Once Bitten, Twice Shy

by Wood, C. C.

  I turned my face into one of the pillows on the bed. Though I knew the sheets had been changed, since they were now black instead of dark red, I thought I caught a whiff of Lex’s scent. I hugged the pillow to me and sniffed deeper, remembering the night I had spent with him in the dungeon and how he had done things to me that I would never forget. Somehow he managed to twine pain and pleasure so completely that they seemed interchangeable. The pain felt incredibly good and the pleasure was so intense that it hurt.

  Then I remembered eating dinner with Conner, Donna, and Lex. And cuddling in bed with Lex before going to sleep. He was dry, witty, and, though he didn’t laugh often, he made me laugh all the time. He tried to take care of me, both in bed and out of it. In the short time I’d been with Lex, I had fallen hard and fast. I couldn’t admit it to him that morning, but I could admit to myself now. All the reasons I tried to avoid him were pointless. I would have avoided the fights and ugliness if I’d had the courage to talk to him about what I was thinking and feeling.

  I was in love with a vampire. The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating. Not that it mattered if I couldn’t get the hell out of this room.

  I was thinking so intently about Lex that I could almost hear his voice and smell his skin. Then it hit me, I had called Lex before. Maybe I could call him again. Get him to come to me and bring help. The only problem was that I didn’t know how I did it. I was asleep the first time and hadn’t bothered to try again because it freaked me out so badly.

  Now, I needed him. I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and focused on Lex. I tried to relax and open my mind. Deep within me something clicked into place. I felt something tug from the vicinity of my heart.

  Lex?

  I didn’t say it out loud because I knew that, if the vampire was still at the door, he would be able to hear me.

  I didn’t get an answer, though I did feel that tug again.

  Can you hear me?

  The sensation in my abdomen intensified.

  I need your help. The vampire that kidnapped me before is at your house. I’m locked in the basement, but I think he’s going to find a way in.

  There was nothing for a moment, then emotion bombarded me so hard and fast that I couldn’t differentiate them. I gasped and sat straight up on the bed. My heart felt like it was going to explode as I choked and coughed, trying to deal with the flood of thoughts and emotions that swamped me.

  Just as quickly as it arrived, the explosion was cut off. I still felt that connection but I was no longer overwhelmed. I was about to reach out to Lex again when I heard clanging at the steel door to the basement. I watched in horror as sparks began to shoot from around the edge of the door.

  I jumped to my feet and ran over to the door. I placed a hand on the metal and jerked it away. It was hot. Shit, I wasn’t positive, but I had a bad feeling they were cutting through the door with a torch.

  Lex, hurry.

  There was no response. Since it sounded as though they were going to get through the door before Lex arrived, I decided it was time to be honest with him and myself.

  I’m so sorry about the things I said. I overreacted. I was stupid. I should have just talked to you about how I was feeling.

  Again there was no response.

  In case I don’t see you again, I just wanted to say that… I love you.

  The tugging sensation in my abdomen turned into a tightening. The sensation was strange, almost comforting. I heard low voices talking and then more metal banging then curses from whoever was trying to break through the door. I thought I heard a low howl over the noise.

  Everything went silent. My heart started pounding harder. Another howl, closer this time. Then another. And another. It sounded like an entire pack of wolves had invaded Lex’s house. I didn’t move, didn’t even breathe.

  Suddenly there was a flurry of activity on the other side of the door. I heard feet pounding on the stairs. I wanted so badly to throw open the door and make a run for it, but I stayed put. I didn’t know if those were real wolves or werewolves. Donna had mentioned something about werewolves not long ago, but I never had a chance to ask her for more details.

  A hand closed over my shoulder and I screamed, wheeling around and throwing myself back against the steel door. When I saw Lex standing in front of me, his hands up as though in surrender, I cried out again and dove at him. I wrapped my arms around his torso and burrowed in, glad to no longer be alone and, hopefully, safe.

  “Thank God you came,” I gasped.

  Lex’s arms closed around me so tight I could barely breathe. I didn’t say a single word though. I just needed him to hold me until my teeth stopped chattering.

  Lex pulled away, removing my arms from his waist. That stung, but I understood. It was over. He didn’t want me after the terrible things I said to him before, even if I had apologized. I couldn’t blame him.

  “We need to get out of here while they’re distracted,” he murmured, ushering me across the dungeon and to the door that had been locked until just a few minutes ago.

  I couldn’t keep up because my legs were weak from the relief of someone coming to save me. Lex stopped and scooped me up in his arms, striding through the door. He closed it behind him and locked it with one hand, then headed down a hallway so dark that I couldn’t see anything. Grateful for his excellent night vision, I looped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes.

  A few moments later, he kicked open another door and carried me out into the bright sunlight. I hissed and shut my eyes again. I heard the tires of a car screech to a halt nearby. When I cracked open my eyelids, I saw Conner’s SUV. Lex carried me to the rear door, opened it, and set me inside. He gently pushed me over and climbed in next to me.

  I looked up and saw Conner in the driver’s seat and Finn in the passenger side. They both looked at me, anger and relief warring in their expressions.

  “Is she okay?” Finn asked.

  “Yes,” Lex answered tightly.

  Okay, Lex was still mad about the whole Finn thing. Good to know. I felt hot breath on my neck a second before a long, wet tongue slid from my jaw line up to my temple. I jerked my head away and twisted around. A freaking wolf was in the back of the SUV, his head stuck over the backseat, panting in my face.

  He started to lick me again when Lex’s hand appeared and shoved the wolf’s snout away. The animal snarled and snapped at him.

  “Goddammit, Calder, keep your fucking tongue off my woman. I don’t want her to get fleas.”

  I watched as the wolf began to change before my very eyes. The fur receded in a wave, leaving only smooth, tan skin. I heard bones cracking as they shifted within flesh. I winced because it sounded extremely painful. A few moments later, I was staring at an exceptionally beautiful man. His hair was golden brown, like caramel, and his eyes were green with a starburst of amber around his pupil. His light brown skin was stretched taut over lean, cut muscle. And he was completely naked.

  I closed my eyes and turned to face the front seat again. Holy shit, I just saw a strange man’s, er, werewolf’s penis. And it was just as gorgeous as the rest of him.

  “Christ, Calder, cover yourself. You’re going to traumatize her more than she already is!” Lex exclaimed.

  Calder chuckled. “Judging by the way her heart is racing and she’s blushing, I don’t think she’s traumatized. Maybe she’s wishing yours was as nice.”

  I made an outraged sound and heard the thud of flesh hitting flesh.

  “Ow! No need for violence, Alexander. I was only teasing the girl. You know I’m partial to bitches in heat.”

  I threw a scowl over my shoulder at the werewolf called Calder. He now had a shirt covering his lap, but he looked unrepentant.

  Lex chuckled. “He’s being quite literal, little one. He prefers she-wolves of his pack and only when they are in the mating heat.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Human women are so….fragile,” Calder said playfully. “I want a woman I don’t have
to worry about breaking when I fuck her.”

  “Shut up, wolf, before I muzzle you,” Lex growled.

  Calder snarled back but didn’t say anything else.

  The insanity of the last few hours overwhelmed me. That was the only reason that I decided their bickering was hysterically funny. I started to laugh and laugh. I couldn’t stop. I was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down my face. Then I was no longer laughing but sobbing uncontrollably.

  Lex gathered me in his arms, tucking my head under his chin. “I have you, little one. Let it all out.”

  I closed my eyes and leaned against him. He stroked my hair and my back, his petting calming me. Finally, the tears slowed and I hiccupped a few times.

  My eyelids felt heavy, the prolonged stress and fear taking their toll on me.

  “It’s okay, Ivie. Go to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  I snuggled closer into Lex’s chest, inhaling his scent. Then I let myself pretend that he would hold me forever as I drifted to sleep. I wished for it so hard, that I dreamed of it even in my slumber.

  Chapter Eighteen

  A hand cupped my shoulder, shaking me gently.

  “Ivie? Wake up, little one. We’re here.”

  I opened my eyes and blinked up at Lex’s implacable face. He was standing in the open door on the passenger side of the nondescript sedan that had been waiting for us at Conner’s house. Lex had woken me just enough to usher me into the passenger seat of the sedan before we were off again.

  I wasn’t sure how long I had been asleep, but it had to have been hours because it was dark outside. I let Lex help me sit up and climb out of the car.

  I yawned. “Where are we?”

  “Safe house,” he answered shortly. “I can’t tell you where.”

  I nodded tiredly. He couldn’t tell me because I was human and thus vulnerable to vampire telepathy, I got it. Honestly, after the day I had, I didn’t want to know anyway. The house was actually more of a cabin in the middle of nowhere. The night air was cooler than usual and I wondered how far north we had gone.

  I shivered as he led me to the front door. I realized that he wasn’t even attempting to carry me as he had before. It made me feel even colder. Obviously, he couldn’t forgive me.

  I followed him into the dark house. As soon as the door was shut behind us, he turned on the lights to reveal a simple interior that held a few comfortable furnishings. The living, dining, and kitchen areas were all open to one another. Rustic, braided rugs covered wood floors and a huge fireplace dominated the corner to the right of the front door and the kitchen was to the left side of the room. A short hallway was directly across from the front door but I could see three other doors.

  I realized that I was extremely thirsty as well as exhausted, so I staggered into the kitchen and opened cabinets until I found glasses. I filled it directly from the tap in the sink and drained the glass. Lex was standing a few feet away, watching me.

  “Let me show you where the bedroom is and you can clean up while I get our things.”

  His words didn’t completely penetrate the fog around my brain, but I nodded. I followed him down the hall. He opened the second door on the right and I saw a king-size bed in the middle of the room.

  “The bathroom is the door across the hall if you want to take a shower,” he said.

  I nodded and turned to find it. I was so tired but I needed a shower. The cold sweat of fear did not smell great a few hours later. I went into the bathroom and flipped on the light. I gaped at the enormous claw-foot tub standing in the middle of the room.

  I decided that I wasn’t too tired for a bath and set about filling the tub with hot water and added some bath salts I found sitting on a shelf next to the tub. While the water ran, I stripped my clothes off, leaving them in a pile by the door. A quick search of the drawers and cabinets yielded a towel, washcloth, and hair band. I bundled my hair on top of my head, set the towel and cloth on a little table conveniently located next to the tub.

  I found some shower gel next to the bath salts and put it on the table with my towel. Finally, the tub was half full, so I turned off the faucet and slid into the water. It was so hot that I gasped slightly but I didn’t care. I settled into the tub, leaning against the curved back. Within minutes, my muscles were relaxing and I felt less strung out.

  After I almost dozed off for the second time, I decided to finish up and get into bed. I took the washcloth and dunked it in the water. I added shower gel and quickly soaped and rinsed my skin. The soothing lavender and vanilla scent relaxed me enough that I hoped I wouldn’t have nightmares.

  I climbed out, dried off, and wrapped the towel around me. The air in the cabin was cool against my damp skin, but I didn’t care. I just wanted a bed and some sleep. I pulled the plug in the tub and took the time to rinse it out. It wasn’t my house and I didn’t want to leave a mess for someone else to clean up.

  I took my hair down and used the comb I’d found in one of the drawers. With a sigh, I tightened the towel around me and hoped that I could at least find a man’s shirt or something to sleep in. I left the bathroom and went into the bedroom Lex had shown me. I almost moaned in relief when I saw my suitcase sitting on the bed. I didn’t care how it got there, but I was just glad to have it.

  I unzipped it and threw back the lid. All my clothes and toiletries were still inside. I grabbed a shirt I liked to sleep in, a pair of panties, and my deodorant. I put on my underwear, used my deodorant, and yanked the shirt over my head. I grabbed my suitcase and set it on the chair next to the bed.

  Still chilled, I pulled the quilts down, settled down into the mattress, and wrapped the blankets over me, doing my best to make myself into a blanket burrito. Without bothering to turn out the lamp, I dropped like a stone into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  I was so out of it that Lex came into the room, stripped off his clothes, and stretched out next to me and I never even moved.

  As he wrapped his arms around me and tucked me against his side, I also had no idea that I murmured the words, “Love you,” in my sleep.

  * * *

  The next morning, I woke up surrounded by heat. Arms held me tight and close to a hard, naked chest. Lex’s thigh pinned my legs to the mattress. He was wrapped around me like a boa constrictor. I blinked in the dim light of the bedroom. My cheek was smashed against Lex’s pectoral. I desperately needed the bathroom. I tried to roll over but his arms tightened even further, keeping me in place.

  I tried to speak, but all that came out was a croak. I cleared my throat. “Lex,” I rasped, “I need to get up.”

  His arms relaxed and I rolled out of bed. When my feet hit the cold boards on the floor, I gasped. Now that I was no longer under the blankets and wrapped up in Lex’s arms, I realized that the room was very chilly.

  I dashed to the bathroom, hearing Lex’s quiet chuckle behind me. The toilet seat was ice cold, so I hurried through the entire process. The water that came out of the tap when I washed my hands was even colder.

  I ran back into the bedroom and dove under the blankets. My relationship, if you could call it that, with Lex might be over, or at least on its last legs, but I figured he wouldn’t mind me snuggling up to him since he’d been wrapped around me before. I slid across the big bed until I was touching him from shoulder to knee. My feet were freezing from my quick trip to the bathroom, so I stuck them against Lex’s calves. He jumped.

  “You’re feet are like ice,” he grumbled, still half asleep, but he cuddled me closer.

  Shivering, I tucked my cold nose against his ribs, making him jump again. “Doesn’t this place have heat?” I asked, teeth chattering.

  “Only the fireplace in the front room and a gas heater in the bathroom. I forgot to turn it on last night.”

  Great. I could have been saved the frostbite on my ass cheeks. I didn’t say anything, though. I figured saving said ass from the bad guys earned Lex a break from nagging for at least five or ten years. Though I probably wouldn�
�t see much of him unless he was at Conner and Donna’s.

  I tilted my head back to look up into his sleepy, sexy face. “Thank you for coming to get me.”

  He squeezed me tighter. “I will always come for you,” he answered.

  I stared at him in confusion. “But, I thought…” I trailed off as he scowled at me.

  “I know what you thought. I felt everything you felt yesterday when you called to me. And that’s not what’s happening between us.”

  I bit my lip. “Okay.” I took a deep breath. “I am sorry about, you know, before.”

  Lex’s face softened and his hand cupped my cheek. “I’m sorry too, little one. I shouldn’t have left you alone.” He kissed me. “You also need to talk to me about what you’re feeling and thinking. Though I can read your mind, I promised I wouldn’t.”

  “You’re right.” I was ashamed of my behavior. I had always been so good at communicating with my boyfriends, but I seemed to have forgotten how with Lex. I put a hand on his chest, holding back a giggle when he flinched from my cold fingers. “So, what is happening with us?” I asked.

  Lex buried his fingers in my hair, massaging my scalp gently. “How about you tell me what you want, then I’ll tell you what I want, and, if we need to, we determine a compromise?”

  I stared at his gorgeous brown eyes for a moment before I nodded. He smiled slightly and waited. I realized he wanted to have this conversation at this moment. Crap.

  “I’m going to be honest, Lex. I’m not sure exactly what I want for us. I do know that I don’t want to jump into anything too quickly, but I also want to see you and spend time with you. I don’t want a life without you.” I paused. “It’s just, to be with you, I feel this unspoken expectation that I’ll have to change everything if I want to keep you and I’m not ready to make such an irrevocable commitment.”