Waking the Watcher

by Kim Loraine

  “I don’t think I can stay away. Even if I wanted to.”

  Shaking his head, he opens the door and shouts over his shoulder, “You’re an idiot.”

  The door slams as he leaves, and I’m pretty sure he’s right. I’ll never forgive myself if I kill her, but I can’t fight the pull I feel to be near her.

  Less than an hour later, my car idles in the parking lot of her apartment complex. Just being close to her sends my blood racing straight to my dick. I’m afraid to get out of the car. I might not be able to keep from picking her up, tossing her over my shoulder, and locking us in her bedroom. Pulling out my phone, I send her a text message.

  I’m in the parking lot.

  It’s not the most gallant I’ve ever been, but I want to prove her wrong. We don’t have to be separated by a physical barrier to keep our hands off one another.

  Two minutes after I text her, she breezes out of the building. My mouth runs dry at the sight of her. A deep crimson dress hugs her lush curves, the low cut of the neckline showing off her breasts as though they are delectable treats reserved for me. I swallow past the lump in my throat as she approaches. Stepping out of the car, I open the door for her, resisting the powerful urge to crush my lips to hers and taste her mouth.

  “You look …” I struggle to find a word to describe how I see her, finally settling on, “breathtaking.”

  Her cheeks flush a bright pink, and she looks away before tossing her long dark hair over one shoulder. In that moment, I’m hungry for three things. Her blood, her body, and, curiously, her heart.

  “Thanks.” Her husky voice sends a ripple of arousal through me.

  I grit my teeth as I fight my desire on the drive to the restaurant, my hands white-knuckled on the steering wheel. I hope she doesn’t notice the shallow breaths I’m taking. I can smell her arousal and can barely resist the need to pull the car over and run my tongue along her sweet pussy.

  “Where are we going?” she asks.

  Clearing my throat, I pull the car into a parking lot a few blocks away from our destination, hoping the fresh air will help my control. “Wild Ginger. Do you know it?”

  She laughs, a soft musical sound. “Yeah. I love it. Asian fusion at its finest. How’d you get a reservation? They’re always packed.”

  Shrugging, I play it cool. “I’ve got my ways.”

  I couldn’t care less where we eat. I’ll be faking my way through the meal. Throwing the car into Park, I step free of the pheromone-filled torture chamber and breathe in the cool air. The scent of the city clears my head as I open her door and take her hand. Focus solely on me, she takes her lower lip between her teeth and sucks in a tight breath.

  Shit. I can’t stand it.

  My hand is wrapped around her nape, pulling her against me before I can stop myself. I crush my mouth to hers, tongue pressing past her lips so I can get a taste. My fangs threaten to descend as my hunger swells along with my cock. I would stop, but she melts into me, her fingers gripping my back as I push her up against the car. The kiss, already something primal, changes into mindless, frenzied passion. I’m dimly aware that if I don’t stop us now, I’ll be fucking her right here, out in the open. Pulling away, I take a few steadying breaths and grin at her.

  “Fucking hell, Reese. If you wanted to keep me away from you, you really shouldn’t have worn that damn dress.”

  A laugh escapes her as she straightens the offending clothing. “Sorry. Here I was thinking you could control yourself.”

  I shake my head. “Not when you look like that. If this is a test, consider me a failure.”

  We walk slowly down the darkened Seattle streets. I’m torn between wanting to get to the restaurant and wishing the walk was longer. She’s mesmerizing. The way she lights up when she talks about music she loves, the soft hum of appreciation she offers when I give in to my need to touch the bare skin of her shoulder. I swear, if she gives me that heated look again, I’m going to lose it.

  As we wait for the light to change at a crosswalk, I snake my arm around her waist and pull her close to me. I can see the moment her nipples pebble under the thin fabric of the dress. She wants me. One shuddering breath from her has me practically dragging her to the alley closest to us. Taking her mouth, I shove her dress up over her hips and lift her, pressing her back against the brick behind us. She moans into my mouth and I can’t stop. My hand runs up her thigh, higher, higher, until I find bare flesh where panties should be.

  “Oh, fuck,” I growl. “You’re a bad girl wrapped in an innocent package. That’s cruel.”

  She doesn’t answer me, jutting her hips forward in search of my fingers instead. Sinking first one and then two fingers inside her, I groan at the slick heat. I pump back and forth slowly, loving the musky scent of her undeniable arousal. My erection strains against the fly of my trousers, begging to be freed, stroked, sucked. Pressing my thumb to the rise of her clit, I rub her over and over until her walls get wetter and she starts clenching around me. I can tell she’s close. Soft cries escape her, as I kiss the column of her throat. Her breath runs over my ear as she starts to come, and I yank my pants down, releasing my shaft and burying myself inside her in one hard shove of my hips.

  I should be worried about hurting her, but at the moment, all I can think about is chasing my release. Her pussy grips me hard as she climaxes while I pound into her, not caring who sees us. With a harsh groan, my balls tighten and my orgasm rushes through me, making my knees shake as I pour myself into her.

  Shock waves roll through me as she continues to pulse around me until our breathing steadies. I set her feet on the ground, and my hands tremble as I help her right her clothes and try to get my bearings. Fucking hell.

  “This is why we needed a table,” she says on a sigh.

  I laugh and wrap my arm around her. “I guess you’re right.”

  We walk only a few paces before she stops and brings a hand to her head, grimacing.

  “Are you all right?” I ask, turning her in my arms.

  She’s pale, mouth pinched with pain. “My head. I’ve got a splitting headache. I think I’m having a migraine.”

  My chest tightens. I’m such a selfish asshole. I did this to her. “Let me take you home, a ghra.”

  Nodding, she walks slowly beside me to the car. Devin was right. I have to let her go.

  It’s been two weeks since I stopped my relationship … or whatever this is, with Reese. Well, I suppose I haven’t completely cut everything off. I feel like the messages I send are the last bit of connection I have with her, and I can’t stand the idea of her forgetting about me. Sometimes, I swear those bloody messages are sent without me knowing. It’s like my dick takes over and my brain checks out. The plan is to keep it sexual rather than romantic, because knowing I can’t have a future with her makes my chest ache in an unfamiliar way. I don’t like it.

  If I’m honest, though, keeping things dirty hasn’t been tough considering just one fleeting thought of her and I’m rock hard and ready. There it is again, that need to be inside her. I pick up my phone and start composing a text, telling her exactly what I want to do to her and for how long.

  “Put the phone down.” God damn Devin tosses a pillow at my head. “You’re texting her again, aren’t you?”

  Anger slams into me. What does he have to do with this? I know it’s ridiculous. I’ve only seen her three times, but there’s something more than just the Watcher drawing me to her. Something about her awoke the angel, but I would’ve been pulled to her regardless. She’s meant for me, and if I can’t be with her now, I’ll sure as hell leave a lasting impression until I figure out how I can have her.

  “You’re not making it any easier on yourself. You need to put her out of your mind. Look at yourself. You haven’t fed in weeks. You’re cranky, and I don’t like you very much when you get like this.”

  I shove my phone in my back pocket. “Fine. I’m leaving. That way you won’t have to deal with me.”

  As I step outside
into the cool fall air, I inhale deeply, drinking in the scents of the world. I could easily go to her. She’s either at work, pandering to the overinflated ego of some jazz singer, or at home, possibly naked. My cock stirs and I shake my head, trying to focus on the task at hand. Devin’s right. I need to feed. I’ve gone beyond the point of safety. I’m taking chances by denying my hunger. My control is hanging by a thread. If I don’t take someone now, I’ll start leaving a careless trail of bodies in my wake.

  The sky is the velvety black of recent sunset, the stars winking into view one by one. It’s my favorite time, those precious minutes between true dark and the last vestiges of day. It makes me feel human for a brief moment. Until two weeks ago, this was the only thing that could make me feel.

  I stroll along the darkened path I’ve chosen as my hunting grounds when I tire of the club scenes. Aware of every movement and sound around me, I watch for an unsuspecting runner or an evening walker. My ears pick up the sound of footfalls, probably one hundred feet ahead of me. As I continue toward the source of the steps, I catch sight of her. With her dark hair and long legs, she strongly resembles Reese. I tell myself this can work, but as I trail my gaze down, I can’t contain my disappointed sigh. Her form lacks the perfection that is Reese. Pulling in a deep breath, I catch her scent. Not nearly the same as the perfume of Reese’s skin, but she’ll do.

  I let her jog past me before dropping one of my keys on the ground behind her. Bending, I pick it up as I call out, “Excuse me, miss?”

  She turns, pulling her headphones from her ears. “I’m sorry?”

  I hold out the key. “You dropped this.”

  A confused frown turns down her mouth. Her lips are too thin; she has too many freckles. She’s not Reese.

  “That’s not mine,” she says, moving a bit closer to me as she inspects the key.

  I snag her by the wrist and pull her against my body. Waiting for my fangs to descend. Nothing happens.

  “Please, stop! Don’t hurt me!” she cries, fear coming off her in waves.

  I stare her down, trying to calm her. I don’t like them to suffer. “Don’t fight me. Relax, and it’ll be over soon.”

  She struggles futilely in my arms. “Please, I’ve got two little kids. I’m supposed to be home to tuck them in.” Tears stream down her cheeks.

  An unfortunate wash of guilt swamps me at her trembling lower lip, the pleading voice, and the thought of her two kids. “Fucking hell,” I grumble, letting her go. “Get out of here. Don’t run in the park after nightfall. Someone might attack you.”

  I chuckle at my bad joke, but I can feel myself wasting away as I watch her go. Damn, this isn’t going to work. Struggling to control the rising panic in my chest, I take to the trail, hoping I’ll come across someone my body will let me take. About five minutes in, I catch a familiar scent. She’s warm vanilla, comforting and arousing all at the same time. My chest tightens along with my pants as I home in on her. It’s Reese. Her long hair swinging from a ponytail as she runs, she chats and laughs with the man jogging beside her. Rage courses through me as I watch them move together, too closely for my liking. I step back into the shadows, hoping to avoid being seen as they pass.

  “Hang on, Jay. My shoe came untied,” she calls, stopping nearly in front of me as she bends to fix her laces.

  I catch a glimpse of the tops of her breasts when she kneels, and the answering wave of lust nearly sends me to the ground. Knowing it’s the Watcher controlling my libido, I work to push it away. I am in control. A small voice in the back of my head laughs at my false confidence as my dick hardens completely in my pants.

  Jay turns around and joins her, offering a hand to help her rise. My senses are on alert as I watch their exchange. He’s focused on her cleavage as well, and I really can’t blame him—she’s fucking gorgeous—but it’s when he reaches out to brush some hair behind her ear that I lose it. The moment his hand makes contact with the skin of her cheek, I’m stalking toward them, anger burning brightly.

  “Galen!” Reese cries, eyes wide and fearful.

  “Don’t fucking touch her. She’s mine,” I growl, hitting him with the full force of my gaze.

  Jay backs away, hand in the air with a satisfying amount of terror. “Okay, man. We’re good. I’ll give you anything you want, just don’t hurt us.”

  “Galen, what the hell?” Reese’s tone snaps my attention back to her. I can hear her heart racing, pumping adrenaline-laced blood through her veins.

  Without warning, Jay’s fist connects with my jaw—hard. I see stars for a moment before coming back to my senses, and, damn it, my face hurts. I’m weak from hunger. Normally I’d be faster than him, my instincts telling me he was coming for me way before his blow landed. As it is, I’m barely able to push Reese to safety before he’s on me again. His limbs flail, proving he’s not a good fighter. That sucker punch was the only time he actually did damage so far. I fend him off with ease, not wanting to snap his neck in front of Reese. If I tell her what I am, I don’t want to do it because I killed her friend.

  “Jay, get off him!” Reese yells. “Stop it, both of you!”

  With Jay’s focus momentarily set on her, I’m able to flip him around, holding his hands behind his back in one of mine and bracing my other arm across his chest. He struggles but isn’t going anywhere.

  “Who is this guy, Reese?” Jay asks through strained gasps, and I realize that’s because I’m holding him so tightly, I’m cutting off his air supply.

  Reese’s eyes dart to mine, a question in them. Who am I to her? It’s clear she doesn’t have an answer.

  “I’m a friend,” I answer coolly, loosening my grip on him when his heart rate calms.

  “I’ve never heard of you.”

  “We’ve been sort of … seeing each other.” Reese’s cheeks flush as she tries to avoid my gaze. God help me, but I want to throw her on the ground, rip off her clothes, and lick her pussy until she comes, screaming into the night air. Regardless of who is watching.

  “Oh, you … uh, you didn’t mention you were seeing someone.” Jay visibly deflates and as soon as I release him, he steps away from the two of us. I try to fight off the grin I can feel spreading my lips, but I fail miserably. I love it that this guy just realized he’s fighting a battle he can’t win. “Sorry, man. I didn’t know.”

  I take Reese’s hand in mine, threading our fingers together. At her little intake of breath, I harden even more. Damn it. I can’t resist the need to be inside her, but I know I risk killing her. Looking at her now, though, she’s vibrant. Her cheeks are flushed, skin luminous, and she looks more vivacious than I’ve ever seen her. Maybe a rest was truly what she needed.

  “Come with me. I need you,” I whisper, pulling her away from Jay.

  “We’re not done with our run.”

  Her friend coughs and rubs at his hand. “I’m done. Shit, I think I broke my hand when I punched you.”

  Fighting a smile, I tilt my head at him. “You got a good shot in.” Trailing my fingers over the line of Reese’s back, I turn my attention to her. “Come on.”

  She bites her lower lip, sending an apologetic glance in her friend’s direction. “I’ll see you later, Jay,” she says, and my heart swells, knowing she’s choosing me.

  “I want to have you under me, over me, around me,” I murmur against her hair as we walk. I don’t know where we’re going. I’m letting her lead, but wherever we end up, I will be inside her soon. A small voice in the back of my head reminds me once again of the danger being with her poses. I push it away, wondering idly if this is me or the Watcher influencing my decision. I could always turn her if things go badly.

  Then I could keep her forever.

  Galen is here. Out of freaking nowhere … again. I stare him down as we wait at a stoplight on our way to my apartment. He’s looked better. His eyes are ringed with dark circles, his cheeks are hollow, and he’s missing the general glow of confidence that attracted me to him in the beginning. He looks sick
.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, flicking my focus back to the road before he answers.

  “Fine.”

  “You look tired.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, then,” I say. He’s being a moody jerk. I’m not into moody jerks. Pulling the car to the side of the road, I put it in Park and unlock the doors. “Get out.”

  I can barely make out his features in the dim light of the dashboard, but I’m sure his expression is incredulous. “What?”

  “I said, get out.”

  “I heard you. Why?”

  “You appear out of nowhere after fucking me in an alley two weeks ago. Then you send me nothing but dirty texts and block your number so I can’t respond, and spend the car ride answering my questions with nonanswers. Now you expect me to let you fuck my brains out? Sorry. Not happening.”

  He smirks. “Oh, it’s happening, a ghra. I’ll fuck you right now in this piece of shit car if I have to. And you’ll love every second.”

  I can feel myself getting wet as his words flow over me. Crap. He’s right. I will enjoy it. I’ll enjoy it so much.

  “Tell me what’s wrong with you,” I insist.

  His hand slides up my thigh, gripping hard. “I just need you. I’ll be better now that I’m with you.”

  I try to ignore the heat rushing along my leg where he touches me. Pulling my car back onto the street, I drive to my apartment building in silence, trying desperately to focus on the road as his hand inches higher and higher. Thank God we were already halfway there when I’d stopped.

  As we walk into my building, his fingers move in tiny circles at the small of my back. He’s worked his way under my jogging top, and the feel of his cool skin on mine sends shivers of anticipation through me. In the bright light of the hallway, I notice his bruised and battered jaw. His lip is split and still bleeding a little. Reaching up, I touch his cheek gingerly.

  “You’re bleeding.”

  He shrugs, taking my hand and sliding it down to the front of his pants, where he’s hard and ready. “I’ll be fine once I’m inside you.”