing, your brother—he’s looking for me. What makes you think the second you leave my side, he’s not going to come after me?”

  I’ve already thought of this, and my first and only thought on the matter was that I had to get to him first. There was no other exception. “He won’t.”

  “And I will be just A-okay walking around without having to worry some blood-sucking kitty cat is going to rip open my jugular for happy hour?”

  “No, Emma. I will make sure of it. Let me get you home. Wherever that is. I know home is not here. I will put you on a train, a bus, anything. And I will do what needs to be done.”

  Her eyes are on fire with hatred. She knows she is losing the fight in this, and the scent of hatred is pouring off her. It’s for the best, I mentally rehearse to myself. When I see the first real tear fall from her eye, it crushes me.

  “Fine,” she pouts, finally throwing up the white flag. “But you better stick to your side of the deal. And for the record, I hate you. If I ever see you again, it’s going to be me ripping out your jugular.” Her words are so harsh, yet they send a warm sensation to my dick. I fight not to smile at her threat. I release her once again, and she brushes off loose strands of grass and shrubbery from her shirt.

  “So... what now?” she asks, trying to act tough.

  “I need to grab some clothes then we will get you to a bus station.”

  She doesn’t respond. She sticks her chin as high as it will go without losing focus on where she is walking and begins to storm through the forest.

  “Emma?” I call out. She turns, giving me her most hateful stare. “It’s the other way.”

  With that, she swings her hair and pivots in the opposite direction.

  Emma

  If I haven’t said it before, then I will say it now. I am DONE with men. Human OR feline. Done!

  How dare he practically kidnap me, break my door, force me to be a dangling toy for his enemy, attempt to seduce me (I think), all while getting my apartment blown up, just to stick me on a freaking bus home?! I mean, with that long list, I don’t even need to discuss the whole, I’m a leopard shifter from the faraway lands of Crazyville and mine this and mine that.

  I didn’t look or speak to him for the remainder of our time together. I couldn’t. I would have clawed his eyes out or cried. I was so confused about why I became so emotional of the fact that he didn’t want me. I just met him; I should be happy he was setting me free. But happy was far from how I felt. We walked to the edge of the forest until buildings came into view. You could see smoke in the far corner of the town, probably my place going up in flames. I made the move to start heading toward my apartment, hoping I could at least see if the fire department was there and grab anything that didn’t burn in the explosion, but Sin grabbed my shoulder and directed me in the opposite direction. Obviously, the direction of the only bus stop.

  I walked ahead of him the whole time. I knew he was right behind me due to the heat radiating onto my back. I also knew he was naked—again. I mean, how many pairs of clothes does that guy go through?

  At one point, he instructed that I stop walking. I wanted to pretend I didn’t hear him and continue, but curiosity is a bitch so I turned around. This was only to witness him lure in a man and somehow convince him to take off his clothes and hand them over to him. Which the guy did! At that point, I wanted to say I’d seen it all, but, of course, looking back now, it was just the tip of the iceberg of the strange shit I was going to encounter.

  It’s been about three hours since he dumped me at the bus station and watched me as I climbed onto the platform. Before heading down the long aisle of seats, I turned, gave him the finger and disappeared. I sat down and while I tried not to look his way, there was this pull that forced me to glance out the window, directly into his fiery eyes. They were once again sporting that dim glow. I turned away quickly, not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me wounded by his rejection.

  It also gave me the fire under my ass I needed to start thinking straight. And the first thought was to rebel. Who the hell did he think he was? Bossing me around and putting me on a bus like a lost pet. He’s the damn pet. With his smooth animal fur, his beautiful leopard spots—Yep! I’m also losing it.

  I ended up jumping off at the next stop in Old Towne and spent the remainder of my evening walking back to Woodland Creek. I didn’t have anywhere to go, since my apartment building was probably charred at this point, so I made my way to Melanie’s, a two-bedroom apartment above Carter’s Books and Gifts, the local book and trinket shop. Upon seeing me at her door, she squealed with delight and offered me her place for everything and anything I needed.

  It is now close to nine in the evening, and I have spent the last two hours sitting on Melanie’s couch while she is out on a date inspired by her luck at the speed dating event. I sit barely listening to the TV, which is all about the news of the fire. Apparently, they are claiming a gas leak and no one was hurt. That calms me. I was worried about poor Mrs. Peterson, but I’m sure she just poofed some fairy glitter in the air and flew out of her apartment.

  I shake my head at my current situation. Why was this happening to me? When did I turn into such a weak girl who let a guy convince her to move halfway across the state with him after such a short time? If I sit here and think about it now, I didn’t even love Scott. I loved the attention he gave me. It was something that was so foreign to me that I latched onto it. I’ve felt more emotion and more alive in the past twenty-four hours with Sin than I did with Scott the whole time we were together.

  Sin.

  Speaking of that asscat, just the sound of his name has my body betraying me. How can he just do that to me? Fuck him. He has so much baggage I’m glad he’s gone. Baggage I just wanted to fix. He wasn’t even that good-looking. Psst. Besides me wanting to attack him every single moment he was near me. Shit, I need to stop. I will not be that helpless girl again. I won’t.

  I shut the TV off, done watching the only exciting thing that’s probably happened in this town in ages. I’m not going to let Sin boss me around and make my decisions for me. I stand and head toward Melanie’s extra room. I may not have an apartment anymore, but I still have a job that requires my presence in the morning. The moment I fall into the bed, the exhaustion hits me full force. My eyes close willingly and before I have one more ounce of effort to damn Roxsin to all eternity, I pass the fuck out.

  Working at Fibber McGee’s hasn’t been all that bad. But today? Today tops the cake. Since I didn’t have any of my normal clothes, I had to borrow something from Melanie, and let’s just say Melanie’s choice of attire is barely any clothes at all. That leaves me in a mini skirt, possibly showing my butt cheeks, and a top that will cause my boobs to be black and blue from being squished together so tightly. I now see why Melanie made bigger tips than I did. I met Melanie the first day I was here. We had stopped at the local Q-Mart to pick up some toiletries, and I ran into her in the cosmetic aisle. Like, literally. I was trying to pick out some toilet paper for our apartment, and as I went to turn the corner, Melanie barreled into me. Both our hands full of items went scattering across the store floor. I was mortified, but she just dropped to her knees in a fit of laughter. I wasn’t sure if the situation was that funny or she was just a bit out there, but she was very boisterous. She went straight for the personal questions, asking who I was, and why I was there. While helping one another pick up our items, I explained how I was new in town. Her friendly approval pr
etty much told me I was all that and a bag of chips, so she offered to help me find a job. She told me how she worked at the local bar and grill and they were actually hiring a daytime waitress.

  Having a friend like Melanie at work was nice, because I had someone to talk to, but then there was the owner, Mr. Ferry, whose life goal, I’m convinced, was to torment all his employees, probably because his full name is Gary Ferry. I mean, who names their kid Gary Ferry? Just thinking his name has him screaming from the back room. “Emma! How long does it take to refill the salt and pepper shakers!? We have customers; get out here now! If I wanted to hire a slow waitress, I would have!” he bellows from his office.

  “Yes, Mr. Ferry,” I reply, heading out to the main room of the bar. I look around and of course, it’s practically dead. The lunch rush was over an hour ago, and it’s always slow at this time, giving us a chance to restock the bar and kitchen. I hear the bell to the door go off and turn to greet our newest customer. Walking in, I lock eyes with Officer Bellaire.

  He sees me instantly, a smile spreading across his face. I smile back shyly, feeling guilty that I never noticed him before. “Hello, Emma,” he greets me kindly, taking off his hat like a gentleman.

  “Why, hello there, Officer Bellaire. Keeping the residents of Woodland Creek in check?”

  “It’s Aaron. Please, call me Aaron.”

  I can tell he’s nervous and it causes me to blush. “Okay, Aaron, so are you in for a late lunch or an early dinner?”

  “Oh, well, lunch if you’re still serving. It’s a bit busy at the station lately. We had a missing person’s report, and it gets a little tense when someone of our own goes missing.”

  “Oh, no,” I comment. “Anyone I know?”

  “Oh, I’m not sure. Clara, the veterinarian’s assistant. Her husband called in saying she never made it home last night. Obviously not like her. We have to wait the twenty-four hours, but her husband was pretty upset, so I took it upon myself to look into it for him.”

  “Oh, wow. That’s terrible. Have you found anything?”

  “Unfortunately, not yet. The vet, Mrs. Mitchell said she was the one who locked up last night. When she came in today, everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. Didn’t look like any foul play.”

  “Wow, that’s crazy. Well, I’m sure she will turn up.” I assure him, my mind going back to Zander.

  The wrinkles now forming on my brow aren’t missed by Aaron. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re right, we will find her. This is a quiet town. She probably just forgot to call home,” he says with a kind smile.

  “Sure, sure. Well, how about that lunch?” I change the subject, hoping to drop the conversation. My grim expression was mistaken for worry, but little does Officer Bellaire know that I am pretty sure I know what’s happened to her.

  Aaron orders a tuna melt sandwich and eats it with vigor. “Wow, I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” he exclaims as he wipes his mouth.

  I place a piece of fresh cherry pie in front of him and sit on the opposite side of the booth. “Fighting crime works up a big appetite,” I joke, sliding the pie closer to him. “Here, this is on the house. Thank you again for bringing me my purse.”

  His face turning a small blushed color, he dips his chin to nod. “Oh, it was no problem. My pleasure, actually.” He smiles and picks up his fork, taking a hefty bite of the pie. “Wow, this is amazing,” he manages to speak between his chewing.

  “I know. Melanie is a great baker. She is obsessed with watching those cooking network shows. Says one day she’s going to leave Woodland Creek and make it big at a restaurant in a big city.” And I bet someday she will. Her baking really kicks ass.

  “Well, it’s great, thank you. Maybe I can repay you sometime—”

  “EMMA!” Mr. Ferry bellows from the back room. “I need you to go behind the grill. Marty’s not feeling well.”

  “Well, I have to get going.” I stand, not allowing him to finish his question. I think Aaron is a nice guy and pretty good-looking, but for some reason my brain can’t stop wanting it to be a certain beast who asks to take me out. I say goodbye to Aaron and head back to the grill.

  “Emma, table three has a customer, get out there! I don’t pay you to babysit the kitchen.” Mr. Ferry yells from up front. I roll my eyes and ask Melanie if she can finish rolling the napkins for me. I push open the gates and walk through the restaurant area. I’m stopped three times by men, all wanting a refill of water, which is complete bull since they’re all drinking beer. I swear the tips aren’t even worth it.

  I make it to table three. “Hi, how can I hel—” The rest of the sentence dies in my throat.

  “I put you on a bus.” Sin’s dark voice travels up my spine.

  I pull the shocked expression off my face and replace it with a defiant one. “Yeah, and I got off it.”

  “Why?”

  “Why? Because I came to my senses and realized I’m not going to be some pushover and let some guy tell me what to do.” My chin goes up, showing off more of my stern face.

  “I did it for your own good,” he claims, his voice low and dangerous.

  “Yeah, well, I can take care of myself.”

  He stands abruptly, causing me to stumble backwards. I try and catch myself, but I fall conveniently into the chair behind me. Before I can move, his hands are caging me in, resting on each side of the chair. “And how exactly do you plan on taking care of yourself when you are attacked and shredded to pieces?” His voice is chilling. The images of Psycho Cat send shivers down my spine.

  My tough act dims slightly as I picture his face and those fangs scraping against my neck. I shut my eyes, hoping to rid myself of the memory. “I... I… I—”

  “You’re going to what, Emma?” He’s pushing me to admit the truth, that I wouldn’t be able to save myself.

  “I don’t know,” I whisper, defeated.

  “You need to get back on that bus, Emma. And you need to stay on it.”

  His bossiness flips my sense of defeat right back into defiance. I push at his chest, “You need to get over it.” He barely budges, but stands away from me. I rise from my chair, adjusting my mini skirt and patting down my apron. “Like I said, we can be partners or nothing at all. Your choice. But I’m not leaving. Now, if you plan on ordering then do so. Otherwise, I need you to leave. There are paying customers waiting for this table.”

  Sin slowly turns around, scanning the deserted bar before his eyes are back on mine. God, those eyes—that face. My hand is practically twitching at my side to lift and caress my fingers down his tantalizing face. I ache to wrap my fists into his thick head of hair and pull his full lips against mine. I watch his eyes suddenly dilate, the signature glow returning. His hands form into fists, his knuckles turning pale white.

  “Wh—what now?” I ask, unsure of his swift mood change. He doesn’t speak, as if he’s trying to pull himself together first.

  Letting out a deep breath, he releases his visual hold on me. “Fine.”

  “Fine what?”

  “You can help me.” Registering that I just won, I smile and let out a small squeal of delight. “Yes! See, I knew this would be a good idea. We will make a great team.”

  He growls at my statement, dropping me back down a notch.

  “Let’s get one thing straight, Emma. We are not a team. You are going to stay with me, and do exactly as I say. Otherwise, I can’t be responsible for you getting yourself killed.”

  “Fine. No prob.”

  “Go change, we’re going out.”

  “Going out? On a Monday?”

  He leans into me, his closeness forcing me to hold my breath. “Do bad guys not kill because it’s a Monday?”

  Ehh, okay, good point.

  Emma

  It’s close to ten o’clock when we sit down at Vider’s bar. After getting too excited about being back on the squad, I went to ask Mr. Ferry if I could take off early since the diner was dead. He told me no and to go stock the beer fridges. That’s
when Sin stepped in and lured him into letting me off early and offering me more money an hour. We stopped by Melanie’s so I could change. Now dressed in a green mini dress, we’re sitting at Vider’s, waiting.

  “So, what exactly are we waiting for again?” I ask.

  “For a sign. This town has to have some sort of sorcerer.”

  “Like a witch?”

  “Not necessarily. More like a wizard or anyone who would be able to give me any insight of what Zander is looking for.”

  “Cool,” I mumble as I look around the bar. I try and picture any one of these people actually being a wizard, which causes me to giggle.

  “What’s so funny?” Sin questions as he turns in the direction of where I’m looking.

  “Oh, nothing. I’m trying to picture old man Wilson, the town drunk over there, as a wizard. Do you think he has a cape and crystal ball at home?” I end, smiling.

  Sin shakes his head and turns back to face the bar. He motions for the bartender and orders us two drinks. Forgetting we are on a mission, I gulp the first one down. “Hey, slow down. This isn’t a social visit. I’m not here to babysit you.”

  Waving at the bartender to get me a refill, I turn to Sin. “You don’t have to babysit me. I’m just playing the part. God, you can’t come to a bar and not drink. Now that looks suspicious.”

  He glares at me with his typical hard sexy mad face then picks up his drink and slams it.

  “There you go!” I smile back at him. Thankfully, the bartender is on his game and brings us two refills. As he places the drinks on the bar, Sin speaks up. “Hey, I’m looking for Magus. You know where I can find him?”

  Who? I thought we were looking for a wizard.

  “Who wants to know?” the bartender asks, void of confusion.

  “Ben Franklin does,” Sin states, sliding two hundred dollar bills across the bar.

  The bartender takes them and slides them into his front pocket. “I’ll see what I can do.” Then walks away.

  “What was that?” I ask, totally dumfounded.