Resisting Velocity

by Trinity Evans; Xoe Xanders

  “Let’s run.”

  “Seriously? Now?” Charlie looked up at him amidst the hoots and hollers of the guys.

  “Yeah. Why not? It’s dark, Conner will take care of everything.” He reached out, snagged her hand in his and drew her closer. “Please?”

  “Yes,” she said with a smile. “I’ll let him know where we’ll be.”

  After that, they piled in the car, Micah, Parker, and Benji all smashed together in the back seat, and Zane drove out to the woods. Fresh pine blew in through the open window and new scents bloomed around them when they parked. As the guys jumped out, they seemed to shrug off their human skins, then fled into the forest on four paws, a blur of grays and browns.

  Charlie threw a grin over her shoulder and shifted, as dark as a shadow compared to Zane’s angelic white. The five of them bolted through the woods at a dead run, yips and yowls rising through the night air, cracking the silence. They spread through the forest on easy paws, chasing anything they could find.

  Zane broke away first, pulling to the left with Charlie at his heels. Together, they formed an intricate dance, nimble and quick, nips and dodges. Charlie dropped down in a bow, her rump swaying in the air and the scent that she released had Zane throbbing, aching with need. For her, right here, right now.

  He paused, glancing up to find that the boys had made themselves scarce. He knew they’d left for one reason and silently thanking them, he spun on Charlie when she nipped at his flank. He flipped her and pinned her easily to the ground. She licked at his face, ears flagged back, tail wagging. His mouth closed over her throat, biting down until she fell still. Then he covered her muzzle with his, golden eyes locking into ice blue. Shift. The word that he reached out and touched her mind with were a low rumble of want.

  She shuddered, withdrawing to human form, lying beneath his huge wolf frame. He stood over her, her hands sliding up his muzzle to bury fingers in his ruff. He nuzzled her face, then grabbed her shirt firmly between his teeth and gave a jerk. It ripped clean down the middle and with a jolt, he changed back as well, kneeling between her legs.

  She smelled of wild, of woods, of sex. Hungrily, he took her mouth. He trailed kisses and bites down her throat, across her pulse. He slid down her body slowly, cupping her breasts in his hands, drawing the darkened nipples into his mouth and suckling like a pup might. He slid lower, stripping her slacks off with the movement, and she spread her legs wider. Her thighs quivered as he showed her how much he loved her, how much he needed her, with only his lips and tongue.

  She moaned his name and he nearly came there. His erection pressed against his too-tight jeans and he leaned back as she kissed him. She deftly flicked the zipper open. Her fingers brushed his cock, gentle but firmly stroking across his flesh and a shudder worked its way through him. Her smile was wicked as she leaned down and took him in her mouth, her tongue swirling, dancing, playing. His gut coiled low and hot and when he could take it no longer, he pressed her to the ground and slammed into her with one solid thrust.

  Her gasp was like music, a melody in his head. They moved together slowly, pine needles clinging to her hair as it haloed around her head. Her gasps, her moans were ragged in the night air, so damn sexy it hurt. Zane claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss as her legs wrapped around his waist, taking him in until his thrusts became shorter, faster, harder—and then release.

  He kissed her gently as they caught their breath, damp with sweat that cooled in the night air. Then he slid free and retook his wolf form, dropping into a playful bow. He tipped his head to the side, watching her. The howl that sounded in the distance was one of victory and he bounded forward.

  She grinned and started to gather up her clothes, but he stopped her with a growl. Leave them. I’ll buy you more. She nodded and arched her back as the change overtook her, and then they were dancing away.

  They found the boys together. Micah was gnawing on the carcass of a rabbit, teeth gnashing against bone. Parker and Benji had a scrap of fur, tugging it between the two of them. They stopped and looked up as Zane strode into the clearing, smelling of Charlie, and when Parker met Zane’s gaze, testing, Zane growled low.

  It was enough to break the tension. Benji sprinted over and nipped at Charlie’s shoulder, starting a game of tag that would last well into the night. Even Micah abandoned his kill for a little fun and the whole time, the only thought strolling through Zane’s head was: I could get used to this.

  Chapter Twelve

  Giving an irritated grunt, Charlie slapped the box of purple hair dye on the bathroom counter and continued to stare at it with distrust. What was she doing? Lola had bitched about Charlie’s lack of Velocity Violet, so she’d run out like a moron and bought a bottle. It had been hell finding someplace she wasn’t going to be recognized, on top of buying the correct shade of purple. All because some bitch had made her feel territorial.

  Screw it.

  Taking the dye and tucking it onto the bottom shelf of the bathroom cabinet, she closed the door guiltily at the sound of a knock.

  “Yeah?”

  “Courtesy knock, baby.”

  She turned her back to the door and quickly stripped down. She’d been in the bathroom for awhile now and felt it would be a little bizarre to just be standing around, fully dressed, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Even if that’s what she was doing.

  The door swung open and, larger than life as always, Zane strolled in. She watched him, the way his eyes touched hers, then roved lower and popped back up again. His smile seemed to fade as he looked at her.

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Of course, I’m great.”

  “You’ve been in here for eons.”

  “I’m taking my time. Just was about to shower. I’ve got things on my mind.”

  “Wanna unload?”

  “It’s just…” She drew in a breath and let it back out. “Ever since the mugging, nothing has happened. Not even so much as a hiccup. Your mail is being monitored, security has never been higher, and of course all the personal guards. I just don’t understand what’s going on.”

  “I’m sure your people will figure it out. You’ll get it.”

  The back of her neck prickled with unease. Something was wrong here and she had the bad feeling that it was going to get worse before it got better. She felt like she was trying to get through this labyrinth of a problem blindfolded and it bothered her that Zane didn’t have a concern in the world. If nothing else, she expected him to worry about the fans.

  “You’re so carefree. I wish I could feel that relaxed.”

  At her words, he took her in his arms. Leaning into his embrace, her back pressed to his chest, Charlie relaxed and enjoyed the clichéd pink hue that truly did seem to be following her. They hadn’t been doing much besides a lot of laughing and a lot more loving, but each day they bonded more fully and it melted the doubts and worries away. She wanted this tour to continue on forever. If only she could relax, escape from the nightmares of the explosion, the nightmares of finding Zane’s body, horribly still and broken.

  Shifting and cuddling her head onto his shoulder, Charlie breathed deeply. “What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you had to go meet with the guys and get ready for tonight’s show. You’ve only got three more until this tour is officially over. I’m sure you guys are going to have all sorts of shenanigans planned.”

  “Shenanigans?” He laughed. “What are you, eighty?”

  “You know what I mean.” As his hands played across her skin, she shook her head. “Quit that.”

  “You’re fussing too much. I have a little more time with you, so I might as well make things more interesting for the both of us, rather than you fussing like a wet hen.”

  Feeling his hands roving along her stomach, dipping lower towards the cradle of her hips and going lower, she hissed and squirmed.

  “You like that baby?” The rough gravel of his voice made Charlie tremble and buck her hips towards his questing fingers.

  �
��Oh god.”

  The fingers stopped. “You didn’t tell me you liked it.”

  “You know I do.”

  A chuckle sounded in her ear. “Say it.”

  “Yes. Yes, I like it.”

  “What am I doing?”

  “Touching me…”

  “Where?”

  Charlie felt the embarrassment, the arousal burning hot across her face and she couldn’t bring herself to say what he wanted. She shouted the words in her head, but they died when they reached her throat.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  “No. God.” She cursed. “Give me more. Touch my pussy, fuck—touch anything. Please.”

  “Mmm, good girl.”

  Charlie shuddered and pressed back against him, rubbing her ass back and forth against his erection, hoping to entice him to quit teasing her. “Zane, please.”

  “Please what?”

  “I can’t handle anymore…”

  “Yes you can. Watch in the mirror and see just how much you can take.”

  Charlie’s eyes, passion-glazed and fiery, swung to the mirror and zeroed in on his lean musician’s hands moving among her curls, dancing lower to find her most sensitive spot. The gasp drug from deep within her and vibrated through her already burning body.

  “Please… Please, I want you inside of me.”

  Sagging back against in him surrender, she whimpered, the mewling sounds her only way of speaking. When it felt like she might collapse on the bathroom floor, the hands that had been teasing her so mercilessly spun her, cupped her bottom, and set her up on the counter. Spreading her legs willingly, she stared into Zane’s eyes as they joined and set a rhythm together, as old as time. Both already heated to an almost boiling point, they raced headlong towards the end.

  Their mutual climax a short time later, a mind-numbing explosion for both of them, left Charlie limp and leaning against Zane’s chest. “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” He panted. “Wow.”

  Curling trustingly against his chest, not wanting to bother with words that would shatter the tender moment between them, she drifted to sleep. Awhile later, Charlie woke alone in her bed. She shifted to look around. No Zane. The rat bastard had had his way with her and left her to wake on her own.

  “Mrph.” Finding it too much effort to be mad about being loved and then tucked into bed, she curled back up and sniffed the pillow she had been cuddling. His scent had soaked through to the downy feathers inside.

  Trying to build up the energy to get up and get ready for the concert, Charlie relaxed and replayed the conversation that had led up to their lovemaking. Why did she have the bad taste in her mouth that there was something wrong with Zane, not wanting to talk about the bombing or the attack. Did he know something she didn’t? Was he hiding something from her? The nagging unease at the pit of her gut was enough to make her head for the once-forgotten shower.

  ***

  “Another explosion?” Micah’s brow lifted in disbelief.

  Zane ran his hands through his hair, pushing through damp tangles. “Yeah. We need to do something. People—namely Charlie and Conner—are getting antsy, suspicious, like they know something’s off but they just can’t put a finger on it. Make a bigger impact. A bigger bomb. I don’t fucking care, just fix it.”

  Despite his mind playing various scenarios to a dynamic soundtrack in his head, Zane didn’t miss the look that Parker and Micah shared. He stiffened, his lip raising. “What?” God, he needed to chill out. Stress made him act like a caged beast. He took a deep breath in, let it rush out through his nose, and softened his tone. “What?”

  Instead of replying, they only smiled. Parker gave a silent little chuckle that made his body quake, and Micah shook his head slowly, but both of them stayed quiet.

  “No, really guys. What?”

  “You’re seriously freaked out about this, huh?” Parker asked, lacing his fingers behind his head in a carefree, devil-may-care manner that looked natural on the young wolf.

  “What?”

  “Your plan worked—you got in good with Charlie…and, just like you planned, you’re in love with her. You got it hard, Z, and hell, maybe Charlie does too. I don’t know, I got an F in the class of love. But whatever. Now it’s crunch time and you’re scrambling to figure out how to take control of the situation.” Micah snorted.

  When Zane frowned, struggling to control the temper that played just beneath his skin, making him hot all over, Micah grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a little shake. “Zane, look at me. I’ll make it happen. I’ll mix it up a little bit. Chill. I’ve got your back, bro.”

  “But this time, we need to act a little more freaked out. Char’s sharp. She’s suspicious because we’re not worried and we’re the supposed targets.”

  Zane’s tension eased a notch and he nodded. “Thanks guys. Really. I…I don’t even know what else to say.”

  Parker grinned and slapped himself in the chest. He pinched his fingers together, as if he was turning a knob right above his heart. “Okay. Worry button is officially switched on. Now tell me, Alexander—what about that new song you’ve been playing with?”

  A smile flared to the surface. “You know me so well, it’s scary. It’s nothing big, just a short little piece I’ve been pushing around, but I think we could pull it off, debut it at tonight’s show, kind of a thank you to the fans. What do you think? I need input, guys.”

  Micah nodded. “Works for me.”

  “Same. Do I get a solo?”

  Zane grinned. “It’s heavy on synth, so yeah, if you want it.”

  “Hells yeah!”

  “Go fetch Benji. We have a couple hours before crunch time. Let’s smash!”

  ***

  Since Micah preferred to freestyle the drum set in new songs anyway, he’d disappeared to set up the next incident while Zane, Parker, and Benji practiced “Heart of Light” in the little recording studio in town, far enough away from where they were set up that no one would overhear them. It would ruin the surprise of a surprise song, after all. And when the show started and the lights dimmed, the worries and frets Zane had been carrying with him all day melted when Micah gave him a thumbs up.

  The concert flowed like water under the bridge on a peaceful summer’s day, smooth and serene. Even the fans were quieter than usual—not to say they weren’t loud, just a little more patient, not as bloodthirsty.

  When the lights cast the stage in pink and purple hues, Zane stepped up, center stage, and addressed the crowd. “This is a new piece, never before played at any show. It’s a giant thank you to all of you, our fans—we’d really be nothing without you.” The crowd whistled and Zane strummed the quiet acoustic while Parker’s synth keyboard played a tune. Micah’s drumsticks tapped the cymbals lightly, a hushed sound compared to his usual strong beat.

  When Zane began to sing, the crowd fell silent, straining to pick up each and every word. His eyes skimmed the crowd until they landed on Charlie, who was watching, her eyes latched on him and only him. He smiled and sang the words to her, attempting to reach out, deep into her soul. The song, about finding light in darkness, was inspired by none other than her.

  And she seemed to realize it. Her hand fluttered at her chest and he could’ve sworn he could feel her heart beating there, soft and pattering. The look in those baby blue eyes was of adoration—love—and he knew that he was an open book to every single person in that audience, but his heart soared sky high and continued to fly until the concert ended.

  When he saw her backstage, he expected soft and gentle, but instead Charlie strode up to him with a storm behind her step, her eyes clouded. He skidded to a stop. He opened his mouth to speak, but she clamped her hands on either side of his face and pulled him roughly down for a kiss so passion-driven that it took his breath away.

  For a moment he just stood there, gaping at her. Then she smiled. “I see what you did there, Alexander.”

  Relief flooded his system and he stole another kiss, smiling into it.
“So you liked it then?”

  “Loved it. How’d you manage to come up with it that quickly? I didn’t even hear you guys practicing this past week!”

  “We’re gods, that’s how.” The cockiness slid away as fast as it’d come. He took a breath, took her hands in his, squeezed them. They stood close, yet apart, and everything began to bubble inside of him, frothing to the surface.

  He had to tell her. Look deep into her eyes and touch her soul and tell her that he loved her, because he did. And if she loved him like he thought she did, he had to tell her about the set up. That there was never a real threat; that the bombing, the mugging—they were just part of the plan. A devious, horrible plan.

  He had to own up.

  He opened his mouth, but before he could say a word, a crack sounded through the air and a bullet sang, whizzing right past Zane and Charlie’s heads. Zane jerked as a chorus of screams rose up, a shrill and terrible song. One of those voices was Charlie and Zane’s wolf reared up, ready and willing to protect his mate.

  “Get down!”

  His arms wrapped around Charlie in a bear hug as he dragged them both to the ground. He covered her with his body as the thick scent of blood filled the air. He looked up to see that the bullet had embedded itself in the chest of one of the lighting crew, who was growing paler by the second as blood pumped onto the floor beneath him.

  His mind spun, bile touching the back of his throat. That could’ve been Charlie. Two inches and it would’ve been. It had somehow gone right between them, missing them both, but only by inches… His body began to tremble as he held her close to him, feeling her heart thundering in her chest.

  “You all right?” He smoothed down her hair, needing to touch her, needing the reassurance for himself. He had never been a coward, but…

  Her eyes were wide with shock, but she nodded soundlessly, and he held on for dear life.

  Chapter Thirteen