by Crystal Red
He wiggled his hips, making slow, slick motions in and out of her. “You’re so wet and tight. It’s as if you want to swallow me whole.”
A low moan tumbled off his lips as he continued his pace. He thrust deeper into her channel, making her heart pound and her breath catch. She enjoyed every caress, exploding with waves of ecstasy as they moved their bodies together.
The rush of sweet agony hit her all at once, fighting for oxygen as he thrust, swaying his hips with hers. Once again, her toes curled and she cried out as he slid his shaft in and out of her faster.
He held her tighter as the final moment came and shook against her. The whole entire time she was right there with him, quivering with satisfaction. She clung to him for a few moments until they got their breathing back to normal. Their lovemaking turned out to be everything she’d imagined and more. So, how could she share something so special with someone who was only half-human? The question hammered at her mind the rest of the day.
Chapter Nine
Brandon stirred the spaghetti and then fried the hamburger in a pan on the stove. He usually didn’t cook much, but for Kelsey, he would. She’d put a smile on his face earlier that morning, and the fact he could do the same for her warmed his heart. It wasn’t just about sex with her. Oh no. She left him with a sense he could trust her, and she’d accept his flaws. She didn’t see him as a monster, and that thought alone made him feel safe with her.
Kelsey strutted into the kitchen wearing his black bathrobe, sniffing the air. “Smells good. What are you making?”
“Spaghetti with garlic bread.” His mouth watered to kiss her again.
She nibbled his neck, and he growled low in his throat. “Good thing you’re not a vampire,” she teased.
He waved the white spatula toward her. “Yeah, but you’re acting like one.”
“Sex does this to a person.” She blushed, batting her eyelashes at him.
The front door creaked open and then slammed. Chad stomped into the kitchen and then threw his car keys onto the table. He stopped and gaped at them.
“Dude, what?” Brandon stared at him as he grimaced.
“I had a shitty day. Can’t you tell? I had to deal with grouchy customers and too many projects at once, because you weren’t there to help me.” Chad pounded a fist onto the kitchen table. The noise caused it to vibrate off the walls. “I see you’ve been playing house with your new girlfriend.”
“Jesus, man. You need to relax. I had to make sure Kelsey stayed safe. A werewolf tried to kill her.”
Kelsey squirmed, staring at the floor. “Maybe I should go. I don’t want to cause any problems between you guys.”
“Don’t mind Chad, he just needs to get laid.”
Her eyes crinkled when she laughed.
“I see you have no trouble in that department.” Chad eyed the two of them up and down with a tight frown.
Brandon stopped stirring the meat and stared at Chad. What’s really going on with my friend? “You want to talk about it?”
Chad’s glare was hot enough to start a fire. “Hell, no. It’s not as if I’d fit in yours and your girlfriend’s perfect little world.”
Brandon glowered at his friend. “I was only trying to help keep her safe. You don’t have to be such a dick about it.”
Chad snorted. “So, having sex all day was supposed to help, huh?”
“It’s none of your damn business what we do. Take a walk. You need to calm the fuck down.” Brandon turned his attention back to the stove.
“She’d better be worth it,” Chad muttered, marching out of the kitchen.
“I think I should go.”
Brandon whipped around to face her. “No. Sit down.” He pointed to the chair. “Dinner is almost done. You’re the only woman who has gotten me to cook so you’re going to enjoy it.”
Kelsey sank onto the chair. “Oh, really?”
“Yes.” He turned the burner off and then drained the grease into an empty can in the sink. He placed the pan onto the stove again and mixed the spaghetti sauce with the meat.
“I’ve got an idea about what we could have for dessert.” He grinned, mischievously.
She shook her head. “You’re such a guy.”
“Yeah, last time I checked I was. I think you noticed too.” He smiled, then winked.
She rubbed her grumbling belly. “Can we eat now? I thought the food was done.”
“Anxious, aren’t you?” He laughed, dishing up the pasta and then the sauce on top. As he handed her a plate, he grinned. “I bet you can’t wait for dessert.”
Her eyes darkened as she squinted. She gripped her fork in her fist.
His jaw tightened at her dark expression. “Hey.” He reached for her hand. “Did I say the wrong thing?”
She sighed. “I don’t want you to think I’m easy.” Her face softened. “I want to be more than a friend with benefits. I’ve never been that kind of girl.”
He squeezed her arm. “You’ll never be just a number to me. I want you to be my girlfriend.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled.
He placed a soft kiss on her neck. She trembled at his touch.
“Aren’t we going to eat?”
“Yes. I wanted to make sure you were okay first.” He moved his lips to her cheek, kissing her softly.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He took a seat next to her and then scooped a forkful of pasta into his mouth. The tangy and rich taste tingled on his tongue. Other things filled him with hunger too. Like the beautiful woman who’d agreed to be his girlfriend. How did he get so lucky?
They ate in silence, but his thoughts were far away, which made him wonder if she was reading them at that very moment. He looked at Kelsey.
She looked up from her plate of food. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
He shook his head. “I’m just wondering how I got so lucky to find you.”
“That’s sweet.” A blush spread across her face.
“I have to say,” he leaned back against the chair, pushing his empty plate aside, “I haven’t heard this before.”
“Maybe that’s because you’ve never had a girlfriend like me before,” she murmured.
Damn, her voice lingered and sounded so sweet. She was silky and smooth like honey. All Brandon wanted to do was kiss Kelsey and show her how much he desired her.
“Well,” she set aside her empty plate, “I’m full. Guess it’s time for me to head home. I bet its safe now, but to be sure maybe you can walk me there?” She stood.
Brandon rose to his feet. “I have a better idea.”
Kelsey crossed her arms. “Why do I get the feeling this is headed toward the bedroom?”
“The kitchen table would work too. I like to change it up every once in a while.” He looked her over with a slow, seductive stare.
Her face flushed crimson. “I had a boyfriend who liked to have sex in the closet, and when I was sixteen I lost my virginity in the backseat of a limo. Other than that I’ve never done it on anything but a bed.”
He stared at her in astonishment. “A closet? That’s just weird.” He covered his mouth to hold back his laughter.
“He was bisexual.” Her gaze fell to the floor.
“That would explain a lot. He didn’t want to come out of the closet.”
“So funny.” She rolled her eyes. “Not.”
His eyebrow perked up. “So he never asked you to have another guy join you in there?”
She covered her hands over her ears. “I’m not talking about this anymore.”
“Hey.” He slipped his hands around her waist, holding her tight against him. “I’m just teasing you. You know that, right? Whatever happened in your past, is just that, the past. We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She turned to face Brandon, giving him a long and intense kiss. It was so hot she took control and pushed him up against the countertop. She danced her fingertips a
gainst his abs, and he moaned at how much it tickled.
A loud slam of the door caused them to jerk away from each other. Brandon turned toward Chad, who approached with a scowl on his face
“Really? You’re at it again? I hope you have a twenty-four-pack of condoms,” Chad complained. He kicked his tennis shoes off, letting them land in the corner. His bare feet slapped against the tiled floor.
“Come on, Brandon. I’m going home.” Kelsey took him by the hand, leading him out the front door.
“Yeah, go screw each other at her house not here,” Chad called.
As soon as the cool spring air hit his face, his wolf senses tingled. He covered his mouth. Bile threatened to rise from his throat. He coughed. The scent of blood. The evil werewolves had returned. He could tell this wouldn’t be the end. It’d be only a matter of time before they came back again to kill him and Kelsey. And maybe Chad and Beth too.
“Go into the house now,” Brandon commanded.
Kelsey scurried into the house, looking back at him with wide eyes.
“What the hell is going on now?” Beth busted out of the house, her arms tight across her chest. “You kept her all day? What the hell are you up to?”
Brandon narrowed his eyes at Beth. “I’m trying to keep Kelsey safe. The killer could still be out there.”
“Beth! Get in here now.” Kelsey’s voice quivered as she spoke.
“Not until I know what the hell is going on,” Beth shot back.
Out of the corner of his eye, Brandon spotted a large brown werewolf that snarled and bared its teeth. The beast charged full speed, staring at Beth with its bright red eyes.
“What the hell…” Beth’s breath grew raspy, and the color drained from her face.
“Get inside now!” Brandon pointed to the door.
Beth whipped the door open and slammed it closed the moment the beast jumped onto the porch. The lock clicked into place, but he could still see her peeking out the window.
Chad raced over beside Brandon and gazed at the large beast. The werewolf howled. Its eyes glowed with anger. Chad kicked the thing in its backside, making it stumble. That was until the werewolf turned to Chad and growled. Drool dripped from its long, sharp teeth.
“Get the hell out of here!” Chad punched the thing in the back of its head.
The beast growled and then whimpered as Brandon grabbed its neck and snapped it in half. Instantly, the thing turned into a pile of ashes that blew away as soon as the wind picked up.
“Told you they were evil,” Brandon said, brushing the ashes off his hands.
“I never doubt you, bro.” Chad bumped his fist with Brandon’s.
Beth peaked her head out. “Is it safe to come out now?”
Brandon made eye contact with Beth. “Not yet.”
Chad exchanged a long look with Brandon. He then looked around. Maybe, but to be sure they should wait a little while. Who knew with werewolves? They were unpredictable. At least the evil ones were.
Kelsey ran up beside Beth and pointed behind Brandon. Her mouth opened wide in horror. Beth’s expression matched Kelsey’s. Another werewolf leaped onto the porch, pinning Chad down. His friend gasped for air, trying to get his hands around the creature’s neck.
Brandon climbed onto the thing’s back and reached for its neck. Instead the beast threw all of its weight onto him, and he fell backward over the railing down onto the grass. He shut his eyes and everything turned black. Faint screams filled his ears and then nothing.
Chapter Ten
With her heart in her throat, Kelsey rushed over to Brandon. Not more than a few seconds ago, a werewolf knocked him down. Lucky for him, the soft grass had saved him from what could have been a harder blow if it were concrete.
She knelt and nudged his shoulder. “Brandon?”
No response. Not even a flutter of an eye. She gasped as Chad raced to her side and checked the back of Brandon’s head for bumps or bleeding. Where did the other werewolf go? How did Chad escape from its hold? Too many questions whirled around in her mind. She had no idea how to answer them.
“He doesn’t have any wounds,” Chad said as he leaned back, his voice tight.
Her gut tensed, and a stabbing pain formed. She groaned. Brandon had done the same for her when she’d fainted. The terrifying situation tore at her insides. What if he never woke up? She didn’t want to find out. He needed help now.
She looked around for any sign of the werewolf. Relief washed over her for a second, then her foggy brain cleared. Brandon still didn’t react. Not good.
Beth ran up to them, her complexion still pale. “Is he okay?”
Kelsey swallowed hard. Her heart shattered as she thought the worst. Brandon might not wake up again. No. She couldn’t do this. She had to stay calm. Both Beth and Chad worried enough.
“I don’t know,” she managed to whisper past the lump in her throat.
“Come on.” Beth waved at Kelsey and Chad. “We have to get him to a hospital.”
Chad helped Beth carry Brandon to the backseat of his car. Beth stayed in the front while Kelsey sat in back with Brandon on her lap. Chad’s tires screeched as he floored the gas pedal and sped to the hospital. He ran two red lights in his haste. The three of them rushed Brandon into the ER. All they could do was wait.
Chad paced the burgundy carpet. “What if he doesn’t make it? This will be all my fault. I should have helped him.”
Kelsey’s breathing quickened. Chad’s pacing grated on her twisted nerves. Instead, she found herself wanting to do the same as she squirmed on the seat of the chair. All the bright lights made her squint, and a throbbing pain pulsed in her head. What if Brandon remained in the dark, never to see the light of day again? The thought made her head ache more. He should have morphed into his wolf form. Maybe then they wouldn’t be in this situation.
“Chad, please stop.” She rubbed her sore temples.
His eyes heated like daggers and could have shot flames through her. “Do you think I want to do this now? He’s my best friend. I’ve been there from day one. You’ve known him for what? Five seconds?”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t care about him!” What right did Chad have to judge her? Brandon was her boyfriend. Of course she didn’t want to see him in this condition. He didn’t deserve it.
Beth’s eyes widened into saucers. “This whole situation is…” She shook her head, tears forming.
Kelsey squeezed her friend’s thigh. “I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m here for you.”
“You didn’t tell her, did you?” Chad’s eyes heated again.
Beth gaped at the two of them. “Tell me what? What the hell is going on?”
Kelsey opened her mouth to attempt an explanation, but snapped it shut when Chad held a hand up.
“Brandon is a werewolf. A good one. Not like the wolf that tried to attack the two of you.”
Beth jumped out of the chair. “What?” Her hands shook. She lifted one to her chest. “Are you kidding me? I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take. I’m out of here.”
The second Beth ran toward the ER exit, Kelsey shot out of her chair. She grabbed Beth by the arm and clutched on to it. “We can talk about this later at home, but right now I need your support. Brandon is my boyfriend, and I don’t want to lose him.”
“But,” Beth whispered, “what if he tries to hurt one of us?”
“He won’t. I promise.” She had to reassure her friend, because if she didn’t, who would? Even though in the back of her mind, Kelsey’s fears were the same as Beth’s.
Beth stared at the carpet. “Okay. I’ll stay for you, but I’m not sure I like Chad right now too much either.”
Kelsey took Beth by the hand and led her back to the patient waiting area and then sat across from Chad.
Chad’s eyebrows rose. “You okay, Beth?”
“Yeah.” Beth crossed her arms. “As long as you don’t try to attack me.”
“Why would I do that?” Chad cocked his he
ad to meet her gaze.
Beth thinks I’m a werewolf like Brandon?
Beth’s lips tightened. “Because you’re one of them, aren’t you?”
“Nope.” Chad straightened in the chair. “I’m normal. I didn’t get bit like Brandon did at sixteen.”
“Bit? What do you mean?” Beth blinked.
Kelsey narrowed her eyes at Chad. “We’re not talking about this now.”
“All right, Ms. Bossy Pants.” Chad held up his hands.
Her pulse slammed as soon as the ER doctor came out to talk. What if the doctor told them bad news? Die inside. I feel so close to Brandon in such a short time. Could this be true love?
She pushed the bad thoughts out of her mind. Now wasn’t the time to worry. She had to think positive thoughts so her friends wouldn’t freak like she wanted to.
The tall, gray-haired doctor cleared his throat and glanced at his electronic clipboard. “Your friend is going to be fine. He’s awake now. It’s a good thing he landed in the grass. He just blacked out for a little bit.”
Kelsey’s heart finally slowed down. “Can we see him now?”
“Yeah. He’s been asking for his fiancé. Are you Kelsey?” The doctor looked at her.
She flinched at the word fiancé. Too soon. How did Brandon really feel about her? She couldn’t think about the questions rolling around in her mind right now. Seeing him was all that mattered.
“Yes. That’s me.” Kelsey felt herself flush as she jumped from her chair and went to rush toward the patient room. She turned to Beth and Chad. “Are you guys coming or not?”
“No, go ahead. We’ll see him when he’s ready to go.” Chad waved her away.
Beth nodded as she sat with her arms crossed and gave her a small smile.
As Kelsey walked to Brandon’s patient room, her heart fluttered as he greeted her with a huge smile. Tears formed in her eyes.
“Hey.” His face softened. “Don’t cry, beautiful. I’m okay.”
She’s so sweet for worrying about me like this.
She sat on the chair next to his bed. “I can’t help it. I care about you.” She shivered when he wiped her wet eyes with a tissue.