by Sarah Blair
“Sir?” The calm, cool, flight-attendant façade was gone.
“I’m all right. Let her go,” Dimitrius commanded. He covered his nose, blood running out between his fingers.
Sidney pushed past the woman, back into the room with the circular table. Mitch came after her. He didn’t catch up until she was already at the elevator.
“What the hell was that?”
She didn’t answer his question. All she wanted was to get out. She searched for the down button, but there wasn’t one. There weren’t any buttons at all. She pounded the wall in frustration. Pain radiated up her arm.
“Fuck!” she screamed.
“Take it easy.” There was his FBI voice again. The one used to negotiate with terrorists or people ready to jump off a building. Sidney wasn’t sure which one she was at the moment.
Maybe both.
“How do you get out of here?” She continued down the hall, tugging on locked doors, in hope of finding a stairwell. That smell of fresh earth she’d come across when she stepped off the elevator smothered her now. “I can’t breathe.”
“Hey, look at me. You’re fine.” Mitch took her hand in his.
“Don’t touch me.” She jerked away. “How do we get out?”
The assistant came out into the hall. She stuck a keycard into a sensor on the wall and the elevator doors opened. “This will take you downstairs.”
Sidney practically dove into the elevator.
Mitch paused at the door. He spoke in a low voice she probably wasn’t supposed to hear, but she did. “Tell him I’m sorry. I’ve never seen her like this before.”
“Of course.” She nodded, then gave a glance to Sidney; if it was possible to flay someone’s skin off with a simple look, she was sure this woman could pull it off.
The elevator doors shut. They were alone.
Mitch took a breath in and opened his mouth.
“Don’t,” she said.
“Sid—”
“No.”
“But if—”
“NO.”
She shut her eyes and leaned back against the wall of the elevator. Dimitrius’ scent was stuck to her, same as the stink from the crime scene had permeated her clothes. She couldn’t shake it off.
Mitch tucked his arm around her as they exited into the lobby. One of the security guards rested his hand on his gun as he watched them pass. The car was out front, doors open, engine running.
She rolled down her window as soon as they pulled away letting in the frigid night air. Her teeth clattered in her jaw before they even crossed Houston.
“What the hell was that?” Mitch demanded.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” It took everything in her to make her voice come out evenly. She was shivering so hard it was impossible to believe she would ever be warm again. Cold was better than what she’d been feeling before, pressed up against Dimitrius’ body.
“I didn’t know.”
“Bullshit.”
“I swear it. He only told me about the werewolves, about what he was. Never about you.”
“But he knew. This whole time, he’s known that I—” She swallowed past the burn in her throat.
“Who do you think funds our little agency?” A muscle in his jaw ticked as he strangled the steering wheel.
“What are you talking about?”
“Dimitrius is the one behind everything we do. If not for him, we’re out of a job.”
It was something she’d never considered before. The money was there in her bank account every two weeks. She barely had time to spend any of it, let alone wonder where it came from. Now it made sense why Mitch was always on the phone with him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have hit him.”
“Probably not.” Mitch rolled up her window and turned on the heat. “Why did you hit him, anyway?”
“You saw what he did.”
“I was there. That doesn’t mean I can explain why one second you were standing in front of me and the next you broke his nose.”
“He had me pinned against the desk. What was I supposed to do?”
From the look on his face, she could tell he had no idea what she was talking about.
“You seriously didn’t see that? It felt like he was testing me somehow.”
“It happened so fast. I don’t know what I saw.”
Sidney sank back in the seat. “What’s happening to me?”
“I think he explained that pretty well.”
“No fucking way. I am not some kind of ancient . . . goddess . . . whatever!”
“You’d rather be a werewolf then? Because if it wasn’t for this goddess thing you’d be sprouting claws and fur right now. You get that, right?”
She took a moment to consider his words while they stopped at an intersection.
“I’ll take this over claws and fur any day,” Mitch said. “It saved you. What you are is damn lucky.”
The reality of it all sank in. Chills ran over her body at the thought of how narrowly she’d avoided becoming something truly monstrous. “Lucky Thirteen.”
He threw her a sideways glance as the streetlight cast a green hue over his face. “Something like that.”
The sound of keys hitting the door as Mitch turned the lock to let them into his place was familiar and comforting. It was dark inside except for the ambient city light shining through the sliding glass door that opened onto the balcony. It had been weeks, no, maybe even months since she’d been here last.
It was all the same as she remembered. The decorator had chosen a clean, modern style for the fully-furnished condo. Gray accent wall. Shelves and cabinets stained espresso. The dark teal couch was the only splash of bright color in the place.
Sidney stood there and listened to Mitch lock up again, then pause at the front closet to take off his shoes. It felt like she was back from a long vacation. She wondered if she’d made a serious mistake, maintaining that wall of professionalism between them. How different would her life be if she packed up her things and made a home here with Mitch?
“Sid?”
She pulled herself out of her thoughts and took a few steps forward, glancing at him over the breakfast bar that separated the living room from the elevated kitchen area. He pulled a fresh coffee filter from the stack and stood there staring at her. Despite the low light, he must have seen the look on her face.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said.
“Is it?”
He gave her a strong nod. Normally, she would have felt reassured by his confidence, but not this time. Everything felt off kilter, as if she’d walked into some kind of alternate universe. It was all familiar, but with everything that had happened over the past several days, nothing was the same.
Tears stung her eyes. She went into the bathroom and shut the door.
The big mirror hanging over the double vanity reflected her image. Sidney couldn’t look. She already knew what a mess she was on the inside, she didn’t need to see what a mess she’d become on the outside, too.
Mitch would be there for her now, like always, and for the first time she thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to let go and allow him to take care of her. It really would be easier to give in. He cared about her after all, maybe even loved her, but she wasn’t sure if that’s what she really wanted. If only Mitch would treat her like an equal, instead of running around behind her, expecting her to fall, ready to catch her when she did.
Now there was Dimitrius. Her skin still felt alive where he’d touched her. It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before, as if he’d awakened something within her. The way his hand closed around her wrist, strong, but not overpowering. He wasn’t trying to outdo her, simply match her strength. She wondered if it really had been some kind of test. She wondered if she’d passed. All she could think about was that body of his, and how perfectly it fit against hers.
It scared the shit out of her.
She splashed cold water on her face, then pressed a towel over her eyes while she suc
ked in a few deep breaths. The past few days came rushing back to her; Tom’s limp hand, the teeth and claws, so much blood, and then Dimitrius’ dark eyes as he leaned into her.
Mitch tapped twice on the door and opened it a crack. “You okay?”
Sidney lifted her face to answer but she crumpled in a sob. “I’m f-fi-ne.”
He came in and put his arms around her, held her up.
“Shh. You’re safe. I’ve got you, now.”
The room was quiet. The only sounds were his whispering and a small noise coming from the radiator. Except the condo had central air, no radiators. She realized the keening sound was coming from her own body.
“Sid?” He took her face in his hands, pulled her away from his shoulder. “Sidney, you’ve got to breathe, sweetheart.”
But she couldn’t. Her lungs collapsed from the inside, forcing every last molecule of oxygen out of her. She clung to his wrists while he held her face.
He shook her. “Breathe.”
She swallowed, gulped in air like a fish out of water. Finally, her body worked again. She drew in a long strangled gasp.
“Good, girl. That’s good.”
The breath came out in a long, ragged scream. She couldn’t stop it even if she wanted to. He pulled her face against his chest. She tasted the cotton of his shirt. He held her close while her world crumbled to dust around her.
After a few moments, he ran a clean wash cloth under the cold water in the sink and wiped her face with it, clearing away the tears, and snot, and wet strands of hair.
“Eyes on me, Sidney.” Mitch cradled her head in his hand. “Look at my face.”
She blinked hard as she tried to focus.
“Watch me. Breathe in.” He took in a strong breath through his nose. “Like that.”
She curled her fingers into his shirt, trying to copy him. Her nose was so clogged with tears she was drowning. Her struggle only made her more frustrated and the tears came harder.
Mitch leaned in, put his mouth on hers, and everything stopped.
He kissed her hard. The tip of his tongue flicked against her bottom lip. She closed her eyes, forgot to breathe, forgot to move, forgot everything.
After a moment he rested his forehead against hers. His breath was warm and sweet against her wet lips. She pulled in a shuddering gasp as his fingers worked through the tangle of her hair. She was left a shaking, sniffling mess in his arms.
“That’s better,” he said, and kissed her again. This time more gently. She opened her mouth to him and made a small sound when his tongue slid against hers. He kept kissing her and Sidney reluctantly gave him a nudge when her lungs burned for air.
He pulled back, his breathing almost as ragged as hers. His face was wet. She couldn’t tell if it was from her tears or if he was crying too. He held onto her, touching her gingerly as though she might slip through his fingers like a handful of loose sand.
Lips rested against her forehead. He pressed small kisses along her hairline. Sidney closed her eyes, enjoying the closeness. His breath was heavy against her skin.
“Why do you do this to yourself?” He asked the question so quietly, she wasn’t sure if she’d even heard it. Before she could open her eyes and process the words, he was back in the kitchen pouring coffee.
Fourteen
The kiss was still warm on her lips when his phone rang. He took the call in the kitchen while he got the coffee ready, and Sidney stole a minute for her breath to return to normal. It bothered her how good it felt to be taken care of. Everything about her life after her parents died had taught her she was the only person she could depend on. Mitch’s overprotectiveness annoyed her because she didn’t want to relinquish control. But, maybe that’s exactly what she needed. Maybe it was good he had the ability to rein her in when necessary.
Still, it wasn’t fair for him to kiss her like that and walk away.
The phone call ended and she marched into the living room as he brought the coffee around. He set the cups down on the table and sank onto the couch.
“That was Banks checking in.”
Sidney didn’t join him on the couch. “What are we doing, Mitch?”
“Working.” He said it with raised his eyebrows as he sipped his coffee, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Two minutes ago you were kissing me.”
His expression relaxed. “You were upset.”
“What is this?” She motioned back and forth between them. “Are we fuck buddies? Is that all that’s going on here?”
“Is that all you want us to be?”
“We’re not an us! This isn’t a relationship. Not a real one. Did you think it was? Because I thought we were being ‘professional.’” She curled her fingers in air quotes on that last word. “You can’t kiss me like that, and then go make coffee like it doesn’t mean anything. Does it mean something to you or not?”
“Of course it means something to me.” Scooting forward on the couch, he returned his mug to the table, then rested his elbows on his knees.
“Then what are we doing?”
He rubbed his hand over his bare head and looked up at her. “Do you think my head looks like this by choice? I’m old, Sidney. I’ve done the marriage thing. My chance at having kids has come and gone. Sticking with me means giving up any chance at having a family of your own. Why would you even want someone like me?”
“Because—” Sidney sighed and let her arms fall against her legs with a muffled slap. “When I came back from boarding school, my grandfather was involved in his own business. He ignored me completely. Hell, he was a stranger even before my parents died. And that big house never felt like home after what happened, I couldn’t go back there. I had no home. No one to call family. I was so angry. So, so, alone.”
She lifted her gaze to the ceiling to keep fresh tears from welling up and out of her eyes again. He watched her intently, and she gave him an embarrassed smile as she swiped her hand across her cheek.
“You came along when I was at my worst. You picked me up, dusted me off, and gave me a purpose.” She sniffled. “You and Williams, the agency, you’re my family now.”
Mitch watched her, his steamy mug forgotten. His eyes were red rimmed behind his glasses, though she wasn’t sure if it was from tears or tiredness.
“So, yeah.” She laughed a little and cleared fresh tears away. “I don’t care how many candles are on your birthday cake. Your body is amazing. I want to rip your clothes off every time I see you.”
He smiled a little, and his neck tinged red.
“But I also want your respect,” she continued. “I’m good at this job. I’m smart, and capable, and strong. We should be partners, in every way.”
“Okay,” the word caught in his throat and came out hoarse.
It was a surprise to hear that word. “Okay, what?”
“If that’s what you want, I can do that.” He stood and came to her, wrapping his strong arms around her shoulders.
“Sidney, you’re an amazing woman. Everything you said about yourself is true. I know that, and I’m sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise. But don’t discount my perspective in this. I’ve got thirty years’ worth of experience on you. Maybe it’s been awhile, but I do know what it’s like to be on your end. I’ve done it. I was where you are once, eager to get out there and prove myself.
“At the same time, I can’t help but feel responsible for you. I can’t send you out into dangerous situations with no consideration for the risk. You want my respect, and I want yours. If this is going to work, you’ve got to promise me you’ll trust my judgment.”
“Okay.” Sidney closed her eyes and memorized his smell, the feel of his skin against her face, the beat of his heart against her chest. She curled her arms around his back, under the edge of his shirt. He tucked his finger under her chin and made her look at him.
“I will,” she insisted. “I promise.”
He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her hard.
This time he didn’t stop. She opened her mouth to him, let him devour her from the inside out. He’d always been an amazing kisser, but this time was different. It was like a weight had been lifted. She was finally able to let go and give him everything she’d held back before.
Sidney leaned into him as her knees went weak. He supported her back with his arm, while she lifted her legs and locked them around his waist. It was nice, having an extra inch on him so she didn’t have to tilt her neck so far back to reach. She held his face in her hands as he eased back to the couch. When he sat down, she was already in his lap, straddling him.
He rested his head back and she went to work, kissing a line down his jaw, along his throat, while his hands moved up under her shirt.
“Too many clothes,” Sidney breathed.
Shirts came off. Skin met skin.
She could smell the day on him. The soap he used, mixed with the sweetness of his faded cologne and the bitter tang of coffee that he breathed out as she ran her hands down his nicely toned chest.
Maybe he didn’t have a visible six-pack, but the muscles were there, just under the surface. His body was definitely nothing to complain about.
The bra joined her shirt on the floor.
His large hands replaced the lacy fabric and Sidney felt his reaction between her legs. She responded with a small movement of her own hips.
The cool air swirled over her body, making her nipples rise. He took his time with each side, sucking, pinching, giving both equal attention.
Instead of moving down her body, like she wanted, he came back up to her lips, slipping his tongue against hers. Her hips moved of their own accord.
“You like that?” he asked.
Her heart thudded behind her breasts, where his hand still did its work.
Sidney nodded.
He drew the tip of his finger up the middle of her back. It tickled, making her shiver. His mouth turned up into a smile against her cheek. Goosebumps raised on her arms.
“I missed this,” his voice was low, heady, almost a growl. “Missed you.”