by Sammie Joyce
On a whim, I turned left down yet another unmanned and unnamed path, waiting to see if the white vehicle would follow, but to my relief, it didn’t.
“What’s wrong?” Margot-Celine asked, a slight note of alarm in her voice.
“Nothing,” I told her firmly. I wasn’t going to let my own overactive imagination ruin this moment for us.
I’m always paranoid when I’m about to shift in a relatively public space, I thought, even though I knew the terrain. Some fears just never went away, not after Davis’ mother and not after Davis himself had been caught.
I finally stopped the Camry at a hidden clearing not far from the base of the mountain.
“We’ll walk a little away from the road,” I told her and she agreed, even though I could tell she was freezing. I reached into the console and removed a thick, black glove from inside the box.
“Hold onto this,” I told her and she took it without question, slipping it on over her regular gloves. It was big and thick enough for her to wear comfortably.
For a few minutes we sauntered on until I stopped.
“Hold out your arm,” I told her and suddenly, without warning, I let my mortal form fall away, wings expanding to catch me when I jumped into the air.
Margot-Celine gasped when she realized what I was doing, a hand flying to her mouth as her eyes shone in the darkness to watch me swoop and fall through the trees. She did what I asked, extending the glove for me to land on, and when I did, our eyes locked for a full moment.
Then I was off again, flying upward in a spiral of feathers.
“Mon Dieu,” she choked, a wide smile covering her face when I landed on a branch not far above her head. She cocked her head all the way back like she was trying to memorize the way I looked up there in that moment.
I soared back down, landing on my feet in front of her, naked. She blushed and looked away, and I turned so as not to embarrass her with my nudity. It was just such a normal part of our lives, such a natural way to be, I often forgot how the humans mistook the naked form for immodesty.
“Would you like to see me as a bear now?”
Cautiously, she looked at me through her peripheral vision and I could feel the race of her heart at the suggestion.
“You have nothing to fear from me, Margot-Celine,” I promised her. Whatever she heard in my voice caused her to nod slowly and she fully turned again, finding her voice.
“Oui,” she breathed. “I would like to see that.”
I let my muscles expand, feeling the growth of my snout against my face, body falling onto all fours. I fell back onto my two hind legs, my massive, furry form towering over her, and I saw the nervous fear in her eyes. I willed her to look at me, to touch me, and she seemed to sense my inner desires. Tentatively, her hands reached out to stroke the fur around my face and I ambled closer to her, my clawed paws grazing against her shivering frame.
She bravely held my gaze and I inched closer as her fingers twined into the thick of my fur, my paws enveloping her into a literal bear hug. I relished the heat of her frame against mine and I morphed back into my human frame, my lips brushing against hers as I did.
She didn’t flinch or pull away, her hands reaching up to pull my neck closer to her as our mouths locked into a first kiss we’d both needed so badly.
Very slowly, Margot-Celine dropped her head back and peered at me, the plaintiveness in her eyes melting me to my core.
“Would you like to go back to my place?” I whispered. Without hesitation, she nodded, bringing her lips back to press against mine.
“Oui,” she breathed, her words hot against the stubble of my cheek. “I would like to very much.”
17
Margot-Celine
If I hadn’t been so distracted by what was coming, I might have wondered why Flint was looking to his rear view constantly as we drove, but my mind was on my nerves and the heat in my blood.
I had no illusions about what I’d agreed to do when I told him I’d go home with him, but as I waited for panic to overcome me, it didn’t. Only excited anticipation built in me while I watched him out of the corner of my eye.
Through roads I’d never seen, we climbed the mountain. I hadn’t even realized we could go up the mountain in a car, but when he finally stopped the Camry, I saw we were in the middle of a community that couldn’t have been on any map.
A massive bonfire roared in the center and I got the feeling that it was always burning, although how I knew that, I couldn’t say.
In minutes, I was inside the wood cabin Flint called home, sitting before his fireplace. He busied himself in the kitchen, making something on the stove as I lost myself in the flames. Suddenly, the sweet, melancholic sounds of opera filled the house and I felt my shoulders sag at the familiar music.
Carmen was my favorite opera, although how Flint could have known that was impossible to say. Maybe we were just so in tune with one another that it was his favorite too. I was heady, well before he set the steaming cup of cider on the coffee table in front of me, but I didn’t want to drink it. I only wanted to taste his lips again and I rose from my spot on the floor to fall into his arms, desire lighting my eyes.
“You are so beautiful, Margot,” he breathed, his lips grazing my face. “Not just your face but your soul.”
He was saying the right things, the magnitude of his words only building the feeling of drunkenness inside me, and when our mouths met again, I flowed into him. I could feel every muscle of his body sync with mine, the curves of his huge frame nestling to protect and free me simultaneously.
His hands reached around to cup at my rear and abruptly, I was in his arms, being carried the two feet to the couch where he gently laid me down.
After his shifting show, he’d found an outfit in the trunk of his car, a casual gray tracksuit that was already finding its way off his body, exposing the fully formed abs of his stomach as his lips explored the lines of my face.
Heat flushed through me, escalated by the fire of his skin as he trailed along the curve of my neck and along my cleavage. I felt a rush of gooseflesh prickle over me, the gentle tips of his fingers sending electric shocks of pleasure along my skin.
A low moan escaped my lips as he peeled away my dress, our flesh pressed tightly to one another while his tongue discovered parts of me I’d forgotten I had.
Flint’s breaths began to escape in faster, uneven rasps, his mouth latching onto the taut skin of my nipple, and I closed my eyes, arching my back upward to drive him closer to me.
“Mon Dieu,” I whispered, my voice catching when his hands found the heat between my legs. My fingers tightened against his shoulder blades, thighs clenching as he continued his journey across my belly, his left hand cupping my swollen breast. His right hand manipulated the pulsating of my core and I cried out when his mouth met his fingers.
It had been too long, too long since I’d been touched like a woman and I wasn’t sure if I could bear it.
“Don’t hold back,” Flint murmured, the vibration of his words against my most sensitive spot only sending me into greater heights and I knew I couldn’t hold back even if I’d wanted to.
Again, I cried out, letting myself release against him until I was sure there was nothing left in me to let go and only then did he slide back up my now-nude form to kiss my lips again.
I opened my eyes, the wonderment oozing from them as I felt his hardness between my thighs. There was no anxiety, no fear, only a deep need to possess Flint—and have him possess me.
Pressing his mouth to mine, he eased himself inside me, gently but firmly until he filled me in a way I’d never known. My breath was stolen and I whimpered, my legs locking around his waist as we fell into a rhythm of passion I hadn’t ever understood.
This was what lovemaking was supposed to feel like—mutual respect, mutual desire. Why hadn’t I known that before?
His thrusts grew more urgent and as his climax built, I felt another one grow within me.
“Again, Mar
got,” he choked. “One more for me.”
I couldn’t deny him such a request, not when he was the puppeteer and I was at his mercy.
In unison now, we exploded against one another. I no longer knew where he started and I ended but even after his shuddering subsided, I didn’t want to let him go.
And he didn’t move, his face buried in my neck as he inhaled me, soft kisses following his sweet words of endearment.
If I could have remained there forever, I would have, tangled in his limbs, forgetting about the entire world beyond, and for a few hours, that’s exactly what we did.
* * *
We stayed up most of the night, the music playing to punctuate our kisses and lovemaking between conversations. We watched as the snow began to fall outside but there was no urgency for me to leave, not from him and certainly not by me. When we finally fell asleep, it was in each other’s arms where I was wrapped tight and safe from all evil, it felt.
I woke in the morning feeling odd. It took me a minute to realize it was because Flint wasn’t mixed up against me for the first time in hours. He was humming quietly in the kitchen, a few feet away, and I could smell the aroma of coffee wafting into my nostrils.
“Bonjour,” I called sleepily, pulling myself off the floor. We hadn’t even made it into the bedroom.
“Bonjour,” he replied, grinning. “Hungry?”
I was famished.
“Oui. Let me help you.”
I rose and hurried toward him, suddenly aware of my nakedness. Yet, it didn’t bother me in the least.
As I reached his side, Flint instantly embraced me, dropping a warm kiss on my neck which sent shivers of pleasure through my entire body.
“You’ve already helped me enough,” he told me, the intensity in his voice puzzling.
“I haven’t done anything!” I protested, laughing. But he maintained his penetrating gaze and shook his head.
“That’s not true, Margot,” he said quietly. “You’ve done more for me than I can ever explain.”
I felt a blush tinge my cheeks, knowing that he was talking about his heart.
“After Myka died, I never thought there could ever be another for me,” he continued and I felt my heart quickening. I understood his sentiments too well. “I think in some ways, I’d put up walls to ensure that there wasn’t another one, but you…”
He inhaled, a finger trailing over my cheek.
“You broke down all those walls, Margot-Celine, and I owe you a great debt because of it.”
I swallowed the lump of emotion in my throat and nodded.
“I know exactly how you feel,” I told him earnestly. “I never thought I’d be in another relationship, but you… you’re not like other men.”
Oh, how I wished I hadn’t said that. His eyes darkened and he cocked his head to look at me.
“Someone did something terrible to you, didn’t they?” he growled. “That’s why you’re so guarded.”
I shook my head, pulling away from his touch.
“Everyone has baggage,” I mumbled, turning away. I didn’t want to ruin the magic we’d created by talking about Rene. I didn’t even know why I’d brought it up.
“I should get going,” I added before he could press the issue. My eyes had settled on the heavily falling snow outside. “I need to get my car from the restaurant and Pascal is going to be furious with me.”
Flint looked disappointed.
“What about breakfast?” he asked and I shook my head.
“I can’t risk Pascal being alone in the storm,” I reminded him even though I knew I had lots of time before being snowed in anywhere. He sighed and nodded.
“Fine,” he agreed begrudgingly. “Get dressed and I’ll take you to your car.”
I gave him a quick peck on the cheek and scampered off to find my dress. Flint didn’t need to know about my past. All that mattered was my future—and the fact that it was with him.
18
Margot-Celine
The snow continued to fall in spurts all through Sunday and Monday. Flint and I talked as often as we could in between our workday. I could hear the wistfulness in his voice when he asked when he could see me again and it made me excited. The feelings between us were very real and I was missing him as much as he was missing me, even if we hadn’t been apart that long.
This is what love feels like, I thought, leaving school on Tuesday afternoon. I had so much to feel good about these days, so many reasons to be optimistic. Even Lowell had started improving her work, making me feel like I was succeeding in all aspects of my life.
It had only been a few days but that was all it took to have things turn around, wasn’t it?
There had been a quick staff meeting after school, Mr. Wilks announcing that there would more than likely be a school closure for the rest of the week.
“We’re expecting another two feet of snow over the next day,” the principal announced. “The buses have been canceled already and safety comes first. Stay home and stay warm.”
I had mixed feelings about the time off. On one hand, it was a smart call. No one wanted to get in an accident or be snowed into the school. On the other hand, I really did enjoy teaching. But I knew these snow days were inevitable.
When I arrived home, I immediately called Flint like I always did—after letting Pascal out. The dog didn’t much care for the snow and was inside almost as soon as I’d closed the back door to let him out.
“Bonjour, ma cherie,” Flint said without preamble. He knew who was calling already.
“Allo, mon cheri,” I replied lightly. “How was your day?”
“A little fretful, actually,” he replied.
“Oh?”
“I’ve been worried about you with all this snow,” he explained and I chuckled.
“It’s not new to me,” I reminded him dryly but I was touched by his concern all the same.
“I know but I’m still worried about you. Why don’t you come and stay here tonight? I have everything we’ll need to wait out the storm.”
The offer was more than tempting, but as I considered it, I realized that I’d barely had a minute to myself since getting involved with him. After living such a solitary life, it was strange not to have some me time and I needed it, if only for a night where I wasn’t grading papers or having to get up early in the morning. Not to mention that I couldn’t leave Pascal all alone.
“I have Pascal,” I reminded him.
“Bring him too,” Flint offered but I didn’t know if I wanted them meeting for the first time on unfamiliar ground.
“I’ll come in the morning,” I promised. “If I can dig myself out of my driveway.”
He chuckled.
“I’ll come and help you if need be,” he assured me and I knew he wasn’t joking.
“I—”
Pascal let out a low growl and I looked at the dog in surprise. His ears were flat against his head as he ran toward the front door.
“What was that?” Flint asked through the phone.
“I’m not sure,” I replied, rising from the couch to look. The hairs on the back of my neck began to rise as I noted my dog’s unusual stance, his teeth baring.
“Margot?”
“Hang on a second,” I told him, putting the cordless on the table by the couch. Pascal let out two barks and I paused to steel my breath.
“What is it?” I whispered at the mastiff but his eyes were glued on the front door. Gulping back my nervousness, I peered out the half-moon window in the door but I couldn’t see anything but the blanket of snow which continued to fall over the yard and landscape.
I could hear Flint saying something over the phone but I didn’t hear what. I threw open the door, half expecting Pascal to lunge forward, but he remained behind me, his body in a pouncing position.
There was nothing there.
Gnawing on the insides of my cheeks, I did a 180 with my head, surveying the yard for signs of something amiss, but I couldn’t see anything. Of course,
besides the brightness of the snow, there was no light to illuminate the area properly and for some reason, I was reluctant to throw on the floodlight.
Almost as if I was avoiding reality.
“Stop it,” I snapped at Pascal, relieved to see the dog was probably just reacting to a nearby bear. “Don’t scare me like that.”
To my chagrin, he remained crouched by the door, long after I’d closed it and picked up the phone again.
“What is it?” Flint yelled and I heard the panic in his voice.
“Rien! Nothing!” I chuckled. “It’s nothing.”
“Oh.” Relief oozed through the phone. “You scared me when you weren’t answering.”
“Sorry,” I told him sincerely. “Pascal was just growling.”
I didn’t add that I thought someone was out there too. I didn’t want Flint overreacting and coming down there in some chivalrous act.
Not that night anyway. That night I wanted for myself.
“I think I’m going to have a hot bath and get to bed early,” I told him.
“Tomorrow, then?” he confirmed.
“Tomorrow,” I agreed.
* * *
But when tomorrow came, a new apprehension had snaked into me. Perhaps it had been brought on by the insurmountable dumping of snow that had fallen in the night or maybe some strange sixth sense was trying to warn me about something I didn’t understand, but when I woke, I was filled with trepidation.
I was partially snowed in but it was nothing a good shoveling wouldn’t have taken care of. Even so, the idea of going to Flint’s and possibly being trapped there for days without escape made my heart beat too fast.
I eyed Pascal. Maybe he was the problem. If I brought him to Flint’s and he reacted badly to my boyfriend, I’d have to bring him home and what if the snow was too bad by then?
Ah, the trials and tribulations of a chronic overthinker. In the end, I made the decision not to go to Flint’s and to remain at home.