At exactly six, a knock sounded on her door. Lexi's heart started to pound as she crossed the room. She pulled open the door and smiled at Raed. "Come on in. I just have to grab my purse then we can go."
Raed stepped inside, making her small flat seem even tinier. He smiled as he looked around. "Nice flat."
"Thanks. I'm happy with it. I'll just be a sec."
Lexi hurried to the bedroom to get her purse. Once inside, she waved her hand in front of her face to cool her heated cheeks. Raed was even better looking than she remembered. Dressed in snug-fitting black jeans with a dark burgundy button down shirt, he'd presented an image she'd had a hard time not ogling. The man had a great build. Grabbing her purse off the dresser, she hurried back to Raed.
He turned toward her when she stepped back into the room. "All set?"
Lexi felt a shiver go through her at the sound of his deep, British accented voice.
"Yes."
Raed pulled open the flat's door and stepped aside for her to walk out first. "I thought we could go to one of the pubs, if you're all right with that suggestion?"
"I'd love to. Going out for an evening at a pub is one of the things on my 'To do'
list while I'm here."
"Well, I'm glad I can help you out."
Raed placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked down the flight of stairs to the entrance. Through her blouse, Lexi felt the heat seep into her skin. Her heart started to beat faster. She knew she was reacting to Raed like a teenager out on her first date, but she couldn't seem to get herself under control. She needed to pull herself together. She was an adult. Just because a gorgeous man had asked her out for supper did not mean anything would go beyond that. Knowing her, she would be lucky to get a goodnight kiss out of Raed, let alone a second date.
Raed's black Mercedes-Benz sat parked on the street across from the flat. He helped her into the passenger seat before he went around and climbed behind the wheel. The drive to the pub, The White Swan, took no time at all. Once they sat down at an empty table, a waitress came over and took their drink order. When Raed ordered a pint of dark ale, Lexi did the same.
As they looked over their menus, Raed asked, "So you'll be here in Norwich for a month?"
Having already decided to have the fish and chips, Lexi closed her menu and looked at Raed. "Yes. I have the time off so I thought I might as well come and see where my father's side of the family came from."
Raed closed his menu and met her gaze across the table. "Do you still have family here?"
"Not that I know of. My great-grandfather moved to Florida at the age of seventeen after he lost both his parents. He was an only child and didn't have any other family."
"What happened to his parents?"
"We don't really know for sure. He never talked about them, though there is a family story about what supposedly happened. The tale is a bit . . . out there." Lexi leaned in and said in a low voice, "The only time he said anything about how they died was when he lay on his deathbed. My dad figures he must have been more than a little out of it at the time, considering all the pain meds they had him on. He supposedly said one night his father turned into a werewolf and killed his mother. My great-grandfather was about to suffer the same fate when a man kicked in the door to his house, swinging a broadsword, and killed his father." She sat back, shook her head and laughed. "Like I said, he must have been completely out of it."
Raed looked away. "I guess he had to have been." In a serious voice, he added,
"Werewolves don't exist so there is no question your great-grandfather must have imagined the story about his parents."
His tone had Lexi studying him more closely. He still refused to meet her gaze as he looked around the pub. It almost seemed as if he felt uncomfortable with something she had said, or guilty. Lexi laughed. "Of course he made the whole thing up. And of course werewolves don't exist, everyone knows that."
Lexi had to kick herself. When would she ever learn not to bring up the subject of her great-grandfather's story? Not everyone was so tolerant; some thought she must be crazy when she told the tale.
The waitress returned with their ales and took their food order. After she left, the silence stretched between them. Lexi took a sip and looked around, unsure of how to get the conversation started again. She turned back to Raed, intending to say the first thing that came to mind, but she lost the ability to speak when her gaze locked with his.
Raed was staring at her as if she'd become something he wanted to devour. His expression held the promise of a night filled with hot, sweaty sex. No man had ever looked at her like that. She swallowed as her mouth suddenly went dry. Her blood surged through her body as an ache started to build between her legs and wetness pooled. With just one look, Raed revved her body into overdrive.
Lexi shifted in her chair, unable to pull her gaze away. His eyes drifted downward as he followed the line of her throat to her chest. Her nipples tightened beneath her blouse. She bit back a moan as he lifted his gaze to her face. Raed's nostrils flared slightly as he took a deep breath. His eyelids lowered to half mast as he stared at her lips. She licked them, noticing how Raed followed the movement.
As if he suddenly realized where they were, Raed's gaze became less intense and he took a sip of ale. He then asked, "What do you do in Florida?"
Lexi had to clear her throat before she spoke, and it took a few seconds to get her brain to start working again. How could Raed go from acting as if he wanted to devour her one minute, to Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected the next? Her body felt as if it would burst into flames any minute. "Ah, I work as a teacher's assistant in an elementary school. I guess it would be called a primary school here in the UK."
"Do you enjoy teaching?"
"Yeah, I do. I like working with kids. What do you do?"
Raed gave her a half smile. "I have no need for a job."
"So you're one of the idle rich, are you?"
He chuckled. "Not exactly. I would hardly call myself idle. I may not have to work, but I do have other pursuits that keep me busy enough."
"Like what?"
"Nothing very interesting. Stocks, bonds, those types of things."
Their waitress returned with their food, bringing a pause to the conversation once again. Lexi ate as she racked her brain to think of something witty to say. The only benign topic of conversation they hadn't touched on so far was the weather. She really didn't want to go there. That would take her from being a boring date to a mind-numbing and possibly crazy one instead.
After she finished eating, Lexi excused herself and went to the restroom. Once she used the facilities, she stared at her reflection in the mirror above the sink. It looked as if this evening was going down south real fast. She didn't blame Raed. She put the blame entirely on her shoulders. This wouldn't be the first date she had been on that ended with awkward silence. Her mother was forever telling her to be a bit more outgoing. Lexi tried, but outgoing she was not and never would be. Until she got to know a person better, she had a hard time coming up with interesting, witty conversation. She just hoped her shyness didn't cost her Raed. He was one man she definitely wanted to get to know better.
Raed watched for Lexi to come out of the loo. Hearing about her great-grandfather’s parents had been the last thing he’d expected. Lexi had no idea how much truth rather than fiction was in her tale. What were the chances of his meeting the descendant of the teenage boy he had saved so very long ago? It had to be an ironic twist of fate; it also made him a tad uncomfortable. Lexi may not believe the story, but he would have to be doubly careful around her. He didn't want to give her the proof that would have her believing every word her great-grandfather had said on his deathbed.
He found it difficult thinking straight around Lexi, which resulted in him not being able to carry on an intelligent conversation. Born in 580 A.D., he hadn't exactly gone out on any dates while he had still been mortal. And now, if he craved the touch of a willing woman, he went to a nightclub
to find one who wanted nothing more than a night of pleasure. But with Lexi, a one-night stand held no appeal.
Raed quickly downed the rest of his ale. He had to do something to turn this evening around. He wasn't usually this much of a stick-in-the-mud. He blamed his behavior on the intense attraction he had for Lexi. Just sitting across from her, with her scent wafting around him, had his body coiled tighter than a spring and his cock as hard as a rock. When their gazes had locked, it had taken all his willpower not to lunge across the table and take her right there. He wanted to rip her clothes off so he could lick and kiss every inch of her body. The need to take her, claim her, made his wolf howl, especially when the smell of Lexi's arousal mixed with her scent.
He ran his hand through his hair as he tried to tamp down the intense desire that threatened to overtake him. He'd never lusted after a woman like this. Not even his wife had stirred his body the way just being in Lexi's presence did.
Spotting Lexi as she made her way back to their table, Raed sat up straighter. If he didn't want the evening to continue on as it had, he knew he had to get them out of the pub. He'd never been comfortable around a crowd of mortals, and the strain of being around so many would make things much worse.
Before Lexi could sit, Raed slapped some money on the table to pay for their meal and stood. "How about we get out of here? The pub is starting to get a little too crowded for my taste." All the tables around them were now full and the noise had increased to a level uncomfortable for his sensitive werewolf hearing.
Lexi nodded. "Okay. Where would you like to go?"
Raed took hold of her hand and led her outside. "How about we go back to your flat?"
"Sure, I guess."
Once he helped Lexi into the car and took his place behind the wheel, Raed said,
"If you don't want to invite me in, don't feel as if you have to. We'll just talk."
"Oh, okay."
Did he hear disappointment in Lexi's voice? By Tiw, she would be the death of him yet. If only she knew how badly he wanted her, but he didn't have the time tonight to do all the things he wanted to do to her. And with his wolf riding him to take her, Raed didn't know if he would be able to control that side of himself. All Raed needed was for his eyes to change, or for his claws to come out while he made love to Lexi.
Either, no doubt, would send her running from him in terror.
In the confines of his car, Lexi's scent filled his head. His hands tightened on the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. Raed knew he should be trying to draw her out with some intelligent conversation, but he didn't think he could get the words past the wolf's growl that threatened to break free. Never before had his wolf reacted to a woman in this way. The beast's behavior only pushed Raed's arousal, increasing his need.
He cast a quick glance at her as he pulled onto her street. She had her head turned, looking out the passenger window. She probably thought he was a jerk. Raed parked across the street from the flat and came around to help Lexi out of the car. As his hand closed over hers, he knew he was in trouble. Being alone with Lexi inside her flat would be a bad idea; what little control he had seemed to be slipping.
Raed walked her to the door that opened into the stairwell. He opened it so they could pass through, but didn't close it behind them. In response to Lexi's questioning look, he said, "I think I may have to take a rain check for the rest of the evening. There is somewhere else I have to be tonight. I’m sorry I have to cut our evening short. I really would like to see you again, perhaps sometime soon?"
Once they reached the flat's door, Lexi gave him a small smile as she reached inside her purse and pulled out her keys. "Thanks for supper." She took a deep breath.
"Look, Raed, don't feel as if you have to see me again. I can tell you didn't exactly enjoy yourself at the pub. You wouldn't be the first date I've bored to tears."
Raed crowded Lexi with his body until he had her backed against the door. He bent his head so he could look her in the eyes as he placed his hands on the door on either side of her head, caging her in. "Is that what you think? That I found you boring and I only said I wanted to see you again to be nice?"
Lexi swallowed as her gaze locked with his. "Well, yeah. We didn't exactly have a lot of stimulating conversation. I'm boring; I know that."
He crowded closer and pressed the bulge in his jeans against her. She sucked in a sharp breath, and he smiled. "You stimulated me very much. I haven't found you boring at all. If anything, you stir me more than you should."
As the scent of Lexi's arousal grew stronger, Raed knew he either had to taste her, or die from longing. He wrapped one hand around the back of her neck as he lowered his mouth to hers. He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips before he pushed inside and groaned as he got his first real contact with Lexi. The taste of her went straight to his head. He stroked her tongue with his as Lexi reached up to fist her hands in the front of his shirt. The keys she still held dug into his chest, but he barely felt them as intense arousal thrummed through his body.
Raed rocked his erection against her as he cupped her breast. He stroked his thumb across her pebbled nipple. Lexi moaned and sucked on his tongue. She pressed closer, rubbing up against his hard cock.
Lost in a sexual haze, Raed kissed Lexi deeper and he brought his hands down to her ass, lifting her off her feet. Positioning her so his aching cock was lined up with her pussy, he ground against her. Lexi moaned into his mouth. Her arms came up and wound around his neck as she pushed down on him.
The howl of a werewolf in the distance broke through Raed's lust-clouded brain and he stiffened. He let Lexi slowly slide down his body as he pulled away from her lips.
Lexi looked up at him, her eyes full of desire, her lips swollen from his kisses.
"What's wrong?"
Raed knew she hadn't heard the werewolf's howl; the sound had been too far away for a mortal to hear at this distance. "I have to go. What's your phone number?"
She blinked as if she were still in a daze. Slowly, she said, "I can't remember."
The howl came again. Raed knew he couldn't linger much longer, no matter how much he wanted to stay and continue what they had started. "Never mind. I'll find it."
He gave Lexi one last quick, thorough kiss before he bounded down the stairs.
He hoped he could find more than one werewolf tonight. Frustrated beyond words, he would gladly take his agitation out on the ones he hunted.
Lexi had no idea how long she stood in the small hallway staring at nothing after Raed had left. The man had kissed her senseless. She was lucky to even remember her own name. She slowly turned and unlocked the door to the flat. After she closed and locked it behind her, she leaned back against its wooden surface.
Her body had yet to cool. Arousal still surged through her, and her panties were wet with her desire. She shook her head. If Raed hadn't stopped when he had, she felt certain she would have let him take her right out there in the hallway where technically anybody could have caught them in the act. If her landlady who owned the bookstore below had caught them, that would have been too embarrassing for words.
At least she knew Raed had more than a passing interest in her. She could still feel the pressure of his hard cock against her pussy. The mental images made her want to moan. She pushed away from the door and headed for her bedroom. After the long afternoon nap and with her body still on fire, sleep was the last thing she wanted. She changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and a matching t-shirt and returned to the living room. A few hours of TV would help take her mind off Raed. As she settled on the couch, she had a feeling the night was going to be a very long one indeed.
Chapter Three
Raed drove in the direction the werewolf's howl had come from. He parked on a quiet street, alighted and went into hunting mode as he tried to pick up the werewolf's scent. Using powers granted him by Tiw, he willed a black t-shirt to replace his button down shirt. A broadsword and scabbard appeared on his back, strapped in place a
cross his chest. It didn't take him long to pick up the fresh scent as he took off at a run, keeping to the shadows as much as possible.
The trail led him to a small park. Raed grabbed the hilt of his broadsword and slowly pulled the weapon free of the scabbard as he cautiously walked through the iron gates. Even though the night was practically pitch dark, he had no problem seeing, thanks to his acute werewolf sight. Looking left and right, Raed stalked his prey.
Raed froze at the sound of a loud growl coming from behind him. He brought his broadsword up as he swung around. Standing at almost seven feet tall in its half-human, half-wolf form, the werewolf lunged for his throat. Raed jumped back, bringing his broadsword down to slice across the beast's brown-furred chest. The werewolf howled in pain and staggered back as the gash Raed made sizzled.
The blade of his broadsword had silver mixed in with the hard steel, making it deadly to werewolves. A strike to the heart with a silvered blade ended the beast's existence, as did the loss of its head. Only Raed and his men had no need to fear that particular metal. Tiw made sure his warriors couldn’t be destroyed by the weapon they used to take out their prey.
As the werewolf recovered and lunged for a second time, Raed hit the beast again, and this time he didn't wait for a counterattack. Forcing the werewolf farther into the park so they were no longer close to the entrance, Raed hacked and slashed, easily blocking its sharp claws with his sword as the beast tried to tear at his face and neck.
Judging by his opponent's lack of skill, Raed figured it had to be one of the newly turned, which meant there had to be a second werewolf lurking somewhere nearby.
Just as Raed came to that conclusion, a heavy weight slammed into his back, pushing him into the range of the claws of the werewolf in front of him. Damn, he was off his game tonight. Grunting with pain as sharp nails raked down his back, he quickly dodged under the claws of the first and sank his sword through the beast's heart. The newly turned werewolf fell dead to the ground as Raed spun around to face its pack mate.
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