She already had him trained. Nice. “I’ll head to our table,” I said.
Cora watched Eirik walk away, a tiny smile on her lips.
“Drooling much?” I teased.
“Can’t help it. He’s so hot.” She glanced around and whispered, “See you at our table. I have to talk to someone.” Cora walked toward the ballplayers and was soon high-fiving them and bumping fists.
“What does a guy have to do to be on your vlog, Cora?” Trenton, a wide receiver asked.
“If Rita says it’s okay.”
Everyone guffawed. Even Rita, Trenton’s girlfriend, laughed. Cora tended to give personal stats on the guys she featured on her vlog after talking to their girlfriends and ex-girlfriends. The people who didn’t know her assumed she’d dated every guy she featured. Eirik hated her vlog.
Jaden Granger grabbed her and pulled her onto his lap. She pushed his head and stood. Immediately, she looked toward the food counter, where Eirik was still ordering our drinks, his back to us, which meant he hadn’t seen her. She continued to make her rounds. Sometimes I forgot how popular she was, another thing Eirik hated.
As soon as I sat at our table, someone slid beside me. A shiver of pleasure raced under my skin. Torin. His scent was as familiar as the freckles on my nose and so intoxicating. The heat from his body swirled around me, filling me with a need so strong it hurt to breathe.
My heart pounding, I turned and looked into his brilliant blue eyes. I tried to force my heart to behave. Unfortunately, when he was this close, my body and my mind were never in sync. I tingled. My insides turned into jelly. My heart… Oh, my heart recognized and beat just for him, the craving for him shooting off the chart.
“What are you doing here?” he asked in that spellbinding voice.
For a moment, I let it wash over my senses and soaked it in. When he cocked his eyebrows, sanity returned. I faked indifference and arched my brow. “Right now? Waiting for Eirik to get our drinks and Cora to finish flirting. We have two more climbs. Then we might go shoot hoops at the Jump Zone. What are you doing here?”
A tiny smile tugged the corner of his lips. “Celebrating with the guys. We won.”
“I heard.” I glanced over his shoulder. His teammates were watching us, his harem of cheer bitches glowering. “But I meant, what are you doing here at my table when you should be at yours being worshipped by your adoring fans?”
He shook his head. “They are not important. Where’s Andris?”
“I ditched him.”
His eyebrows arched. Why?”
“Because he was being a tool. You won’t believe what he did. He followed me all over the school like some Doberman guard dog, insulted my swim teacher, came to our store and pissed off my father, and then he had the nerve to tell me that you asked him to do it. You know, to keep an eye on me like I’m some helpless dimwit that can’t take care of herself. You’d never ask him to do something that demeaning to me, would you?”
“No.” He shook his head and flashed a wicked grin. “Never.”
“Good, because if you had, I would have made your life miserable.”
He laughed. “And I’d absolutely deserve it.”
“Dang, you’re good.”
“I know.”
I snorted. “I meant you’re good at lying.”
“It’s called self-preservation.” His eyes heated up. It took an effort to look away, but a lock of his hair had fallen on his forehead and I was dying to reach up and push it back. Fighting the temptation, I glanced at the girls at his table. They still glowered.
“So which one of the airheads are you dating?” So I can plot her slow and painful death.
He glanced over his shoulder. “None.”
“Why not?”
“Something is missing.” He smiled at Nancy Carpenter, the girl who usually clung to his arm. “Take Nancy for instance, her voice—”
“Is whiny and annoying,” I finished.
He shuddered. “Half the time I want to tell her to shut up. Gina giggles incessantly, and Wendy is a total pushover.”
I grinned. “Meredith is perfect, like a Barbie doll.”
“I’m not into blondes or women who look like dolls.” His eyes not leaving mine, he added, “I love spunky brunettes with curves.”
And I love you too, Torin St. James. Before I could stop myself, I pushed the lock of hair from his forehead, my hand lingering on his warm, smooth skin. He went still, blue flames leaping in the depth of his eyes. I pulled back, balled my hand, and brought it down to my lap, my face burning.
Torin exhaled sharply as though he’d held his breath for too long. “Do that again.”
His voice had dropped an octave, gone all husky and sexy. I shivered. “No.”
“Touch me, Raine,” he whispered achingly.
I wanted to touch him. Kiss him. Rip his shirt off and feast on every stretch of his hot body. I stared at his hands, my heart pounding with excitement and anticipation. One rested on the table, balled into a fist as though he was struggling for control. The other rested on the bench between us. He’s shed his varsity jacket and only wore a short-sleeved black polo shirt that hugged his masculine arms and hinted at the hard chest and abs underneath.
“Please,” he begged.
He’d sworn he would never beg me, I wanted to remind him, but this was not a time for snarky comments. He sounded like he was in pain.
I reached out and ran an unsteady finger along his knuckles. His breath hitched, but I didn’t dare look up. Getting bolder, I ran my palm up his wrist, loving the way his muscles trembled and clenched. I stopped when I reached his elbow and let my hand drop.
“Let’s get out of here,” he ground out.
Once again, his husky voice sent a shiver of pleasure through me. “But—”
“No, buts.” He got up, practically lifting me off the seat. My eyes met with Eirik, who already had our drinks. He was scowling. Where was Cora? I turned to search for her, but Torin took my wrist and tugged me toward the door. He took long strides, and I had to jog to keep with him.
“Wait. I have to explain to Eirik.”
“His hands are full with Cora. Later, guys,” he called out to his teammates.
The guys whistled, others caterwauled and made obscene gestures. I fought a blush. Cora stared at me in shock. She was still flirting with the players and Jaden pulled her onto his lap again, but since she was busy gawking at me I doubted she even noticed. I was going to have some explaining to do later, but I didn’t care. The shocked expression on the other girls’ faces was priceless.
Yeah, he’s mine.
Cold air skidded on my skin when we left the building, and I shivered. I’d left my jacket behind. “Where are we going?” I asked.
Torin stopped and smothered a curse, an angry snarl rumbling through his chest.
“I forgot I hitched a ride from the bus,” he ground out, the molten fire in his eyes churning as he stared down at me. He cupped my face, caressing my cheeks with the pads of his thumb. “Forget privacy. I can’t wait.”
He lowered his head, his warm breath chasing the cool air off my skin. My lips tingled. In my fantasy he’d made me wait, teasing me and making me crave his touch. This was real, and I didn’t want to wait. I reached up, gripping his wrist, went on my toes, and met him halfway.
The taste of him sent every thought from my head. Every breath I took was filled with his scent. My hands moved to his chest and curled up, bunching the fabric of his shirt. His slipped through my hair and gripped the back of my head, the other moved lower, wrapping around my waist and bringing my body flush with his as he deepened the kiss. With each caress of his tongue, the hole inside my chest shrunk. This was what I’d been craving, this connection, the blending of our souls. Sensation after sensation rocked through me, and a moan escaped me. He echoed it then tore his lips away and pressed his forehead against mine, his breath ragged, his eyes closed.
“I needed that,” he whispered, his voice tight.
Me too. I buried my face on his chest, my arms wrapping round him.
“When I stepped off the field today, I kissed Nancy.”
I stiffened, but his arm tightened around me. He buried his head in my hair.
“Then Gina.”
The hole inside me returned, tears rushing to my eyes. Why was he tormenting me with images of other girls in his arms?
“Wendy and Meredith were next, but something was missing. I didn’t feel anything. I needed you, Freckles. Waiting for me.” Air rushed out of my lungs, and my body relaxed. He leaned back, and his face tightened. “I’m sorry I made you cry again.”
I shook my head, too choked up to talk. He was coming back to me. I wrapped my arms around his neck as we kissed again. The air was cool, yet my skin burned hot. His lips left mine and trailed along my jaw. He nipped my skin, and I gasped. He soothed it with his tongue, making me shudder. He chuckled, the sound heaving through me. It didn’t matter what he did; my body responded, soaking it all in. I was hungry for him and greedy, and he knew it.
“Will you be at the field during playoffs?” he asked, his breath hot on my skin.
“Try and stop me.”
Chuckling, he lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around him. Through the glass wall, mothers glared at us. Another grabbed her daughter and dragged her away. Her little girl was still pointing at us. I giggled. I’d had no idea we were by the Jump Zone.
“We’re disgraceful.”
His arms tightened around me. “No. I might not understand this helpless pull you have over me, but I’d never call kissing you disgraceful.”
I turned his head. “I meant to them.”
He winked at the women glaring at us and chuckled when one harrumphed and gave us her back. But I saw the smile tugging her lips and the appreciative gleam in her eyes. No woman could resist Torin.
“Do you want to go back inside?” he asked, his voice smooth and low, reluctant.
“No.” Now that I had him, I didn’t want to share him.
“Did you come in Eirik’s Jeep?”
“Yes. We parked west of the entrance by the trees.” A weird, slightly familiar shiver washed over me, but I ignored it. Nothing was going to intrude on my time with Torin. Not even the Norns. “We can get the key from Eirik.”
“We don’t need a key.” He gave me brief kiss and started down the sidewalk, his arms tight around me. Mine tightened around his neck and my legs around his waist.
The weird feeling grew stronger, sending a shiver down my spine. It was different from the kind I often felt whenever the three Norns were around. “Something is here.”
Torin stopped and looked around. “What? Norns?”
“I don’t know.” I wiggled, forcing him to lower me down. I looked around, but nothing moved in the parking lot. Through the glass windows, I could see mothers grabbing their children’s hands, jackets, and shoes. They seemed to be hurrying toward the exit.
We started back. What were we dealing with now? Or maybe my heightened senses from kissing him were messing with my Norn radar. Two girls burst from the exit and raced toward us. I recognized the cheerleaders before they stopped.
“They’re killing each other, Torin,” one said, her eyes wide. “It doesn’t make sense. One minute they were okay; the next, they started punching each other.”
I ran ahead before she finished talking. Torin stayed behind me even though I knew he could engage his runes and move faster and through anything. We almost bumped into mothers and their children racing toward the doors. A crowd gathered near the entryway and the wall of the rock climbing room.
Thuds and yells filled the air as we pushed through the crowd. The evil vibes I’d felt outside hit me hard, like an Arctic blast, and I winced.
“What in Hel’s name?” Torin murmured.
Chaos was everywhere. The football players pummeled each other like mortal enemies, when a few minutes ago they’d been bonding over their victory. Their girls were at it too, yanking hair and screaming obscenities. Some climbers tried to kick and knock each other off the rock surface while others dangled in the air, their arms and legs locked. The ones who made it to the floor didn’t bother to remove the harnesses before barreling into each other. Even the employees were fighting. I searched for Cora and Eirik, but I couldn’t see them. Maybe they were on the other side of the wall.
I started forward, but Torin grabbed my arm. “No, stay with me.”
“I have to find Eirik and Cora.”
“You’re not leaving my side. Whatever is causing this will have to go through me first to get to you.”
I shivered, my eyes darting around. I couldn’t see any strange women among the fighters, but I knew something was in the building. I felt its presence. “They’re not Marj and her friends. This thing is pure evil.”
I finally found Eirik. Why was he taking pictures at a time like this? He was also grinning as though the chaos was funny. I waved to attract his attention. “Eirik!”
He continued to take pictures, the smile on his face creepy.
“What’s wrong with him?” Torin asked.
“I don’t know, but that smile could rival the Joker’s.” I started toward him.
“Be careful, and stay where I can see you,” Torin warned. He went toward his buddies, yanked them apart by the collars of their shirts, and snarled something. It didn’t seem to work. As soon as he pulled them apart and moved to the next fighters, they lunged at each other again.
The violence was escalating. The evil sensations also seemed to grow more intense. I reached Eirik and grabbed his arm. “What are you doing? Where’s Cora?”
“Who?” he asked as though he’d never heard of her and continued to press the button on his Nikon.
“Damn it, Eirik. What’s wrong with you?” I yanked at the strap of his camera, forcing him to look at me. “Enough with the pictures.”
He stared at me with unfocused eyes. Then something strange happened. His amber eyes acquired an eerie glow. I blinked.
“Eirik, your eyes.” I touched his cheek.
The glow faded, and a confused expression settled on his face. “Raine? What are you doing here? I thought you left.”
“I’m here now.”
He looked behind me. “What the Hel is going on?” Before I could answer, he rushed past me.
I followed him. He reached down, pulling Cora out from under a table and into his arms. Her blonde tresses were riotous mess, and she had scratches on her face.
Still trying to understand what I’d seen in Eirik’s eye, I stared at them. Then something else registered. Everyone had stopped fighting. It was as though someone had switched an off button. Groans and moans filled the room as people peeled themselves from the tables, the floor, and off whomever they’d pinned down. They all wore bewildered expressions as though they’d been under a spell or some weird power trip that made them act without thinking.
I closed my eyes and angled my head. The vibes I’d felt earlier were gone. Whatever had caused this mayhem was no longer in the building.
“That was weird,” Torin said from behind me. Once again, I hadn’t seen him move to my side.
“More than weird.” I glanced at Eirik again, remembering the glow in his eyes. Whatever had been here had affected him differently than the others. Everyone had experienced unexpected rage, maybe loss of control. Eirik had slipped into some sort of trance. Laughing and taking pictures of people hurting each other was so not him. What if he’d been the target? What if the evil had waited until I left the room before striking?
Torin cupped my face. “What is it? You look stricken.”
“I was supposed to protect him, but I left.”
Torin’s face grew tight. “You’re talking about Seville?”
“Yes.” Eirik and Cora joined the customers helping the employees put the chairs back and fix up the room. He seemed okay. Normal. I picked up a chair and turned it over the table, keeping my eye on Eirik. “Whatever it was waited unti
l I left him alone then attacked. I should not have left.”
Torin cursed, and my eyes swung to his. His eyes were narrowed, his jaw tense. “Do not blame yourself. You can’t watch him twenty-four-seven.”
“I have to.” As a Norn, I could. I studied Torin’s face. How could I be with him when Eirik needed me? “I must protect him.”
Torin gripped my face and stared into my eyes. “I want to know everything the Norns told you. Everything.”
I nodded. Cora and Eirik were walking toward us. “Tonight. When we are alone. Right now I need to get him out of here.”
11. NIGHT TERRORS
There was mass exodus from Cliff House, most people spotting bruised chins, jaws, or knuckles. I walked silently beside Eirik and Cora, listening to conversations of students hurrying to their cars.
“That was jacked up, man,” someone said behind us. “One second I was talking to Hollinger, the next I remembered the horse-collar tackle he pulled on me during practice a few days ago. Punching him just made sense.”
“At least you have a reason. I don’t know why I hit Granger. I mean, he’s a douche, but that never bothered me before,” another one said. “I just wanted him to shut up.”
“Sorry, man. I saw you smiling at my girl and I lost it,” another student said to our right as they crossed the street to their cars.
We piled inside the Jeep, and Cora immediately turned on the overhead car light and flipped down the visor.
“I can’t believe that bitch Colleen attacked me.” She studied her right cheek. Two welts ran from the corner of her mouth to her ear. One was puffy and red. “I’m going to be scarred forever.”
She was so melodramatic. The wounds were superficial.
“No, you won’t,” Eirik said, cupping and gently stroking her face. “Two days and you’ll be good as new.”
“You sure?” Cora asked.
“Absolutely.” He continued to stroke her jaw.
I hated to interrupt their moment, but I had to know one thing. “What happened back there, Cora?”
“I was talking to Jaden—”
“Flirting,” Eirik corrected.
Immortals (Runes book 2) Page 15