by Jo Larue
Sylas chuckled and said mysteriously, “You have no idea how close you are, Chance. Shall we join him?” Sylas picked her back up and carried her out of the pond, sitting with her still wrapped in his arms. He slowly reclined his body, taking her with him. They were wrapped around each other, neither wanting to let go, and they fell asleep listening to the sounds of the forest surrounding them.
The workout and subsequent swim and nap had done wonders for her mind and body. She almost hated leaving, but knew she would be back in a few days. She wanted to map out the drive for the bulldozers, so she could minimize tree and habitat destruction. She also needed to check in with Gus. She was sure he was frantic by now, not knowing what was happening with her. They packed up and left around 3pm that afternoon.
An hour later and they were back at Jack’s and the real world came rushing back at her. She needed to go home and get some things. She knew that Sylas would never let her go alone, but this was something that she needed to do for herself. She grabbed a beer and walked out to the gazebo on Jack’s dock. She needed some time on her own; they seemed to sense it, and left her alone. She glanced once at the house feeling Sylas’ gaze, but he didn’t approach her and she was grateful.
Chance pulled out her cell and dialed Gus. He was the one person that she really needed to hear right now. He picked up on the first ring. “Chance! Damn it, woman! Where have you been? Do you not check your phone? I’ve left you at least 5 messages!”
She stifled a giggle. “Whoa! Miss me that much, Gus? I’m fine, but I did warn you I would be out of cell range a lot. I really don’t pay that much attention to my phone. Forgive me?”
“Forgiveness only comes when you explain to me what is going on, my sister from another mother. You gave me a butt load of cash, a list and nothing else. Now ‘fess up or you shall feel my nerdy wrath!”
This time she could not hold the giggle in. “Shit, I’ve missed you something awful, Gus. There is much to tell and I can’t spill all the beans yet. The long story short version is I won a recent and really large lottery. I haven’t told anyone how much I won and no one at work knew about it. I have someone, well, make it two someone’s I want you to meet and I want to show you something special. You down for a small adventure?”
“You know I am, Chance. By the way, I looked up pricing for everything on your list. The money you gave me is almost enough and I can cover the rest until I see you. Just so you know, you will need someone other than my awesome self to install some of this stuff.”
“Find someone you trust and have them on standby, Gus. I won’t be ready for installations for another month or so. You’ll know why in a few days. Love you, brother-not-mine.” They ended the call and she felt much better for having made it.
Chapter 19
Sylas paced the kitchen, watching Chance through the patio door. She knew he was watching her, but he didn’t care. He needed to find a way to fix this. Sometimes it seemed everything he touched broke and he refused to let it happen this time. She appeared to be okay with him, but it was times like these, when she went silent, that frustrated him. If only he could hear her thoughts… but decided that maybe it was not such a good idea either, at least right now. He longed to feel her passion and her love should it happen. He constantly had to remind himself that she was human.
She exhibited some signs of being his mate, like now when she looked up, feeling his gaze. She always seemed to know when he was near and recently stopped turning to see him approach. Then there was the training. She showed more than enough ability to protect herself. She was able to get the better of Jack in almost every bout against each other. He was still reeling over the 3 solid hours she spent battling them. No normal human being could have gone the distance she did. Sylas made sure she was tested on her endurance and she passed with flying colors. Yes, he beat her in every match, but she didn’t know that was how it should be. Yet, she learned and improved to the point that she could maybe best him with more training.
Sylas knew instinctively that he needed to give her more space. He could feel it radiating from her. It was all too new and raw for her and he could feel it. She may not agree to it, but there were some things he needed to take care of and maybe some time away from him would help her cope. Having made up his mind, he walked into Jack’s study. “Jack, how are you set for your work schedule this week?”
Jack looked up from his laptop. He appeared to be bothered by something. “I’ve promoted Sandy, my bartender, to manager. She’s a den mate and a puma. I trust her to handle things. I’ve no need to be anywhere now. Why?”
“I have a few things I need to take care of. Mother has called on me to take care of a situation in Tennessee. There’s a bear there she fears will impregnate a human. Not often I get the chance to take care of things before the fact. Plus, I think Chance needs a break from me, even if it is a short one. Should be gone no more than a day, at most. It’s an hour there if I fly and I can be back at a moments call.”
“You’re over analyzing again, Bro. It’s not you causing the turmoil, it’s the wolves. Her life has been turned upside down and it’s eating at her. You didn’t see the frustration in her this morning during training? She used it and us to cleanse her mind. She was a new person when we finished. It did her some good to have an outlet for her pent up emotions.”
Sylas shook his head. Women. Would he ever understand? He still felt the need to give her space. He wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, but he was his parent’s child. There was a job to do and he couldn’t shirk it for anyone, least of all for himself. “I still need to go take care of the bear. It’s not a kill order, just a major warning. I’ll tell her I have some legal matters and I will be back by tomorrow afternoon. Watch her for me, Jack. I need her safe.”
Sylas walked out to the gazebo, feeling like shit. He didn’t want to leave her side for more than a second, much less a day. He watched her carefully for any sign that his presence was unwanted, and saw none. “Chance… baby.” His words came out sounding like a plea. She looked up into his eyes and he stopped short. Hers were glistening with more unshed tears. Sylas went straight to her. He pulled her up to his chest and stroked her hair. “Shhh, love. It’s okay. Don’t cry. Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“If I knew, Sylas, I swear I’d tell you,” she hitched between sobs. “I never cry, I just don’t. Now it’s all I seem to do lately. I was fine after talking to my best friend and then I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of panic. You’re leaving, aren’t you? It’s the dream all over again.”
Sylas was floored. How could she know he was leaving? And what dream? Fuck, there was so much he didn’t know about her and he wanted to know everything, like… yesterday. “Baby, I am not sure how you knew I need to leave, but I swear to you now I will be gone less than a day. I’m coming back to you, baby girl. I have a few legal matters to attend to, and I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. I could never leave you, Chance. I know you don’t believe or understand this, but you are the other half of me. I couldn’t walk away from you, even if I wanted to and I don’t.”
She reached up and pulled him in for a life-affirming kiss. God, he wanted her. He wanted to lay down with her right now and make love to her for hours. She always tasted of honey and wine and he knew she tasted that way everywhere. Sylas wrapped his hand in her tresses and pulled her head back with it, exposing her neck. He skimmed her sensitive skin there with his teeth. Moving down to her shoulder, he latched on, suckling the muscle he knew would send shivers down her. He was careful to keep control. Now was not the time for his fangs to extend, even though he wanted to more than life itself. He wanted to mark her as his, but until he knew this for certain she was his mate, he couldn’t. The leopard within growled with frustration.
Chance moaned as he lingered there, warring with the beast. Finally his inner-cat relented, but he didn’t. He gave her small nip, unable to resist the temptation. There would not be a permanent mark, just a small reminder to her that she w
as his. The bite seemed to fuel something inside her. She grabbed his hair and pulled him back down to her shoulder, almost as if she wanted him to mark her. He resisted and instead placed a kiss over the bite. He hadn’t drawn blood. It would be a huge mistake on his part. He and the beast may not be able to resist her demands if he broke the skin.
Sylas moved his lips back up to her mouth, invading her with his tongue. He wasn’t sure how long they stood there, as time seemed to stand still. His hands roamed down her back to her beautiful heart shaped ass. Cupping each cheek, he pulled her into him; his desire for her was obvious. His right hand roamed lower to pull her leg up and she didn’t resist. He was throbbing for her, but he would not take this farther than she was willing to go. It felt way too good to rub his cock against her mound. He moaned into her mouth and stopped before he was unable.
Sylas closed his eyes and just held her. She had to be his mate. He could not imagine ever loving another. Chance owned him, heart and soul. Her head was pressed against his chest as if she was listening to his heart beating, and it was racing just for her. Finally he dropped her leg and pulled back to look into her eyes again. He could almost swear her eyes were starting to glow, but he put that off to his overactive and undersexed imagination.
“You okay now, love? I won’t leave until we’ve eaten and you’ve gone to sleep. Will that make it easier for you?” Chance nodded and he took her hand, kissing it. They turned to watch the sunset, still holding each other and then walked back in the house to cook dinner. Sylas poured all three of them a large glass of Merlot, since Jack was cooking steaks on his indoor grill. Sylas made Chance sit and watch, insisting that they could handle dinner. He made them a quick salad, to go along with some baked potatoes and began to sauté some baby Portabella mushrooms in butter and onions on the stove.
After eating their late dinner and quick clean up, they all moved into the living room to watch a movie. Sylas wasn’t paying attention to it; he only had eyes for Chance. He watched as she relaxed into him and he sighed. It felt good to have her there with him. She was leaning into him; her head on his shoulder and her free hand was resting on his chest, over his heart. It was almost like she was checking to make sure his heart still beat. It warmed him to know she cared that much.
Too soon the movie was over. Sylas noticed Chance started to yawn and took his cue. He pulled her up and walked with her to their room. This time he insisted that she change for bed. He would not be there for her to feel uncomfortable. She went into the bathroom to shower and change. When she came back out, Sylas took her brush and sat her on a chair he moved to the end of the bed. Gently he pulled the wet strands loose from the towel it was wrapped in and brushed it out for her until it was nearly dry. “A girl could get used to this, Sylas Taiken. Better watch out or you might be in for more than you bargained for.” He chuckled after she said it, relieved that her sense of humor was back.
“I could do this for hours on end, Chance Cadens. Maybe I’m not the one that needs warning.”
He chuckled when she turned to give him a light slap on the arm. He stood up and pulled her with him. She was wearing an old t-shirt and some shorts that looked like boxers. When he looked closer he realized she was wearing a pair of boxers… his. “You look quite sexy in those, babe. Remind me to buy us some more.” He winked at her and she wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s debatable, since I have yet to see you in yours. I also prefer commando under my clothes, so I borrowed these to cover up.” She reached up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss to his cheek. “Tuck me in, Sylas, and promise me I will see you by tomorrow afternoon or I’ll not let you go.”
“I promise, love. There is nothing in this world that can keep me away, I swear it.” Sylas sealed his promise with a kiss and then led her to bed, tucking her in under the covers. He rounded the bed to the other side, took off his boots and joined her. He already promised not to leave until she was asleep and he was keeping it. Pulling her into his chest, he spooned her body with his and waited for her to sleep. Once her breathing evened into a steady rhythm, he eased out of the bed, picked up his boots and left the room. He glanced back one more time to make sure she was still out. She looked like an angel lying there. She wore a slight smile on her lips and her hair was fanned out around her like wings. He took that memory with him when he left; he would need it to get him through this day.
Chapter 20
She watched him from under her lashes when he turned back to look at her. It made her heart flutter to see the love for her in his eyes. She was starting to fall for him too and it surprised her. She never thought she could feel this strongly for a man, but she did and she actually found that she liked it.
Chance waited until she heard the Harley start and move off into the distance. Once she knew Sylas was gone, she dressed readied herself quickly. This time she dressed in leathers. Her special boots and duster finished off the look. She quickly braided her mane, took one last glance in the mirror and pulled open the door to her bedroom. She didn’t see Jack anywhere so she quietly left the house. She waited to start the Jeep by letting it roll down the incline as far as she could before cranking it. She needed to go home alone and with Sylas gone, this would be her only time to do so.
An hour later and she was unlocking her front door. Chance walked out to her mailbox and grabbed her mail, checking it as she flipped on the lights. She remembered what Sylas said and made sure the front door was locked behind her. This needed to be a quickie and she wanted to get back before Jack woke up. After checking all the rooms, she sat down for a few minutes to pay bills and check her balances. When she found all in order, she moved to her bedroom and pulled out her suitcases. She filled them with everything she might need in the next few weeks, and filled an overnight backpack with her toiletries. When finished she moved all her bags to the front door.
Chance decided last minute that she should check the basement. She also wondered about Pretty Boy Sy; hoping he was being taken care of by a good family. She would miss that overly smart dog. All of this nonsense was making her miserable. One stupid pool game and her life changed. The only good part of that whole night was Sylas and Jack. Well, fuck them and the tricycles they rode in on! She walked downstairs and took out her frustrations on Bill, the robot. Chance was just about to throw a roundhouse kick at Bill’s head when she heard what sounded like a crash, then a quiet curse, and footsteps upstairs near her kitchen.
Chance ran to her light switch and turned it off. She had excellent night vision and could see almost as good in the dark as she could in the daylight. She didn’t know where it came from but she was grateful now. She shook her head at herself. You should have listened to Sylas, dumb-ass. Now look at the mess you’re in. Her heart was racing, not from fear, but from the excitement of a potential fight. She would show them!
Chance slowly hugged the wall as she walked up the stairs. She knew every creak and avoided them all. She listened at the door and then bent down to look under it to see if she could tell where they were in the house. It sounded like they were looking in the front of the house and moving her way. She heard him curse again. He found her suitcases. Chance crouched, waiting for feet to appear near the door. When they did, she saw the handle turning and she quickened her breathing. Her adrenaline was at full peak.
As soon as the door opened, Chance shot up and punched him as hard as she could in the nads. He folded over when the unexpected punch registered. She used his forward momentum to pull him over her and down the stairs. He fell ungracefully to the bottom and she followed. The man was still doubled over, but she didn’t care. She pulled him up and squared him one right in the jaw with her fist. He fell back but not before throwing a punch back at her. Chance saw it coming and blocked it. The stranger seemed to come back to life and it was all out war. She was suddenly fighting for more than just anger over someone in her home; it was now her life on the line.
Before it was over, they had somehow moved the fight back up the stairs. Furniture was
broken and glass went flying in her kitchen and living room. She finally got the upper hand and knocked him out cold. She was bruised everywhere and she was sporting several cuts. One nasty slice did worry her, since it was on the inside of her thigh, but she dismissed it. He was worse. She’d cut his cheek, arms and thighs with her boot knife. Chance was exhausted.
Chance looked over the man out cold on her kitchen floor. None of his wounds seemed to be life threatening, and she didn’t recognize him from the bar. She looked at his face, memorizing it. It was almost familiar. In another place and time, she might have found him handsome. Now though, all men paled to Sylas. He had a limp that was pronounced and it was the limp that gave her the upper edge. She’d concentrated most of her kicks to that gimpy leg and it took a toll.
Chance took all of her suitcases and bags out to her Jeep and left, making a quick decision to leave him lying on the floor. Yes, she should have killed the bastard, but today was not the day. It wasn’t in her to take a life. She was sure that Sensei was disappointed in her, but she was gone now, and Chance was the one who would have to live with it. She made it about halfway back to Jack’s before she could drive no more. She found a motel and checked in, ignoring the stares from the desk clerk. Then she sent out text messages to Jack and Sylas. They were short and to the point.