ROMANCE: The Bad Boy Meeting

by Kevin, Amanda

  “I can’t do it.” I was on the edge of tears again. I stared down at the document.

  “So don’t.”

  “But if I don’t then I’m going to get fired.”

  “Well,” Carly paused on the other end of the phone. “I guess you have to ask yourself if this guy is worth your job.”

  “I’ve been busting my ass for years at that stupid job. I haven’t even been able to make enough to pay off my stupid student loans. I can’t afford to get fired. I can hardly afford to live with the job.”

  “So you’re going to do it?”

  “Yes…” No I couldn’t. My gut filled with dread as guilt overwhelmed me at the thought of it “No…. I don’t know.” I finally confessed. I pulled my email open and opened a new message to my editor. I attached the document and began typing the subject. I took a deep breath trying to calm my shaking hands.

  “You have two hours to decide.”

  “I know….” I took a deep breath. “I’d better let you go.”

  I hung up my phone and stared down at my computer. If I didn’t send it in I would lose my job, I was sure of it. Karen hadn’t come out and said it outright but last week a writer got fired for not making the suggested edits. They had an abundance of writers wanting to work for them. I was expendable and if I didn’t sign the contract saying they could use that interview they wouldn’t legally be able to. But if I didn’t sign that contract… I didn’t know what I’d do. I’d have to move. I could never afford this place on my own…. And I’ll have to find another job, maybe two.

  I sat there thinking about her. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. All I wanted was for this day to end so I could pick up a pizza and head back over there. We could watch movies and have sex and not worry about leaving the house. Hell, maybe I’d stop by the house and pick up some pajamas so I didn’t have to sleep in my jeans again.

  Sam sat across from me in front of her computer. She was our social media person. Truthfully I had no clue how to deal with any of that. I wasn’t even that good with the press, mostly why I didn’t do interviews in the beginning and now, well now that I’d become famous for not doing them, I was more than willing to keep that. Sam was also my second in command.

  “We’re not going to be able to go for a run this full moon.” I stated staring down at the calendar. There was no way we could close the club on a Friday night. Even more so because people would be there to see if we were going to turn in front of them.

  “I think we should try to do it for the Monday.”

  “You mean just close the club all of Monday?” She nodded. “I like the idea. We’d lose some money but I doubt we’d make much on a Monday as is.” We all needed a break every now and then to go for a run as a pack. “I’ll see what the others say.”

  “I spoke to Matt and Ken about it. They both sounded like they could make it work.”

  I smirked. “Sam, I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  A blush touched her lips. “You’d be fine without me and we both know it.” Sam scowled. “I didn’t know we did an interview about the club.”

  “Yea, last night with that girl.”

  “No. This isn’t the one I saw you with last night.” Her jaw dropped. “Oh my god. I knew I recognised her from somewhere.”

  “What do you mean?” I perked up. How could there be an interview with me that I didn’t know about. Sam clicked on a couple things. She turned to face the computer towards me.

  There she was. On the right side of the screen, her blonde hair flowing over her shoulder. I scowled as I leaned towards the screen. “Sex blogger?” I couldn’t believe it.

  “Yup.” Sam nodded she pulled the computer away from me for a second before turning it back to face me. Her last post. Dated two days ago.

  So, we all know that since werewolves came out to us it’s been all the rage and I’ve been thinking that it’s about time I see if any of the statements about, hem, their abilities are accurate. So tomorrow night I’m going to hit one of the hottest werewolf bars in town with a couple of my good friends. We’re going to get the inside scoop from ladies who have actually taken a roll in the hay with these paranormal hunks and see what they say- and if you, and me, are lucky I’ll be able to give you a first-hand experience about if werewolves really do “do it better”.

  I stopped reading. Her words going through my head again and again and again. She’s a sex blogger. She was here to see what it was like to sleep with a werewolf? And I fell for it. I fell for her. I pushed myself up from the table.

  “Hey!” Sam called after me as I stormed from the room. “Sorry man but you should know!”

  She was right. I had a right to know. I just would have expected Danika to tell me the truth. I don’t know why I expected it. It wasn’t like we were together. It wasn’t like she had the same feelings that I had.

  My fist connected with one of the walls, drywall falling down around me as I let out a growl of frustration. Now my sexual activity was going to be all over the internet. Everyone was going to be able to read it and eventually someone would realize it was me. If she even tries to hide my name. She might not even bother. I’d met writers before who would do anything to get their name known, even if that meant hurting someone else. For all I knew she could be like that.

  I shoved the staff door open. Everyone in the club, which was only the staff right now, turned to look at me.

  “Hey, did Sam tell you some girl called for you?” Nathan piped up.

  I turned to look at him and saw the six foot man practically shrink. “I’m going out.” I muttered as I pulled my keys from my pocket.

  I honestly don’t remember the drive to her place. I remember getting out of the car and marching towards her door. I didn’t bother knocking before trying to open it. It opened without an issue but even if a chain was on I probably would have been able to open it. The wolf wanted to take over. It wanted to break free from the cage I kept it in.

  Danika gasped looking up from her computer, her cheeks slick with tears. She jumped to her feet. “Wh… what are you doing here?”

  I stared at her, my heart softening a little. The wolf wanted to take her into his arms and make her feel better. He wanted to make her feel safe, but he also wanted to lunge at her. I froze where I was, refusing either of those things to happen.

  “How could you lie to me?” I snapped.

  She glanced from me to the door then back at me. She stood and walked past me, she smelt like strawberries and vanilla. I turned my head as she closed the door.

  “What are you talking about?” She snapped crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes locked on mine.

  “How could you lie to me?”

  “I didn’t lie to you!”

  “Really? Because I don’t remember you telling me you’re a sex blogger.” Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red.

  I felt my cheeks burn. “How… I…”

  He glanced down at my computer. “Is that what you’re working on? The details about last night?” Before could bring myself to say anything he stormed over to my computer and grabbed it. I closed my eyes, wishing there was something I could do to change what he was about to see. His eyes widened and his jaw fell open.

  As he turned to look at me his face softened. “You…”

  “I was told I either had to write about our night or find a new job.” I said flatly. “I picked the later.”

  I don’t know why. It had been stupid to pick some guy I hardly knew over the job I’d been working towards for years but I just couldn’t bring myself to write it. I tried, I really did but I found the email to my boss telling her I was quitting to be a hell of a lot easier to write then writing about our night last night.

  Justin lay the laptop down on the couch; he closed the distance between me and him and pulled me into his arms. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. “I’m so sorry. I read your blog post about going a bar and how you were going to blog about it and then I saw the interview we did under someone
else’s name and…. And I just couldn’t process it.” He held me tightly. I scowled pulling away from him.

  “And you couldn’t just come over and talk to me about it?”

  A weak smile spread over his face. “I have control issues. Controlling the wolf isn’t always easy and when you add in an emotion that makes most people unstable…. It just doesn’t end well. I’m sorry Danika. What can I do to make it up to you?”

  I mulled it over. There were a few things I could think of, but one stood out more than anything else. “Well, you could take me out to a real dinner for starters.” I reached out and took his hand in mine. “And maybe next time you’re mad at me we actually talk it out?”

  “I promise.”

  I scanned his face. He truly did sound like he meant it, it was just a matter of if it was going to be the truth or not. “And maybe,” I knew I was pushing my luck with this one. “I could get another interview? I’m going to need something to submit to potential publishers that will make me stand out.”

  Justin grinned. “Of course.” He pulled me into his arms. “You can have as many interviews as you want.”

  Epilogue

  It turns out deciding not to publish that article was the best thing I ever could have done. “Hey!” I called from behind the bar. “You’re not sneaking off, are you?”

  “Of course not!” Justin tried to lie to me as he turned on his heel and came back towards us.

  “Good, the camera crew is going to be here any minuet.”

  “How did I let you talk me into this?” A single bead of sweat fell down his forehead.

  “Just relax.” My lips touched his for a fraction of a second before the pack piped up.

  “Dawwwww” They all said in unison.

  Justin pulled me into his arms as the kiss deepened. I could feel his hands behind me flipping the pack off. I giggled against his lips before pulling away.

  Since I’d been fired Justin felt like it had been his fault so he gave me a part time job at the bar until I found another place to work full time. I’d found that three days after I got fired. After a conversation with Justin he agreed it was alright for me to write a blog about us, our sex life and our relationship-that’s right it was a relationship. The blog got picked up so fast there was even a bidding war for it.

  Now, I just helped out at the bar when they needed me, and called in a few favors to some of my friends to get a little extra press for The Den.

  Just held me in his arms. “I love you Danika.” He whispered so quietly that, even in a room full of werewolves, I was the only one who heard it.

  My pulse raced as I thought about the words he had just said to me. I reached up onto my tippy toes so I could whisper back. “I love you too Justin.”

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  STEAMY WEREWOLF BOND

  By Rachel S. William

  WARNING: This e- book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language. I t maybe be consider offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adult ONLY

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  Steamy Werewolf Bond

  Why was it always me?

  Oh right, because I’d thought it would be the right thing to do. Hunting vampires and werewolves and god knows what else I’ve killed. But fuck, I’ve only been living this lifestyle for five years and it was already taking a toll. I tucked my hunting knife into its sheath as I entered an over-priced café and took a deep breath, filling my lunges with the scent of coffee. My stomach grumbled.

  Since getting into this I’d become a total caffeine addict and my sleeping had suffered beyond words. I caught one woman staring at me as I made my way to the line. I was well aware that I was sweaty and may or may not have blood on me. I looked down. No blood that I could see. That was impressive.

  My ears perked as someone entered the café. Judging by the sound of the footsteps it was male. I resisted the urge to turn around. It was an urge I’ve had for seven months now. Since that time I’d been cornered by a group on orgs. I shuddered as I thought about their stench.

  I moved closer to the counter as the man in front of me went to place his order. I let myself zone out, my mind raced. I’ve got to track the vampire and find out where the kids are before I kill him and then I’ll need to dispose of the body. Urg. That was the worst part. Contrary to popular belief vampires did not turn into dust when they were hit by sunlight. I found that out the hard way.

  The man in front of me moved away from the counter and I stepped forward.

  “Hi can I…. can I get the strongest thing you’ve got back their?” I managed a weak smile to the girl on the other side of the counter.

  She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Sure thing.” She typed something into the register. “That will be $7.22.”

  Damn. I knew it was going to be over-priced; I just hadn’t been expecting it to be that much.

  A man cleared his throat behind me. “Make that two, and it’s on me.” He was pulling his wallet out before I could tell him to leave me alone. He had short black hair and wore a well-fitting black suit. He had green eyes speckled with black flakes and the kind of smile that would make most girls knees weak. I knew most girls would find him gorgeous, I mean, he was cute I guess. You know, for a vampire.

  I forced a grin over my lips. “Thanks.” I turned my attention back to the girl behind the counter. Was I getting lucky or was he hunting me? Probably hunting me after I killed his girlfriend the other night.

  I reached out and took the small cup from the girl as she made her way towards us. The vampire left a $20 on the counter and walked away. I fallowed him.

  “So, do I at least get to know your name?”

  “Hm?” He paused mulling it over. “I guess. My names Josh.”

  “Well Josh, thank you for the coffee. Maybe I could make it up to you sometime.” I put on my best flirty face as we made our way towards the door. Josh held it open for me, his eyes locking on mine.

  “That would be… perfect. How about we get outta here? Go somewhere we can get a real bite to eat?” He took a sip of his drink. “Not just a cookie.” He added quickly.

  I scanned the area as my hands slipped into my pocket. It was too crowded to kill him here. “Sure.” I let him lead the way down the street, my eyes moving the entire time.

  I stared across the street. Even from this far away I could see his muscles. I swallowed dryly as his arms moved under his pea coat. His brown hair was slicked back and he had a little five O’clock shadow across his strong jawline. Jill. I snapped myself back into reality. I was standing here beside a vampire. I couldn’t risk getting distracted by a hot guy I would never see again. I could go over there… No, that wasn’t an option. I needed to be here. I couldn’t lose this vampire again. If I stood him up I would lose my chance to kill him.

  I turned my attention back to the vampire as we turned left on to Broad Street. Was he trying to take me down town?

  I reached out and grabbed him, my fingers curling around his wrist. “On second thought, why don’ we head back to my place? It’s a little outside of town but it’s not a far walk and I’ve got food there. It will be worth it.” I beamed.

  The vampire eyed me as I stepped closer to him. I crooked my neck. His eyes locked on it. “Yes.” He said staring to my neck. “Let’s do that.”

  “Perfect!” I probably sounded a little too happy as I turned on my heel and lead the way back to my apartment. Of course I wasn’t actually going there. As we came closer to the park I crossed the street. I caught sight of that man again. The hot one in the pea coat, he was engrossed in a conversation with a woman who seemed thril
led to just be listening to him. I felt the strangest hint of jealousy.

  Not that I had a right to be jealous. The man was allowed to talk to whoever he wanted.

  Josh reached out and touched my waist softly. Goosebumps chilled my skin as I took a drink of my coffee. I drained it, tossed it into a trashcan as we passed one and stuffed my hands back into my pocket. My fingers curled around the handle of my knife. My body screamed to pull it out and finish him off right here but I couldn’t. There were people around.

  I took a deep breath as I turned down a small path. “So, are you from around here?”

  “No.” For a second I didn’t think he was going to say anything else. “I travel… a lot.”

  “Oh yea? Doesn’t that ever get lonely?”

  “No, I have… had a friend.” If she hadn’t tried to eat a kid you would still have her. I came to a stop in at one of the spots I used most. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

  “Yea.” I smiled as he turned to face me. Every ounce of beauty had drain from his face now. “Are you going to tell me where the kids are?”

  “Why would I do that?” He snarled stepping closer to me.

  I stepped back, finally letting my body win and pulled out my knife. “So I don’t have to torture you to find out.”

  He laughed.

  I could see why. I mean here I am 5 foot and just over 100 pounds. He was at least a foot taller than me and probably closer to 175, oh and pretty close to immortal.

  He lunged towards me. I side stepped easily, my blade thrusting into his kidney. He gasped turning towards me. Fury flashed across his face as he lunged towards me again. I side stepped. He reached out and grabbed me, his fingers tangling into my hair. I gasped as he slammed me down onto the ground. My head hit the hard walkway. I inhaled sharply rolling onto my hands and knees.