He's on My Mind

by Crystal Red

  “Not on that crazy thing.” Her stomach dropped at the thought of riding on something that fast with only two wheels. She’d stick to the normal kind of bikes, thank you very much.

  “Ah, come on. I have an extra helmet.” Brandon pulled over to the side of the road where he stopped and parked his bike. “And if you get scared, you can hold me really tight. I don’t mind at all.” He winked.

  Kelsey crossed her arms. “So you’ve said. You know how many people die on those things?”

  “Hey.” He sent her a wounded look. “My bike has a name. Wild Thing. Just like its owner.”

  I bet she’s wild in bed.

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’d rather walk.”

  “Okay. Have it your way. See you in an hour.” He waved and then started his motorcycle before taking off with a trail of white smoke behind him.

  Kelsey continued her walk by herself. Beth had managed to get way ahead of her. She was probably at home already. She jogged the rest of the way to their house. Once she arrived home, she held a hand to her heaving chest. She really had to work out more. The chocolate Long John donut she’d wolfed down earlier didn’t help her diet. At least Brandon had good taste. Probably only because she’d told him what she liked the night she was drunk.

  She hurried into the living room and then entered her bedroom. Once she slipped out of her sweaty clothes, she changed into a blue jean mini skirt and a pink tank top. Flip-flops were a better choice than high heels. Besides, they weren’t going out. Staying in sounded a lot better, anyway. She freshened up again and changed her makeup to match her outfit.

  For the last few minutes, she distracted herself with TV. Nothing really piqued her interest. All her thoughts centered on Brandon and how she wanted to cuddle and kiss him.

  She searched around for Beth. No sign of her friend. Beth must have run off to her bedroom. Could she really be that pissed off at Kelsey? A tight knot ached in her chest. No amount of rubbing made the pain go away. She didn’t want Beth to get hurt, but maybe it was too late for that. Steve was such a jackass for cheating on her. He didn’t deserve her.

  The minute the doorbell rang her mouth went dry. She leaped to her feet and rubbed her damp palms on the front of her skirt. Somehow she made it to the door without tripping over her own two feet. She yanked it open so fast he nearly knocked one of her breasts.

  “We meet again.” He grinned.

  “I hope you picked a good movie.”

  “Yeah, I thought a werewolf movie would be perfect.” His gaze raked over her body, the heat hot enough to start a fire.

  That tank top shows off her breasts perfectly. I can’t wait to touch them.

  “Very funny.” She playfully punched his arm.

  They walked over to his place where he ordered a pizza, and she picked out a comedy movie to watch. No werewolf movies. I’m dating one. She and Brandon enjoyed one slice of pizza before shouting echoed off the walls of his living room.

  It sounded like…Beth.

  Kelsey exchanged a long look with Brandon. They froze on his couch, getting an earful. He paused the movie. How could they hear Beth over a movie? Her heart clenched hard as she waited and continued to listen.

  “Your sister? Are you fucking kidding me, Steve? How stupid do you think I am?”

  “Baby, I didn’t do anything wrong. I swear!”

  She ignored how hard her heart hit each of her ribs. She shot out of the living room like a bullet. Brandon chased after her, trailing a few inches behind.

  Kelsey stood on his porch, staring at Beth and Steve, who shouted and swore at each other.

  “You expect me to believe that bullshit when my best friend and her boyfriend told me they saw you yesterday? You’re such a liar!” Beth glared at Steve, her fists balled at her side.

  “Beth, I love you. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.” Steve gave her an injured look.

  Kelsey snorted and turned to Brandon. “What a lying asshole. I hope she dumps his ass.”

  “Damn right.” He grinned, nudging her arm. “She called me your boyfriend.”

  “Shh!” She put a finger to her lips.

  “We’re done! Get out of here or I’m going to call the cops.” Beth waved Steve away.

  “But baby…” Steve made big, sad puppy dog eyes.

  Chad popped his head out the front door and stepped onto the porch with them. “What’s with all the yelling? I heard it over my video game.” His nostrils flared as he glanced over at Beth and Steve.

  “Steve won’t leave Beth alone. He denied cheating on her,” Kelsey informed Chad.

  Chad slammed a fist into his palm. “That son of bitch. I’ll get him to leave.”

  Kelsey flinched. What the hell was Chad going to do? This couldn’t be good. She hurried after Chad and Brandon, as both ran ahead of her, and finally managed to catch up to them. No thanks to being out of shape, though. She held onto her sides.

  “Hey, stupid ass,” Chad said with a growl. “Why don’t you get lost?”

  Steve’s eyes flashed with anger. “Why don’t you make me?” He raised a fist ready to aim it at Chad.

  “No!” Kelsey held her hands up to try to stop them. “No fighting. Steve go home. Beth doesn’t want to be with you anymore.”

  “This is all your fault, bitch.” Steve pointed a finger at her. “We experienced a good relationship until you opened your big fucking mouth.”

  “That’s it!” Chad charged toward Steve. His fist slammed into Steve’s nose before anyone could pull Chad away from him.

  Blood trickled down Steve’s face and he groaned. “I’m going to kick your ass for that.”

  Beth’s lips twisted into a scowl. “The hell you are.” She kneed him in the family jewels, and down he went onto the porch, holding his crotch.

  “Beth.” Kelsey exhaled. “I thought you didn’t think he cheated on you.”

  Beth frowned. “I wanted to be wrong, but when I called him, I heard her. He tried to deny it, but I’m not stupid.”

  Chad placed a hand on her shoulder. “Well, he’s an idiot. If I had a woman like you, I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

  “Thanks, I guess.” Beth pushed his hand away.

  “What are we going to do about him?” Brandon stared down at Steve, who winced in pain.

  “I’ve got an idea.” Chad’s lips curled into a smile.

  Kelsey blinked. “What are you guys up to?”

  “I’m not going to be a part of whatever shit you guys are getting into. I’m done with losers like Steve.” Beth sighed and hurried inside their house.

  Kelsey gaped at them as Chad and Brandon carried Steve to the front lawn. Her heart drummed louder, missing beats as Brandon morphed into his wolf form.

  Holy shit. No. Why is he doing this? What if one of the neighbors see him?

  She pushed aside her negative thoughts and hoped Brandon would do the right thing. If he scared the living crap out of Steve in the meantime, that wouldn’t be so bad, would it?

  Steve laid on the lawn passed out, but when Brandon poked a claw into Steve’s leg and growled, his eyes widened with fear.

  “W-what the hell?” Steve sputtered.

  “Welcome to your nightmare, dick.” Chad threw his head back and laughed.

  Brandon bent down toward Steve’s face with his hairy sharp paws. He swiped one in the air as if he were warning him.

  Kelsey cringed on the inside, but on the outside she chuckled. It’s funny, but in a weird way. They might look back on it someday and laugh. Maybe.

  “Stop it!” Steve yelled. Wetness dripped down the front of his gray suit pants.

  She covered her mouth, biting the insides of her cheeks. Steve had pissed his pants. Who would have thought? A grown man scared of something that was usually only seen in movies. Tingles shot through her. The same fear had shaken her the moment she’d seen Brandon take that form. So what had changed now? Was it the way he’d kissed her or looked at her as if she were his everything?

 
“This is your only warning, Steve. Leave Beth alone or we’ll hunt you down and scratch your eyes out.” Chad snickered as he looked down at Steve.

  Brandon whipped his claws over Steve’s face one last time.

  “Okay.” Steve covered his face. “I’ll leave Beth alone.”

  Chad chuckled, helping Steve to his feet. “If you don’t, we’ll know. Then you’ll be sorry.”

  Steve backed away, white as a sheet, and scampered off to his car.

  After he turned back in to his human form, Brandon said, “I didn’t think it’d be that easy.”

  “Me neither.” Chad high fived Brandon.

  “Maybe I should go check on Beth.” Kelsey glanced at the ground.

  Brandon walked up to her, snuggling close. “She’ll be okay. I’d like to continue our date if that’s okay with you.”

  A pile of melted goo. That was what he turned her into every time he touched her. “Okay, we can do that.”

  Brandon kissed her cheek. “The pizza is calling my name.” He rubbed his belly, which rumbled loudly.

  I hope I’ll be calling your name soon. He’ll probably have me squirming and begging for more.

  “Will you check on Beth, please?” She turned to Chad.

  Chad nodded. “Sure.” He knocked on the door.

  Beth opened it with her lips tight. “What?”

  “You okay?” Chad’s eyes softened.

  “Yeah,” Beth grumbled, slamming the door in his face.

  Chad shrugged and headed toward his house. After they entered Brandon’s living room, she got cozy once again on the couch with him. She needed to be right there with him. Yet her thoughts swirled in her mind, and she wondered if at some point the safeness of his touch would end.

  Her life could be in great danger the minute she let her guard down. Something could happen. The question was, could she live with the constant fear? She didn’t have an answer for that.

  Chapter Seven

  Even after the movie ended, Brandon kept his arm secured around Kelsey’s shoulders. He couldn’t believe how Steve had talked about her. The asshole deserved to piss his pants. Usually he didn’t like to play around in his wolf form, but the situation called for it. Maybe Chad would be a better choice for Beth. His best friend seemed to have a crush on the green-eyed, ginger-haired neighbor. Maybe when Beth felt ready she’d consider dating Chad. The four of them could go on a lot of double dates.

  He chuckled, remembering all the other times he’d double dated with Chad. His friend never liked to pick up the bill at dinner. No worries, though. Brandon didn’t mind paying some of the time, just not all the time.

  “Why are you laughing?” Kelsey poked a finger into his ribs.

  “Hey.” He inhaled, and his voice deepened. “You’re not playing fair.”

  He skimmed his finger down to her waist and slowly tickled her.

  She giggled, pulling away. “Stop!”

  “I hardly remember what the movie was about,” he said, staring at her mouth.

  She laughed as she licked her lips in slow motion. He moaned. How could she make everything she did look so damn sexy? He forced himself not to ravish her with the monstrous erection that grew in his pants. Couldn’t he keep his body parts under control? Apparently not with her around.

  “Me neither.” Her lashes lowered, and a warm pink glow appeared on her cheeks.

  The sexy way she nibbled her lower lip, made him want to have a go at it. He leaned in and met her mouth in a slow, hungry kiss. Hmm, popcorn. The taste of butter and salt still lingered on her lips. He nibbled on her bottom one.

  She moaned into his mouth, running her fingers up and down his spine. The sensation, so soft and feather-like, sent ripples of ecstasy to every nerve ending. Never in his whole life had he felt such a strong connection with a woman he hadn’t even known a week. Maybe this could really go somewhere, but then again, attraction could be blind and fool a person for a while until the shit hit the fan.

  He nuzzled the nape of her neck. He took in the scent of her. Hmm, vanilla. The aroma of her perfume invaded his nose. She always smelled so good. He wanted to eat her up, inch by inch with his tongue, then his lips. The first woman to accept him, he wanted to show her how much he could satisfy her and leave her begging for more.

  “Brandon,” she murmured.

  “I like the sound of that,” he said with a growl, kissing her softly along her collarbone.

  She shivered. He trailed his tongue up to her earlobe and sucked. She squirmed and dropped a hand onto his erection.

  Without warning, she pulled back with a loud gasp. “I can’t do this. Not right now.” She rose to her feet. Her limbs trembled.

  Kelsey walked away, but he managed to grab her by the arm when he went after her.

  “Hey.” He cupped her chin with a firm hand. “What’s wrong? I won’t make you do anything you’re not ready for.”

  Her gaze shifted to the floor. “I like you, Brandon, but with everything that’s happened…”

  “I know this isn’t going to be easy, but don’t end it between us.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  To his surprise, she laughed. “I just meant I didn’t want to have sex yet. I don’t think I could end things between us even if I wanted to, and trust me I don’t want to.” She laced her fingers with his. “Besides, I’m horrible with break-ups.”

  “I actually am too.” He sighed, swinging their hands. “When I dated Victoria, I danced around it until Chad forced me to end things with her. She was ready for marriage and I wasn’t. Looks as if she still isn’t taking it well.”

  Her expression softened. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  “I don’t know what she’s capable of. She’s a witch and she could….shit, I don’t even want to think about it let alone talk about the situation.”

  “So don’t.”

  How did she always know the right thing to say? Hmm, a mini skirt. I bet this comes off easily. I wonder if she goes commando.

  Her glare was hot enough to fry an egg. “Are you going to keep thinking about me in such a sexual way all the time?”

  “Hmm.” He tapped a finger to his lips. “I’m a guy. So, yeah. Sorry.”

  Kelsey frowned. “I’m going home.”

  She put her back to him and walked away without waiting for his reply. His heart climbed into his throat. Damn. Did I just fuck it up again? How many times did he have to do that until he got it through his thick skull? Women were sensitive, emotional creatures. Maybe if he kept remembering the thought would sink in one day.

  * * * *

  As Kelsey entered her apartment, she shuddered at the thought of how disgusting men could be. Even knowing she could read his thoughts, he still thought about her in a sexual way. What the hell?

  She sighed. I guess you can’t blame a guy for trying. He’s only human. Sort of.

  Maybe the animal in him couldn’t rest. Obviously, it’d been a long time since he’d gotten laid, but still he could use some manners in that department. What if it didn’t work out between them because of that? She pushed the thought out of her mind. It’d be fine. Despite Kelsey’s positive thoughts, her heart still swelled with pain.

  Once she entered the living room, she found Beth on the loveseat, sobbing into her hands. She sat beside her friend and placed a hand on her thigh.

  “At least you found out Steve was a cheater before you guys got married.”

  Beth sniffled. “Yeah, but this still doesn’t make the pain go away.”

  “Chad likes you.”

  Beth snorted. “Oh, please.”

  Kelsey blinked. What’s wrong with Chad? At least he wasn’t a werewolf. Just a normal horny guy. Any man with a penis thought about sex practically twenty-four/seven.

  “You don’t think Chad is hot?”

  Beth grabbed a tissue out of the Kleenex box, which sat on the coffee table. “He may be hot, but he’s a guy. They only think with their little brain.”

 
; “Tell me about it.” Kelsey lowered her head and glanced at her feet. “Men suck.”

  Beth squeezed the edge of the cushion of the loveseat. “What did Brandon do now?”

  “He…” She raised her head to look at Beth. “Nothing. We just got carried away. It’s normal.”

  “If he tried to make you do something you didn’t want to, you better let me know now. I will kick his ass. I’m not afraid of him.”

  You should be.

  Kelsey shook her head. “I stopped us from going too far. That’s all. I swear.”

  “That’s good and thanks.” Beth patted her thigh.

  “For?”

  “Telling me the truth about Steve.” Beth forced a smile. “I know I didn’t want to hear what you had to say, let alone believe it, but you never want to think the worst about someone you care about.”

  She took her hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want you to think that all guys are like that. They’re not. You’ll find a good man someday. He could be right under your nose.”

  Beth frowned. “Hmm, don’t give me any ideas.”

  “And what would that be? Hooking up with Chad?” Kelsey teased. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say, but all she wanted to do was cheer up her friend. She’d always been there for Kelsey. Now it was her turn.

  “Exactly.” Beth fanned her face. “He’s hot, okay? I admit it.”

  She slapped a hand on her thigh. “See? How hard was that to say?”

  “Harder than you think.” Beth headed into her bedroom, and Kelsey did the same.

  * * * *

  The weekend flew by, and once again Monday came. Kelsey kept her distance from Brandon. She needed time to think about the situation. It wasn’t enough that he was secretly a werewolf. She also had to deal with the fact she wanted to jump his bones every time she looked at him. It’d only been a week. Far too soon. She had to get her shit together before she let herself go there. Respect, that was what it was all about.

  She and Beth walked together, side by side, laughing at shows they’d watched over the weekend. After they arrived at the bookshop, they saw a couple police officers outside their front door. Oh no. The last thing she wanted to be involved in this early in the morning was cops. Especially on a Monday. Did they have a break in? So many questions spun around in her mind. She exchanged a long look with Beth. Neither of them had a clue what this could be about. She guessed they’d find out soon.