“And you were out all night fighting werewolves and in fear for the life of your friend?”
“Yes,” I tried to nod and my head fell limply forward.
“And then you came home to me, and we slept this afternoon for what ... three and a half, maybe four hours?”
“Mmhm.”
“Considering the lack of sleep, and the fact that you’ve not eaten nearly enough to heal your wounds so dramatically, I think we’ve discovered the reason for your weakness. That’s not even taking into account the way you just worked me over.”
I smiled and it took effort. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure,” he said as he tilted my head back and looked at my eyes. “You just look exhausted to me.”
“Are you sure? I feel really bad,” I grumbled.
“I am a doctor, remember? Take my word for it.”
My eyelashes fluttered and I started to see spots.
“Come on,” he said, scooping me up again like I weighed nothing.
Alfred sat on the side of the tub with me still in his lap and I listened to the sounds of him adjusting the water temperature. Opening my eyes would have taken too much effort.
I must have dozed off or passed out because the next thing I knew, he was easing me down into the warm water.
However, unlike the last time we’d been in the tub together, he didn’t have to put me in first in order to get undressed.
Fortunately, Alfred was already naked. He just stepped into the tub and carried me with him.
“You didn’t want to go to bed sticky?” I asked once he’d gotten us both settled.
“I have nothing against cherries.” He grinned. “But yes. I didn’t want to be sticky.”
As I snuggled against his chest he added, “You should appreciate that because I would have just spooned up against you and then you’d wake up to a sticky ass.”
I chuckled and it made me feel nauseated, so I took a few minutes to just lie there and let my stomach settle. Alfred wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly against his chest. The warm bath water heated his skin to the point of feeling almost feverish, but I took comfort in the warmth.
He began to massage the back of my neck with the hand that had been cradling my head and I moaned. “This feels familiar,” I said sleepily.
“Yes, it does.”
“Will you molest me this time?” I teased.
“I don’t think I have the strength,” he said and I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Speaking of which, won’t Marcy be angry that you didn’t have the strength to go out with her?”
“Not likely.” He sighed.
I pulled back to look at him and asked, “You lied about the date?”
“No. But I’d already called her and cancelled before you came down to the lab.” He smiled. “I had the strength. I just didn’t have the heart.”
His dark eyes sparkled alluringly and I stretched upward to kiss him. Alfred had such nice lips, so soft, perfect for kissing.
The touch of his warmth seemed to revive something within me and desires that should have long been sated were awakened once again. It was not sex that I craved, but the press of his warm flesh against me. I hungered for the taste of his lips and the feel of his strong embrace. I moved so that my face rested against the curve of his neck and sighed contentedly.
I fell asleep while Alfred washed my hair. There was something about his long fingers running across my scalp that relaxed me completely. When I woke up, Alfred had just stood, lifting us both from the water. I was so tired. I kept taking deep breaths as if I could never get enough oxygen.
Instead of trying to dry me, Alfred just wrapped me in a large cream colored towel and lay me at the foot of the bed while he dried off. My eyes would not seem to stay open, but I heard him toweling his hair and turning down the covers.
When he came back a few minutes later he started drying my hair and I fell asleep again as soon as I heard the sound of the blow dryer. I vaguely remembered wondering if I’d gotten any of the cherry juice on the covers.
—
The next thing I knew, it was morning. Alfred’s big warm body was wrapped around me like a blanket and I snuggled back against him. But what had woken me? The sun was just rising and the bay window in Alfred’s room that overlooked the rose garden was directly in front of my face. Even though the window was all the way across the large bedroom, the light managed to cascade directly onto the point of my nose.
No wonder Alfred slept on the other side.
The minute I slid off the bed Alfred grumbled and flung one arm across his eyes. “What are you doing?” he mumbled.
“I’m going to the bathroom. Is that alright with you?”
“Hmm,” he groaned.
When I came back I took a moment to appreciate how good he looked lying there. His ebony hair shined in the early morning sun like a dark gem, and the bronze of his skin looked magnificent next to the golden sheets. He looked like some sort of Greek god, come to Earth. And he was mine.
Every inch and sinew of that gorgeous body was mine.
I smiled to myself as I closed the bed curtains and slipped back between the satin sheets. I ran my hand over the soft hair on his chest and sighed. “I love a man with a hairy chest.”
He laughed. “Well, now that that’s out of the way, I can cancel my appointment to be waxed.”
“I’m serious.”
“Me, too.”
I lifted my head enough to look at him and he grinned.
“Ok, so I wasn’t going to be waxed. But that’s really something you don’t hear everyday.”
“I think you’re confused.” I chuckled as I snuggled back against him. “It’s hairy backs and butts that women don’t like, but a hairy chest is fine.”
Alfred wrapped his arm around my head and squeezed me against him. “Any other myths of female preference you want to clear up this morning?”
“Now that you mention it, I’d like to talk about size.”
“What?”
“It matters.”
“Do tell?”
“Anyone who says differently either doesn’t measure up, or they’re with someone who doesn’t measure up.”
Alfred smiled. “I thought it was skill that mattered most?”
I leaned over and kissed his forehead as I replied playfully, “Honey, they both matter.”
“So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if you’re captain of the Titanic if it sinks before you reach your destination?”
“Exactly.”
—
I fell back asleep with my head against Alfred’s chest.
When I woke again a few hours later, I thought it might be a nice surprise for him if I made breakfast. So, I slipped out of bed quietly, put on the top to Alfred’s black pajamas and went to the kitchen. I had just started the coffee when I heard a knock at the door. I thought it must be Kat, and for her to show up so soon after Alfred’s phone call, it must be important. So, I answered the door.
Fortunately, Alfred’s pajama top reached to mid thigh on me, so I wasn’t indecently exposed. But, I was still standing there half naked, staring into the pointy nosed face of Marcy Johnson.
Chapter Twelve
She looked as prissy as ever, same wide ass and flat chest as before, all squeezed into an ankle length pink dress. Her makeup was over done, as it always was, and I could tell that she’d put some effort into her frizzy blond hair. She obviously wasn’t expecting to see me.
“Lilith, I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Well, it is my house.” I forced myself to smile. “What brings you here ... so early this morning?”
“Is Alfred here?” she asked.
She had balls, I’d give her that much. Showing up at my house and asking for the naked man in my bed. Well, it was his bed, but you get the point. I’d decided once that given the opportunity I would hurt Marcy. But here was my opportunity, and I didn’t have the heart. I know what it feels like to be h
urt and couldn’t bring myself to treat another person that way, even one I despised. No matter what I said, she would surely be hurt, but there was no need to make things worse.
When I didn’t answer she said, “We had a date last night.
When he called to cancel, I assumed he was sick.”
“He’s not sick. He’s asleep.”
Reality began to dawn slowly on her prissy features and I stepped onto the porch with Marcy, closing the door behind me.
“Since you’re here, let me explain something to you, Marcy. First of all, I know you don’t like me. I see the judgment in your eyes every time you look at me. But that’s not important. You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me, and what you might hear in town is unreliable. If you stay around here long enough, you’ll find out that most people around these parts have nothing better to do than tell lies about the people who do have something better to do.”
Marcy took a few steps back and nearly stumbled down the steps before bracing herself against one of the pillars on the front porch.
“Anything I say to you now, will hurt. I know what that feels like and it’s not my intention.”
“Then what is your intention?” she asked.
The haughty tone to her voice made me blurt out the point most indelicately.
“Alfred was with me last night.”
She gasped and placed a hand over her bosom.
“Marcy, I’m sorry. I was trying to be nice about it, but you just won’t let me. I love Alfred, and I didn’t take him from you just because I could.”
“Then why did you?” she stammered.
“I didn’t, Marcy. He was never yours.”
The hatred in her eyes was plain to see as she turned to leave, but I stopped her. I turned Marcy to face me and forced her to look into my eyes.
“Look at me,” I pleaded. “Alfred has been a part of my life since I was a child. You could never have competed with that.
Last night I was true to my heart when I spent the night with him. And you’re here this morning to be true to yours. I understand where you’re coming from. But don’t hate me because I got here first.”
“Thank you.” She sighed shakily. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly.
“Excuse me?”
“Not for today, because you’re right. I did what I thought I had to do. I’m sorry for the things I thought about you ... for believing the things I’d heard.”
I stood there in stunned silence as she continued, “The woman I’d heard about would not have just leveled with me the way you did. I’m starting to think you’re right about this town.”
“I’ve lived here off and on my whole life, trust me. The people here aren’t all bad. It just depends on whose company you keep.”
Marcy crossed her arms and leaned back against the porch column as she asked, “Do you know Lola, at the video store?”
“Shit. No wonder you looked at me like that. Lola hates me. We went to high school together and I can tell you her personality hasn’t improved over the years.”
Marcy laughed. “Yeah? Well, she was the first person I met when I came to town. As a matter of fact, she’s the one that suggested I stop by here and meet Alfred.”
I felt my face instantly flush with anger. “Oh she did? I’ll get her,” I sneered nastily.
“No, don’t. Let me,” Marcy said. She smiled maliciously.
“Look, I’m sorry for this, but it really is her fault that I’m here. You and I might be nothing alike, but I don’t go from door to door trying to steal my neighbor’s men.”
For the first time, the smile that I offered Marcy was genuine.
“I believe you. Now will you believe I’m not a manipulative man-eating bitch who’s slept with half the town?”
“Oh, I think I’ve figured out who holds that title,” she said darkly.
Marcy apologized again before driving away. We weren’t exactly friends, but when Marcy left that day, we were no longer enemies.
I went back into the kitchen feeling surprisingly good about myself for having treated Marcy fairly. I was in the middle of making French toast when Alfred walked in wearing the bottom that matched the black pajama top I had on.
“Good morning.” I smiled.
He walked over and kissed the top of my head. “Good morning.”
“I made coffee,” I said, turning back to the toast.
While Alfred looked for a cup he said, “I thought I heard voices.”
“You did. Marcy stopped by.”
He dropped the mug he’d just removed from the cabinet and managed to catch it a second before it would have hit the counter.
“Nice reflexes.” I smiled.
Alfred looked like he was going to be sick. Since he was most likely expecting to have to dispose of a body before breakfast, I decided to explain what had happened. By the time I’d finished my explanation, breakfast was done. Alfred helped me to find where he’d put all the fresh fruit.
He began to slice some peaches and commented, “Well, that explains a lot. That Lola is a really unpleasant little ...
thing.“
I laughed. “Yeah, she always has been. But, it made me think better of Marcy to know that everything had been stirred up by Lola to start with. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t like her. But, I don’t hate her anymore either.”
“You do know I only accepted her offer because I thought you’d left me for Elijah?”
“I do now.” I smiled.
“Even though we know she’s not a complete bitch now, Marcy’s still not my type.”
“And what exactly is your type?”
Alfred smiled seductively while he sprinkled some sugar over the peaches.
“I like redheaded wild women who tie me to the bedposts when I’m drunk.”
“Really?” I purred. “Well, I think I know just the girl.”
—
It was a week later before Kat had the nerve to stop by for breakfast.
“Good morning, Kat.” I smiled when I answered the door.
She took in with a sadistic grin the fact that I was wearing another of Alfred’s satin pajama tops. This time it was gold.
“Is it safe to come in?” she sneered.
“Oh, don’t be an ass.” I pulled her inside.
“Me an ass? He’s the one that said to give you a few days.“
I just shook my head and Kat burst out eagerly, “So?”
“So, what?”
“Damn it, you know what.” She laughed. “How was it?”
“Great,” I sighed.
“That’s it? Great? I’ve waited a week to hear great?”
I laughed. “What do you want to hear, Kat? It was incredible, the best sex I’ve ever had and in all honesty, words fail me.”
“Wow,” she said. “So, it was great.”
“Would you like some breakfast?” I grinned.
Kat followed me through the foyer toward the kitchen as she commented, “Well, you still haven’t answered the one thing I’m dying to know....”
She broke off with a startled expression when we rounded the corner. Alfred was wearing the bottom to the gold pajamas and standing by the coffee pot with a smile.
“Good morning, Kathryn.” He grinned. “I see the subject hasn’t changed since I’ve been gone.”
“Good morning,” she mumbled.
Kat quickly sat down, apparently trying to pretend she wasn’t embarrassed. Alfred turned back to the stove and Kat looked at me. She pointed to Alfred and fanned herself while she mouthed, “Oh my, God.”
I’d forgotten that Kat had never seen Alfred without his shirt and had to agree, he was quite the sight. As I walked behind her chair I leaned over and whispered, “Eye candy for breakfast.”
She blushed as Alfred turned back around and asked, “So, what are you up to these days?”
“Actually, I’m planning my annual Halloween block party.
October is just around the corner, you know?”
“You’re kidding,” she said out loud and I laughed.
“What?” Alfred looked back at me suspiciously. His eyes narrowed and he raised one eyebrow at the crimson color Kat’s face was turning, but said nothing.
“So, what’s your costume going to be?” I asked Kat.
“I haven’t decided yet. What about you?” she asked Alfred.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to go this year.”
“What?” Kat and I both asked.
“There’s been a meeting called of all the Hunters.” He sighed. “It’s to discuss the possible changes. They’ve asked that one person from every partnership attend. Since I know how you hate politics, I volunteered.”
“How long will you be gone?” I couldn’t keep the disappointment from my voice. I wasn’t upset that he wouldn’t be at the party. I was upset that he wouldn’t be with me.
“Just Halloween day. I’ll be back the next morning.”
I moved closer to Alfred, and he touched my cheek lightly with his last words. The gesture was not lost on Kat.
“That’s not so bad,” I said as I turned back to see her evil grin. “Shut up,” I mouthed at her.
Halfway through breakfast Kat informed me that she was thinking of hiring the band from The Oasis. I looked surprised and she said, “What? They were pretty good.”
Yes, they were. But they were also werewolves. Kat didn’t know, and I’d have to tell her later. If I’d let on that I knew the band was all werewolves, I would have had some explaining to do.
—
The next few months passed by like the autumn breeze.
Fall was just beginning, and you could smell it in the air. For the first time in years, I was truly happy. I woke up every morning excited to see the man beside me, and unafraid of what loving him might bring. I was still capable of trust after all, and it eased my mind.
I’d helped Kat plan her party like I’d done every year since we’d met. This year’s theme was fairy tales. Kat’s Halloween bash was always a big deal. Everyone in the surrounding area was invited and paid a fee upon arrival to contribute to next year’s party.
Object of My Affection Page 18