The owner, Tony, stayed behind the cash register as he gave Hailey a wave towards a seemingly empty booth near the back. Tony knew this was her favorite booth and Hailey knew Tony knew this.
She gave the old man a smile as she made her way to her table. But it wasn’t at all that empty. A figure was slumped down on the table, not noticing her approach. As if feeling her shadow, the man stood up and propped himself before trying to offer her the seat Hailey was taking no matter what.
“You’re here.” Hailey quipped as she eyed the blond man’s half eaten plate of pancakes and eggs.
“I knew you’d come.” He said.
“Please don’t make me answer your question Caleb.” Hailey pleaded as she rested herself atop the smooth leather upholstered booth.
“I… I didn’t mean to pry. I just… I’m not really sure what I was supposed to do.” He looked down. “I’ve always loved you.” Caleb continued, but Hailey protested.
“No. Let me just get this off of my chest Hail.” Caleb raised his voice slightly out of frustration. “No way am I going to let that mutt win. I fought for you too, and I will still fight. You can’t say you love him. I refuse to believe you do.” His eyes started to well up with tears.
“Sure I lied about who I was, but you couldn’t expect me to go around telling people I’m a frigging werewolf!” Caleb bawled. Hailey felt her heart ache. She didn’t like seeing Caleb so distraught and almost broken. She hated the idea that she was causing one of the kindest men she had ever known to feel this much pain.
Silence took hold of the odd couple in that odd little diner.
“I don’t.” Hailey finally spoke up.
“I mean, I’m not even sure just yet.” Hailey continued.
A glimmer of hope sparkled in the Caleb’s sad eyes.
“Then I’ll be here, waiting.” Caleb said, with a smile almost forming.
“You know, you don’t have to.” Hailey answered back.
“I know.” Caleb responded. “But I choose to wait for that possibility even if there’s still half of a chance that it might not even happen. I’d rather have that half than not have anything at all.”
Hailey stared into his dark blue eyes and saw something more than just hope. It was alien to her, but she’s lived enough to know what it was. It was love.
That moment was pivotal for her. A decision that had swayed so close to an answer just went back on that in-between line, back to a gray area. She ate her pancakes in front of a now seemingly happy Caleb who had begun finishing up his own meal. They exchanged glances every now and again, always followed by smiles and shy giggles.
Caleb loved her presence and the outpour of hope he had just experienced. He gazed at her as if this was the first time he had ever seen the beauty that was Hailey. He knew there was something special about this girl. Just the way she smiled made his heart flutter. Even the most mundane of activities seemed so beautiful and vibrant to this love struck werewolf.
“You are going home?” Caleb inquired as he paid the bill.
“I’m not even sure.” Hailey replied blankly.
Caleb inspected her. “You want to get a drink at my place?” He asked.
“Oh wow, I just realized that I’ve never actually been to your place.” She responded.
“So is this a yes?” Caleb smiled.
“I guess so.” Hailey answered.
They hailed a cab outside of the diner. A thousand things were rushing through her mind. She knew what this meant – she knew what was going to happen, but she honestly didn’t care. She wanted him to take her. His soft voice and his brooding tempest of an aura was enough to remind her of the ecstasy that his touch brought.
Caleb ushered her into the backseat of the cab as she graciously smiled and pressed his hand gently, gratifying him. Caleb was silent the whole trip. As the taxi hurdled through an endless stream of traffic and unruly New York pedestrians, Hailey’s mind made twists and turns as well. One thing always got to her – his touch that first time they made love – that was surreal. She knew it was something she could not live without. But Anton on the other hand was unbearably perfect as well.
Could she have it all? Could she have both of them?
She tried to shake off those feelings. She knew what she wanted right then and there. She wanted Caleb. Years of being a little farm girl and suppressing her very natural desires and needs made her want this even more. This was a much needed rebellion. This was a rebellion against everything her parents stood for. And yes, she loved every bit of it.
The cab made a sudden halt at a less busy street on the east side of the city. Hailey was shocked at how different this little cul-de-sac was to Caleb, the man she knew. The neighborhood was rich and lavish. She could easily tell even from the outsides that the houses and apartments were of well-off families. The streets were lined with classic, almost antique looking, street lamps that emitted a warm and soft glow. The windows were lined with beautiful gardenias in full bloom. She never knew a place like that existed in the city where everywhere you looked seemed to be festering with a scary urban decay of some sort.
Caleb lived in such a beautiful community of rich folks, but he had been working at a low paying hospital for quite some time. Hailey started getting weirded out, which Caleb easily caught on to.
“I know.” Caleb said as he paid the cab driver.
Hailey was out of words. “It’s either you work here as a nanny and you never told me or that you are filthy rich and you work in the hospital just for fun.”
“Well it’s the latter, but it isn’t for fun.” Caleb answered as he pushed a key into one of the mahogany doors.
“Remember how my family has a lot of hidden history much like Anton’s?” Caleb said. Hailey shivered at the sound of Anton’s name coming from Caleb’s mouth. She knew there was something more deeply seated there than just some romantic jealousy or what-not.
Hailey remained quiet as Caleb lead her to this beautifully decorated room with high ceilings and fireplace which Caleb lit by pressing some buttons on a remote.
“Scotch I guess?” Caleb interrupted himself. “Anyway, we had a small fortune from some real estate investments, and since I’m the only one left in my family, I get to inherit all this.” He said as he spread out his arms reluctantly as he pointed out to the entirety of what was his last connection to his family.
“It’s beautiful.” Hailey muttered as she took her scotch on the rocks.
“Yeah well, I’d rather live in barn with my family than in this place alone.” Caleb replied.
Hailey could sense the storm in Caleb’s eyes slowly gaining force. “So why did you choose to work as a nurse then?” Hailey inserted, just to break Caleb from his brooding.
“I just like helping people when almost everyone has given up on them.” Caleb replied.
“You see, it was my grandfather’s hospice nurse who cared for me when everything turned for the worse. In fact, I was with her when they raided our old home and murdered all of my family.” Caleb said. “She’s the only reason I’m still alive.”
‘I’m so sorry.” Hailey said.
“No. I’ve already made peace with my life. And although I haven’t forgiven those who had dished out this fate for me, I’m still who I am today because of all the shit I went through.” Caleb said forcing a smile.
Hailey looked into his eyes again and saw it. That spark – that mysterious spark that made her shiver.
Caleb looked into her eyes and saw a distinct flicker. He knew then and there what Hailey wanted. No. It was what Hailey needed. She needed him.
“Make me yours.” Hailey whispered into Caleb’s ear.
Caleb started to feel electric tingling flowing through his veins, his cock starting to harden. Hailey saw this so she brushed her svelte fingers idly across the tent in his pants that was ready to burst.
“You always have and you will always will be mine,” he whispered as he guided Hailey to lay back on the couch
Cal
eb felt Hailey’s hands slip into his pants, expertly unbuckling the buttons that was guarding Caleb’s aching penis.
“Ahhh…” Caleb moaned as Hailey’s fingers made contact with the smooth skin of his dick. She felt the precum already starting to seep out of the tip.
Caleb let his fingers slowly linger following the hollow of her back, tracing every sweet curvature that led to the clasp that held her breasts in solemn capture. With an expert flick of his fingers he unlatched them and threw the Hailey’s bra onto the floor. Hailey’s tits bounced as Caleb’s breath caressed her blushing chest. Her nipples hardened at the contact of Caleb’s supple lips, sending shivers up and down her lithe frame. His skilled tongue hungrily licked and circled her left nipple as one of hands caressed her other breast. His other hand reached down between Hailey’s thighs and stroked her sex. He was pleased to discover that she was already so damp that he could feel it through her pants. Hailey moaned with desire as she helped him unzip her pants and pull them off her legs.
Hailey laid back on the couch with her knees bent and her legs slightly apart. The vision of her purple lace panties drove Caleb over the edge. He wanted to devour every inch of her. Hailey reached down and pulled her panties to the side. She pressed her fingers into her slick folds and closed her eyes, arching her back slightly. Caleb could hold back no longer and swiftly pulled her panties off of her legs. He spent a moment admiring her hot pussy, noticing how the lips were swollen and he could see her engorged clit. He caressed her thighs and brought one hand to her hot, wet pussy. They kissed each other passionately with their tongues eagerly exploring each other’s mouths. Caleb expertly had one hand groping one of her ample breasts, tweaking her nipple, while the other hand kept busy stroking her damp crease, rhythmically rubbing her aching clit.
Hailey raised his shirt, revealing his sculpted body that was taut with such extreme anticipation. Her every touch was greeted with such a radial response. Hailey circled his pulsing nipples with her warm tongue sending the wolf man into fits of pleasure, the likes he had only dreamed of. Hailey sent her hand downward and firmly grasped his cock, starting to work the shaft. Caleb was loving all the action, but he wanted to give more pleasure to Hailey. He guided her into a seated position on the couch and he kneeled in front of her on the floor, pushing her legs apart. He immediately plunged his head down to her sex and started to part her dripping pussy lips with his strong tongue. As he licked, sucked and nibbled on her clit, he reached a hand up to massage her breast and circle her rock hard nipple with his thumb. Hailey was groping her other tit with one hand while the other hand pressed on the back of Caleb’s head. At the same time, she thrusted her hips as Caleb drove his tongue into her opening. She could hold back no longer. She felt an explosive surge of blissful passion as her body writhed in the pleasure of an intense orgasm.
“Caleb. Take me now.” Hailey demanded as she breathed heavily
Without hesitation, Caleb brought his dick toward her entrance and ran it up and down her slippery folds, using it to tease her throbbing clit. He then drove his cock into her, feeling how his girthy cock was squeezed by her tight pussy.
Caleb almost retreated but Hailey reassured him. “Don’t stop. This is so good.”
“I love you.” Caleb said as he pushed himself deeper into a yearning recipient of his thrusts.
“I need you.” Caleb continued as every stroke sent Hailey bending over backwards from pleasure.
“I want you.” Caleb said as he exploded inside the young woman who was gasping for breath.
They both heaved in air as if they had just run a marathon. In reality, they ran a marathon of emotions right then and there, as they slowly released from each other’s grasp and embrace. The madness that was their affair was the rebellion Hailey wanted so bad. She need it, even. But to Caleb this was more than just a protest; this to him was his density. This was love.
Hailey slowly collected herself as she tried to will her shaking knees to stand.
“What does this mean?” Hailey asked as she slid her blouse over her body.
“I should be asking you that question.” Caleb retorted.
“I honestly have no idea.” Hailey answered as they both stared into each other’s eyes.
*****
Hailey didn’t here from Anton for days. She was starting to worry. Maybe he sensed that she had given herself to another wolf. However, she didn’t care,o r at east she thought she didn’t.
“What would I do without your smart mouth…?” A song on the radio started to play as Hailey sat in her little coffee nook in the apartment that was such a far cry from Caleb’s beautiful townhouse.
“Drawing me in and you kicking me out…” It continued as the melancholy of not knowing what was going to happen slowly was drowning her.
“Got my head spinning`… no kidding… I can’t pin you down.” The song continued as she heard a buzz. She walked over to her apartment intercom and said hello.
“It’s me, Anton. We need to talk.” He sounded so serious.
“Sure, come right on in.” Hailey replied.
“Where’s Caleb?” Anton asked as he didn’t wait for Hailey’s invitation to walk inside her apartment door.
Of course, this wasn’t Anton’s first time in that room. He still remembers their rendezvous a few days ago in her apartment, in her tiny room, where they made heaven and earth kiss.
“Why are you asking me?” Hailey said innocently.
“It’s…” Anton tried to force an answer.
“It’s nothing.” Anton finally said. “I just thought you’d know where he was. It’s really important that the three of us speak.”
Hailey’s heart started to race. “Wh—Why?” She asked.
Anton felt the awkwardness of what Hailey was thinking, so he immediately jumped in to quell Hailey’s worries. “ No… I mean… it’s not that… It’s my uncle.” Anton blurted.
“Castor?” Hailey froze.
“No he’s gone, you don’t have to worry. It’s just that I found out why he wanted to kill you so bad, and I know I can’t help you alone. We need Caleb.” Anton explained.
Hailey didn’t respond. She just ran into her room and picked up her cell phone and dialed Caleb’s number.
After a few minutes of awkward silence between Hailey and Anton, they heard Caleb buzz up to the apartment. Caleb entered the room that was wrought with such unbelievable tension.
“What’s happening?” Caleb broke the silence.
“I finally found out why my uncle was trying to kill Hailey.” Anton immediately answered without looking at Caleb.
Hailey stood there frightened as to what he was going to say. Anton finally turned to Caleb. “We have to mark her.”
“We?” Caleb asked eyeing the man.
“Yes. Hailey needs to be hidden.” Anton replied.
“I got that, but two marks? Really?” Caleb inquired.
Hailey still stood there silent.
“Yes, she needs to be hidden, and I know one mark isn’t going to do much.” Anton replied.
“I’ve already marked her.” Caleb said.
“I know, that’s why this whole thing hasn’t gone to the dogs as it should have been when the harvest moon first arose the sky.” Anton replied in an almost eerie manner. Hailey finally started seeing a leader, the alpha they had only been hearing about, but never really saw.
“I don’t understand.” Caleb started to sound a little frightened.
“You marked her even before the attack.” Anton said as Hailey stared at Caleb in shock. “He had to Hails. If he hadn’t, then probably more powerful wolves would have come after you.”
“I was wondering how Castor smelled Hailey’s presence even if I had already marked her. How did you know where she was?” Caleb asked.
“I have no idea how; maybe it was the proximity or just the effects of the moon. But we know now that your mark alone isn’t helping.” Anton replied.
“I still don’t understand why we nee
d to hide her so much and why she can’t be hidden even by my mark? I’m a lone alpha. That has got to count for something?” Caleb asked annoyed.
Hailey just stood there listening.
Anton stared at Hailey for a few seconds. “I don’t know.”
“What the hell!” Caleb shot at him.
“I mean. I don’t exactly know what makes her so special. But what I do know is that all the old wolf packs from all over the States are coming to New York just for her. She’s the pure sacrifice.” Anton replied.
Caleb froze. All the blood from his face drained away.
“The Pure Sacrifice.” Hailey mumbled to herself as if those words opened up a Pandora’s Box inside her gut. She knew she heard those words before, but somehow the memory has been buried deep inside her mind and she can’t access it.
“No way. We…” Caleb replied.
“We did too.” Anton interjected. “But that isn’t true purity. There’s something in her blood at makes her special; something no man or wolf can ever take away from her.”
“And we don’t know what it is?” Caleb questioned.
“I’m working on it.” Anton answered. “My uncle didn’t confide in anyone as to why you qualify as a Pure Sacrifice.” He looked to Hailey.
“I’ve heard that before.” Hailey muttered.
“What do you mean Hails?” Caleb walked over to comfort her, but Anton shot him an accusing look. Caleb stepped back knowing this wasn’t the time to canoodle when something more pressing was before them.
“My mom. I remember somehow. Just now. I think I just remembered something from my childhood.” Hailey spoke.
Caleb’s eyes widened. “You never talked about your childhood.”
“It’s because I honestly don’t remember much of it. Just bits and pieces. But just now, when you said those words,” she looked to Anton, “I saw a glimpse of a time that I could not place.”
“My mother… it was my mother, but it isn’t her. I mean to say, not the mother who adopted me, but my real mother. She was crying.” Hailey’s eyes started to water.
ROMANCE: CLEAN ROMANCE: Summer Splash! (Sweet Inspirational Contemporary Romance) (New Adult Clean Fantasy Short Stories) Page 82