Fighting the Inevitable

by J C Gordon

  “Too many.” Caleb’s response was clipped, cold and decidedly unfriendly. “Maybe you should deal with him for a while until I get my loathing for him under control?”

  The request wiped the amusement from Demetri’s face. Out of all of them, Caleb was the most civilised, the one least likely to give into his feral side. The cold, hard edge to his words was surprising.

  Demetri watched him shrewdly for a long moment. His friend’s reaction to Rhianna was an anomaly. If the girl proved to be a danger to Caleb then he would have no qualms in making sure she disappeared for real. He protected Caleb from everything, including himself.

  He uncurled his big body from the chair and stood up to leave. “I hope you find your girl soon, Caleb. You’re driving me insane at the moment.” He headed out of the office deep in thought. If Caleb’s behaviour became too erratic he would consider his options, until then he would keep his own council.

  Beth Hollis stepped into Caleb’s office just before four pm. She was a pretty woman, tall and lithe standing at five foot nine with blonde hair and green eyes. She’d been Caleb’s PA for four years and probably knew him almost as well as Demetri. She didn’t know his true nature because she was human, but she knew everything else about him.

  “I couldn’t find anything about a woman called Rhianna passing away, but I did find one obituary about a Rafe Armand who was killed while on a camping trip. He was survived by his sister Rhianna Armand.” She placed a printout on Caleb’s desk. “It made the local paper so I e-mailed you the online link. There’s a photograph of brother and sister in the article.”

  Caleb smiled broadly as he looked at the obituary printout. “Thanks, Beth! I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re a genius.” He knew this was his Rhianna, the woman who haunted his dreams every night. He didn’t need to see the photograph but he would look at it anyway, just to make sure.

  “You could give me a raise,” Beth laughed with a cheeky grin as she turned and walked out the office.

  Caleb opened his e-mail and clicked on the link Beth had sent him. It took him directly to the online story about Rafe Armand’s passing, and he sucked in a deep breath when he looked at the picture of the laughing couple.

  It was her - Rhianna. She was laughing as she looked up at a tall, beefy man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her brother was a giant compared to the little redhead, and he was laughing too as he gazed down at his sister with open adoration. It was obvious for all to see how close the siblings were.

  He felt a stab of pity for the petite redhead. She looked so carefree in the photograph, completely different to how she’d looked that night in Karpathia’s when she hadn’t guarded her expression. From the date of the article, it would appear her brother had died the week before they’d met. She’d probably still been in denial that night, trying vainly to convince herself it hadn’t happened.

  Armed with a name, he now had enough information to track her down. He felt a thrill of anticipation course through him, his heart starting to kick up a beat as he stared at the photograph. He had to see her again. It was a gut-wrenching ache deep within him to scent her, hear her voice, and touch her fragile skin.

  The clawing need was back, assaulting all his of senses. Rhianna Armand had some kind of hold over him that he couldn’t understand. It was exciting but it was also throwing up warning signals. He’d seen the look in Demetri’s eyes before he’d left. It was cold, calculating, and utterly feral. His friend was concerned about his reaction to the girl. He was under no illusions that Demetri would make Rhianna disappear if he felt she was a danger to them.

  He could understand his friend’s concern because he felt it too; his reaction to her could prove lethal for their kind. Demetri would kill her if he felt it was justified. The question was…would Caleb let him.

  ~~~~~

  Rhianna was sitting on her sofa trying to work out what she was going to do with her life. She’d already quit her job, figuring she now had the financial backing to allow her to do something she really wanted to do, rather than be forced into doing a job to meet the bills.

  The last week had been so surreal. Jared Hanlon had left not long after Millie had come home. Her friend had automatically taken a dislike to the man and had all but chased him from the apartment. For some strange reason, Jared had been disinclined to leave, but Millie had been persistent about it. He’d called three times since then, always asking for Millie, but her friend had either been out or refused to take his calls. When Rhianna quizzed her about her reaction to the man, she just smiled and brushed it off as if it was nothing.

  That left Rhianna sitting alone, wondering what she was going to do now that she was a millionaire. She was still stunned about Rafe having the policy, but the paperwork Jared had shown her looked above board so she had signed it and deposited the cheque. Now she just needed to think about what she would do with the money.

  The ringing of the doorbell brought her out of her reverie, and surprised her. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and though she often forgot her keys, it couldn’t be Millie because she wasn’t due back from work for another couple of hours. She opened the door and stared in complete shock. “Caleb.”

  Caleb looked down at Rhianna and instantly saw the sadness in her expression. She was as stunning as he remembered, but her lavender eyes were sad and he could see tiny lines of grief in the corner of her eyes and the tight pinch of her lips. She appeared completely shocked to see him, but not necessarily annoyed about him being there.

  “May I come in?” he asked quietly, fighting the urge to reach out and touch her. Her scent was washing over him, her fragility making him want to reach out and take her in his arms. He held himself rigid and watched as she shivered slightly.

  Lord, the man’s voice still had the same effect as it had the night they’d met in Karpathia’s. Rhianna couldn’t believe he was here and that she was actually pleased that he was. She stepped back wordlessly and let him into the apartment.

  “How did you find me?” she asked, more curious than annoyed. They hadn’t shared any personal information with each other. Sure, he’d taken her home so she at least knew where he stayed, but he had only known her first name.

  She watched him look around the great room slowly before he moved to sit on the sofa. He was dressed in an Armani business suit and his luscious golden brown locks were tied back by a leather thong at the nape of his neck. He looked just as gorgeous as he had in Karpathia’s and she felt a stab of desire course through her body.

  “It was difficult,” he answered, a small smile tugging at his lips as his eyes roamed over her face. There was a slightly predatory look in his amber gaze as he watched her walk over to one of the armchairs and sit down across from him. “That’s why it’s taken me so long to stop by. I only managed to track you down this afternoon.”

  Rhianna was surprised he’d been looking for her. He hadn’t struck her as the type of man who was looking for anything other than one night of passion with a woman.

  “You look tired, Rhianna,” he said, his gaze intent on her face. “Tired and so very sad. I remembered you looking sad in Karpathia’s that night. That’s how I tracked you down. I’m sorry about your brother.”

  She blinked at him slowly a few times, trying not to let the tears come again. He sounded so genuine, as if he truly was sorry about Rafe, and she had to fight the urge to throw herself into his arms and cry like a baby. She stood up abruptly. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked, unconsciously clutching a hand to her stomach. “Coffee, tea, a glass of wine?” She turned and hurried into the kitchen area, needing a moment to try to get herself under control.

  Caleb felt his gut wrench at the abject misery that crossed her face when he mentioned her brother. He had said the words by rote because that was what humans expected someone to say. He hadn’t actually meant them, but her reaction to it was so profound he found himself feeling angry that she was hurting. He could see she was fighting to hold back tears and it
was plain to see her wound was still raw. She retreated from him and he couldn’t stop himself from following her.

  The need to touch her, to comfort her was almost an ache within him. Long dead emotions clawed at him viciously, incited him to react. He wanted to take her pain away like he’d never wanted anything before in his life. He caught her shoulders and pulled her back against his chest, sliding his arms around her.

  “No, I don’t want anything to drink,” he breathed into her hair as she trembled against him. “I want to help you, Rhianna. I want to offer you comfort.” His reaction to her pain stunned him. He meant every word he was saying. He had come here wanting to know why he couldn’t get her out of his mind, wanting to know why she was different from all the other women he’d been with, and instead of answers he was only creating more questions. Why did it matter to him that this tiny, fragile woman was hurting so badly?

  The damned tears came again. She tried hard not to cry but his gentleness, the genuine tone in his voice broke through her battered defences and she twisted in his arms, buried her head against his silk shirt, and started to sob quietly. Rhianna was vaguely aware of him picking her up effortlessly and carrying her back to the sofa. His strong arms enfolded her tightly as he sat her in his lap and held her while she sobbed out her grief and misery. He didn’t speak; he just held her and stroked her hair as she cried.

  Rhianna was unaware of how long she’d cried. All she knew was she felt safe in Caleb’s arms, safe and protected. It was as if he was silently lending her his strength. After a while the tears stopped, and she just rested against his chest absent-mindedly toying with one of the buttons on his shirt.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Caleb asked quietly. Her distress was wrenching at his gut. He could tell this was a common occurrence for her. The thought of her doing this night after night since they had been apart made him want to hit something. Hard.

  His feral nature was on the rise and it was difficult to tamp it down, to remain gentle with her. He was overcome with the need to protect this fragile human, to ensure no harm ever came to her again. It was confusing but it was there. He couldn’t stop himself from reacting as he was. He decided not to fight the instinct, and tightened his hold, letting her know she was safe.

  “Nothing really to talk about,” she mumbled against his chest. “Rafe is gone and I just have to try and find a way to get on with life.” Her voice sounded so defeated.

  “You were very close?” His fingers had a mind of their own, lightly stroking against her curls. The thick, heavy weight of the luxurious locks soothed his beast so he repeated the caress, finding it was soothing her too. She appeared to be very tactile, reacting favourably to his touch.

  “Our parents died when I was only three,” Rhianna said after a long pause and a deep sigh. “Rafe was quite a bit older than me. He had just turned eighteen when they died and was about to start university. He gave up his studies and took a job as a building labourer so he could look after me. He devoted his entire life to making sure I was loved and cared for. He was everything to me and now he’s gone.”

  Caleb breathed in deeply and tightened his hold. Her brother sounded like a selfless kind of person. He could now understand the depth of Rhianna’s grief. “He sounds like a pretty cool guy,” he said softly. “I’m sorry I never got the opportunity to meet him.”

  Rhianna smiled slightly and pulled her head back so she could look up at his face. “You would have liked him, Caleb. Everyone liked Rafe. He was so easy going, never had a bad word to say about anyone. Took each person as he found them, warts and all. When I met Millie in grade school and started hanging around with her, Rafe just adopted her as his second little sister. Her parents didn’t give a crap about her and she was hurting pretty badly at the time. Rafe just started looking after her the same way he did me.”

  Her eyes filled with tears again and she dropped her gaze back down to the buttons on his shirt. “It’s just so unfair that someone so good can be gone like that, Caleb. Just when I was old enough to take care of myself and Rafe could finally start living his own life, this has to happen. It’s just not fair.”

  Caleb hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head. “Life has a habit of doing the most unfair things,” he said softly. “I really am truly sorry for your pain, Rhianna, but you have to ask yourself if Rafe would want to see you like this?”

  She stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed against him. “He’d sit me down and have a ‘talk’ with me,” she admitted with a wry smile. “He’d tell me not to dwell on the bad things but to remember the good things. I do try to, Caleb. Every day I think of one happy memory of being with Rafe and it helps a little, but sometimes the grief just takes hold and I can’t shake it.”

  He kissed the top of her head again. “Let me guess, you’ve cocooned yourself inside this apartment since it happened, haven’t you?” he asked gently.

  She nodded against his chest, closing her eyes and leaning on him as she took a deep shuddering breath. She was vaguely aware that it should feel odd sitting here with him like this. It wasn’t as if they were friends or going out. They had only spent one night together and she had been so sure at the time it had been a one-night stand.

  “Maybe it’s time to be getting out and about again?” Caleb suggested. “Why don’t you come out with me tonight? We can go to a movie or have dinner; whatever you want to do. Just get out of the apartment for a couple of hours.”

  Rhianna sat up straight and Caleb allowed his arms to drop so he could reach up and wipe away her tears. She truly was beautiful, even with her eyes red from crying.

  “You mean like a date?” she asked breathlessly, her lavender eyes staring intently into his.

  “Do you want it to be a date, Rhianna?” he asked huskily, his thumb gently tracing along her bottom lip as he kept her gaze locked with his. “I’m willing to just be your friend for now, if that’s what you need at the moment. I know our first meeting was rather intense. I understand the reasons behind it, too. I’m willing to take this, whatever it is we have together, as slowly as you want.”

  Rhianna could feel her face blushing scarlet as he mentioned their night together. She tried to look away from him but was trapped within his golden brown eyes. “I don’t usually do things like that,” she said quietly.

  “I know,” he smiled softly. “I don’t regret our night together, Rhianna. I don’t want you to regret it either. You needed me. I was glad to be there for you.”

  She sighed and rested her forehead against his. “I just feel so out of control right now, Caleb,” she admitted quietly. “I feel as if I’ve lost direction. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

  “Well, you can come out with me tonight for starters,” he said with a small smile tugging at his lips. “Getting out of the apartment will be good for you.”

  She managed a shaky laugh and gave in to the sudden urge to touch the side of his face. She pulled back slightly so she could watch her fingers stroke lightly over his cheekbone and down to his strong jawline.

  She heard his sharp intake of breath and felt something stirring underneath her bottom. She smiled and brought her eyes back to his, which had darkened. “Okay, I’ll come out with you tonight,” she agreed. She slipped from his lap before the sudden tension between them could get any stronger.

  She wanted to lean forward and kiss him. She knew he wanted to kiss her too, but her normal reticence was back. She wasn’t about to jump into bed with him again, not when she knew nothing about him except he lived in a fancy mansion on the outskirts of town.

  Caleb smiled with pleasure as he watched her scoot back to her armchair. Her hesitancy really was quite endearing. He had surprised himself when he’d offered her friendship. He was aching to throw her down on the sofa and slide into her beautiful body once more, but her sadness had touched him deeply and he was willing to wait until she was ready.

  He stood up. “I’d better get home then, and change,” he said, his amber eyes
glowing with pleasure. “Dinner? I can pick you up about seven?”

  Rhianna walked him to the door. “Seven’s fine,” she answered feeling a little bubble of excitement deep inside her. “Will it be a dress up dinner?”

  He smiled down at her, lightly brushing her curls back from her face. “Wear something totally stunning,” he sighed softly. “I may be forced to behave like a gentleman tonight, however I can at least get to admire you as I behave myself.” His tone was light, teasing, and ever so slightly husky.

  Rhianna couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “I’ll make sure I knock you dead then,” she quipped lightly and then sucked in a deep breath when he leaned down and brushed his lips across her cheek.

  “See you at seven,” he said huskily before he let himself out.

  CHAPTER five

  Rhianna actually found herself humming under her breath, as she got ready for her date with Caleb. It was the first time in weeks she’d felt even slightly happy, and it surprised her. She didn’t know why she reacted so strongly to the gorgeous golden-haired man. They had barely talked the first time they met. Today, he had been so understanding, so comforting, and it had felt good to have someone strong to hold onto.

  She supposed he must remind her a little of Rafe. He was big and intimidating in appearance, but was quite kind and generous underneath the buff exterior. Okay, maybe the first time they met she’d been intimidated by him. He had been so self-assured, so determined in getting what he wanted, which had been her at the time. Today though, he’d been completely different, almost tender as he’d comforted her as she’d cried all over his silk shirt, probably ruining the expensive item.

  She heard Millie coming home as she finished the last touches to her make-up. She smiled as she admired her appearance in the mirror. She’d chosen a strapless deep purple dress in chiffon and lace. The bodice was tight around her breasts and waist before the skirt flared out around her hips in yards of wispy material. The skirt ended at mid-thigh and she pulled on a pair of black lace thigh high stockings that didn’t require a garter belt. She topped off her ensemble with the same four inch purple heels she’d worn the first night she met Caleb.