The brush of his fingers against her cheek did nothing to comfort her and she didn't hide her disappointment. When she was little, she'd dreamed of getting married to a man like him at a house like this, or in a little church. Even the mating wouldn't make up for her missing out on that. She wanted to be married to him, joined in the human way as well as the lycan way.
She forced a smile and went over to her sister, feeling terrible for leaving Erik's side but needing a little space. Everything was so overwhelming at the moment and it was beginning to get to her.
“Come on, it's much warmer in the lounge. I think Rose has made us some food to nibble and there's plenty of booze,” she said, holding her smile and hoping her sister couldn't see through her false cheeriness.
Walking down the corridor with Sherry, she didn't look back at Erik. She could feel him watching her, his eyes boring into her back, and she could guess his thoughts. He was trying to figure out whether there was a hidden meaning to her words too. Was there? Was her reference to the cold about him?
She pushed her thoughts away, not wanting to dwell on such things right now. It was Christmas Eve and it had started out so well. She didn't want to ruin it now by starting to ponder the mystery man and the reasons why Erik wouldn't marry her.
Would he marry her if he could?
She cursed her stupid thoughts and realised that the longer she was silent, the more her sister was going to start suspecting that something was wrong.
“Was the journey bad?” she said, unable to think of anything else to say.
Sherry looked thoughtful for a moment and Kim wondered what she needed to think about. It was either a horrible journey or it wasn't.
“It was long and dull. Don't you miss London when you're here? There doesn't seem to be much in the way of entertainment. That village is tiny. I swear there isn't even a pub.”
Kim glanced across at Erik as he fell into step beside her.
“I like it here. It's cosy.” She caught his eye, holding his gaze and hoping he'd see her words as a form of apology. She really did like it here with him and he wasn't cold. She understood why they couldn't get married but she wished things were different. “London can be too demanding. Sometimes you need to get away from everyone.”
Only tomorrow she was going to find herself surrounded by people at a time when she really did want to be alone with Erik. The corners of his mouth tugged slightly and it was enough of a sign to convince her that he was thinking the same. Tomorrow was going to have them both on edge, both looking to see if there was someone in the room that could be the mystery man in their visions.
She ushered her sister into the lounge and didn't bother introducing her to Sean. He was out of his chair before she had even thought about speaking. He came across the room to them, taking hold of Sherry's hand and covering it with both of his. There was something about the way he did that, and the twinkle in his eye, that made her think of Alistair. Her stomach lurched as the memories of his touch and that kiss came back.
“What's wrong?” Erik said, his hand gently resting against her back as he moved around her.
She looked up at him but didn't know what to say. She couldn't mention what Alistair had done in front of her sister and Sean. Maybe tonight she'd find the courage to admit to what had happened that day when she'd come to warn Erik about his brother's intentions to kill him and take everything.
“It's nothing,” she whispered, her eyes fixed on his chest and avoiding his. If she didn't see the frown she knew he was wearing then she wouldn't feel worse than she already did.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, holding her a moment, and then released her when her sister squealed.
“I love these things,” she said and Kim looked past Erik to see what all the fuss was about.
Her sister held up a plate of hors d'oeuvres, grinning like a crazy woman.
Kim raised a brow and then used her sister's distraction to her advantage. She stormed up to Sean when Sherry turned her back on them and grabbed his wrist. He looked at her, eyes dark and tousled strands of blond hair falling down across his face.
“No flirting. My sister doesn't know what you are. She doesn't know about lycans,” she whispered with a frown.
He gave her a broad grin and she knew that he wasn't about to take her warning onboard.
“You didn't know either before you and Erik got a little intimate, and look how well that turned out... morning sex sessions that keep you in your room past twelve.”
The urge to slap him was overwhelming. Her hand shook where it held his arm and her temperature rose to boiling point.
“Listen to her, or you might find yourself sleeping outside for the rest of your stay,” Erik said, so close to her that she could almost feel his body touching hers.
Sean sighed and rolled his eyes. “Fine, but innocent flirting won't do any harm.”
“She's just got divorced. You hurt her, I'm gonna kill you once I'm a panther.” Kim stared him down, letting him see that she wasn't joking. Besides, she was sure that Erik would back her up if it did come to a fight and with two panthers against one lion, they'd have the upper hand.
When Sean walked away, her attention strayed to Erik. She could feel him staring at her, could sense the intensity of his look right inside her chest.
“What?”
He was grinning like a crazy person too. The whole world had gone crazy.
“When you're a panther?”
She smiled too. She hadn't even thought about what she was saying at the time. Maybe her words were a reflection of how she felt subconsciously. Deep inside she knew that the mating would go ahead and she would become like him. It was only when she started thinking about things that the doubts crept in.
His hand caught hold of hers and he held it tightly, leading her over to where Sherry and Sean were now talking. Sherry was stuffing the bite-sized treats into her mouth as though they were going to disappear any second and Sean was using every trick in the book to make her sister giggle. It was a little sickening to listen to, but it was nice to see her sister smiling again.
She picked up one of the hors d'oeuvres and raised her brows at Erik. He opened his mouth and she popped it in, watching him as he chewed it and then swallowed it down.
He frowned. “They're not poisonous.”
Confusion washed over her. “Poisonous?”
“You're watching me like you're waiting for me to drop dead. Like one of those royal food tasters.”
“They have food tasters?”
He laughed and shook his head and she got the distinct feeling she was being mocked for her lack of knowledge.
She picked up another one and shoved it into his mouth, silencing him. He scowled at her and then grabbed one too, forcing her mouth open with his free hand and pushing it in. She almost choked on it but by the time she'd managed to swallow it, she was laughing.
Pouring the champagne, she handed a glass to everyone and toasted them before taking a sip. She smiled, feeling light inside as she watched her sister laughing at something Erik and Sean were saying. She felt so relaxed right now, calm and peaceful. She looked at the garden beyond the French doors. The frost on the plants made them blue and they sparkled like diamonds beneath the full moon.
She couldn't wait to go out there at midnight and listen to the church bells ringing in Christmas.
She sighed when Erik came up behind her, his arms wrapping around her waist and his hands coming to settle on her stomach. She leaned back into him, heaving a contented sigh and staring out at the still and twinkling world. It looked magical.
Her eyes half closed when Erik placed a long kiss on her cheek and then pressed his against it.
She sipped her champagne as her other hand found his. She lightly rested it over the top of them where they were clasped in front of her. His fingers were locked together and it gave her the impression that he was forming a barrier around her, subconsciously showing her that he had no intention of letting anyone take he
r from him. She tilted her head and kissed his cheek, nuzzling it with her nose.
“I love you,” she whispered against his skin and felt him smile.
He shifted away from her and captured her lips with his own before breathing his response against them, “I love you too.”
She smiled broadly, unable to contain it as warmth filled her. She looked at him, studying his handsome face and thinking about how he made her feel and how much she loved him. She couldn't imagine life without him. He was such an integral part of her now that she'd probably die if he left her.
Her hand left his and she placed it gently against his cheek, fighting the overwhelming feeling of sadness her thoughts were bringing to her. He'd never leave her, she knew that, but her heart still ached at the thought that there was a chance that this happiness she had, this love, could be broken. If that happened, she knew she'd never feel this way again. All chance of happiness would leave with Erik.
“What's wrong?” he whispered and she thanked him silently for not drawing Sean and Sherry's attention to them by speaking any louder.
“I just love you,” she said.
“And that makes you sad?” he said, holding her tighter and then releasing her. He moved around to stand in front of her and ducked slightly so he was staring straight into her eyes. His fingers brushed her cheek while his other hand held her shoulder. “Speak to me.”
“I... Erik... I'm frightened. I'm scared that someday you'll be gone and I won't be able to go on without you.”
“I'm not going anywhere...” He paused and a look of recognition entered his eyes. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Eternity, Kim. I'm yours for eternity. You'll be sick of me by the end of it.”
She frowned and threw her arms around him, grimacing a little when she spilled her champagne on the carpet. She hoped he wouldn't notice.
“Never,” she whispered into his ear and closed her eyes tight as he held her. “I'll never grow tired of you. I love you so much, Erik.”
“Shh,” he said, his hands pressing into her back as he drew her closer to him until she could feel the heat of him against her. She gave a shaky smile when she felt his heart beating strong and steady, and it felt as though it was calling to hers, telling her that he was speaking the truth.
He'd never leave her.
Eternity was theirs.
She only had a few more days to wait.
“I love you, Kim. I won't allow anyone to take you from me... because I feel the same as you.”
She kissed his neck and then his cheek, moving back enough to capture his lips and show him how much those words meant to her. The idea that he couldn't live without her too, that his only chance of happiness and love was with her, made her melt inside.
He looked as calm as ever when he broke the kiss and his eyes met hers.
And then his brow twitched.
“Sean and Sherry are staring,” he whispered.
She tensed and composed herself. She knew she was going to get some funny looks when she turned around, but she didn't mind, as long as they believed she was just making out with Erik and didn't know what she'd been telling him.
He moved past her and she walked with him to the fireplace, settling on his lap when he sat down in the armchair and patted his knees.
She wanted to make the most of tonight, of how relaxed and cosy this was, sitting here with her sister, her lover and his best friend.
Tomorrow was a big day.
She just hoped the bad feeling it was giving her was just nerves about people's opinions on the grand ball she'd planned and not about the mating.
CHAPTER 8
“Kim, this looks fantastic,” Erik said, walking into the ballroom and seeing her stood in the middle of it.
She turned, a smile curving her shiny red lips. His eyes stayed fixed there for a moment as he listened to the tempting words they whispered to him. He wanted to gather her to him and kiss her breathless.
When his eyes travelled lower, it was him who was breathless.
“Kim, you look fantastic,” he whispered, unable to tear his eyes away from the slinky black dress she was wearing. It looped around her neck, open at the front with a deep v that revealed the curve of her breasts.
It was tucked below them, emphasising their size and shape and hugging her stomach until it reached her hips. The soft material swelled out from there, hanging loose around her but still accentuating the subtle curves of her legs. It finished at her ankles, where the pointed toes of black heels were just visible.
His heart thundered.
The desire to walk up to her and feel what he could only see with his eyes, to run his hands over her body, was impossible to resist. She was a siren, calling to him with her smile, luring him in for the kill.
She raised a hand and crooked a finger.
He instantly walked over to her, obeying her command like a mindless zombie.
She pressed her hands against his chest when he reached her and his eyes tried to follow them but she slid them upwards to his shoulders. He stopped breathing when she tiptoed and he could feel her breasts pushing against him. He closed his eyes and resisted the desire to lean his cheek against hers.
“You look damn good too,” she uttered quietly into his ear, her soft breath tickling it and sending a shiver down his spine.
She giggled when he growled and grabbed her, pulling her hard against his body. The black wrap she'd been wearing around her shoulders fell away and he groaned when his hands touched bare back. He slid them downwards, wondering just how much of her was exposed, and felt his cock twitch when he'd reached the small of her back before hitting material.
God, she'd be the death of him dressed like this.
“How am I supposed to focus on our guests when you're going to be walking around in this little number?” he whispered against her neck, peppering it with kisses.
She laughed again. It was such a light and happy sound, and it warmed him to hear it. After all these days of worrying, last night and today she'd been close to her old self. He just hoped things could stay this way until after the mating was complete.
“Maybe I don't want your focus to be on them.” She sounded so serious that he was surprised to see her still smiling when he pulled back to look at her.
She turned away and he stared at her back, studying the beautiful curve of it and the line of her spine until it disappeared beneath the dress. He couldn't figure out how the hell the dress was staying on her, but he wasn't about to waste precious time thinking about it. He stepped up close behind her, his hands covering her stomach and holding her to him.
She moaned quietly and shifted against him. His fingers tightened against her. Was she trying to get him hard?
He kissed her earlobe, sucking it into his mouth and wondering if she'd get angry if he made a move on her.
“Wow, this is stunning.” Sean's voice shattered the moment and Erik growled when his friend stopped next to them. “Not you two, you just need to get a room or get a hormone check.”
Kim giggled again and Erik's anger over being disturbed disappeared. She'd really bonded well with Sean over the past few days and it was nice that they had a shared friend now, and that he was a shape-shifter. Once she was a lycan too, they'd have to visit all the elite families and introduce them. A lot of them had refused to come tonight because of the presence of a human. He wasn't about to tell Kim that.
He looked at her where she stood in the middle of the ballroom a few feet away, her eyes scanning the room.
It was beautiful, incredible considering the short amount of time she'd had to arrange everything. The theme was a traditional Christmas one of gold and red. At one end of the room were tables with pristine white cloths and centre pieces of gold candles and red roses. Gold candelabras decorated the long tables where champagne and food had been laid out. Even the ice sculpture had gold flecks in it.
He smiled when he saw it was a panther climbing a tree trunk.
The main chand
eliers had been lit, lending a soft glow to the already golden walls. The light reflected off the long mirrors that lined them. The curtains had been pulled back to reveal the three sets of tall French doors that led onto the balcony.
It was strange to see his house so bright and cheerful. For so many years it had been dull but he hadn't realised that until now. Seeing all the bedrooms opened and the fires all lit, and hearing all the excited chatter from Rose and Kim, reminded him of how Christmas here used to be when his parents were alive.
When Alistair was alive.
He frowned but it was chased away by Kim when she touched his cheek. There was so much concern in her eyes and he knew without question that she'd felt the hurt in him.
The start of the mating was close, maybe closer than he'd thought.
She was ready now.
Kim stared deep into Erik's eyes, wondering what he was thinking as he looked at her. The pain she'd felt in him was gone, replaced by something that she couldn't sense. She was glad that the connection was back to full strength again. She couldn't wait to start the mating now.
She dragged her attention away from Erik when the musicians came in and she directed them to the far end of the ballroom where a stage had been erected. She hadn't known what kind of music to go for, so she'd opted for one that played mostly classical music but with the odd old tune thrown in. She'd specifically asked every band she'd called if they could play ‘White Christmas' and this was the only one who had said yes.
She'd hired them immediately.
She hoped to God they were good.
Her eyes strayed back to Erik as he laughed with Sean. He'd said she looked fantastic tonight. He was one to talk. In his crisp black tux he was a sight to send her temperature soaring to that of the sun. He glanced across at her, his honey eyes intense with desire and his lips playing into a seductive smile. Her whole body flushed, her cheeks burning up. Damn, she wanted him when he looked at her like that, like she was prey to his predator. She coyly swayed her hips, giving him a sweet smile in return. He swallowed hard and she saw the muscle in his jaw flicker as it tensed.
In Heat: Mating Call (In Heat Shapeshifter Romance Series #2) Page 8
