ROMANCE: The Bad Boy Meeting

by Kevin, Amanda

  She was sitting in their usual booth, wearing a pair of dancing shorts and a tank top. He didn’t like their visits to be conducted when she was in any state of undress. He wanted to talk to her fully clothed. It was a little strange but she didn’t ask questions.

  He arrived right on time and made a beeline for the table, settling in beside her. He never sat across from her and she was more than happy for it. She enjoyed sitting beside him and leaning into the heat of his body. He was a huge man and had to be at least 6’5”, if not taller.

  When Aaron settled into the seat beside her, she leaned against him, closing her eyes and sighing softly.

  “Hey there. I didn’t think you would show up tonight.”

  “Have I ever not shown up?”

  He had a point. Aaron had been coming to this club for well over six months now and he never missed one of their appointments. They met three days a week and he was always on time. He was so predictable that if he didn’t show up, she might become worried and report him as a missing person. He seemed like the type of guy who was fond of punctuality and a tight schedule.

  She sat up and turned to look at him, running her long pianist’s fingers through his dirty blonde hair. Maria didn’t like it when his hair covered his beautiful eyes. When she looked into them she felt as if she was looking into his soul. It was awe inspiring.

  When Marie could see his face clearly, she smiled and leaned back in her seat, offering him his favorite top shelf whiskey and sipping at her own water. She always drank water on the clock, even if her clients insisted she drink something else. Maria had seen plenty of girls get taken advantage of when they were drunk and she wasn’t going to be one of them.

  Aaron looked over at her and put a hand on her knee, enjoying the physical contact they shared occasionally. “How have things been?” He asked gently, leaning up and kissing her cheek.

  Most of the other dancers never allowed kisses but Maria made an exception for Aaron. He never pushed her past her limits and never pushed her further than she wanted to go. Their kisses were quick, chaste and soft. They always left Maria wanting more.

  She sighed and leaned into the kiss shrugging one pale, slender shoulder. “They usual stuff. Some guy got a little too handsy, though.”

  “Do I need to break someone’s arm?” Aaron grunted, leaning back and looking at her seriously, his thick, well groomed brows furrowed in concern.

  Maria laughed and shook her head. “The bouncers already took care of him. No need for you to worry.” She assured.

  “I always worry. I don’t like you working here.”

  His possessiveness was refreshing and a little exhilarating. Maria didn’t really know what to make of it. She always sensed that he was on the verge of stealing her away but never quite got that far. If he did want to rescue her, he never said it aloud. He only hinted at it briefly.

  “I don’t really have a choice, Aaron...This is how I make a living. It’s fine though. It’s not as bad as most people make it out to be. It’s even kind fun.”

  That was a lie and they both knew it. Aaron's lips pressed into a tight frown but he didn’t argue anymore. He didn’t want her to get suspicious of his intentions. He felt like, for this to work and for her not to run away when she realized exactly what she’d been talking to these past few months, he needed to show her that he was gentle and capable of love. He needed her to fall in love with him.

  Their conversation moved to a much lighter topic and she started telling him about a new book she was reading. It was a horror novel written by Joe Hill and she adored it. it was creepy and full of twists and turns. She offered to bring it in for him to read and he said that he’d like that. He always enjoyed the books she suggested. He had never been much of a reader but he’d do anything to get just a little closer to Maria.

  Their conversation lasted well into the night and the club started to empty. Patrons stumbled out drunk and dancers wrapped up their routines. The newer girls always performed at the tail end of the night and even they were wrapping things up. Maria was always the last one on the floor with a client.

  Marie’s green eyes darted over his shoulder to the clock on the opposite wall and she gave him a peck on the cheek as she slid out of the booth.

  “Time to go.” She said, announcing that her shift was up.

  Aaron always offered to walk her to her car but she insisted that it wasn’t necessary and sent him on his way. It was the one thing he wouldn’t honor. He always stood just out of sight and made sure she made it to her car safely. It was one of the few things he could do to protect her.

  Chapter 4

  Marie had no idea that Aaron watched her walk to her car. He was a sneaky bastard, though she would eventually thank him for it. The club wasn’t in the best part of town, but Maria didn’t really think about it much anymore. She walked to and from the club five nights a week and nothing bad had ever happened. After a while she started to let her guard down. The bouncers insisted that the girls walk out in pairs but Maria never understood it. Having another person with did mean bad things wouldn’t happen and people wouldn’t try to hurt you.

  She shoved the door to the alley open and walked out, dressed in yoga pants and and a hoodie. When she wasn’t working she dressed modestly and comfortably. She spent so much time showing strangers her body that Maria wasn’t really interested in doing it off the clock.

  Her car was on the other side of the parking lot and she hummed to herself, jogging over to it in her dirty sneakers. Her face was free of make-up and she felt refreshed. The club had showers for the girls and most of them took advantage of the free hot water. No one liked going home covered in glitter and booze.

  The car’s door clicked when she hit the unlock button and she was about to yank the door open when a stranger’s arms curled around her. One caught her at the waist and the other slapped over her mouth to silence any screams that might leave her lips.

  She couldn’t see the man’s face but she could hear drunken laughter over her left shoulder and she could smell the stink of cheap Vodka. She kicked her legs and swung her arms, twisting and turning to try and get herself away from the man.

  He was much stronger than her and much taller and simply lifted her off the ground, his grip tightening around her to the point that she feared he might break her ribs and puncture a lung. She sobbed around his hand, jaw snapping closed as she tried to bite into his hand but it was no use. She had no leverage.

  The larger, stronger man slammed her head into the side of her car and the world went black for a moment. A bright light appeared in her vision and her head swam with pain and dizziness. She saw spots even as her vision returned and her orientation was completely shot. The man had released her but she couldn’t run.

  Her legs shook underneath her and she fell back against the car when he spun her around, grabbing the waistband of her yoga pants and starting to roll them down. Her voice came out as a weak sob and she tried to grab the hem of her pants and pull them back up.

  “Please...Don’t do this.” She begged.

  The man simply brought a hand up and slapped her in response. Her head snapped to one side and the iron taste of blood filled her mouth. She gasped and spat out the thick, red liquid onto the concrete as her legs started to give out.

  The man was holding her up now and thanks to the head injury, she still couldn’t see his face or fight him. He was laughing drunkenly and trying to take her pants off again, but he wouldn’t make it very far.

  A loud, low rumbling growl was coming from the shadows and Maria’s head lolled to one side as she tried to see what or who was making the noise. Her vision was still blurry and full of dark spots but she could see the vague outline of what looked to be a massive black wolf. It moved like smoke across the parking lot and at first Maria was sure that she was seeing things. Then she saw her attackers face.

  His hold had loosened on her and she managed to slide out of his grip and slip down to the ground, curling up and letting
out a weak sob. The look on the man’s face had been one of sheer terror and while she knew the man had every right to be scared, Maria didn’t feel the same fear.

  Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she covered her face to hide from whatever was about to come after the fat man who had assaulted her. She heard the sound of heavy, stumbling feet and then a scream followed by the distinct sound of bones crunching. More screams followed and Maria felt a hot splash of sticky liquid on her hands and arms.

  She pulled her hands away from her face, shaking when she saw blood on her hands and arms. Blood that didn’t belong to her. Her breath quickened and she swore her heart would beat out of her chest. Maria could hear the animal a good distance away and decided to try and get away while she still had time.

  Maria rolled onto her stomach and started crawling across the dirty parking lot to the club. If she could get in the building she would be safe from whatever monstrosity was crunching away on her attackers bones. Calling the cops hadn’t even crossed her mind but even if it had...What good were the cops going to do in this situation? They were just as powerless as she was against the strange wolf made of smoke.

  The door was nearly within her reach when the dark fog swept around to her, two large paws resting in front of her. She looked up and met it’s piercing blue gaze and couldn’t help thinking that she knew that look...She knew those eyes.

  Maria let out a little sob and put her forehead to the ground, the world swimming again.

  “Please...Please don’t hurt me.” She begged.

  As the world went black and she began to slip into unconsciousness and she expected to feel the sharp pain of teeth sinking into her neck but she only felt the almost reassuring nudge of a wet nose against her cheek.

  Chapter 5

  Maria was sure she had died in that dirty parking lot. The shadow wolf had snapped her neck and gobbled her up like it had her attacker. There was no possible way that she had survived it. She was vaguely aware of people talking around her, though it was in a foreign language she didn’t understand. Maybe they were angels trying to decide what to do with her. Maybe it was doctors trying to save her life. She really wasn’t sure and she hadn’t been allowed much time to think about it. The voices were gone just as quickly as they’d come.

  The next thing she remembered was someone pressing a cool cloth to her forehead, singing a soft song. It sounded like something her grandmother would sing and she was sure she’d died and gone to heaven but she couldn’t have been more wrong.

  The sun was what finally woke Maria. She had no idea how long she’d been out but she felt sore from laying down for too long. Maria groaned and put a hand to her head as she sat up slowly. The world spun for a moment but she eventually regained her composure and looked around the room. It wasn’t her small closet, but rather a large master bedroom with a huge bed and large windows that let in sunlight. It warmed her skin and made her sigh in relief.

  Maria slid out from under the heavy blankets she’d been sleeping under and swung her legs over the side of the bed, putting her feet flat on the floor. When she finally stood up and looked down, she noticed that she wasn’t wearing her own clothes anymore. Instead, she was wearing a long, floor length gown that was made of fine silk and she frowned a little as she ran her fingers over the pink fabric, trying to recall who it belonged to and where she was. All she could remember was that low, terrifying snarl from the alley.

  The large oak door to the bedroom swung open and Maria jumped, eyes wide as she turned to face whoever had come into the room. Her heart was beating out of her chest and her mouth suddenly felt horribly dry. She was surprised when a petite red head came bounding through the door way.

  She was a beautiful creature with long, red locks that were braided in one long plait down her back. Her skin was as pale as the ivory keys that Maria had once found her sanctuary in. The woman’s eyes were startlingly blue and reminded Maria of Aaron’s eyes. She was topless and had a golden chain around her waist that sheer, blue fabric had been folded over to cover her front and back end. The thin, sparkling fabric nearly touched the floor but that didn’t seem to be of any concern.

  The woman danced over to Maria and smiled at her, patting her cheek gently.

  “I’m glad to see that you’re awake.” She said, her voice thick with a foreign accent. “Aaron has been worried about you.”

  “Aaron?”

  “Oh yes, he saw the whole thing happen. He was quite worried that we might have to take you to the hospital.” She explained, nodding her head solemnly.

  Maria put a hand to her forehead and took a deep breath to calm herself. Everything seemed so strange and out of place right now. She wanted to scream, cry and laugh all at the same time. She felt like it was a bit of a miracle that she was even alive. She dropped her hand slowly and looked at short woman, somehow managing to smile.

  “D-Did he see the dog? The big black shadow?” She asked, hoping she didn’t sound too crazy.

  The woman chewed her lip a little, obviously biting something back.

  “I’m not sure what he saw.” She admitted, looking down at her bare feet. She swept one across the floor and the golden bracelets around her ankles jingle a bit. “You can ask him, yourself, though.”

  “Oh good! Where is he?”

  “He’s gone for a walk in the woods. Why don’t you come down stairs with me and eat something? I’ve been feeding you broth but you haven’t been awake enough to really eat.”

  “How long was I out?”

  The red head put her finger to her chin, as if lost in thought. “About two days?”

  Maria was shocked but didn’t say anything else for a moment. She cleared her throat and looked over at the woman, looking her up and down. “Are you...Aaron’s wife?”

  “Oh no! We live together and he cares for me but he’s not my mate.”

  “You’re mate?”

  She just smiled and offered Maria her hand. “My name is Rein.”

  “Oh, right. I should have introduced myself...I’m sorry. My name is Maria.” She said, smiling weakly.

  “I know who you are. He talks about you often.” She said, no hint of jealousy in her voice.

  Maria blushed a deep crimson and laughed a little. “Really?”

  “Oh, yes” She sang, leading Maria to a little breakfast nook.

  Various meats and cheeses had already been laid out along with an assortment of fruit. Maria couldn’t deny the hunger that was rolling in her belly so she sat at the table and took a little bit of everything. She ate her share and then some, trying to be as lady like as possible and still get as much food in her belly as possible.

  Rein just hummed and smiled, continuing to cook more food. She didn’t stop until Maria finally started to slow down. She was in the middle of cleaning up empty plates and trays when she looked out onto the deck, smiling a little.

  “Aaron’s home.”

  Chapter 6

  Maria swallowed the bite of bacon that she had in her mouth and looked up, seeming a little surprised that Aaron was back so soon.

  “That was fast.” She mused, standing and setting her plate in the sink.

  Rein laughed a little and shook her head. “I sent him out hours ago. He was doing nothing but pacing back and forth in your room and he was driving me crazy so I kicked him out.” She said, sounding exasperated. “I tried to tell him that you would be okay but he worries so much. You can’t tell him other wise.”

  “Hours? He can just...walk around the woods for hours?” She asked, sounding surprised.

  “He adores the woods. It’s our home, you know.” She said, leading Maria out onto the deck.

  Rein seemed to speak in riddles and Maria didn’t know what to make of it. She felt as if Rein wasn’t telling her everything. There was an air of secrecy about the woman and she wanted to push her for more information but Maria felt it would be useless. Rein seemed to have a pretty steady resolve. Despite the fact that she was a small woman she seemed strong in
both will and body. Maria couldn’t even place why she was making these assumptions.

  The patio that Maria was led to look out onto a vast expanse of green land. Just behind the deck was a field of lush grass and flowers that were just beginning to pop up out of the wet ground. They were at the tail end of winter and spring's warmth was just around the corner. It had just rained so the air was a bit chilly and a cool fog was hovering just above the grass. It was cold enough that Maria shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, wishing she’d worn a coat out of the house.

  Maria scrunched up her nose and eyed the tree line, her gaze darting back and forth as she tried to see Aaron among the foliage.

  “Where is he? I don’t see him.” She murmured, squinting a bit.

  Maria chuckled, raising her head and sniffing the air. “Don’t worry. He’s almost here.”

  A few moments after she said that, there was a break in the fog and a huge shadow began to emerge from the tree line. At first, Maria was grinning, sure that it was Aaron, but as the figure drew closer she realized it was the beast from the night she’d been attached. She’d never forget what that creature looked like. Her face fell and she paled when she got a good look at him, starting to take a step back.

  “No...No...Oh god, it’s him...It’s the wolf that tried to kill me!” She gasped, panic controlling her every movement.

  She tried to turn and bolt back into the house but Rein’s slim and surprisingly powerful fingers wrapped around her wrist to prevent her from running away.

  “Things are not as they appear, child. Just wait.” She said, her voice even and almost dreamy.

  If a giant shadow wolf wasn’t coming at her, Maria might had even taken comfort in Rein’s voice. It had the quality of someone who was a practiced and talented singer. Even though Rein was calm, it didn’t Maria’s own nerves in the least. She was sure that Rein was out to kill her. Why else would she be trapping her on this deck while the wolf slowly approached?