“Look, Darius. Do you want her, or are you prepared to let one of the other two have her? The way I see it, it’s like she’s playing a real life version of that Marry, Date, or Dump, and right now you are definitely the dump, a turd. So it’s time for action, man.”
I ran a hand through my hair; it cascaded down around me.
“Come on.” Alyssa got up.
“Where are we going?”
“For a haircut. Time to ditch the stereotypical werewolf look. I don’t think she wants to date Fabio.”
* * *
“Oh no! You look like Liam Hemsworth. Now I can never watch Hunger Games for sexual stimulation again. You spoiled Liam for me for life.” Alyssa mock-shuddered. “But in terms of a lady-boner, Kim’s will be raging when she sees you.”
“What did you get up to last night anyway, until I got home?” I couldn’t stop feeling at my head. It felt like a tennis ball. Around my neck was cold without the hair covering it. I’d kept my stubble though. No way was I going clean shaven.
“Here, give her this Hunger Games boxset when you see her. I no longer need it.” Alyssa’s swift subject change was not lost on me.
“Alyssa…”
“Oh calm down. I went to the cinema with Sophie. Now anyway,” she walked over to me and smoothed down the grey chambray shirt she’d insisted I change into along with some denim jeans. “Now, are you ready to get up from the dump?”
“Yeah, I will be.”
“Will is no good. Oh and is Kim a brunette? Slim, tall?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because there’s a livid looking woman walking up to our front door, and that’s what she looks like.” Alyssa gathered her books up from the table. “I’ll be upstairs, supposedly studying, but probably eavesdropping, so don’t go at it in here will you? Sterile food surfaces and all that.”
* * *
I walked up to the door and opened it just as a fist was about to rain down on it heavily; so instead Kim punched my chest. Her hand lingered there a moment as if she was temporarily frozen. We looked at each other and that whole staring thing happened again. Eventually the staring competition broke.
“Your hair…”
“Yeah, I’ve had it cut.”
“It looks…” She shook her head. “We need to talk, Darius Wild, and I’m not leaving until you’ve listened to me.”
A smirk danced on my lips. “You’d better come in then.”
Kim walked in and looked around. “Nice place. Yours?”
I shook my head. “My parents. I’ll get my own place when I marry. My wife gets to choose.”
“Oh.” Silence permeated the atmosphere. This shit was awkward.
The door flew open and Alyssa stomped through. “Oh, I didn’t realise we had visitors. Sorry.” She held out a hand. “I’m Alyssa, Darius’ younger sister, and you are?”
“Kim. Kim Fletcher.”
“Oooh, you’re the Kim he never shuts up about.”
I was going to kill her.
Kim’s eyes went wide. “Well, err.”
Alyssa wrapped her in a hug. “Oh, no hand shaking for you when you’re practically family. Well, let me just get a quick glass of water. I’m studying you see. Upstairs. Been there for hours and so got thirsty.” She filled a glass with water. “Darius, you offered Kim anything yet? A drink. FOOD.”
Kim’s face went bright pink. Then Alyssa was gone as fast as she appeared.
“I must apologise about my sister. She’s a teenager. I think that explains everything.”
Kim smiled.
“Anyway, come through to the lounge and take a seat. I’ll make you a coffee, seeing as I know how you like it, and would you like something to go with it, like a pancake?”
“A pancake? Like you’re going to cook one for me? Do you not have something easier like a biscuit?”
“I have but I was just about to make pancakes.” I lied.
“Erm, okay then, I’ll have a pancake. Thank you.”
She couldn’t possibly know what me cooking this for her meant, could she? Or did she? If she did, she’d just accepted it.
WHOA.
“Right, I’ll just be a couple of minutes.”
“I’ll wait with you in the kitchen, if that’s okay? We can talk.”
Oh God, now I was understanding why men trembled when women said they wanted to talk.
* * *
I started preparing the pancake mixture. Kim hovered nearby.
“Last night, Darius…”
My hand tightened around the whisk.
“I’d just gone for a drink with Seth. I thought it was as friends. He took me by surprise when he kissed me. It was one-sided. I don’t feel that way about him. Actually, I popped into the coffee shop after work yesterday and made that clear.”
I turned to her. “You did?”
“Yeah. My, erm, earth, erm, friend, suggested I come and speak to you. She says we keep dancing around each other and getting nowhere. I’m sorry, Darius. I’m sorry about arranging the date with Jett. I’m sorry about last night’s misunderstanding. This is really hard for me…”
It was really hard for me too if you get what I’m saying…
I dropped the whisk, grabbed Kim’s shoulders and pushed her back against the kitchen wall. My mouth crashed down on hers hungrily. I’d imagined this moment for a long time and the reality was so much more than I could have anticipated. I pushed her thighs apart with my knee, grinding my erection against her heat. We devoured each other, moans and groans coming from both of us.
A loud banging noise came from upstairs and we sprung apart.
“Sister right above.” Alyssa’s voice yelled.
We both stared at each other and then collapsed into laughter.
“Bloody siblings.” I told her. “Right, where were we…? Ah, yes, pancakes.”
We sat opposite each other at the dining room table and I watched as she tucked into her pancakes. Food… that I’d cooked for her. My indication I would care for her and our future offspring.
“I’ve been reading up on were shifter culture and traditions.” Kim said slowly.
“Oh?” I swallowed.
“I’m aware that by asking Jett out I inadvertently put myself up as a potential mate for him. Although as a human I think that sucks. Surely if I don’t know this stuff, it can’t count?”
“We can’t force you, but we can still fight amongst ourselves for the opportunity.”
“I know who he is to you, Darius.”
Time stood still. Of all the things I was waiting for her to say, that was not one of them.
“He is no one.”
“He’s your half-brother and your enemy. I wouldn’t call that nothing.”
“Sounds like you really have done your homework. So what else have you learned?”
“That I need to ask you out on a date to put you on an equal footing. So I’m going to ask you again. Will you come out with me, tonight? I’d better say 9pm now I’m being filled with pancakes.”
It wasn’t the only thing I wanted to fill her with. Alyssa was a cockblocker.
“Do you know what the step after that is?” I asked her slowly and carefully.
Her cheeks flushed again. “Yes, I do. Darius. I don’t do… well, I haven’t done relationships. Now, I know it sounds cliche, but I had family shit and it messed with my head. I find it hard to trust people, to let myself go. But I want to try, Darius. I want to try, with you.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “Nine pm tonight it is.”
She finished her pancakes and leaned closer. “Bring a toothbrush just in case,” she whispered.
Then she got up and walked to the door. I wanted to pick her up, put her over my shoulder, and take her to bed. But I had to be patient. For all her bravado it looked like actually my mate-to-be scared easily.
She turned toward me at the door and reached up on her tiptoes, brushing her lips across mine.
“Oh and Darius…?”
“Yeah?�
�
“Thanks for the pancakes. But I already could tell you were the sort of man who’d care and provide for his family.” She smiled and walked down the path. “Nine pm, and if my annoying friend or her husband ring you, tell them you’re the one tied up tonight.” She winked.
I closed the door and leaned back against it. My head resting on the glass inset.
She knew.
Chapter Thirteen
Kim
Oh my fucking God. I had a date with Darius in a few hours and there was a pretty good chance we were going to get it on afterwards. Stripped of my clothes I headed to the shower. I needed to make sure everything was shaved and moisturised. Just the thought of seeing him again had my stomach in knots. I wasn’t sure I was actually going to be able to eat anything. Crikey, I’d better change the bedding and do a bit of housework. I looked around at the mess. I needed a miracle. Then I thought of one.
I dialled Frankie’s number.
“Hello?”
“You know that problem I’m helping you with?”
“Yes…?”
“I’ll make it super spectacular if you can zip over here right now to do me a favour. It won’t take you long, but it’s an emergency.”
He sighed down the line. “Just a second.”
The doorbell rang and sure enough Frankie was standing there, his hair a little mussed from the speed. “This had better be good. I had to make an excuse to Lucy because we had dinner reservations.”
I handed him a bottle of furniture polish and a duster. “You know your super whizzy speed?” I said, and I displayed my best begging expression.
Fifteen minutes later the house was immaculate thanks to my super slow vacuuming and Frankie’s super fast everything else.
Frankie stood in the doorway, ready to zap off again. He nodded at my towel turban and robe. “You might want to get dressed then for your date.”
“On it now. Thank you so much, Frankie, you’re a star.” I kissed him on the cheek.
“Yes, well my proposal better be the more epic for all this.” He told me.
“It will. I’ll get my thinking cap on. Have a nice night with Lucy.” I said.
“God, yes.” As he looked at his watch, his cell phone rang out. He took it out of his pocket.
“I’ll be right there.” He said and then he was gone.
* * *
I kept it smart casual and wore jeans and a red silky v-neck. I walked into Hanif’s to be greeted by Rav, who worked there. Rav was a demon.
“Hey, Rav.”
“Come in. Welcome to Hanif’s. We are very happy to be assisting in this most auspicious occasion.” He escorted me over to the man himself who stood up.
“Take your seat, Darius. I have it, my friend.” Rav pulled my seat out and gestured for me to sit down.
“Rav, I’ve eaten in here loads of times and you’ve never pulled my seat out for me, what’s got into you?”
“This is a special occasion, Kim. You are out on a date with one of my closest friends. Now, excuse me while I go and get you complementary poppadoms and a pickle tray.” He raced off.
I looked at my date. Darius had changed into a black tee and jeans. I couldn’t stop staring at his arms. They were so muscled and defined. I’d bet he could pick me up with just one.
“I would have liked to have pulled the seat out for you myself, but it would seem my friend is determined to make our date special.” A smirk flirted on Darius’ lips.
“Thank you, but I’m perfectly capable of sitting down. It’s one thing that has me a little uncomfortable about the whole wolf thing. You’re like ‘I will feed you, take care of you, pull out your chair’. I’ve been on my own a long time. I can take care of myself.”
“You can but you shouldn’t have to. Sometimes it’s okay to let someone else take over for a while. Just imagine it, you get in from work and I have a bath running for you. You climb in and the heat soaks away the stresses of the day. Then while you do that I’m cooking dinner. You come down, eat, and then I make love to you all night long. Are you telling me you have a problem with that?” He raised an eyebrow.
I’d lost my words, lost them completely at ‘make love to you all night long’. I’d felt that beast against me when we kissed. The thought of it inside me, well… NO. WORDS.
So it was as well that Rav came over at that moment with the poppadoms and pickles because at least eating gave me an excuse for not talking for a while.
“I am so happy for you both, that you finally made it here on a date. My friend has been wanting to date you for a very long time.” Rav stood beside us and smiled.
Darius’ eyes flashed yellow, and it made me gasp. It was a reminder that not only was he a man, he was also a wolf. A goddamn animal.
“Thanks, Rav. If you could leave me and my date alone now for a while it would be appreciated.”
“Oh, yes. Sorry. I will go make sure your starters are being prepared.”
I laughed. “A long time, huh?”
“Well, I’d seen you around, but once Theo started to date Shelley, you were even more on my mind. But you were dating someone else, so that was that.”
“Me and Frankie weren’t dating. We were just…” Fuck buddies. I couldn’t say that to Darius. “Friends.”
“I know what you were. I have to accept that you have a past, that we both have a past. But let’s concentrate on the future, shall we?”
“Yeah.” I looked into Darius’ eyes. I felt lost and found at the same time. Something was most definitely happening between us. I felt like I’d known him forever. It was hard to describe, but I just felt sure I’d found the one. Oh my God, what was happening to me? I’d been hit by the lovey-dovey train.
“Erm, have you finished, only you’ve been sat staring at each other for seven minutes now?”
“Oh.” I sat back. “Yes, thank you, Rav. I’m ready for my starter.”
He rushed off with our plates and I looked at Darius and giggled. “We keep doing that.”
He nodded. “It’s because you were meant for me, Kim.” He held out a hand towards mine.
“Kim!” A voice shouted out breaking our connection.
I turned around to find a certain barista standing behind me. For the love of God. Not now!
“Seth? What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d grab a takeaway but seeing as you’re here I might just stay and eat. I’m not interrupting anything am I?” He began to pull out a chair.
“Seth!” Lucy rushed towards us. Where the fuck had she come from? “You can eat with me and Frankie if you’re feeling lonely. Over there.” She pointed to a far corner of the restaurant while wearing a look that said don’t even try to refuse me.
Seth’s face fell. “Sure, that would be lovely, Lucy.” He stared at us. “Well, have a nice evening.”
He walked over to where Frankie was settling into a seat. I saw Frankie’s brow crease, and he looked over at me with a confused look on his face. Staring back at him, I shrugged my shoulders.
“I’m only doing this because it’s part of my earth angel duties. I’m watching you, Fletcher.” Lucy spat out, before stalking off to her table.
Not knowing what the heck had just happened, I looked at Darius. His eyes were yellow, and he was growling.
“Oh, shit. You’re not going to change here are you? In the middle of the restaurant?”
Darius leapt from his seat and ran out of the door.
I got up to follow him.
Seth stood up. “Have you been ditched? I’d be more than happy to take over as your date.” He yelled.
“Sit down!” Lucy commanded.
By this time the other restaurant customers were watching the event like it was match point at Wimbledon.
I didn’t know what was going off with Seth and Lucy but right now all I could think about was Darius. I threw some money on the table and took off after my date.
Standing at the doorway, I couldn’t see him anywhere. He must have
changed and taken off. If I was him then I’d have headed for the pack’s woodland. I ordered a taxi and headed for the caravan park.
* * *
I knocked on the door of his home and Alyssa answered.
“Oh God. You’re supposed to be on a date and yet you’re here and Darius isn’t. What went wrong this time?”
“I think he changed into his wolf so I’m guessing he’s out there.” I gestured towards the woods.
“You see the woods?”
“Yeah, why?”
“They’re glamoured.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Not to me.”
“Huh. Well, come on.” She grabbed her coat. “I’ll take you. We need to make sure that he’s there and that there are no other wolves out there, don’t want you eaten up, do we?”
I followed her into the woods and she called for her brother. After a few minutes there was movement at the edge of the woods though it was difficult to see what was happening as it was part shaded by trees.
Then my mouth fell open. There stood a huge wolf, with golden blonde fur and yellow eyes. That was Darius in wolf form?
“I got it from here.” I told her.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Alyssa moved away as I moved forwards.
The wolf bowed its head as I moved nearer. “Darius. Stay still. I want to see you.” As I moved closer, my heart thudded in my chest because it was a fucking wolf. I hoped to God he wasn’t about to eat me seeing as he’d only had a couple of poppadoms. I got closer. Now what did I do?
Carefully I reached out and touched the wolf’s fur. It was soft and felt lovely to my fingers. I began to stroke and pet the wolf, and he laid down on the grass. I sat next to him and snuggled close, carrying on stroking his fur. “You make a beautiful wolf, Darius Wild, but any chance of you changing back into a guy? Only it’s getting cold out here and I’m really hungry.”
The Complete Collection: Supernatural Dating Agency Books 1-6 Page 33
