by D T Strange
Walking over to her, he cupped her cheek, his thumb lightly caressing her lower lip. Bending over, he kissed her, then pulled away. “Anna, I'm not going anywhere. We're in this together and we'll find your grandfather. We can talk about the stone when you two are reunited and both are safe.” This time when he kissed her, it was with a fierceness that left no doubt to the truth of his promise to her.
Twenty-One
Love and Stones
Electricity sparked as every nerve ending in Fi’s body started firing again when Cam kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. Even though they’d just had the most amazing shower sex she’d ever experienced, her body begged for more. She couldn’t get enough. He was like a drug to her and it seemed Cam felt the same way.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Cam started to push her gently back onto the bed, his mouth making promises she knew his body would keep, she moaned softly against his lips, his body covering hers. Fi barely registered the soft knock on the bedroom door, thinking she’d imagined it but when it came again Cam groaned as he dropped his forehead against hers. “Hey guys. I had some food delivered.”
“I’m going to kill Rico.” Fi started laughing and brushed her lips over his a moment before he rolled off her and stood, holding his hand out to her. She took the offered hand and he pulled her to her feet. “Come on let’s go eat.” Still holding her hand, Cameron led Fi out of the bedroom and to the kitchen.
The smell of pasta filled the room as several take-out containers lined the counter. Fi’s stomach growled and she started opening the containers as Cameron took out plates and silverware. “I didn’t know what to get and we didn’t have anything on hand for breakfast really, so I thought pasta would work.”
Fi smiled at Rico then at Cam as he moved behind her to look into the containers. “You get any meat? I’m a carnivore man. I need my meat.”
Fi shook her head and took a piece of bread that had been cut and slipped it into his mouth. “I’m sure you can deal for one meal.” Rico laughed as Fi took a plate and filled it with several different kinds of pasta then covered them with carbonara sauce, pesto and Pomodoro sauce. She loved the food in Venice and usually ate more seafood here than anything else, but you couldn’t beat the sauces that were famous in the area.
Taking her plate, she sat down at the kitchen table and waited for the other two to do the same before speaking. Despite Cameron’s attempts at trying to distract her so she’d relax, attempts that worked, Fi had woke up during the night at one point to think about what her next step should be.
The logical thing to do was to go to Sicily to the museum where the other two stones were being held. Once there, hopefully Cameron could convince them that his pack was the rightful owner of the stones and be able to take them. Of course, she wasn’t above stealing them. She’d done that in the past with other artifacts, not that she needed to tell Cameron or Rico that fact, but the option was there.
Cameron covered her hand with his and she looked over at him, realizing that she had been lost in thought rather than listening to them. She gave him a smile and turned her hand over to squeeze his. Warmth slowly filled her, she thought how right it felt and how her hand seemed to just fit in his. In fact, everything seemed right and to just fit with him from the passion they had for each other to the way her body seemed to just fit when she curled into him.
She’d never allowed herself to even imagine feeling like this with any man, but with Cameron she was more than imagining it. Even in her limited knowledge of men and relationships, she knew that what was growing between them was rare.
So, was this what love was? She knew it was fast and they really hadn’t known each other very long but.
“What’s on your mind green eyes?” His voice was rich and warm as it slid over her and she smiled at him.
“I woke up during the night and lay there thinking about what our next steps should be.” Giving his hand one more squeeze she sat back in her chair and looked at both of them. “I think we should go to Sicily, but I want to go through my grandfather’s journals and his computer too. How do we do both?”
Rico set his fork down nodded. “I think that’s a good idea actually. My men and I did a thorough investigation of your grandfather’s place while doing the cleanup and found this on his desk.” He pulled out a newspaper clipping from his pocket and handed it over to Fi.
Taking it, Fi read through it, thankful that Joseph had made sure she kept up on her language skills. She spoke a handful fluently and Italian was one of them. “It says there is a special exhibition of historical artifacts from the around the world that are rumored to have metaphysical or magical attributes.” She looked up at Cameron. “My grandfather must have been planning to go.”
Fi handed Cameron the article as she turned to Rico. Her chest tightened as she tried to ask the one question that she didn’t want to know the answer to but needed to hear. He seemed to understand, and his eyes softened. “Everything is clean but there wasn’t enough evidence to convince me that your grandfather is dead. I have some men investigating. If they found out anything I will let you know as soon as I can.”
She nodded, swallowing hard as her eyes burned with unshed tears. “Thank you, Rico. Thank you for doing all that.”
“It's my job and I do it well. All the locks have been changed up and security on the place stepped up. If you want to ever go back there, you’ll be safe. I promise.”
Fi caught Cameron watching her as she looked away from Rico and she felt her stomach fluttering at the way he looked at her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm he caused. “So, I had an idea last night. I think we should take a train, get first class accommodations and a sleeper so we can spread out and I can go through the journals and, if you’d like Cameron, you can go through the security footage to see if you can pick anything else up. By the time we get to Sicily we should have a better idea of what my grandfather was doing.”
Both men looked at her a moment then at each other before Rico grinned. “You’d better hang onto this one, Cameron, and sweep her off her feet before I do. She’s smart.” He stood up and cleared their plates and started clearing the food containers as Cameron grinned and shook his head.
“He’s right Anna. That’s a great idea. Why don’t you go and pack what you need? I need to check in with my mother and the pack to let them know what I’m doing and what we’ve found out on the stones. Rico, I want you to come with us. We don’t know what or who we might encounter on the way or when we get there. I don’t want to take any chances.”
Rico nodded as he finished cleaning up and pulled his phone out. “I agree. Let me go pack a bag and leave instructions with my men.”
Rico walked out of the kitchen leaving Cam and Fi alone. Turning to each other, Cameron reached out to caress her cheek and she leaned into his touch. “Thank you, Cameron.”
“No Anna, thank you. I know this all must be so hard for you. I’m here. I won’t leave you. We’ll get the stones from the museum then we’ll go home and figure all this out.”
Fi nodded and stood, leaning over to give Cameron a long lingering kiss before straightening. “I’ll go straighten up and call Joseph to let him know where we’re going then meet you back here. I think the sooner we get started the better. I have this feeling that we’re running out of time and I don’t know why.” Kissing him again, she left him the kitchen, pulling her phone out of her pocket and hitting speed dial, waiting for Joseph to answer.
Twenty-Two
Sex and Danger on an Italian Express
Cameron watched Anna head for the bedroom, admiring her ass as she went. Just before she moved out of sight, she gave said ass an exaggerated wiggle, glanced back over her shoulder, flashed him a knowing smile, then disappeared into the bedroom. Cam’s wolf appreciated Fianna’s playful side and wanted to give chase. There was a brief struggle to remain human, but the urgency to get them moving and keep Fianna safe was what calmed his wolf.
Picking u
p his cell phone, Cam enabled the encrypted mode before going online to book the three of them train tickets. The trip wasn’t going to be a straight shot. Rather they’d leave from Venezia S.Lucia and head to Rome, Italy. That leg of the trip would be about four hours. From Rome, they’d connect to Palermo Centrale. This part of the journey would be overnight. Once there, it was a quick trip to Palermo Notarbartolo. From there, they’d need to figure out their next move. If the museum was open, they’d probably go straight there. If not, they’d need to find a hotel.
The three of them were all ready to go within a half hour and were catching a train ten minutes after arriving at the station. The first train had been crowded and by the time they’d debarked and gotten on the second, Cam was more than ready for their personal coach. He’d made sure they had as much space and privacy as possible. Even so, Cam’s wolf was starting to pace within the first hour of being on the train.
“Cam, are you ok? You’ve been pacing in front of the window for a good ten minutes now and I honestly don’t think you’ve heard a word Rico or I have said.” The question itself didn’t get Cam’s attention, but the challenge she made by stepping directly in front of him before he could pass by her did. His wolf was so close to the surface that a growl trickled out followed by a low whine.
Cam stumbled back. The wolf having enough of being kept inside for so long, started to take control. His body began to shift, muscles rippling as fur started flowing up through skin. Cam dropped down and was on paws rather than hands and knees. The whole change took seconds and then the wolf was there, his mate standing in front of him, challenging his movement.
He didn’t snarl or snap, but pressed his nose into her crotch, which earned an outraged shout as she shoved his snout away. The male that was friend to his human made that sound humans did when happy usually, but he had no eyes for the male. His amber gaze stayed fixed on his mate.
“Uh, Fi, you might want to stop challenging him and see if you can maybe talk him back from wolf to human. We need his input if we’re going to be ready when we get to the next stop.”
Fi cleared her throat a little nervously, then, lowered her gaze and went down to her knees, keeping her head tipped down, being sure to show no challenge. Moving forward, the wolf sniffed at her hair then licked her cheek as he nuzzled into her. He felt her hands come up to take hold of his ruff. When she pulled back and looked him in the eyes, he met her gaze equally.
“Cam, are you in there big guy? I know being on this train can’t be easy for you, but Rico and I need you to come back to us so that we can start going over my grandfather’s journals and his laptop. Please Cam, can you come back to me.?”
The feel of her hands stroking through his fur had him relaxing. He sat in front of her, nuzzling her neck as she continued to pet and stroke him. “Please big guy, come back to me.” His heart beat wildly beneath her touch. The man inside was pleading for control back. Pressing his nose right up against her neck, he drew in her scent of sun drenched dirt and warm cinnamon, letting it soothe him as the man took control once more.
When Cam opened his eyes, he sat on the floor in front of Fianna, her hands resting on his shoulders. He was marveling at how she’d managed to calm his wolf enough to allow him to gain back control.
Had she bespelled him with some witchy trick? No, even though Fianna had used magic on him once, he got the impression it wasn’t a practice for her. The word mate came to mind, which had his wolf lifting his head, his tail giving a wag in response. ‘Damn it, I really do love her.’ he thought to himself. ‘More than that though, I want her as my mate, but does she feel the same even?’ That was a thought he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer to. Especially after what had just happened. “Cam?”
Fi’s voice was quiet, gentle as she cupped a palm to his cheek. “I’m... ok. Thanks for helping me out there.” Cam’s lips quirked up into what he hoped was a wry grin. Getting up, he settles down at the table once more.
Rico broke through the silence. “Why don’t we have something to eat. You two grabbed some sandwiches when we switch trains right?” Cam gave a nod as Fianna moved over to the cabin’s mini kitchen area. There was a fridge with just enough room for a couple beverages and a couple shelves. It was a lot like a fridge one would find in a dorm room.
As she pulled out some food and drinks, Cam felt the nudge of Rico’s mind against his. Opening up to speak telepathically to him, he heard Rico clear as a bell. ‘You ok man? I’ve never seen you lose it quite like that. I know your wolf isn’t used to being in confined spaces like this, but you usually hold your shit together better.’
Cam shifted in his seat before mentally replying. “I haven’t been in wolf form since the last full moon. Work has been hectic and then this unexpected trip with Fi and my wolf wanting her.’ Cam stopped the thought, but Rico’s brow shot up and Cam figured he might as well continue. ‘Yeah, my wolf wants her as his mate and fuck me if I don’t think I’m in love with her as well.’
Rico sat back studying Cam but didn’t say anything since Fi came over with the food and drinks. They sat there, making small talk until the tension had eased a little. Night had settled in and Rico stood. “I’ll go over some of the information about the museum and so forth and we can all touch base in the morning.” Excusing himself, he slipped away to the single cabin that was his for the night, effectively leaving he and Fianna alone once more.
There was the sound of clinking bottles in the walkway beyond their cabin door. Cam stood and popped his head out the door to see the mini bar trolley coming their way. Signaling the attendant, he procured a bottle of wine on ice and two glasses. After closing and locking their cabin door, he turned back to Fianna.
“I think we’ve done enough digging for today and I get the feeling you might want to talk about what happened. How about we take the rest of the night and just relax. We can polish off this bottle of wine as we see where things go from here.” Cam waggled his brows exaggeratedly at Fianna, hoping for a laugh and getting one.
“Good, I was worried that I might have scared you off.” Cam moved over to her, with his hands full, he was unable to brush a hand along her cheek but desperately wanted to. “Hearing you laugh, well, it’s as beautiful as a wolf howling at a full moon in a serenade to their mate.”
Cam’s eyes settled upon Fianna’s, his smile a genuine one. Standing there, he felt his heart pound against his chest and knew soul deep and couldn’t keep how he felt about her to himself a moment longer.
Setting the wine and glasses down, Cam cupped Fianna’s cheeks. His breathing was a bit on the erratic side as he lowered his lips to hers. Before he kissed her, he looked deep into her eyes, his words coming out on a whisper.
“Would you believe me if I told you I’ve fallen in love with you Anna? Me, the guy that never wanted to settle down with one mate for all time. Fallen in love with you and ready to consider doing just that.”
Cam held his breath, watching Fianna’s eyes widen in surprise. He had all his senses open wide to how she was reacting and was more than relieved to realize she wasn’t angry or reacting negative in any way. But could Fianna possibly wish to return his love?
Fianna sat there, looking back at him, her eyes impossibly huge, lips parted, brows drawn down. She looked too cute in a, What did you just say? kind of moment. Her breath was catching as she started stammering.
“What do you? I mean, how could you? You love me? I’ve never had anyone tell me they love me before.”
The breath Fianna drew matched Cam’s own, only his felt like he was drawing in air filled with millions of tiny shards of glass. Damn, he thought. He shouldn’t have jumped the gun. Should have… His thoughts came to a resounding halt when she gave him a tentative smile.
“Cam, I’ve never wanted to say I love you to anyone, but I’ve also never had anyone make me feel quite like you do either. So, why don’t we crack open that bottle of wine and spend this time doing some more discovering of what we can do to one another to keep
these feelings we have for each other going. I’d like to hear more about that beautiful creature I just met as well.”
That wasn’t a declaration of love from Fianna, but it wasn’t a turndown either. Hell, one of them needed to think rationally right? After all, they’d met so recently. Her on the basis of interviewing Gerri Wilder to see just how she does what she does and Cam himself having come because his mother had decided he needed to find happiness and his true mate.
Well, it seems they both were getting exactly what they’d gone to Gerri for. With a chuckle, Cam kissed Fianna lightly, happy when she kissed him back, then turned, reaching for the wine and glasses once more.
“Sounds like a good plan Anna. I know he wants to know you better as well.”
Twenty-Three
Love on the Rocks
Fi shaded her eyes from the sun as she, Cameron and Rico stood outside the Siracusa art museum, or Museo Regionale di Arte Mediovale e Moderna, Syracuse as it’s called in Sicily. She knew she should feel more tired, but she didn’t. It had been early morning when they arrived in Sicily and she and Cameron hadn’t gotten much sleep.
At first, she’d asked him questions about his wolf, wanting to learn all she could. Fi had never been so scared of anything more than when she came face to face with Cam’s wolf. But she’d quickly gotten past that and focused on the wolf, kneeling to calm him. His fur was more grey than white, and the coat had been coarse, yet soft when she’d ran her hands through it. He was beautiful, and she had instantly felt a strong connection to the creature. Once he had shifted back, they had spent the rest of the night talking which shifted to kissing and that in turn had led to crazy and amazing smirks caveman sex.