A Nightmare to Remember (Wicked Good Witches Book 5)

by Starla Silver

  “And you keep insisting you’re not the damsel in distress type,” he joked lightly, relieved she seemed to be coming around.

  She let out a weak chuckle. “You keep coming across me at all the worst times.”

  “You’re okay though?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine. Really. Thanks for stopping, but I’m okay.” She started walking again, towards her house.

  “Let me give you a ride at least.”

  “No need to go out of your way, Charlie.” Eva was confused by her morning, most of it hazy up until just a minute ago, but the last thing she needed was more help from Charlie do-gooder Howard.

  “It’s not a problem,” he insisted, following her. “I’m taking care of some family business, but it can wait a few minutes.”

  She stopped, biting back a wince as her bare foot dropped onto something sharp. With a defeated sigh she turned back to him. “In that case then, I’ll accept.”

  He opened the jeep door, noticing her bare feet again. His eyes followed upwards until they reached the sweater. If he’d had to bet, he’d guess she was not wearing anything underneath the sweater.

  Jogging? Likely story he thought. His brow furrowed in concern but he held his tongue until she was ready to explain. He wouldn’t push.

  He grasped her hand to help her up into the jeep. When their skin touched Eva shuddered, her eyes meeting his, instantly mesmerized by his gaze. Charlie’s fingers tingled with electricity.

  A flash of something buzzed through his mind; he was chasing a glimmer of white across a beach. Was it really a memory? He closed his eyes trying to grasp onto it, hopeful some of his blacked out nights were starting to come back to him.

  He saw his naked self, lunge at the wisp of white, both he and it falling to the sandy ground. He was aroused. Excited from the chase. And hard for the capture. He reached down and grasped onto a pair of female legs, pulling the bare backside of a woman towards him, hungrily. She wriggled underneath his grip trying to escape.

  However, a voice taunted him. “You caught me. Now what, Charlie?”

  “You will submit like the bitch you are,” his voice growled darkly. He leaned over the thin frame, licking from her ass to her neck, teeth threatening to sink into her shoulder.

  The memory started to fade like waking from a dream. He tried to hold onto it, but the rest dissolved as he felt pressure against his lips. He opened his eyes to find Eva kissing him. His mind attempted to hold on to the tendrils of memory but they left his mind as if sucked away. All that remained was an essence of what he’d been feeling. Hunger. The need to control. To dominate. To mark. And to claim.

  Eva pulled Charlie closer. His hands slid inside her sweater. Bare skin. She was naked under the oversized thing draped around her. His mouth came to life, tongue thrusting into hers. He picked up her small frame and swung her around to press her body against the side of the jeep. His fingers digging into her thighs. Eva exhaled frantically, wrapping her legs around him.

  Somewhere deep inside his brain a tiny voice shouted, We’re on the side of the fucking road. But his body didn’t care. It wanted to take. Her thick mane of white kept the sweater from falling over her shoulders.

  Charlie pinned her against the jeep, pressing into her, opening her. Blood pumped with instant and insatiable need. Eva moaned and writhed against him. She reached down and fumbled to find the zipper on his shorts. She wanted him free. And inside her. She suddenly felt empty, so very empty. And only Charlie could fill her back up and make her whole again.

  A vehicle approached, but neither noticed until a group of teenagers slowed, leaning out of the windows hooting, hollering and honking as they drove by.

  Charlie’s eyes popped open. Silver and piercing. He pulled his lips off hers with a growl. Silver dissolved into blue.

  They stared each other with thick breaths. After a minute, she untangled her legs from around him and he let her slide down so her feet were back on the ground. It took another long minute to ply his hands off her body and break free from her completely. Charlie reached around her and grabbed the too big sweater and wrapped it around her body, holding it closed in the front as if not willing to let go. Her hair was stuffed in underneath it, puffing out the top a bit.

  Eva held back a wince. Something on her shoulder felt funny. Hurt. But she ignored it and wasn’t about to investigate just now.

  “I don’t even know what to say,” Charlie spoke breathlessly.

  She stared intently, but did not reply.

  “You have a crazy effect on me, Eva. I don’t understand it. It’s not something that’s ever happened to me before.” Charlie let go of the sweater and backed away. She pulled it tightly around her frame, lowering her gaze.

  “Sorry,” he apologized. “Here I am saying that to you again. I feel like that’s all I say to you. And I’ve said that before, too.” He really needed to figure out what the hell was happening to him. He wished the bit of memory he thought was coming back had stuck around. But it was gone now.

  Maybe if he could just remember, he’d know why he kept acting like a wolf in heat every time he was alone with Eva Jordan. She attracted his wolf. This was one thing he could ascertain at this point. She made his wolf want to come out and play. But he didn’t think this had anything to do with what was happening to him when he blacked out at night.

  But maybe it is my wolf… it’s the first time the wolf has ever been fully awake inside me. Maybe it likes to go running at night.

  But why wouldn’t I remember any of it?

  The ring lets the wolf free. Maybe after I fall asleep it takes over or something… he’d need to discuss it with William. He’d only had the ring for close to a month. He still had much to learn about it.

  He heard Eva sigh and caught her gazing at him.

  “Charlie, you don’t need to apologize. I think this one’s on me.” She almost seemed shocked by the words coming out of her mouth. Her pale cheeks getting flush. “I’m a bit confused myself, but I’m not sorry it happened.” She didn’t know why she said that either, and turned and climbed into the jeep. Need to lock these thoughts away… keep it together, Eva.

  Charlie took a moment to catch his breath before hopping back into the driver’s seat. She was being too nice about it. Maybe she didn’t mind and even wanted it, and this time definitely started it, but something felt wrong about it. The need he’d felt when she’d first kissed him. To dominate and claim. Domination could be fun, sure. If done consensually between two conscious parties, and not on the side of the freakin’ road like a couple of teens with raging hormones.

  This was different though. Almost like his wolf was trying to make a play for power. Or had no power or control and just needed, without caring about the consequences.

  And maybe I’m just losing my damn mind and way overthinking all of this. Stupid ass wolf paranoia’s still hanging around…

  These were all things he’d never felt before. But what freaked him out the most was the lack of control. It made his stomach turn. And if the wolf was running loose at night, he might have to start using William’s cell in the mansion’s basement to lock himself up. He wouldn’t let the wolf hurt anyone. Or bite anyone…

  The ring won’t let me do that.

  The ring was gifted by the Guardians.

  It would not let him hurt anyone.

  He had to trust in this.

  His wolf liked Eva. Period. She apparently returned some sort of attraction, but was most likely afraid to let it out because of her fear that he might hurt her. And he might. She had reason to be afraid of him.

  God. Maybe it’s my wolf doing this to her? Maybe I really do need William to look into werewolf mating. Maybe that smell that attracts me to her is something she puts off because of me? Pheromones… right? Charlie remembered only bits and pieces about this subject from a class in school years ago.

  So what are you going to do? Lock yourself up every night until Eva leaves the damn island?

  It would solve two
problems. I wouldn’t be free to roam at night. And I won’t have a chance to hurt Eva.

  And what about your job? You can’t do that locked up!

  He growled and started up the jeep.

  Eva let out a low chuckle.

  “What?” he cast a glance her direction.

  “I can practically hear you thinking,” she told him.

  “I was thinking pretty loudly. Sorry. I wouldn’t be Charlie Howard if I wasn’t having some kind of argument with myself.” Or worrying about something… many something’s.

  “We have that in common then.” Eva’s brain was on high alert, but she was holding everything back, keeping a lock on her thoughts. Whatever the hell was happening, she wasn’t releasing the lock until she was home and in her room.

  Charlie pulled off the road’s shoulder and back onto the pavement. He took a glance into the mirror on the passenger side of the jeep and his wandered down to Eva’s bare legs. She caught him and instead of trying to cover herself, crossed her legs and let the sweater crawl up her thighs so even more skin peeked out. Why is my body doing the exact opposite of what my brain is telling me I should do?

  “Jesus, Eva.” The words slipped out of his mouth in a coarse whisper.

  She smirked, batting her eyes as if to say, sweet innocent little me? Almost as soon as she did it she turned away, staring out at the side of the road. What the hell is wrong with me? She squeezed her legs together. There was an ache building there she could barely stand. And if she didn’t get away from Charlie fast, she was going to do more than show a little skin.

  Charlie sucked in a breath and tried to calm his addled mind. It was best to just get her home and out of his reach. She was putting off a new smell. So enticing it made him want to spread those creamy thighs she was suddenly squeezing together like her life depended on it, and eat. Ravenously just eat. He licked his lips almost as if he could taste her. We’re almost at her house… just hold your fucking breath.

  Control was wavering again. If he let the last piece fall away anything could happen.

  Guardian ring or not, he could not trust himself right now. And he could not be around someone that made him lose control so easily. Especially until he figured out what was happening during his nighttime blackouts; the ones where he woke up a little hazy and out of it, in strange places, wandering the streets naked...

  He peered down at Eva, his face creased with thoughts that made no sense. He’d found her walking down the side of the road in a confused state dressed in nothing but a sweater than obviously did not belong to her.

  His wisp of a memory… stark white hair… hadn’t there been someone in the memory with long white hair? He couldn’t remember clearly. He opened his mouth to say something, but words just wouldn’t come out.

  Eva bit her lip and stared straight ahead. It was all she could do to keep her legs closed. Her thoughts locked up securely. And from turning around and begging Charlie to shove his mouth between her thighs…

  Oh what the…

  She gasped.

  Oh God. No.

  So much fucking no.

  I’m acting like I have no choice, no control. Like I want to please him.

  Like he’s my alpha. And I’m his bitch. Like I am submitting… to him!

  Lockdown. She needed to go on complete lockdown.

  She could not let this out, not right now. All thought and all emotions needed to just go away. She felt the lock slip back into place. It had almost shattered. She’d been so close to letting it all out and if she’d done that, she might as well pack up and leave the Isle right now. Her father’s plans would be ruined with no chance of success. And the Howard’s would hunt them down… and kill them.

  Charlie finally pulled into her driveway, their silence now thick with tension. He came to a stop and before he could get out and help her, she hopped out. Without a word to him, she headed toward the front door of her summerhouse. Suddenly she spun around to face Charlie, her face blank.

  “Thanks for the ride.” It held no emotion.

  Eva turned and disappeared inside.

  Charlie let out a breath. Had he actually been holding it? He sucked in some Eva free air and let it out slowly. He didn’t have any answers to what was happening to him. He only knew that for whatever reason, Eva Jordan was driving him and his wolf, into madness.

  He turned the jeep around, heading back to finish the job he’d started out to do, thinking that while there, a dip into the frigid waters of the Atlantic might be just what the doctor ordered.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Eva crept into the house, down the corridor and into to her bedroom where she gently shut the door. She didn’t know whether her father was home or not, was up or still in bed, but she didn’t want to face him.

  She needed some time alone with her thoughts.

  Sickening thoughts.

  Ones her father did not need to know.

  She leaned against the door for a minute, puffing out her cheeks, holding her breath. The needy ache in her core started to subside some. The lock on her thoughts started to break open. She released her breath in a heave and headed into her bathroom. Only to freeze when she caught a glimpse of herself in a full length mirror.

  Who is this woman looking back at me? I don’t recognize her.

  Her normally vibrant hair looked dull, almost gray instead of white.

  “It’s just the lighting,” she whispered. “Or the leaves and mud.”

  She couldn’t explain away the dark circles under her eyes as easily, and would have to pile on the makeup to cover them. She hadn’t been sleeping well even though she went to bed each night feeling exhausted and ready to crash.

  But like this morning, and far too many mornings lately, she had not awakened in her bed. But out in the middle of the woods. Alone. Naked. Bruised.

  And of all people to come across her as she wound her way home: Charlie Howard. And why on earth had she kissed him?

  “Kissed? You threw yourself at him like you’re life depended on it.”

  That had to be the stupidest move she’d ever made. It was something in his eyes, something she saw and suddenly wanted so badly she couldn’t stop herself.

  And in broad daylight on the side of the road.

  And he’d been all too eager to return her attack.

  “I’ve got to get a fucking grip.”

  She was losing control. It was a bit like she’d lost some part of herself she might not get back. And yet she wasn’t afraid while in the moment. She was… hot. On fire. Aroused in a way she’d never felt before. The ache in her center throbbed just thinking about it. Just like in the jeep sitting next to Charlie.

  “It’s making you weak,” she chastised in a harsh whisper. “He is making you weak. Whatever the fuck is going on, it has to stop.” There was no way in hell she was going to submit to the wolf she’d bitten and claimed rightful ownership of. It was so many levels of wrong!

  But God damn it! The guy was built! Perfect could be painted on abs. Thick arms and thighs. So big and hard, all over. That come hither smile. Lips that tasted like danger. A tongue she could only imagine worked like magic… but mostly, it was that her wolf wanted to come out and play whenever she got too close to him. No other man or wolf had ever made her feel like this.

  “Screw this shit. We’ve got bigger problems and a big day ahead.”

  Until the job was done, or she found some way to make Charlie hers, she needed to avoid him. Determination washed over her. Today’s job required a clear head. She needed to get on with it.

  She let go of the tightly wrapped sweater and let it slip off her body, revealing her bare skin underneath. The oversized sweater was all she could locate from a nearby clothesline.

  “Thank God this place is so behind the times,” she mumbled bitterly. “People still hang their laundry out to dry.” She had a growing pile of borrowed clothes. “Bigger problems,” she mumbled sardonically. “Not bad enough my wolf has the hots for Charlie Howard, but I g
ot to deal with some crazy ass shit like waking up in the middle of the woods or on a beach, instead of in my bedroom. With no memory of the night, and a hell of headache.” Sort of like a nasty hangover.

  She peered into the mirror, a little afraid to lift her hair and check out her shoulder. It hurt a bit still. She dug her hand through her hair and swiped it out of the way. Her eyes widened. “Is that…” her voice faltered. She ran her fingers across what looked to be a bite mark. Almost healed, just the slightest indentations remained.

  At least Charlie hadn’t seen it. How the hell would she have explained a bite mark on her shoulder, which was healing?

  “Charlie! Who gives two shits about that? How about, what the hell bit me?”

  What frightened her was that it meant she had not been alone. That whatever she was out doing during her nighttime memory loss strolls across the Isle, someone else had been with her.

  But who?

  Or what?

  She tried to remember. Tried to delve into her thoughts. But the answer just wasn’t there. Each time it happened she awakened like she’d been off somewhere unconsciously living out a dream or something. She’d never been a sleepwalker in her life though.

  Everything was hazy. Her thoughts incoherent for the first little while after waking up.

  She took a damp cloth and wiped off a bit of dried blood.

  Fury raged through her veins.

  “I need to get off this frigging hell hole!”

  Nothing had gone right since she’d gotten here. This place was doing something to her. Turning her into some simpering version of herself.

  She’d failed to make Charlie Howard hers. And therefore in the process essentially taking over the Howard Witches. And once he had been given that Guardian ring, she’d turned her attention to it, but failed to get the ring from him.

  It did not sit well, or bode well, for the reasons she and her father had really come to the Isle. With everything going wrong, how the hell were they going to succeed?

  “No choice. In too deep. The Howard’s must pay…” she growled.