Hateful Desire

by Marianne Willis

  Her blonde ponytail swayed as she swivelled to collect the logbook. “I’m staying behind to oversee the renovations.”

  “Renovations?” He stalked to the door, and peeked through the blinds. Past the sets of cardio machines, dumbbells, and bars, a group of men in bright orange shirts arranged their tools.

  “The juice bar,” she elaborated.

  He spun to face her, leaning against the door. Since when did work matters slip his mind? Gwen smirked, and strolled behind his desk, throwing him the towel across his chair. He caught it with ease.

  Her playful smile faded to a frown. “Are you okay, Chay? You don’t seem yourself.”

  Of course he wasn’t. He was on edge and livid. For Pete’s sake, pool water still blocked his ears. “I’m just stressed.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  He slid the towel from his face. Her hands spread out along the desk as she slowly leaned forward, revealing her cleavage in the tight shirt. They shared history long before she worked for him, but nothing more than a casual fling. Several times now she’d made her intentions clear, but he didn’t mix business with pleasure.

  “Anything at all?” She twirled the ends of her hair.

  Amber’s seemed silkier, shaded in golden rose rather than yellow blonde. Last night he’d almost touched her, tempted to glide his fingers through the strands…he’d also been tempted to fuck her brains out. Damn werewolf instincts, they turned him into junkie awaiting the next, blissful fix.

  “I’m fine, Gwen,” he lied, patting his forehead. “Give me thirty minutes. I’ll shower, dress, and come out to meet the contractors.”

  She straightened. Scarlet stained her cheeks, and she cleared her throat. He swallowed a heavy lump at the thought of hurting her feelings.

  Gwen tapped the calendar at his desk. “Um, no you won’t. Ian will be on the floor with them. I’ll be holding the final paperwork for you to sign tomorrow. You have to meet with Stacy this evening.”

  Stacy? “Wait. That’s today?”

  “Yeah,” she said, pointing at the date. “You rsvp’d a month ago.”

  “Shit.” He cringed. “I forgot.”

  “You’re still going, aren’t you? I can call and—”

  “No, don’t. I promised Stacy I’d be there.” He would not cancel now. Why did she want to meet at this place tonight? Things had changed, they weren’t teenagers anymore. Maybe that was the reason.

  What would people think, seeing them together after all these years? He imagined the mixed expressions, and grinned. A part of him couldn’t deny the slight excitement about tonight.

  ****

  Amber tucked the towel under her arm, and searched beneath the vanity for the dryer. The one at Craig Motel had blown little air, so she was grateful for her own. Her phone rang on the windowsill, and she smiled at the caller id. “Tabitha, hi. I just stepped out of the shower, so you’re on speaker.”

  “You pushed him in the pool!” Humour accentuated her friend’s tone.

  “How’d you know?”

  “Your ma bragged to mine, and my mother told me.”

  “What else did she tell you?” Did they know about the death spell? Taylor might be good friends with Patty, but she would not jeopardise their family reputation by admitting what happened.

  “Nothing much, just that you’re having a hard time accepting your mate.”

  What an understatement.

  “But you have tonight to forget your dilemmas.”

  A tub of moisturiser sat on the vanity, and she inhaled the vanilla fragrance. “What are you talking about?”

  “The reunion Haley Smith organised is tonight. Didn’t you get her email?”

  “Give me a second.” Phone to her chest, she headed out of the ensuite, and hopped over a pile of clothes on the floor. Her computer tablet sat at the desk, and she scrolled through the mix of read and unread mail.

  Haley had been student body president at Asheville High. “The email says she’s moving to another country to start a retail business, and has organised a school reunion three years early. This was posted weeks ago, but I don’t remember rsvp’ing.”

  “I did for the both of us, during Brianna’s disappearance. I knew times were tough, and I thought I’d surprise you, to get your mind off things,” Tabitha said. “I’m happy Brianna’s okay, but the reason I’m calling is because I can’t go now. Work has me burning the midnight oil again.”

  Relief caused her shoulders to relax. “Fine by me. I don’t want to attend anyway.”

  “Why not? I hoped you’d give me the spill.”

  Asheville high school reunion; she could just see a disaster waiting to unfold. “I don’t know.”

  “But you’re Amber Johnson. They’ll be expecting you.”

  She shuddered at hearing her name pronounced in that way…as if she was a legend. “You’re the only one I kept in touch with over the years. Don’t you remember how mean I used to be? I’m not the same person I was in high school.”

  “Exactly,” her friend said. “A great reason for you to go. Show them who Amber Johnson is, sexier than ever, and so much fun to be with.”

  She sighed, but the compliment made her smirk. “You know what. I will go.” Time away from the Johnson circus, and their new star attraction werewolf would do her good. She scanned the invitation once more. “The party is meant to start in a half hour.”

  “Have fun, and don’t forget to call and tell me everything. Oh, oh, let me know if Mark Dawson’s still gorgeous…and single.”

  “I will.” She chuckled. “Take care, Tabitha…and thanks.”

  “Talk soon.”

  A reunion, she puffed out a breath, noting down the location. Nerves rolled in her stomach like waves, but she ignored the emotion, and rushed for the walk-in closet. Tonight she’d make a good impression. No, she’d make an outstanding impression, so when people heard her name in the future, they’d smile with fondness.

  Amber scanned her wardrobe. A white spaghetti-strap gossamer seemed too club-style for the event, same with the red mini. She fancied something decent... “Oh, bingo.” The black bodycon dress was elegant and a little daring. She slipped into the long-sleeved, off the shoulder dress, with a hem that stopped mid-thigh. “Perfect.”

  In twenty minutes she had straightened her hair, applied her makeup, and stuffed the note with the scribbled address into the clutch purse that matched her royal blue pumps.

  “Amber?” Her mother knocked on the door. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

  “I’ll be down in a sec.”

  Should she tell them where she headed? Taylor would probably trap her inside with a spell. Her parents were still furious about the evening swim she’d forced Chayton to endure. Like a troubled teenager, she tiptoed out of her room. Her heels clicked loudly along the floor, and she flinched. Tucking her clutch under her arm, she removed the shoes, and carried them downstairs.

  Garlic and thyme lingered into the foyer. Her mother usually cooked the popular roast chicken on special occasions, or when she planned to impress someone, like her father’s employees. Chayton must be joining them tonight.

  She drew the door open with careful precision. Slower than a snail, she treaded out, and eased the thick wood shut.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Crap!” Heart pounding against her chest, she twisted. Bright blue eyes made her sigh with relief. “You scared me, Lucas.”

  Her brother chuckled. “Sorry, didn’t mean to.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Ma invited me for dinner again, and I wanted to check on you after last night.”

  She frowned. “You’re not mad I embarrassed the family?”

  He cocked a brow. “For ramming the werewolf in the pool? No, that was hilarious.”

  “Stop.” She raised a finger like a strict schoolteacher. “I don’t find this funny. Besides, I’m fine. I just want out of the house.”

  “And go where?” He folded his arms across
his chest. “You’re all dressed up.”

  With one palm flat against the brick wall, she balanced herself, and slipped into her shoes. “A school reunion.”

  “Reunion?” He snorted. “Aren’t they normally every ten years?”

  “Not when Haley Smith is the organiser.”

  “Oh, I remember her. Miss Overdo-everything. She was shocked to discover I was your brother that time you brought her here to work on your school project.”

  A lot of students hadn’t known they were related. Lucas was two years older and never approached her in school. They had their own crowds and different social lives.

  “You don’t seem too thrilled to be going,” he added.

  “Beats staying here. Give me a sec, I need to call a cab.” She unclipped her purse and retrieved her phone. “I’d drive, but Ma banned me from using the Mercedes, and my car is still at Brianna’s condo in Knoxville.”

  “Save your money. I can drop you off. Also, I hoped to ask you some questions about my vanishing potion.”

  A few weeks ago she had turned down a photo-shoot gig because she focused on finding Brianna. Commission payment was hard to live by. Until she found work, she should hoard every penny. He had a point. “Fine. Considering you’re offering, here’s the address.” She handed the piece of paper, and rushed to his car. “Quick, before Ma sees me.”

  Her brother raked a hand through his hair, hopped in, and started the engine. “I just got déjà vu of when you snuck out on your sixteenth.”

  “Oh, don’t remind me.”

  Traffic blocked Tunnel Road. Lucas, being the well-behaved driver, didn’t cut lanes or speed.

  “So you never experienced any side effects or strange behaviour after you vanished?”

  “No. I was fine.”

  The cars in front cleared, and he turned onto several streets. She would have overtaken all the vehicles if she’d been the one behind the wheel. Money problems or not, she had to find a way to have her car sent home.

  “I want to make sure before I test the new one,” he said.

  “Like I said, I had no problems. You’ll do great, but why not make this potion teleport somewhere worthwhile, like Hawaii.”

  He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. The secret of the potion is to have an earthly substance of the destination. For the one you had, I used soil from Ma’s front yard. That’s why you flashed there.”

  “I drank garden soil?” She gaped.

  His laughter reverberated in the car.

  Her smile withered. “You’re comfortable revealing this?” He’d never told her his methods in the past. In fact, when was the last time they shared a decent conversation? This was nice.

  “I trust you, Ambs.”

  Ambs. He hadn’t used her nickname since they were kids. She almost told him to forget about the reunion and hang out, but didn’t push her luck. Maybe her brother had changed, or maybe this was a phase. Time would tell. But she adored this Lucas, and hoped to see more of him. Family did mean a lot to her, and she’d always wanted to be close with her brother.

  He stopped in front of the entrance, and Amber jumped out. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “No probs. Give me a call if you need a lift home.”

  “Sure,” she said, but refused to bother him, and would make her own way home.

  A square logo sat above the roof of the hotel building. Terracotta coloured the walls and classic stone columns, and large palm trees aligned either side of the main entry.

  Inside, a gilded board read Class of 2006 Asheville High School Reunion. Butterflies danced in the pit of her stomach when she found the hallway leading to the function.

  “Head cheerleader, Amber Johnson,” Haley crooned, standing in front of a table with a row of nametags. “So good to see you.”

  “You too, Hales. Congratulations on the business overseas.” Muffled music and chatter echoed behind the closed doors, and she clenched her fists by her sides.

  Haley ran a finger along the cotton cloth, and paused at the tag with Amber’s name. “There you go.” She pinned the label to her right shoulder.

  “Thanks.” For sure people were capable of fastening their own nametags, but knowing Haley, she’d make sure everyone had theirs on the same shoulder and in the same alignment. Typical, she hadn’t changed one bit.

  “Wasn’t Tabitha Thompson meant to attend with you tonight?”

  “She’s working. Sorry she can’t make it.”

  “Oh,” Haley mumbled, snatching a notepad off the table and flicking the pages with quick haste.

  “I guess I’ll see you in there.”

  “Once everyone arrives, I’ll be right in.” Haley’s bright smile never withered. She should consider doing a TV commercial for toothpaste. Ha, maybe that was part of her new business venture overseas.

  Amber sidled into a room crammed with two hundred guests. Red, black, and white balloons decorated the massive function. Cackling and chatter softened when she passed several groups. A lot of faces were unfamiliar.

  Did she have the right reunion? Some people observed her in silence. One woman curled her lips as if tasting something foul. A man with thin glasses tilted his chin, while another scowled her up and down. Were these the people she had bullied? What else explained their cold stares?

  Lisa, Brenda, and Kathleen chatted in one corner of the room, a glass of champagne in hand. They didn’t wave her over, but quickly gazed away. Still glimpsing from the corner of their eyes, they whispered amongst themselves.

  She had hung out with them throughout high school. Together with Tabitha, they called themselves, The Flawless Five. Amber snickered at the stupid group name. Maybe they didn’t recognise her. She sauntered in their direction, but before she approached, they stormed off.

  Amber kept her spine rigid, and refused to allow the disappointment cutting her insides show on her face. Perhaps an extra night with Chayton might not have been so bad. No, there must be someone here who’d socialise with her. She scanned the room, scrutinising the far back...oh no. Dressed in jeans and a suit jacket, Chayton stood near a full table. Dark, unmoving eyes fixed her.

  Damn this.

  She had a life for crying out loud, one without the brooding werewolf. Ignoring the curious glances of others, she stormed toward him.

  Chapter 8

  “Are you following me now?”

  His smile was cunning. “I suggest you lower your voice, you’re making a scene.”

  One survey of the room proved him right. People blinked at them, while some hushed others to listen. She tucked her purse under her arm. “Answer my question. What are you doing here?”

  “How annoying.” He tilted his head. “Asking questions, unable to watch me helplessly give you an answer.” She stilled when he leaned in. “You don’t control me anymore. So, if you’re polite, I might answer you.”

  A woman in a red dress sauntered toward them and handed Chayton an open bottle of beer. One look at her caused the blood to drain from Amber’s face. Stacy Snell. The girl she’d teased in high school, the same woman who snapped at her at the supermarket for trying to make small-talk a few months ago.

  Stacy eyed her, then Chayton. “You know her?”

  “Come on now, Stacy,” Chayton said, gaze still on Amber. “We all know Amber Johnson.”

  “Yeah but, you know her.”

  A nametag was pinned to his lapel, and Amber’s heart escalated to her throat. “Wait, you went to this school?” No, impossible. She might not recall everyone, but how could she forget Chayton Locklear?

  A muscle ticked beneath his eye, and he hooked arms with Stacy. “Let’s check out the buffet.”

  They marched off. Others murmured over the small commotion, and she tensed, hating the attention. Spotting an empty table, she headed toward it. An ice bucket with chilled alcohol sat inside. Could this be why they supplied liquor at these occasions, to take the edge off? She gathered the bottle of wine and poured herself a glass.

  The party c
ontinued with laughter and chatter. A DJ in the corner played hits from the school years. Amber slouched with her glass in her lap, swirling the golden liquid. Maybe she should leave, given everyone seemed bent on ignoring her.

  “Amber?”

  She tilted her chin. A man with blonde shaggy hair, broad shoulders, and a devilish smile stood in front of her.

  “Wow, how are you?” her old boyfriend asked, and chose the empty seat next to her.

  “I’m great, Brian. How about you? Didn’t you leave town years ago to become a big-time football star?”

  He shook his head. “I wish. My dad became sick, so I stayed here to take charge of the family motoring business.”

  Finally, someone to talk to in this damn place. “I’m sorry to hear about your father. Is he okay?”

  A chilled beer sat in the ice bucket and he snatched it, twisting the top. “Yeah, he’s on a heap of medication, but he’s good.”

  “I’m glad, and how about your sisters? I haven’t seen them in years.” She failed to recall their names, but remembered they were always so sweet.

  He grinned with a twinkle in his eye. “The twins are in high school now, all grown up.” He held out the bottle of wine, offering to refill her glass.

  “Thanks,” she said, taking a sip. “High school already. The years sure do fly.”

  “Enough about me, what about you? Are you the international supermodel you always hoped to be?”

  Had she once said that? Her insides flinched. “I’m a photographer. I do a lot of freelance stuff, mostly sell pictures to royalty free websites.”

  “You’re kidding.” He laughed, but stopped when she didn’t chuckle along. “Didn’t expect that.”

  Neither did she. He’d told her about his failed career, and she didn’t pass judgment, so why the shock about her occupation? She smiled to hide the insult. “Yes, life is full of surprises.”

  “Hey, did you see Dominic? He was kicked out…the drunk.”

  Another old boyfriend. “No, I didn’t.”

  “It was hilarious. His wife swore her head off as security dragged him out.”

  He laughed, but she didn’t see the humour in the situation. A slow song she once loved played, and she stared at the couples on the dance floor. Chayton had one hand in Stacy’s, the other across her lower back. They swayed to the soft music, talking.