Ursus Borealis: Book One

by D. L. Lewellyn

  When she had a hard time speaking as I continued to caress her, I said in amusement, “I do not think I would have made it another day without seeing these. Without touching them.”

  She still seemed lost in the moment, and I laughed huskily hugging her close, my hands still craving her skin as I breathed her scent in deeply, but I took mercy on us both and simply wrapped her in my arms.

  She relaxed again under my chin and sighed contentedly then said a bit timidly, “I never knew how much pleasure there was in simply touching and being touched by someone.”

  I knew exactly what she meant. “I want badly to touch every inch of you, to taste every inch.” And I swelled even more at the thought of tasting her.

  She said breathily, “But?”

  I murmured at her temple, “It’s not yet time. When I take your body for the first time, Selena, you will know all of me, who and what I am.”

  I was stroking her hair and brushing it behind her shoulders when I spotted something that gave me pause.

  “You have an interesting mark on your shoulder.” There was an up tilted halfmoon with four points of a star behind it. And tucked in the curve of the moon was a series of swirls that indicated wind.

  “Yes, I’ve had the mark since birth and have no idea where it came from. My parents never talked about it and would change the subject when I asked.” When I was silent, she said, “Why?”

  I shook my head, “Nothing really. It’s clearly more than a birthmark. It seems to be a design placed there purposefully, unusual to say the least. And you have no idea who would put a mark on you like this? Were you aware that your name means moon goddess in Greek?”

  Something was tugging at the back of my mind, a whisper of an ancient prophecy. Something I would have to dig into when I was back home.

  She answered, “I did know that about my name. Maybe the mark inspired my parents. When they never answered my questions, I began taking the mark for granted since it is small and thankfully unobtrusive.”

  But she was frowning as if something had occurred to her. When I smoothed my hand over the mark, I had a sudden sense of foreboding, but quickly reigned in my feelings and changed the subject.

  “I have tickets for a show tomorrow night at Lake Tahoe. It’s a bit of a drive for one day, but would you be up to coming with me?”

  Her face lit up and she said, “I love the Lake. What kind of show?”

  Smiling at her enthusiastic response I said, “Harveys is presenting a Cirque du Soleil show performing this weekend only. It’s supposed to be exceptionally good, even for its kind. They are passing through Tahoe on a world tour.”

  She grinned wider, “Cirque du Soleil never disappoints.”

  “It is a date then. Colin will be in town tomorrow and will pick you up and bring you out to my house so we can go from there.”

  I had a feeling Selena would love this show and had pulled some strings to get the last-minute tickets. Smiling into her hair, I put away the forebodings that wanted to haunt me. We needed a special night out.

  Selena yawned and said sleepily. “Andras? Do you think you might stay and hold me for a while?”

  Tightening my arms around her, I got us comfortable on the sofa, pulling one of her colorful knitted throws over us, I said, “I would love nothing more.”

  Dawn was breaking when I reluctantly slipped out from under her and stood to pull my shirt on. She stirred and looked up at me with sleepy eyes that heated as she watched me shrug into my shirt, the blanket falling off her provocatively. I tucked it back around her as my mouth went dry.

  “Can I get you something to eat or some coffee before you go?” She said sleepily.

  I smiled at her in complete contentment. “Sorry to wake you, little dove. You stay right here. Do you have any juice?” I asked as I moved to the little kitchen.

  “Yes, help yourself to anything. The glasses are in the cabinet to the right of the fridge,” she called out to me from the depths of the couch.

  As I set the juice glass on the counter and filled it, I spotted Selena’s familiar sketchbook and it was so bulky that the pages were fanned out in an arc. I glimpsed the edge of a tattooed arm and, for the second time in only a few hours, I had a sense of foreboding.

  “Selena?” I brought the book to her and sat in the chair opposite. I don’t mean to pry, but do you mind showing me this drawing?” And I indicated the tattooed arm.

  Chapter 20

  Selena

  It was only six a.m. when I walked Andras to the door and kissed him goodbye, wrapped in my knitted blanket.

  After prevaricating rather uncomfortably, working hard to convince Andras that the image of the dark haired, tattooed man wearing only a loincloth had come from a strange dream, as well as the superimposed tiger, he reluctantly left me with worry clearly etched on his face.

  Strangely, he glanced again at the mark on my shoulder, and I could not stop myself from putting my hand over it and giving him my own look of concern, wondering what seemed to have him spooked. I thought about Zigan.

  When Andras had brought attention to this mark, I wondered about it for the first time since my childhood. Now I had to question whether it was connected to the other strange things happening around me. But Zigan’s existence seemed to be something important to keep to myself for now.

  Keeping my own secret from Andras did not sit well, but I needed some time to decide about it. I thought that was why he did not push me this morning as he had spent the evening asking me to wait patiently for his secrets to be revealed.

  After I locked the front door behind Andras, I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Then I crawled into my bed for a little more sleep before starting my day.

  As I drifted off, images of Andras and his strong arms wrapped around me made me grow warm as I snuggled into my lavender and grey bedding. Pleasant shivers coursed through me remembering his strong hands gently exploring my breasts.

  But the last thing in my mind’s eye before I fell asleep were a pair of nearly black eyes, golden symbols on bronzed skin, and the face of a tiger.

  I could not help but think that Zigan, Andras and I would have more to do with each other in the near future.

  ✽✽✽

  I leapt out of bed around eleven with a burst of energy, my mind filled with thoughts of the amazing day spent with Andras and how he had stayed with me all night on the sofa. He had been alternately sexy and tender with me. I could sense his strong desire, I might even call it raging, but he kept it in check and instead spent the time getting to know me.

  He seemed to appreciate my home, my art, and my taste in music. Again, I wondered at the unique experience of having Andras’s sole focus on me. It had not wavered the entire day and night. I supposed I had responded the same. Mysteries still abounded, but I trusted that he would soon reveal his secrets.

  Now I had my own secrets. I was beginning to suspect that having two mysteries swirling around in my life, mysteries involving things beyond the natural world, could not be a coincidence. Could the truth about Andras and the truth about Zigan lead to the same revelations?

  I shook myself free of these heavy thoughts for now. I just needed to occupy myself with nice normal things until Colin arrived this afternoon. I started with my walk after a breakfast burrito, juice, and another sliver of Jean’s fabulous pie with my coffee.

  Then I took my time grooming myself from top to bottom, plucking every wayward hair, pampering every inch of my skin, indulging in my best hair products, and creating a perfect hair style fit for a dinner and show.

  I hung my dress in the steam of the shower to freshen it up as it had been in its dry-cleaning bag for most of its life. I was not one to have an extensive wardrobe and was grateful that my lifestyle called for mostly jeans and t-shirts. Nevertheless, I had a couple stunners in my wardrobe that I had carefully selected over the years for that rare fancy event.

  The dress I picked for tonight was sleeveless and made of a soft, shimmering red m
aterial with a fitted bodice. The fabric dropped in an A-line to a few inches above my knees. The bodice and the hem were edged in a sheer black organza with a silver ribbon accenting both.

  Once again, I found myself looking critically at my image. My insides quaked a bit as I thought about Andras worshipping my body yesterday. I would venture to say he had no problem with my curves. With Andras’s hands moving over my body now on my mind, I donned a set of red lacy underwear, the bra having a clever underwire that displayed the exact right amount of cleavage to make this dress look magnificent.

  I added my sexiest strappy heels, my summer kissed legs bare, and I accessorized with my favorite silver cuff bracelet and silver, oval hooped earrings.

  The results staring back at me from my full-length mirror pleased me. My hair still fell straight in the back but was layered at the sides with a series of silver combs to showcase my eyes. I had taken extra care with my makeup, still applied lightly, which was my preference. Finally, it was time.

  Colin pulled into my graveled drive in a metallic green 1967 Mustang Fastback promptly at three p.m. And I watched as he extracted his impossibly long body from out of the tight space of the black leather interior and strode to my front door, making me smile as I remembered his red ears when I told him about my drawing.

  I was pleased when he accepted my invitation to share a cup of coffee, guessing we had a few minutes to chat before we had to leave.

  Ducking his head through my doorway, he proceeded to fill up my living room. “You look stunning Selena,” he said as his gaze swept over me in admiration. Then he looked around the space and said, “This is exactly the kind of place I had in mind for your home.”

  I blushed and murmured a thank you to both compliments. We settled at the kitchen counter after I poured some fresh coffee into our cups and set out the cream and sugar, pushing the last piece of Jean’s pie towards him, and his eyes gleamed in appreciation.

  “Thank you, this looks fantastic.” I enjoyed watching him eat the pie for a few moments admiring his clear sapphire-blue eyes that instilled such calmness in those around him, then gave him an expectant look.

  He said with a cheeky grin, “I brought the coach to take you to the ball, me lady.” He bowed his head to me.

  My eyes glittered and I chuckled to myself at the idea of having this handsome and impressive male acting as an escort for the boss’s date, a boss whom I was increasingly realizing wielded a bit more power than the average businessman or typical Quincy resident might otherwise warrant.

  I was getting the feeling that Andras had many responsibilities that I could only guess at, something that involved territories and keeping peace, if Mulligan’s visit had given me any clues. But he had promised me it would all be forthcoming.

  So, for now, I set aside these thoughts and grinned back at Colin, “And what a handsome coach it is too. It suits you.” The tops of his ears turned pink as expected, but his smile did not waiver.

  Picking up my sketchbook, I pulled out the image I had told him about. “Here, you take this, so you know that you and I are the only ones who ever saw it.”

  He looked down at the drawing quietly taking in the details, the image of himself leaning back against his muscle car, he himself looking just as mighty. When he looked back up, he said, “This is fantastic. The best she has ever looked. Thank you, Selena.”

  We chatted a bit more about where he grew up and what it was like to help raise Ryan. He had graduated from U. C. Berkeley with a degree in business and he said he had known Andras all his life.

  “I’ve learned most of what I know from Andras. He is a brilliant businessman and leader.”

  Though I appreciated the plug he was giving to his friend, something was bugging me about it, “Sometimes, the way you guys treat him makes him seem so much older than he is.”

  Collin nodded at me as he drank the rest of his coffee, and I quirked an eyebrow at him. Changing the subject, he talked about his passion, which like Andras, was American motors and heavy metal and getting his hands greasy tinkering with them.

  When he said Ryan was following in their footsteps I had to say, “Well Ryan is a doll, though don’t tell him I said that, and he seems smart. You both must be proud of him.”

  “We are. He’s a good kid and extremely smart, maybe even smarter than me,” he chuckled.

  By the time we were done with our conversation, I felt like I had made another close friend and I could see why Andras valued him so much. Colin projected steadfastness, like a rock, and he had kind eyes that missed nothing. Taking his cup over to the sink and rinsing it out he turned to me winking, “You ready for your coach, princess?”

  I settled into the original, buttery smooth, black leather seats of the gorgeous classic Mustang and enjoyed the hell out of our ride to Andras’s house, which was not too far on the outskirts of town.

  Chapter 21

  Andras

  I sat back in my chair in my study after hanging up from the conference call, keeping an ear open for the rumble of Colin’s Mustang, and thought again about the feel of Selena’s body close to mine, knowing she belonged there, and wondering how I had resisted her for so long.

  Her vibrant, expressive face rose in my vision, and I knew she had loved the remarkable day we had shared as much as me.

  I ignored again the foreboding that kept trying to creep in when I remembered the mark on her shoulder and the image of the nearly naked man with the tattooed arms, glowing in a golden light, the man who looked remarkably like an Anurashin warrior in her sketches.

  The reaction I really wanted to have as an alpha, which had been to demand who he was and what he meant to her, reared up again and I tamped it back down. It would do me no good to give in to possessiveness now. I needed information and time to research this, and I wanted to consult with my council.

  Hearing what I had been waiting for had me quickly at the front door, as Colin’s Mustang slipped around the drive. He pulled up to the big entrance and shut down the engine and went around to open the car door for Selena.

  Tucking her hand in his arm, he escorted her to me, making a real effort to keep his expression casual. I completely ignored him anyway, knowing he would understand, as my eyes devoured the woman on his arm who was quickly coming to mean everything to me.

  She was lovely in her gorgeous red dress that emphasized her tanned legs, the silver accents bringing out her eyes and making her complexion glow. Her hair was pulled back leaving that slender neck exposed and I caught the pulse beating there. My own quickened.

  Taking her hands in mine, I brought her knuckles up to my lips, brushing them in a kiss and aiming my hot gaze at her over the tops of them, murmuring, “You look ravishing, Selena.”

  She smiled at me, her eyes going to my mouth trailing over her hands, her cheeks now a heightened color that brought out the red in her dress.

  This was when I heard Colin clearing his throat and excusing himself. I hardly noticed when he headed back to his Mustang so he could pull it into the garage. Selena tore her gaze from me, “Bye, Colin! Thanks for the ride.”

  Colin called back, “Thank you for the pie…and everything.” He grinned back at us and flicked his hand out in a salute, then hopped in and revved the engine before gliding the car around to the garage.

  Chuckling at his antics, I looked at Selena. “You know it’s not fair using Jean’s pies to make friends,” I said teasingly, then added, “I think I mentioned Colin has his own rooms here. Ryan stays here also. It’s nice having family in this sprawling place.” She smiled happily at me.

  I started to pull her into me, but heard Isaac clearing his throat behind us, and stepped to the side so they could face each other.

  “Selena, let me introduce you to Isaac. He takes care of all of us here. Isaac Carson, this lovely lady is Selena Aires.”

  Selena placed her hand in Isaac’s outstretched one, saying, “I’m happy to meet you, Isaac. I have heard great things about you. The wine and cheese w
ere fabulous, and I understand we have you to thank for making our picnic special.”

  Isaac’s expression was as even as always and he simply nodded in a slight bow to her, “Thank you, and it is a pleasure to meet you miss.”

  He turned to me and said, “I wish you both an enjoyable evening.” I did not miss the gleam in his eye, nor the nearly imperceptible nod. Then he was heading back into the depths of the house.

  “Well then, are you ready to head to the Lake?”

  “I am. You look amazingly handsome by the way.” I grinned my thanks to her.

  She continued, “This house is something, and Isaac is quite impressive. Where did he go so abruptly?”

  “Thank you, and Isaac obviously could not wait until we returned to meet you. When we come back from Tahoe, I would love to show you around more.”

  “Of course.” She smiled.

  I placed my hand at the small of her back and walked her around the drive to my gleaming cardinal red Mercedes AMG GT C Coupe convertible. I saw her mouth drop open as she came to an abrupt halt to stare at my car.

  After quite a long moment of watching her awed examination as she walked around looking her fill from every angle, I asked, “You like it?”

  Sounding like a teenager she drawled, “Uh, yeah.” She stared at me a moment, likely trying to add up what she knew about me so far, which now included a sprawling compound and a sleek Mercedes, but she kept her thoughts to herself and allowed me to hand her into the low seat.

  Then, I heard her mutter under her breath making me smile as I took my seat, “This is going to be awesome!”

  I observed appreciatively, “How did you know to dress in red to complement my car?”

  She fluffed out the layers of her dress over the leather seat, looking contented, then winked at me and showed that elusive dimple. Ah…She had to go and do that to me.

  Driving this car was a dream, but I had no idea how much better it could be with the right company. After some time enjoying the feel of it, she said on an exhaled breath, “I have never ridden in a car like this, ever. It’s as exciting as it looks.”