by Nora Snowdon
“No thanks.” She tried to see where Annabelle and her date had gone. “So how did she get your watch?”
“What?”
“That woman said she had your watch…?”
“I left it at her place after a party.” He bit out the words.
“Oh.”
They reached the table and Lucas held out her chair for her. She sat down and absentmindedly picked up her empty glass. She put it down again. He raised his eyebrow.
“You sure?”
“Yup.”
He sat down and looked at her. “Look she really isn’t important.”
“Whatever.” She picked her purse up from the floor and put it on her lap.
“Do you want to leave?”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
His arm held her close as they walked to the door and she wondered again if he was sending his ex-lover a message. But could she resist him even if she knew he was using her? Or did she want to?
****
Damn Annabelle! She knew just how to make him feel guilty for dallying outside of his kind. And now he worried about hurting Rosie. At first their affair had been merely to slake his thirst for her, but she was much more than he’d bargained for. Her humor, intellect, and quirkiness were almost as much of a draw as her incredible sexiness. He didn’t want to give her up.
He looked over at Rosie sitting stiffly in the passenger’s seat. Why couldn’t she just believe him? Annabelle didn’t mean anything to him. One time he’d almost had sex with her after the solstice but then luckily he’d come to his senses. His brother was in love with Annabelle and it would’ve broken his heart if Lucas had claimed her for his own. Besides, he couldn’t imagine being stuck with her for the rest of his life. She was beautiful and exciting, but she could also be incredibly mean and manipulative, especially when drunk.
Pulling into his garage, he noticed a familiar odor. His brother had been by. Was this a concentrated effort by the pack to get him to toe the line? He’d better take the phone off the hook.
“Come inside.” She’d already exited the car by the time he’d come around to open that door for her.
“Thanks.” She preceded him tentatively into the kitchen.
“Hey.” Lucas put his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. He could feel her tension. Damn. “What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know. I just want to know the truth about that woman.”
“What truth? I’ve known Annabelle for ages but I’m not attracted to her.” This time he pulled her hard against his body so she could feel the truth of his next words. “I’m here with you and what I really want to do is make love to you.”
She let out a small moan as he ground himself against her, his hand cupping her beautiful butt molding her to him. He buried his face in her neck inhaling her scent. He needed to make her his. Now.
A quick zip and he pulled her dress down her body to the floor. She gasped in surprise. She was wearing a lacy black bra and thong with her high heels. Lucas growled as he lowered his lips to her breast. He lightly nipped her nipple through the thin lace while he slipped one hand between her legs. Her breathing was shallow as she held onto his shoulders for support. Sliding one bra strap down, he latched on to the exposed flesh drawing it into his mouth and rolling his tongue over one hard nipple.
“Oh please…” Her hand was woven through his hair, holding him to her breast and he could feel her hips rolling against his hand. He inched his fingers underneath her panties and slid them inside her. His groin ached in response to her pulsating warmth welcoming him deep inside. Patience. Soon enough he would feel her wrapped around his thighs.
“Oh, God. Yes!”
She was on the verge. He teased her by withdrawing his fingers gently and stroking her with the softest touch. She moaned, her hips pushing against him for more. He thrust his fingers back inside and ran his thumb along the sweet spot feeling her body erupt into a massive explosion. He rode out her convulsions, his arm holding her securely as he felt her losing her balance.
Could he just take her here? No, the condoms were upstairs. He picked her up, her body still limp from exertion. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his ear, her soft breath sending shivers down his spine. Laying her down on the bed still wearing the now disheveled underwear and high heels, she looked like his ultimate fantasy.
Rosie reached toward him to undo his shirt and he caught her hand. The soft inside of her arm quivered as his lips slowly made their way up to her shoulder.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, running his tongue along the top of her bra cup. He pushed her onto the bed and pinned her with his body. This time he would take his time and fully explore this amazing creature.
But before he got started on his expedition, there was a loud crash downstairs.
“Stay here,” Lucas hissed. His ears were alert as he crept stealthily out of the bedroom. He would kill anyone if they threatened Rosie.
How did someone get in? Did he forget to lock the door? But why would a burglar risk coming in when he was obviously home? He caught sight of a shadow moving in the living room. Then the scent kicked in.
“Robert. What’re you doing here?”
“Sorry, little bro. I was just having a drink at a pub when Annabelle called me.” Robert wobbled as he leaned against the mantel piece. “You know I can never resist a damsel in distress.”
“I hope you didn’t drive in this condition.”
“No. I took a cab. So is it true?”
“Is what true?” Damn that loud mouthed bitch! Other clan members had external affairs. As long as you were careful and didn’t commit to them, the pack usually turned a blind eye.
“Don’t be coy.” Robert hurled out the words. “She says you got her pregnant then dumped her.”
“What? No. Of course not.”
“And there you were pretending you weren’t interested in her because of me. What a sweet little brother,” Robert carried on as if he didn’t hear him. “If I were half a man I’d beat you to a pulp. But then again,” he added ruefully, “If I were half a man I could’ve had her for myself.”
“Look Robert, it’s not true. I didn’t sleep with Annabelle.”
“She says you took her home after the solstice gathering…”
“I did, but nothing happened… I mean…” Blood rushed to his face. He’d never lied to his brother, but he had to correct this misconception.
“Right. You were careful. Well sorry, bro, you got caught. You can’t avoid your responsibilities here. You have to claim Annabelle as your mate, and fast. This kind of indiscretion won’t be tolerated by a leader.”
“But I don’t—”
“It’s probably just as well. You were slacking in your duties so it seems nature has pushed you in the right direction. You don’t know how lucky you are.” Robert’s stoic expression told Lucas more than any display of grief.
“I’m sorry, Robert. I know you love her.” Lucas picked up the phone and walked his brother to the door. He would send him home in a cab then in the sober light of the day they would all come to their senses. What in God’s name was Annabelle thinking?
****
After limping three blocks in her heels, Rosie gave up and took them off. The sidewalk was disgusting, but at least she wouldn’t be wounded for the next few days, unless she stepped on glass.
God, what a fool! First, he stalked her. Then he ran out on her right after sex. That should’ve set her libido on caution. Then they run into the other woman – or was she the other woman – and she still didn’t get a clue. Probably if he’d walked into the club that first night with a big red stamp on his forehead saying player she still would’ve fallen for him. Obviously she was a sucker for whatever that stupid cologne was. And she didn’t even check out his medicine cabinet to find out the name of her Kryptonite. Maybe she should wear nose plugs in public for her own protection.
Rosie tried walking on the grass for a bit, but the wet leaves fel
t slimy, like walking on slugs. Yuck! What next? Was she going to get set upon by a wild pack of dingoes? Not that she knew what they were, but it seemed whatever came next would be equally bizarre and annoying.
What a stupid day. From just being dumped she’d quickly progressed to a woman about to be dumped because her one night stand had gotten his previous girlfriend pregnant and was about to be forced into a shotgun wedding. Wow.
At least she wasn’t crying. She was still too damn mad at herself. And maybe in shock. Listening to Lucas and the other guy arguing had ripped right through her. But then as they continued, she found her brain latching on to the absurdity of it all. There she was being so virtuous while Eva slept her way through the phone book – including the yellow pages – then in one fell swoop she manages to eclipse her friend in sleaziness. Well go big, or go home. Rosie limped up the steps to her apartment and amended the statement. Go big, then go home.
CHAPTER 5
It was all happening so fast. Lucas had gone to his parents’ house first thing after work to make sure Annabelle hadn’t gone further with her malicious lie. When he found his mother and Annabelle happily choosing china patterns his first thought had been that Robert had proposed to Annabelle. She soon set the record straight.
“Oh, darling.” Annabelle ran up to him. “Your mother gave me this.” Her left hand sparkled with a massive diamond ring. “She was appalled you’d proposed before buying a ring, but then she remembered your grandmother’s.”
Lucas felt the room close in on him. Robert and Annabelle hadn’t wasted any time in tightening the noose. He started to protest but a warning glare from Annabelle made him snap his mouth shut again. Annabelle’s father was a powerful force within the pack and he’d have to tread carefully.
“It was to go to Robert as the eldest son, but because he can’t take over the leadership…” His mother lowered her voice as if even alluding to Robert’s incident was shameful. “But I do think you should have planned this better.”
“Oh, he was just so eager.” Annabelle laughed as she continued to play her part as the smitten, surprised fiancée. “I had to talk him out of eloping.”
“That would never do,” his mother admonished him. “The pack will want a full celebration. You need to start thinking of your duty to the clan. It’s not just you and Annabelle anymore.”
It never was, Lucas wanted to scream, but without telling his mother Robert had lied and destroying Annabelle’s reputation, he couldn’t reveal the charade. Maybe if he let Annabelle keep the jewelry, she’d agree to a quiet break-up.
“You’re right, Mother.” He looked at Annabelle trying to guess whether she really was pregnant and by whom. Either way it was a huge gamble on her part telling Robert. “I just dropped by to say hello. I’ll see you both later.”
“Bye, darling.” Annabelle’s voracious kiss caught him off guard. “You’ll see,” Annabelle whispered into his ear. “I’ll make it all worth your while.”
****
Waiting outside Rosie’s apartment, Lucas tried to think of a way out of his predicament. Annabelle’s father was not someone to be trifled with. As a child, Lucas had always pitied Annabelle. Her mother had disappeared and the incident was hushed up. Then years later a half-sister had appeared with the news that her mother had left Annabelle and her father for a French Poodle. Janette, the Were-woodle, was quite cute and friendly, but talk about skeletons in your closet.
Annabelle’s father had become an even more unbearable tyrant. In response, Annabelle had become incredibly devious in her teenaged rebellions. Robert and Annabelle had secretly dated for many years but when he couldn’t father children she suddenly decided they should date other people. Robert never moved on to anyone else. Add to this toxic mess Lucas’ own obsession with Rosie and there was no way this could come out well.
A cold breeze ruffled his fur and he wondered if this winter was to be his last one of freedom. Marriage to Annabelle would be a life sentence of deception and manipulation. But if he didn’t marry her, there were other “suitable” women lined up behind her. None of them were what he wanted though. He wanted Rosie.
The slap of warm runners on the cold cement brought him to attention.
“Hey there, buddy. You’re back.” Her eyes were red rimmed. “Well, let’s go.”
She chose a different route today, running beside some railway tracks then tucking behind a secondary school. Her pace was also a lot faster, almost like she was punishing herself.
“So what shall we talk about tonight?” She reached down to pat his head. “As my psychoanalyst do you think I chose Lucas because I knew he would dump me? I mean a guy like that couldn’t really be attracted to someone like me. Just look at his real girlfriend.”
They jogged a bit further before she turned back home. “So is it low self-esteem causing me to want rejection? Or is it rejection causing low self-esteem? Or, since I knew he’d reject me, is that self-fulfilling prophecy?”
They sped up for the last block.
“Well thank you for the session, Dr. Buddy. You’re almost as good as Oprah.”
Outside her apartment building, she patted him while she stretched. He licked her hand sadly before heading home. Damn he’d made a mess of everything.
****
Rosie could barely drag herself out of bed in the morning. It had been over a week since she’d read the engagement announcement in the paper, but somehow each night it seemed fresh in her dreams as Lucas rushed from her bed saying he was late for his wedding. It wasn’t difficult to figure out what that dream meant. Last night was the big engagement party. She’d read all about the two families of the happy couple. Annabelle was apparently as rich as she was beautiful.
Then to make matters worse, she was smelling him again. This time she’d searched all around and it definitely was in her imagination. Why couldn’t she just file the whole experience away and move on? At least she hadn’t told Eva and could pretend she was under the weather. How did other people handle one night stands without getting emotionally attached?
With a determined groan, Rosie pushed herself out of bed. Saturday. Well at least she didn’t have to go to work. Maybe she’d go for a jog. Running seemed to be the only relief from her brain’s constant rehashing of every sordid detail of the affair. The worst part of it was how much she still wanted him. He’d made her feel so special. But that’s how those con artists got away with it.
She’d even lost interest in food, which was a first. Everyone at work had been congratulating her on how much weight she’d lost. Then again, in the entertainment field, anorexia was considered a positive thing. She shoved a granola bar down, ignoring the saw-dusty flavor, and headed out the door. There was Buddy, waiting for her. Again.
“Hey, Buddy. Don’t you ever go home?” At least she had one good friend, even if it was just a mangy dog. Damn she kept forgetting to buy dog biscuits. “Okay you can choose the route today.”
He seemed to understand and took off in a different direction than usual. It was okay until suddenly she realized they were nearing Lucas’ house.
“Nope, this way, Buddy.” Rosie turned west off the street. She looked back to see the dog had sat down where she’d turned off. She went back and he started to jog down Lucas’ street again.
“No! I’m not going that way.” She jogged down the east street and again the dog sat where she left him. “Man, you’re stubborn, but I’m not going by that jerk’s house,” Rosie told him. This is nuts. Here I am trying to reason with a dog. “If you want to come with me, I’m going back to the old route.” With that Rosie took off, not looking behind to see if he was following. Soon enough she heard his claws clicking on the cement.
The rest of the run was uneventful, but Rosie had this odd feeling, as if she was being watched. Could he be stalking her again? With her nose running from the cold air, she couldn’t smell anything, but it felt creepier than the other days. Maybe she was just feeling spooked from being so close to his home.
Back outside her apartment she stretched and patted the dog. It used to disappear as soon as they finished their run, but now it seemed reluctant to leave. Odd dog…
****
Lucas slowly trotted back to his house. How could he go on like this? He was in love with Rosie. The realization had come upon him without warning and now without relief. Even if he could disentangle himself from Annabelle’s lies, his family would never accept Rosie. And she probably wouldn’t accept his being a werewolf.
Still every night he dreamt of holding her in his arms and making love to her again. And in the daytime he wanted to talk to her, share funny jokes or even just sit with her. But now the only way he could see her was in wolf form because she thought he was a jerk. Which he was. He should’ve handled the whole mess with Annabelle better.
He should stop seeing Rosie then maybe he’d be able to let go the dream of being with her forever. It didn’t help matters that Annabelle suspected he was in love with Rosie. Lucas hadn’t realized how crazy Annabelle was. He’d thought that once she’d gotten her way with the engagement, she’d be happy. But now if he disagreed with her on even the smallest thing, she’d fly off into a violent tantrum. How had she hidden this aspect of her personality from the rest of the pack?
****
Sunday afternoon at his mother’s with Annabelle went smoothly. Afterward, he headed home to change for one last jog with Rosie before he finally gave her up. The second he walked through the door, Lucas knew something was wrong. His house alarm had been disabled. He ran through the house but nothing seemed to be stolen. Then he noticed an odd noise from the basement and went downstairs to check it out. The floor was covered in water. Someone had broken into his house to flood the basement? That didn’t make sense.
His mind was reeling as he tried to figure out why someone would do such a thing. There was nothing vitally important in his basement. The vandalism was more of an annoyance than anything else. Unless someone was trying to keep him busy for a short while, but what would be the point of that?