“When did you get so soft?” Titus laughed louder.
“Whatever,” Sol grumbled. “Maybe I should have stayed there, so I could bitch about your sorry ass.”
Titus flinched. “She still mad?”
Sol leaned back in the chair and propped his feet up on the railing. “Did you really have to deny her the home office?”
Without thinking, he glanced over at her cabin across the way. Wherever he went, she was always so damn close. He turned back to Sol.
“It’s protocol,” he said pointedly.
Sol groaned. “You’re not going to give in on anything with her, are you?”
“I don’t understand.” Titus frowned.
Sol turned to stare at him. “I know you feel it from her. That itch that just won’t go away.” He shook his head. “You should just give up now. It’s not going to get any better.”
Titus stared at him for a long moment. This wasn’t something he wanted to be talking about.
“Are you ready for the hearing?” Titus asked. The smile on his friend’s face disappeared, and the muscles in his jaw ticked.
“I don’t fucking like it,” Sol said tightly.
“I don’t either,” Titus said and placed his beer on the railing. “But this is the only way to make sure that piece of shit stays put away.”
“We’re putting Erica and the babies at risk by even exposing them.” Sol’s eyes glowed with rage.
“We knew the pregnancy would get out at some point.” He watched the anger turn to fear on Sol’s face. “At least this way we can control the direction the conversation goes.”
Sol gave a short nod. “I know we need to do this, but I hate having her in the same room as the piece of shit that tried to rape her.”
Titus wasn’t too fond of the idea either, though not because he didn’t think Erica couldn’t handle herself. She’d proven to be much tougher than any of them had suspected.
No, he was worried about what Sol might do. His friend was a warrior, and men like him defended their women. Titus had already tried to convince him to just sit the trial out but was given a firm no. Not that he could really blame him and if something did happen, Sol would be the best one to have around her.
“I’m not going to kill Mark,” Sol said quietly. “I know that’s what everyone is thinking, but I’m not.”
“What makes you so sure?” Titus asked.
Sol leaned his head back against the chair and looked up at the darkening sky. “I could have already,” he said quietly. “Easily. But she wants to see him serve time.”
“And what do you want?” Titus held his breath as he waited.
“I want whatever she wants.”
Titus swallowed and gave a nod. As he looked at the faint stars, he sighed. At least there was one less thing to worry about.
* * *
“That was fantastic,” Kate said, smiling at Erica. “You sure it’s okay that we kicked Sol out? He didn’t look too thrilled.”
“I’ll make it up to him later.” Erica winked and cleared away a few plates.
Kate frowned. “Are you sure you should be doing that, you know, it in your condition?”
She jumped when the dishes landed hard in the sink.
“Did he tell you to say that?” Erica turned around to look at her. Her face was red with irritation.
“Sol?” Kate backed up a little. “No.”
Erica dropped into a chair next to the table. “I love him, I really do. But if he doesn’t quit treating me like a little flower, I’m going to tie him to the bed and have my way.”
Kate sputtered on the wine she’d just sipped. This was so unlike the Erica she knew from before. This one was more sure of herself and didn’t hold back.
“Have you talked to him about this?” Kate asked.
Erica sighed and looked up from her hands on the table. “It’s so hard to even broach the subject. He’s being so sweet, and part of me really loves it.”
“And the other part?” Kate leaned forward.
Erica smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “The other part wants him to let some of those raw instincts take over.”
Her heart sped up. She knew what Erica was talking about. There were times when Titus looked at her with such intensity that she just wanted him to rip off her clothes.
“Maybe you should just try seducing him,” Kate said.
Erica sighed and rubbed her growing stomach.
“Anymore, I’m not so certain he even finds me attractive.” She sighed.
“Oh now.” Kate stood to help Erica out of her chair. “I don’t believe that for a second. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
She pulled Erica up.
“We just need to give him something that he can’t refuse.”
Kate walked into the kitchen and held up the apron on the hook and grinned. “I think you should serve him dinner in this.”
Erica shrugged and took it from her hands.
“You just need to let him know that dinner is ready.” Kate smiled. “And then answer the door wearing the apron and nothing else.”
Erica’s eyes went wide. “Do you think that’s all it would take?”
Kate laughed. “I’d be surprised if it took more.”
Erica looked at the apron skeptically. “It’s worth a shot I guess.”
They went into the living room and sat comfortably on the couch.
“He’s been worried recently,” Erica said quietly.
Kate took a sip of her wine. “Over the hearing?”
Erica nodded. “That and what comes next.” She sighed and adjusted the pillow behind her back. “Things have been so quiet since the Horatius Group tried to pick me up,” she said. “I think he’s on edge just waiting for something to happen.”
“Maybe they gave up,” Kate suggested.
Erica shook her head. “Not these people. I don’t think they’ll ever give up.”
She swallowed. The chance that she might be responsible for her friend getting hurt sent a chill through her.
“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Kate said forcefully.
Erica leaned forward and patted her leg. “I know,” she said. “Besides, I’m the one who wanted this.”
“You ready to see him?” Kate asked.
Her mind drifted to thoughts of her ex-boyfriend Mark. She remembered how he had left her for dead as the lodge burned around them. It was Titus that had protected her, bearing the weight of a beam that came crashing down.
At first she had been angry that Mark could leave her like that but chalked it up into fear. It wasn’t until he attacked Erica that she knew his true nature. It made her stomach twist to think she had been with such a vile man, that her inability to pick a good man could hurt her friend in so many ways.
“I’m ready,” Erica said with ease. “He’s not going to hurt me.”
“Good,” Kate said. “What about after? We’ll get you right out of there, but we have to make it to the car.”
Erica shook her head. “I’ll be fine.” She rubbed her stomach.
“I’m sure it will go well.” Kate smiled. “Who doesn’t love a baby or two?”
Kate smiled, but her stomach twisted slightly. They had kept most of the people in the compound oblivious to the plights outside the gate. More than a few people had expressed their views on any children that might come from one of the hybrids, and most opinions weren’t all that great, but they couldn’t keep the pregnancy a secret forever. Actually, the longer they waited, the more likely it became that someone would leak it.
She looked over to Erica, who nervously sat rubbing her bump. There was no reason to burden her with this information.
Kate took another few drinks of her wine and set it down.
“Let’s talk about something fun. How are the babies?”
Erica smiled. “Rachel said everything is progressing really well. We should know the sexes here in a month.”
“What are you hoping for?” She grinne
d.
“I’m happy with whatever.” Erica smiled.
Kate reached over and patted her belly. “Me too, as long as they are girls. I’ve read the books, and changing a boy’s diaper is risky. I’m not getting peed on.”
She laughed when Erica hit her with a pillow.
“All right, all right,” she laughed. “Either would be fine.”
Kate stood up and stretched. It had been a very long day for her. Any day that required her to deal with Titus was one that left her feeling drained.
“Let’s get you set up before I go home.”
“Oh but don’t you want Sol to drive you home?” Erica said with concern.
Kate rolled her eyes. “I live just down the road in a compound with beefy hybrids and military men. I think I’m safe.”
Erica smiled. “I guess so. Old habits.”
“Now, do you have any whipped cream?” Kate grinned at her.
Erica frowned. “Yeah, but I don’t have any dessert.”
Kate laughed. “That’s good because you’re dessert.”
She laughed even harder when Erica blushed.
* * *
The night air was light against her warm skin as she walked home. It had been so nice to hang out with Erica, something she didn’t get to do very often recently. With all the construction and work, there hadn’t been much time to just relax.
Kate sighed. More than likely, this was how things would be now. Her friend was happily married, and she was happy for that, but that meant there wasn’t as much room in Erica’s life for her.
She smiled. Well maybe there would be a place for her once the babies came. Kate was sure they would need a babysitter, and she was more than willing to load them up with candy and send them home.
A gentle breeze swept past her. She breathed in the sweet smell of summer flowers. There was honeysuckle all over the woods surrounding them. She wouldn’t admit it to Titus, but she loved the location of her house. There was a sense of belonging that she’d never known before.
Growing up, her father had split before she was even born. Her mom had been more of a part-time parent, and when she met the man of her dreams, she left Kate to fend for herself. That was fine by her. Her step-father, John, thought it his duty to “raise” her right. He was a spare the rod, spoil the child sort of man, and she despised him.
Slowly, she passed a few other houses. She hadn’t met everyone around them but had a feeling they were supposed to be for families. It was likely why Titus fought her so long. She suspected it was really Jenna that changed things.
Her attention drifted over to his cabin as she neared her own. It was the furthest out from the rest, and he had a wraparound porch she couldn’t help but love. She had seen him out on it just about every night since she moved into the cabin.
It wasn’t that she was watching for him, but her window faced his place directly, and it was hard not to notice his yellow eyes reflecting the light from the moon. Despite what her mind told her, her body was drawn to him.
Kate sighed and climbed the stairs to her quiet cabin. Jenna was likely with her uncle. It was nice to have the place to herself, but sometimes she found it lonely. She opened the door and tossed her keys in the bowl by the door. It was really out of habit that she even bothered. It was so safe on the grounds that she rarely worried about anything.
She opened several windows to let in the air from outside. It was warm but not enough to make it uncomfortable. Kate passed through the rest of the house and went into her bedroom. Without even thinking, she stripped down to a ratty pair of shorts and tank she loved.
Barefoot, she padded through the house. The wine from earlier had given her a warm buzz. It had been a long time since she had felt so relaxed. She paused when she reached the living room and looked at the couch. Watching TV wasn’t really appealing at that moment.
She glanced out the window toward the forest.
“What the hell,” she whispered. “Only live once.”
Kate raced to the bathroom to grab a towel before she chickened out.
Chapter Three
Titus sat quietly in the dark. Sol had already raced away earlier when Erica phoned that Kate was on her way home. He watched her in the dark as she walked happily to her house. His heart sped up when she looked his way, and he wondered if she could actually see him.
He shook his head. There was no way she could. Normal humans didn’t have the vision of a hybrid.
When she went into her house, he let out a sigh. It was harder when the air was warm like this. It carried the sweet scent of her to him and nearly drove him crazy.
Titus took a long drink from his beer and found his eyes wandering over to her place once again. He nearly choked on his beer as she walked around her room nearly naked. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and glanced away. His swelled with need and finished off the rest of his beer to get his mind off her.
When he looked back, she had moved out of the room. Titus sighed in relief. It was hard enough being around her without knowing how she looked naked.
Despite what Sol might want to think, Titus couldn’t let his desires get in the way of things. Titus had people counting on him, and it would be better to just not get involved with anyone. His life didn’t allow time for things like that, and he certainly couldn’t put someone in danger like that just to be with him.
He nearly groaned when she stepped outside onto her patio. Titus watched as she peeked around and slipped away from the house.
His pulse beat wildly in his neck as he watched her. Anger burned in him. There was no way he was going to allow someone to come in and destroy their way of life. He had never really suspected her of anything, but then again, she had the perfect cover for the Horatius Group to exploit.
Silently, he followed her into the woods, his eyes fixed on her as she made her way through the brush.
Titus stayed just enough away from her to ensure she couldn’t hear him, not that she would have been able to with all the racket she was making. There was no chance she would ever make it as a spy.
He ducked behind a tree when she came to a clearing next to the creek. The water babbled as it flowed over the rocks further down. Titus glanced around, looking to see if anyone was in the area. The woods were silent around them.
When he turned back around, he bit off the growl that wanted to come out. Feeling more like a peeping tom now than even before, he watched as she stripped out of her clothes and slipped into the water.
His dick pressed painfully against his zipper as he tried to control his rising lust. Her scent hung thick in the air, and he swallowed several times.
She was beautiful. Her wet skin glowed in the moonlight. She laughed as she dipped under the water and came back up. Although he knew he should turn around and go home, he watched her play.
It was so innocent and childlike, something he had never seen from her before. Kate was smooth and sleek at the office. For the first time, he wondered what he had been missing by keeping his distance.
He groaned softly when she rose from the water and walked on the stones back to her clothes. Droplets of water cascaded along her breasts down to the juncture of her thighs.
“Wah!” Kate yelled, and he moved without thinking.
She squished her eyes closed for the pain that would soon follow from the fall but opened them when she felt large warm arms instead.
“Oh, thanks.” She paused as she stared up into Titus’s face. His eyes blazed bright yellow. “Hi,” she fumbled.
Her head, still slightly muddled from the wine earlier, swam at the nearness of his body. She could feel her nipples harden against his rippled chest and fought the urge to rid him of the shirt that stood between them.
“Are you okay?” His brow wrinkled with worry, and she sighed when he leaned in a little closer.
“Fine,” she whispered. She pulled herself closer to his body and sighed when she felt his cock press firmly against her belly.
She gasped when he
pulled back quickly and set her firmly on her feet.
Kate shook her head to clear her thoughts. A chill ran over her, and she glanced down at her nakedness.
“Shit,” she mumbled and grabbed the towel from the ground near her. She wrapped it around her naked body.
When she looked up, she found his eyes fixed on where the towel was covering her. She shivered. Heat pooled between her legs, and she shifted feet to ease the ache.
“Titus,” she said. More a plea than anything.
His eyes found hers. They glowed even brighter. His nostrils flared, and he closed his eyes. She took a step forward but stopped when his eyes shot back open. They were no longer glowing. Instead, they were furrowed in irritation.
“What the hell were you doing?” he growled at her.
She glanced over at the water and looked back at him.
“Swimming,” she said simply.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to go swimming at night?” He flung his hand in the direction of the water.
She shrugged and grabbed her clothes from the ground. “I was hot, and it sounded nice.”
“What if someone came along?” He glared at her.
She would have laughed if he wasn’t being totally serious.
“Well then I guess he’d save me from cracking my head on the rocks.” She smiled.
The smile slipped from her face when he stormed over to her.
“This is no joke.” He glowered at her. “You came out here and caused issues for people.”
Kate put her hand on her hip and leaned forward, her own temper rising to meet his.
“No one told you to save me,” she nearly shouted at him. “As a matter of fact, what the hell were you doing out here?”
Her eyes dipped to his still visible erection.
“I was following a suspicious person,” he said and shifted so his front was less visible.
Anger bubbled up in her.
“Are you serious?” she yelled. “After everything, I’m a suspicious person? So suspicious that you had to watch me swimming naked? Do you get hard over everyone you follow, or is it just me?”
His eyes flashed for a moment, and she wondered if she had pushed too hard, but he had it coming. She was welcome in the community but still treated like a criminal? What a welcome.
Titus: Luna Lodge #2 Page 2