Untamed (Vampire Awakenings, Book 3)

by Brenda K. Davies

  "The flowers in the kitchen, the ones you sent me this afternoon," she said hesitatingly. She'd never expected to see that look on his face; there was an almost lethal air surrounding him as he pushed himself off of her.

  "I didn't send you flowers," he said.

  He turned and walked out of the room so fast that she barely registered he was leaving before she was gaping after his naked backside. She scrambled off of the bed as he disappeared from view. Grabbing her robe, she tugged it hastily on as she followed him down the hall, praying every step of the way that Mandy and Jill weren't still awake. He was completely heedless of his nudity as he stalked across the living room to the kitchen. He was nuts, or the most brazen man she'd ever encountered.

  Emma caught up to him as he stopped by the island that the flowers were sitting on. He frowned at them before grabbing the card from the stick it was on. Reading it quickly, he placed it back on the stick before turning to her. "I never sent these Emma."

  Her forehead furrowed in confusion then the color drained from her face as she stared at the flowers with a look of abject horror. She snatched the vase off the counter, stalked over to the trashcan, stepped on the foot pedal, and dumped them unceremoniously into the trash. The lid slammed closed with an air of finality as she turned away. Ethan watched her agitated movements as she hurried across the living room and jerked the curtains closed over the glass doors that led to the balcony.

  There was a firm set to her shoulders but he didn't miss the tremble in her hand as she finished closing the curtains. "Emma do you know who those are from?" She didn't speak as she walked around the room and pulled the rest of the curtains shut. "Emma?"

  "I thought I saw him the other day, but I didn't think it was possible," she muttered agitatedly as she returned to the kitchen and yanked the curtains over the sink closed.

  Ethan took hold of her hand before she could walk past him. There was a growing hostility inside of him as he took in the frantic look in her eyes. He hated that look and with sudden certainty he knew that he would do anything he could to make it go away.

  "Who Emma?" he asked in a deceptively calm voice.

  Her eyes zipped wildly around the room before finally settling on him. "Tristan."

  It took him a minute to place the name, but when he did a rage the likes of which he'd never experienced before settled over him. He somehow managed to keep himself composed though as her troubled eyes watched him. "You saw him the other day?"

  "Yes, I mean no!" she cried. "I thought I did but it couldn't have been him. What would he be doing here? How would he even know that I was here? But who else would have sent them?"

  He pulled her against his chest as tears began to spill down her cheeks. It wasn't until he felt the wetness of her tears against his skin that he realized he was stark naked. Bending down, he lifted her up easily and swung her into his arms. It amazed him how little she was as he carried her down the hall and placed her tenderly on her bed. He turned back and noiselessly closed the door before settling beside her and pulling her into his lap.

  "Tell me what you think you saw," he coaxed.

  Finding comfort in his strong arms, Emma curled closer against him as his presence helped to ease some of the instinctual terror that had sprouted forth at the realization that Tristan might be on this island. She told him what she'd seen the other day on the beach and that she really believed the flowers were from him now.

  "My parents wouldn't have sent them; I know Jill and Mandy didn't do it. If they weren't from you that only leaves him," she whispered.

  Ethan brushed her satiny hair back from her forehead as he tried to soothe the shivers that were wracking through her small frame. "If they are from him then I will take care of it," he vowed.

  "I don't want to see you hurt over this. Tristan is really unstable; I don't know what he's capable of." Ethan's jaw clenched but he couldn't tell her why he had no fear of any human. "I just don't understand how he was able to find me."

  "Are you sure it couldn't be someone else?"

  She frowned as she searched her mind for anyone else that would have sent her those flowers but she came up with nothing. "I'll call my parents and ask them tomorrow but I know it wasn't them. They would have sent more of a card with them."

  Ethan rested his chin on top of her head and ran his hands up and down her arms. The desire he'd felt for her earlier had disappeared. All he wanted now was to keep her protected and to ease her worry. He would do everything he could to make sure she stayed safe, even if it meant killing his first human.

  CHAPTER 13

  Jill was about to dump the leftover eggs into the trash when she froze and looked up at Emma with consternation. Emma was tempted to hide behind her coffee mug; unfortunately it didn't offer her much protection from her friend's probing gaze. "Why are the flowers in here?" Jill demanded.

  Mandy leaned forward on her crutch to see what it was that had caught Jill's attention. Her forehead furrowed as she lifted her head to look at Emma. "Did you two have a fight or something?"

  "From the sounds I heard last night there was no way they were fighting," Jill said.

  It may be useless, but Emma lifted her coffee mug and held it before her face. "Then what is going on?" Mandy's hand pushed her mug back down so that she could look Emma in the eye.

  "The flowers aren't from Ethan," she admitted.

  Mandy frowned at her before glancing at the trashcan. "Then who are they from?"

  "Your parents?" Jill asked as she finished scraping the eggs into the trash.

  Emma shook her head. "I called them this morning, they didn't send them either."

  "Then who would..." Mandy's voice trailed off as her hand slipped away from Emma's mug. "No, that's not possible."

  Emma closed her eyes and placed her mug on the counter. "I thought I saw him the other day."

  "Are you serious?" Jill blurted and tossed the frying pan into the sink.

  Emma winced at the clattering sound and glanced over her shoulder, she'd left Ethan in the shower but he wouldn't be in there for much longer. She really didn't want to retell this story in front of him. Though she knew he wouldn't, the look in his eyes last night had made her think that he might very well kill Tristan if he got his hands on him. Emma didn't want to see that look again now.

  Mandy and Jill pulled the stools around to the other side of the breakfast bar and settled in across from her as she told them what had happened. "Does Ethan know about this?" Jill asked in a low whisper.

  "I told him everything," Emma said.

  "What does he think?"

  Emma shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. "Probably that he got messed up with a girl that has far too much baggage for his liking."

  "Emma," Mandy said in a disapproving tone.

  "He was really understanding," Emma admitted. "But would you blame him if he did feel that way, especially if Tristan is here? That is beyond insane."

  "And it sounds like something Tristan would do," Jill said.

  Mandy rested her hand on Emma's arm. "And we'll kick his psycho ass if he even thinks about coming anywhere near you."

  Emma couldn't help but smile at Mandy's ferocious tone. "I know you will."

  "Are you ok?" Jill asked.

  "I'm scared," she admitted. "If he was on the beach and he did send those flowers, that's a whole new level of craziness. If he followed me here then how long has he been following me without me knowing, and what else would he be willing to do?"

  Emma didn't even want to think about what he might have seen her doing without her being aware that he was there. When he'd been harassing her on a daily basis she'd been extremely aware of her surroundings and what she was doing nearly every second she was awake. A few months without him in her life had loosened her vigilance of her surroundings and her actions. As even more time passed, she'd returned to a nearly normal life. A life he may have been hiding in the shadows and spying on for a year. The thought almost made her throw up her eggs but she manage
d to keep them down.

  "You're not going to find out." The three of them jumped in surprise. They'd had their heads bent so close together, and were so intent on their conversation, that Emma hadn't heard Ethan approach until he spoke and rested his hands on her shoulders. He bent down and placed a kiss against her cheek before straightening away from her.

  "Want some eggs?" Jill asked and swung her legs to the side of the stool.

  "No, thank you," Ethan answered. "I've got to run home for a bit; I forgot to pack a toothbrush."

  "Then you must go," Emma teased him.

  "Are you going to be ok here?"

  "I'll be fine," she assured him. "Jill knows Karate."

  "Hiya!" Jill said and chopped at the counter. "Proud yellow belt right here."

  "Isn't that the lowest one?" Ethan asked.

  "What color is your belt?" Jill retorted.

  Ethan released a low laugh. "You got me there."

  "Don't worry," Emma said and rested her hands on his chest. "Flowers aren't really all that ominous or threatening."

  Ethan studied her doubtfully as she slid off the stool and stood before him. The last thing he wanted to do was leave, but he had to feed and he had to do it soon if he was going to remain around her and her friends for the rest of the day. This morning he'd awoken to the rhythmic pounding of her heart and the almost cinnamon scent of her blood as it pulsed through her veins. It was the first time that her blood had ensnared him in such a way. He knew that was an indication that their relationship was progressing far faster than he had anticipated but that would have to wait. She had too much going on in her life right now; he refused to put even more on her.

  He would have to keep himself in control and feed better from now on, but upon waking he'd been torn between taking her again and sinking his fangs into her throat. The decision had been made for him though when she'd rolled over and cupped his balls within her small hand. He could feel himself growing aroused again at the thought of her tiny hand running up and down his shaft before her body had slid on top of his.

  Ethan bent and kissed the top of her head before he decided to pull her back into the bedroom and push the limits of his restraint. "I'll be back in a little bit," he promised.

  "You don't have to be concerned about me, really," Emma said as she walked with him to the door. She didn't want him coming around because he felt he had to, or because he felt bad for her, and she definitely couldn't handle him getting injured because of her. She was hoping their relationship would continue, but she wouldn't blame him if he walked away right now. "If Tristan is here, you don't want to get wrapped up in the mess that he creates."

  He took hold of her hand and turned her toward him when they made it to the door. "If I didn't want to be here anymore, I wouldn't be."

  She smiled at him and turned her cheek into his hand. "Thank you."

  He bent and kissed the tip of her pert nose. "I'll see you guys soon!" he called to Jill and Mandy.

  Jill leaned across the breakfast bar to look at them. "We're going to hit the beach soon so we'll probably be by the volleyball nets!" she called.

  "Maybe you should stay here, until I get back," he said quietly to Emma.

  Emma shook her head. "Even if it is Tristan, I didn't let him win before and I won't let him win now. I'm not going to hide from him. We'll be fine."

  He didn't look at all appeased but he kissed her again and stepped out the door. Jill and Mandy had stopped smiling as they entered the living room after she closed the door. "You really think it's Tristan don't you?" Mandy inquired.

  Emma was tempted to deny it, she didn't want to come across as a drama queen in case she was completely wrong, but she couldn't shake the knot of apprehension that had firmly lodged itself in her gut. "I do."

  "We'll be on the lookout for him then, and if he comes anywhere near you again Emma I swear I'll cut his nuts off," Jill vowed. Emma bit her inner cheek to keep from laughing at the solemn look on Jill's face. "Now get your bathing suit on, it's time to catch some rays."

  ***

  Emma wasn't much for sitting in the sun and catching rays. Maybe it was because of her Irish heritage or perhaps it was the fact that she found it extremely boring, but today, for some reason she found herself quite content to lay in a lounge chair, under an umbrella, and simply just exist. It was probably due to the fact that she'd been up with Ethan talking and making love until almost four in the morning.

  Mandy was beside her with a book propped up on her chest and her sunglasses in place as she read. Even with the shade of the umbrella, Emma felt herself being lulled by the warmth of the day and the thuds and groans of the volleyball game going on nearby. She didn't recall falling asleep but the sun was higher in the sky when she woke later. Rolling over, she turned to find Mandy with her head tipped sideways and the book she'd been reading laying by her side, an inelegant snore escaped her. Emma stifled a laugh as she pulled herself up in the chair. Jill was still on the volleyball court, high fiving her teammates. She didn't think she'd been asleep for long as they were the same teammates that had been playing with Jill before she'd fallen asleep.

  Emma turned, grabbed for her bottle of water and froze. Sitting beside the water bottle was a single black rose with a note resting on top of it. Emma pulled her hand back as swiftly as if it had been a scorpion sitting beside her. She continued to eye the rose, certain that somehow it was going to sprout legs and come after her.

  She almost shrieked when a shadow fell across her, but though she was able to suppress the scream, she couldn't stop herself from recoiling so much that she nearly fell out of the chair. "What's wrong?" Ethan demanded as he knelt by her side.

  She blinked at him as she tried to calm the erratic beat of her heart and get herself back under control. Taking a deep breath, she was able to compose herself a little more but her hand still shook as she pointed at the rose lying beside her chair. A line creased his forehead; he took a step back to look at the rose. Something sinister slid through his eyes, something that unnerved her almost as much as the rose did.

  He grabbed hold of the flower and rose to his feet to survey the area. A lethal air seemed to vibrate from him as he turned in a circle. He could kill someone, she didn't know where the thought came from but it blazed across her mind seconds before he knelt beside her again. The threatening air surrounding him eased as he met her eyes and touched her arm tenderly.

  "Are you alright?" She managed a nod in response to his question. "When was this left?"

  "I don't know, I just woke up and it was lying there."

  He glanced over at Mandy who was still sleeping soundly before focusing on Jill. Pulling the note from the rose, he dropped the flower beneath his foot and stepped on it. "Do you mind?" he asked as he held the note up.

  Emma shook her head; he ripped the envelope open and pulled out the note. His frown intensified as he read over the words before scanning the beach again. He held the note out to her. Emma almost waved his hand away, but if it was from Tristan she suspected he was somewhere nearby, watching them. There was no way she was going to give him the satisfaction of thinking he had frightened her.

  She took the note from him and unfolded it. You still belong to me, you always will, T. Emma crumpled it in her fist as volatile anger swelled up within her to replace the fright. She climbed swiftly to her feet beside Ethan and turned to survey the crowd.

  "Do you see him?" he asked.

  "No, but he's out there, I know he is."

  Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. "Maybe we should get you out of here."

  She completely agreed but she found her feet frozen in the sand. "No." Standing on tiptoe, she placed her hands on either side of his face and turned his head toward her. His eyes searched hers for a moment before his mouth descended upon hers. Relief coursed through her as the feel of him burned away the dread from the realization that Tristan had been so close to her again, that he was here, that she hadn't escaped his pe
rsistent torment.

  The world completely faded away as her mouth opened to the gentle probing of his tongue. Tristan didn't matter, nothing mattered as his powerful arms enveloped her and he lifted her off of her feet. Her body was pressed flush against his as he held her firmly against him. There was nothing she wanted more than this man and the way that he could make her feel as if she were falling apart and coming together all at once.

  She was breathless when he pulled away to look at her. There was something almost loving in his eyes as he searched her face before bowing his head to rest his forehead against hers. He was the most amazing man she'd ever met and she was putting him at risk. Tristan was a ticking time bomb, one that was about to go off.

  "I might be putting you in danger," she whispered.

  Ethan simply chuckled in response. "Believe me, I can take care of myself."

  "I'm not sure what he's going to do, or what he's willing to do."

  "No matter what he does, I'm going to stay by you. Seriously Emma, don't worry about me, I'm a lot stronger than I look."

  "You must be as strong as a horse then."

  "Stronger," he said and kissed her temple.

  Though his words were supposed to be reassuring, she couldn't help but fear for him as her hands curled into his shirt and she dropped her head against his chest. Why did Tristan have to come back into her life at a time when she was really beginning to move on from his memory?

  "I think I'm ready to go home," she said.

  "I can help with that."

  She gathered her things before kneeling at Mandy's side. Shaking her friend's shoulder, she woke her to explain what was going on before they left.

  CHAPTER 14

  "That dress is beautiful," Jill said as she leaned against the doorway of Emma's room.

  "Isn't it?" Emma gushed as she smoothed the front of it.

  "That man is hooked," Mandy said as she pushed past Jill and walked over to sit on Emma's bed.

  "I'm not so sure about that," Emma said with a laugh.

  "Oh yes, he is. Men don't buy clothes for women they don't care about."