Turning around, Aria looked down at his musing expression; a scowl appeared across her soft face as she asked in confusion, “Where are your clothes?”
6
I hate snow!
Looking down at the damp bottoms of his jeans with discontentment, Raoul glared at the unwanted snow. Slowly he allowed his eyes to shift to the bigger problem. As though looking in a mirror he glared at his partner and clone brother, Thomas; or as Malca called him 50T. They both were just two of many clones, according to Malca; they were the most successful ones. Being born with superior strength, healing and senses, they were the perfect killing machines. It also didn't hurt that he had been created with a unique DNA alteration.
Though they were identical physically, their personalities were polar opposites. Thomas loved field assignments. He craved the danger and the killing. In a nut shell; he was a killer and he got off on it as well. Usually when his brother caught an unsuspecting victim in his sight, which was when Raoul made himself scarce. The body count didn't unsettle Malca one bit. As long as Thomas left no evidence behind, she would turn a blind eye to the occasional dead girl from time to time.
All throughout the night they had been tracking an escaped experiment. Hours of trudging through snow was grating on Raoul’s nerves, he’d much rather be off the ground than on it. The bark bit into the leather of his jacket as he leaned against a nearby tree, waiting for Thomas to return. Thomas had scouted ahead a few minutes ago, certain he’d located where the escaped experiment was hiding out. He just wanted to get this job done and over with.
His deranged brother believed he was here for the job. This wasn’t the first time he’d been out in the field, but it would be his last field assessment. Raoul longed for freedom from this kind of life and in a few hours he would hopefully be within reach of it. Malca had already promised that if he brought her fleeing experiment back in one piece, she would to release him.
The thought of Malca keeping her promise almost made him laugh. He wasn’t so dim- witted that he’d believe for an instant that his brother or Malca wouldn’t betray him on the spot. However this apple was just too sweet not to take a bite. Freedom from this endless, empty existence was what he wanted and it was what he’d get. Even if he had to resort to using an escaped prisoner as leverage to get what he wanted.
“Wake up, dreamer.” The cocky tone of Thomas only made his eyes shift slightly. His face remained cold and indifferent as he turned the direction of his focus. Striding through the sun saturated woods; his brother wore a smug smile on his face like a mantle. Whenever his brother wore a smile like that is was never good in the scheme of things.
Pushing away from the tree, Raoul shoved his hands in his jean pockets as he attempted to appear non-threatening. “Did you find anything?” He asked hopefully, the sooner he got out of this godforsaken snow the happier he would be.
Walking over where their supply bags were stashed, crouching down next to his bag, Thomas dung down nearly to the bottom before pulling out his stash of cigarettes. Placing one between his lips, he patted down his demy jacket pockets for his matches. “She is shacking up with some hermit.”
Slowly he took a step forward. “Let’s go grab the package then.” Raoul said eagerly as Thomas leisurely withdrew a pack of matches from the breast pocket of his coat.
Striking a match, Thomas focused completely on his cigarette. “Cool your jets.” Tossing the burning match carelessly into the snow, he savored the first drag from his cigarette with silent appreciation. “Right now there are three big guys down there.” Flicking ash off the tip of his burning cigarette, he gave Raoul a serious look. “They aren’t human like our target.”
Raoul clenched his hands tightly with frustration within the confines of his pockets. That could only mean one thing; they were shifters. “Well, that does complicate things,” his words gritted out, rubbing his chin with deep frustration, “What now?” He bit out.
“Eventually they are going to leave that piece of crap house and that’s when we will grab the package. Not a moment before then.” Thomas decreed, pulling his cigarette back to his lips with a look of authority directed right at Raoul.
Approaching his callous twin, all his pent up aggression began going quicker to his head than a rocket to the moon. He knew why his twin was dragging his feet and it had nothing to do with the other shifters. Thomas would shoot up an airport full of armed cops if he was able, he loved the challenge. No, Raoul knew the real reason was because his sadist brother was hoping to have some one on one time with the girl they were trailing.
“Why the fuck not? If I were running point on this I’d say just shoot the place up, grab the girl and have it done with. You are wasting time on this and I know why, freak.” For a moment he didn't think his twin even heard him. There he stood, appearing more interested in the stream of smoke he was expelling from his lips than his words.
Never dropping his cigarette, Thomas’s fist stuck out like a bolt of lightning, sending his twin unremorsefully into the snow. “Let’s clear something up right now.” Gripping his cigarette between his index finger and thumb, taking a last puff he flicking it inches from Raoul’s face. “I am leading this hunt, not you. The next time you want to act like you got a bigger gun, you better be prepared to use it. Because I sure as hell am not afraid of slitting your throat and leave you here like the worthless crap you are.” Taking a step forward, he jerked his glaring clone to his feet, ignoring the heated glare pointed in his direction.
“Sooner or later, our target has to leave that cabin without her new found bodyguards, and when she does then we will grab her. The last thing we need is a bunch of bears chasing us down on unfamiliar terrain.” Bending to pick up his pack, Thomas turned back to his brother with a haunting grin. “Besides, that gives us some time to head into town for some well deserved fun.”
As Thomas strode away, Raoul dark eyes narrowed as his inner beast clench its claws in aggression. He just wanted this job done and over with, so he could be rid of Thomas and Malca forever. More than anything he wanted to kill the smug bastard that wore the same face as he did, but if anyone was capable of getting him closer to freedom it was that killer. Until then he just had to buy his time and let him continue to think he was superior—for now.
* ~ * ~ *
“Hold still.” She stressed for the fifth time in the past ten minutes.
They had gotten back to the cabin at a slower pace than she’d expected. Aria had insisted that they go and grab his clothes before returning to the warmth of the cabin. How was she supposed to know that when he shifted with clothes on they ripped to pieces? Even after handing over her coat that he immediately wrapped around his naked hips. She could still remember the bad attempt by Doyle to weasel her out of her sweater with his “Maybe we should share clothes until we back. I’ll take the sweater.” While he knew full well that she had nothing on beneath that particular item of clothing. Fixing him with a disbelieving look as she ignored his puppy dog eyes, she told him to shift if he was so cold.
She was so relieved that his father and brother hadn’t been waiting for them when they had got back. After demanding that Doyle put at least some pants on, they both sat on the deer skin rug before the roaring fireplace with a few bandages and alcohol swabs spread out around them. Bringing an alcohol swab to the slash above his left eyebrow, she was forced to lean closer as Doyle leaned away from her hand.
“I really don’t need doctored up, you know.” He stated hesitantly, his eyes carefully watching her determined hand.
“Stop moving!” She snapped in frustration. It was taking her forever just to clean the cut on his head, no telling how long it would take for the longer one on his arm. Scooting closer to him again, her legs folded underneath her, she practically was crawling into his lap at this point.
“You know I have a low pain threshold.” He declared while eyeing the alcohol swap like it was a blade.
“Good. I’d hate for you not to feel it when I stab you
if you don’t let me try and fix this!” She gritted out. She reached out for his face again, only to be stopped when his fingers encircled her outstretched hand.
“Aria, I am a shifter. We heal quickly and rarely require first aid. While I am pleased you want to play nurse, I think I’d prefer it in another setting.”
Exasperated, she tossed the swap down and sat back on her butt. “Meaning…”
Pushing up on his hands against the soft fur rug underneath, he leaned closer to her. His face inches from hers that was straining away for more space. “Well…” A secret conniving smile formed on his firm lips, drawing her attention from his eyes to his lips that she had a sudden craving to experience. “If you want to play nurse, the nurse doesn’t really take care of the patient as she really takes advantage of him…” His lips hovered closer as each word escaped between them with a husky whisper that had her head swim with mounting longing.
Raising a skeptic eyebrow she leaned closer to him, “Is that right?” She asked coyly, her hands sliding up over his thickly muscled arms until they came to rest on his hard, rippling chest. “Why didn't you say so?”
Smiling teasingly at him, she urged him from his Indian style position and onto his back. Slowly crawling over him, she straddled his hips, all the while making sure to accidentally brush against his straining desire beneath his black trousers. A breathy gasp escaped his mouth as his desire laden eyes stared up at her in surprise.
Shifting her hips against his hard form beneath her, she lightly trailed a seducing finger over his muscular chest, through the light dusting of dark chest hair as her hand drifted toward his lower stomach. Lowering her eyes coyly, her voice became heavy with sensual promises.
“I think I ought to take your temperature, just to be safe.” Her hair fell around her shoulders in waves of gold that shone in the mid-day light.
Doyle closed his eyes as his bear rose to the surface, fighting to take over and to take their mate. “This is so much better than my typical nurse fantasy…” He murmured his breath caught in his throat as he felt her hand gliding close to the opening of his pants. His cock jumped in anticipation.
Out of nowhere, fire erupted along his forehead as he felt Aria swab at his injury. Doyle's eyes snapping open with dismay, after feeling her quickly wiping at the cut on his arm, he looked up at his now serious mate as she tossed a cotton swab aside. She gazed down at him with a satisfied smile as she climbed off him and stood.
“Pervert,” She murmured as she began collecting all the items of his medical kit and returned them to the large box. Sitting up, a low growl escaped as he rubbed at his burning wound.
Jumping to his feet, he advanced on her with his eyes promising retribution for her false seduction. “Don’t think I won’t get you back for that.” He remarked, pointing a finger down at her unconcerned face. Shrugging her shoulders, Aria walked past him into the kitchen and threw away the used swabs in the trash can; she had located under the sink.
Staring after her swaying hips and the delicious roundness of her rump, Doyle felt his mouth water with a sudden desire to feel that meaty flesh against him. He smirked as she tried adjusting her borrowed clothes as the overly large pants slowly began slipping lower over her hips. Growling under her breath, she struggled to tighten the drawstring even tighter than it already was.
As sexy as she was in his clothes, he couldn’t help but admit it may be a good idea to get her some of her own. A trip to the local clothing store may be called for tomorrow. Following quietly behind her, he walked past her to the fridge. Selecting a beer, he popped the metallic cap off as he silently observed her.
Slowly taking a sip, he allowed the bitter, but satisfying flavor to settle down his throat. “Tomorrow we’ll head into town and grab you whatever you need.” He stated calmly, pressing the perspiring bottle to his lips once more as she spun around obviously startled.
“Why? You said I could stay here until—” Her words rushed out until Doyle set his bottle aside and interrupted her.
“I’m not taking you to town to get rid of you and as much as I love seeing you in my clothes, you can't wear them all the time.” He stated in a soft tone.
Closing the space between them, he placed his hands on her shoulders, rubbing the tight muscles in a firm, soothing motion. Even without his enhanced hearing, he could clearly hear her heart galloping like a race horse on steroids. His bear paced with apprehension at their mate’s obvious distress. He needed to get to the bottom of his mate’s fear and crush it.
“I was just planning on taking you into town for clothes, since you will be staying here.” Seeing her fear was not ebbing, he asked, “Who is chasing you?”
“No one…” She started, but trailed off as her startled eyes met his firm ones. She could tell he wasn’t going to accept that reply any longer.
“I can tell when someone is being hunted, kitten. I will find out one way or another. It will be easier if you tell me the truth, so that I may protect you.”
“I just want to disappear.” Shaking her head furiously, Aria shrugged his hands off and paced into the living room. She was all too aware that her handsome companion was shadowing her every step. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to forget about it all.” She mumbled softly, keeping her back turned to him, her armed crossed defensively over her chest.
Gripping her shoulder, he spun her around to face him. Ushering her to the couch, Doyle sat, pulling his surprised mate across his lap. When she tried to slide off his lap, Doyle locked his arms around her. Capturing her eyes with his, he held her immobile.
“I need the truth, Aria.” He said firmly.
“You see these?” She asked. Her lip clenched in anger as she held up a wrist, displaying one of her dark metal bracelets.
“What are they?” He inquired urgently, slowly circling her wrist with a gentle hand. His eyes swept over the simple black metal; at first glance it appeared to be a simple bangle.
“It was what they used to subdue the captives.”
“Captives?” A growl of outrage surfaced as she looked away. He could tell he wasn’t going to like what she was about to tell him. Wrestling with his furious bear, he forced himself under control. What had happened to her to give her that dark haunted look in her soft eyes?
“People they would just take off the street and keep as captive lab rats.” Her voice was impassive, as her eyes seemed to glaze over with a tempest of uninvited memories. Jerking roughly out of his hold she sprung from the couch. Crossing her arms over her heaving chest, she looked away from him. “Like I said, I don’t want to talk about it.”
He struggled not to push her to reveal everything at once. Her frame shook with tribulation and anger as her eyes flashed with painful memories. Standing too, he slowly walked over to her. Not attempting to touch her, he simply stood behind her, allowing her to feel his immense presence for whatever comfort it would give her.
“I can't go back, Doyle. I’ll die first.” Her voice whispered like a soft breeze, slowly echoing between them. “I can't go back to being scared. I refuse to be that cowering girl again and I won’t allow them to take me again.” She covered her face in effort to block out the images of the terrorizing years at Malca’s compound. She would never be free, that was all too clear for her, but could she really pull someone else into this mess?
Gently, she felt the heavy weight of Doyle’s arms wrapping slowly around her waist, pulling her back tightly against his front. His earthy scent comforted her, reminding her that she was no longer alone. No matter what happened.
“Aria, I will not press you for anything you are not ready to give me. But I am not like you, I’m not human. Whatever you want to call me; shifter, bear, a monster, I don’t care. I want to win you like a human man would. You do not know me and you just discovered my darkest secret. But you didn’t run, just as I will not abandon you. No matter what; you are my mate. That means you are mine and mine alone. You're mine to care for and mine to protect until my last
breath. You don’t have to be afraid that someone will harm you. I will kill any that try to take you from me.”
Suddenly all her weariness melted away. Building up a wall against the idea of Malca coming after her, her will grew in strength. She could do this. She could beat Malca at her own game. She didn't care what he was. If she was to have any chance of stopping Malca and bringing her down, with Doyle she had a better chance. She didn't know how she felt about this mate stuff. It seemed too strange for her to understand. All she did know is that she was no longer afraid of Doyle. If anything she was warming up to this big, grizzly of a man.
“You’re not a monster.” She said, softly. Her soft eyes met his over her shoulder.
“Prove it to me.” Caressing her jaw, he turned her in his warm embrace. Their bodies melted into each other as his arms wrapped around her back in a trusting embrace. “Let me protect you. Give me a chance to win your heart.”
“I may not be safe to be around. You could be in danger for just helping me.” She mused out loud.
Shrugging his shoulders uncaring he sought to make light of the situation. “Do you know how much danger I would be in if I let you walk away without a fight? My bear would make my life miserable, not to mention my mother and sister. I am more scared of their wrath than whoever is after you.” His tone spoke from experience, causing Aria to laugh at the idea of two small women instilling fear within this mountain of a man.
“I have to meet these women if you’re so scared of them.” She teased, pulling away from him slowly.
“That is out of the question, absolutely not.” He said, moving towards the kitchen, shaking his head at the idea. “The last thing I need is for them to corrupt you with their evil female ideas.”
Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1) Page 7