by Moxie North
She greeted him with a big smile. “Zane!” Good lord, she sounded like an eager beaver.
Zane, who had been frowning when he got out of the car, broke into a shy smile, a slight blush stealing over his cheeks.
“Ms. Woodall,” he answered making his way toward her.
“You did not just call me that!” she said with a laugh.
“Sorry, I didn’t want to, but I panicked,” he admitted.
“Fine, I’ll forgive you. I’m Poppy and you’re Zane. It will make this much more comfortable. You ready?”
He put his foot on the first step but came no further. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Poppy stepped down so that she was just a few steps up from him bringing her eye to eye with him.
“Me too,” she said, staring into bright blue eyes.
His eyebrow rose, “You were?”
Realizing she was about to admit something personal, she stepped past him and looked over his shoulder. “I had bad dreams last night. I think I might need this as much as you do.”
She felt him following behind her as she walked to the back of the house towards her little bliss hut.
“What kind of bad dreams?”
“Sadly, the reoccurring kind. I’ve been having the same one ever since I was little. Not exactly the same dream, but the same man.”
“Man?” he said roughly causing her to pause and look over her shoulder at him.
“Well, not that I can really see him. I call him the shadow man. He’s been haunting my dreams all my life. Sometimes I swear I can feel him during the day even when I’m awake.”
He didn’t say anything so she hurried to explain. “I’ve never told anyone that. Please don’t share it. I mean, I’m not crazy. I just have a scary imaginary friend.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy, Poppy.”
She liked hearing that from him. It made her want to hug him, but that was coming.
“Thank you, I always worry about sharing things with people, but I don’t mind sharing with you.”
“I want you to. You can trust me, Poppy. Really, you can.”
Poppy didn’t think she had that many secrets. She never needed to explain her gifts to people. They just thought she was good at her job and she was happy with that.
“You’re different, Zane.”
“Am I?”
“I can tell. Your spirit is… expansive.”
“Is it cause I’m so big?”
“Partly, but you have room inside you for so much more. I can tell you’ve held back. I hope I can help you with that.”
She reached the door and pushed it open. Zane hesitated and then walked past her. She followed him in and was quiet as he made a full turn inside her tiny hideaway.
“This is where you do your sessions?” he asked sounding confused.
“Not like your other therapist?”
“She had an office in a big building. She just had a large flat couch that she used. She also gave me peppermints after,” he said giving her a smile.
“Oh wow, she was really good. I never thought of giving out candy. I will totally have to think about that.”
He was still taking in the little shed, his eyes stopping at the flowers, the lacy curtains and soft colored swags over the windows.
“Normally I get myself comfortable and you can join me when you’re ready. Is that okay?”
Zane’s eyes came back to hers. She could tell he was nervous. Clients like this always were the first few times. He nodded and she took a seat on the futon mattress. “Blankets?” she asked.
He shook his head and then reached for his belt and removed it. She didn’t stare but could hear the belt hit the floor. Then she heard his boots thump. There was a pause then she heard something metallic tink on the tiny table in the corner. She heard more additions to the table and looked over to see his wallet and cell phone lying next to his keys and pocket change.
He looked back at her and the look of nervousness was replaced with something else. It was a look of excitement.
That was a change.
Poppy opened her arms and waited.
Chapter Thirteen
Zane had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Poppy was wearing a pair of soft gray leggings and a long-sleeved shirt in a dark burgundy color that reminded him of a fine merlot.
Her dark hair was resting against her shoulders and she looked like home, as if a person could embody all that that word meant.
Taking the one step needed to bring him to the edge of the futon, he knelt down. He normally would have laid with his back to her, that’s what he’d always done in the past. But he didn’t want to be even that far away from her. He wanted more.
Laying down facing her, he watched her shift her body up so his head was closer to her breasts.
“Tuck in here. Do you like legs?”
“Sorry?”
“Do you like a leg draped over you. I call it the Octopus Wrap.”
“Oh, uh, no I don’t think so.”
“Do you like quiet? Music? Conversation?”
“I’m really not sure yet.”
“We’ll play it by ear then.”
Zane held her gaze as he felt her arms wrap around him, and she pulled his head down to the top of her chest, resting against her shoulder. Her left arm cradled his head and right arm pulled his body towards hers.
Not being able to resist, Zane wrapped both of his arms around her waist and pulled her tight against him. He took in a giant breath and let it out slowly.
Her touch was warm. It wasn’t a heat, but a different sensation that spread over his body. He’d been scared and frustrated as he drove towards her home. Worrying if she was really his. Worrying if Khain marked her.
Those feelings were gone. He tried to find them but they were like a distant memory.
“You’re safe here, Zane,” she said quietly against his hair. He could feel her breath against his scalp.
“I am,” he agreed. He wanted to cry, and he was sure he’d never cried before in his life. At least, not that he could remember. Even as a child he’d get hurt and would tough it out. But he felt the tears welling up as he rested against her chest. He could hear her heartbeat. It was strong and true and he knew, he positively knew in that moment that she was his. She was his home. She was his future.
His renqua felt like it was re-burning into his body. When Willow had touched him he had felt it for the first time he could remember. Now it felt alive. That it had not only burned into his skin, but into his soul.
“What was that?” He heard her ask.
“What was what?”
“That feeling of shock,” she said quietly.
“How did you feel that?” He felt it, but he didn’t think he expressed it anyway.
She was quiet for a moment, the hand on the back of his head moving slightly to tangle in his hair. “I can feel things.”
“What kind of things?”
“I can help people with their pain. Their sadness, fear, anything negative. I can take it.”
Zane pulled back to look at her. “You take it? What do you mean?”
“It means that I feel what you feel, and I can pull it away from you. I can make you feel better. I’ve always been able to do it. My mother said it was a gift from my father. I’m not sure if that meant he had it or if she was just saying it to be nice,” she said quietly.
“Did you know your father?”
“No, my mother always said he was an angel. He must have been a sweet guy for her to remember him that way.”
Zane wanted to tell her that her father was an angel and that made her half angel. Her gift was truly from her father. That also meant that Poppy had half-sisters right here in Serenity that she had never met.
How was he going to tell her all of this?
“Do you think I’m weird?”
“No, I think you’re exceptional.”
She smiled softly. “I can almost believe that.”
There was so much he wanted to say. So much he wanted to share, but he didn’t want her to reject him or stop their sessions. He was still in her arms and he almost couldn’t feel his limbs he was so relaxed.
“Does it hurt you to help people?”
“No, it makes me a little tired. But a good meal and some rest and I’m back on my feet. I expected that you would be a little more work.”
“I think I should be offended,” he said with a grunt.
“Don’t, you just seemed… conflicted. There was a lot of old, built up rejection. It’s one of the biggest parts of you. I expected to sense that today. But I don’t, not at all. You’re happy and a little worried. Do you want to tell me what you’re worried about?”
Zane thought about it for a moment. “Not yet.”
“That’s fine, you’re very warm and I’ll try hard not to fall asleep.”
“I can’t promise I won’t either. You are very good at this, Poppy.”
“Then we will do good work here.”
Zane didn’t respond. He wanted to set a plan of how he was going to protect her, then how he was going to tell her about himself. Instead, he felt himself zoning out. If he focused enough he could feel her searching and pulling any negativity from him. It was a light touch. Humans probably wouldn’t even notice it. With his senses it was a pull at his soul. She kept petting him and he started to feel the rumbling deep in his chest. The effort it would have taken to stop it was outside of his abilities at the moment.
“Are you purring?” she whispered to him, as though she was unsure if he was awake or not.
“Maybe,” he mumbled into her chest. Fuck it, he thought. An hour with her wasn’t going to be enough. He wasn’t going to waste this chance to soak up the joy he was feeling. It wasn’t even joy so much as a feeling he almost couldn’t name. A voice inside him said it was love. But having never felt that emotion, he would be going on faith that it was that elusive feeling.
He knew she felt like home. He knew he didn’t want to be anywhere in the world but in her arms. And he knew he’d kill anyone, man, beast, or demon that wanted to hurt her.
When their time was up, Zane felt groggy and disorientated.
“You look sleepy,” she remarked, sitting up next to him as he shook off the tiredness. The sensation of relaxation didn’t leave. It was coating him like a blanket. He knew it was her, or, more precisely, what she did.
“I should look calm because that’s what I feel like. I don’t even feel this good after a three-hour workout.”
“Three hours?”
“Sometimes it’s better than punching walls.”
“Do you want to schedule another session?” She looked eager when she asked and it made him happy.
“I suppose every day would be asking too much?”
“Not the asking, but It wouldn’t work with my schedule. I can do two days from now if you really want.”
“I do, yes, please.”
“Okay, I’ll give you a minute to yourself. Feel free to come out when you’re ready.”
She stood up and smiled at him before leaving the little shed.
Zane didn’t ever want to leave the cozy little building. He knew some people lived tiny, but this would be pushing it for a human. For a bearen it would be impossible. Even knowing that, he’d never been happier in his life.
Putting his belt back on and sitting down in a tiny chair that barely held him to put his boots back on, he spied a small sign on the table that he had missed. It was in a gilt frame that said I hope you enjoyed your time. Then there was a stack of small envelopes with a pen next to a wooden box. He quickly deduced that he should put her money in the envelope and into the box. He added a generous tip, but not so much that she’d try to return it to him. He paused with the pen in hand wondering what he should put on the envelope. He simply wrote, From Zane and added it to the hinged box.
Taking a deep breath, he let her scent fill his lungs in the hope that it could last him the two days until he would be able to see her again. Turning the handle he stepped out into the backyard and found Poppy sitting at a patio table surrounded by potted plants that looked as if someone spent many hours tending them.
“I left the money inside,” he said not wanting her to think he was going to stiff her.
“That’s fine. Some people are uncomfortable paying for services. I don’t know why, it’s a simple transaction we do a number of times a day. But it’s less personal. That’s why I created my system.”
“I hope I didn’t take too much out of you,” he said, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.
“Not at all. I actually feel rejuvenated. Isn’t that strange? It’s like I didn’t even take anything from you.”
“We must be a good match then because I feel amazing.”
“I’m happy to hear that. I hope it goes without saying, but if you could not mention my little gift to anyone you might refer I’d appreciate it. I don’t think everyone would be as understanding as you.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
He wanted to add that he knew all about secrets and he had a lifetime of experience keeping them.
“Drink lots of water and get a good night’s sleep,” she instructed in a bossy way, waggling her finger at him.
“Will do. I hope you get some sleep too. No bad dreams?”
“Cross your fingers and I’ll do the same,” she quipped.
Zane started walking towards the sidewalk and saw Poppy get up to follow him. When she paused he turned around and held out his hand. She reached for his and he pulled her a little closer to him. She didn’t resist and stepped even closer than he’d hoped.
“You’re important, Poppy.”
“I am?” she asked confused.
“You are. To me, to a lot of people. Stay safe. If anything worries you or you need help, promise to call me?” he said, handing her a card with his information on it.
“Thank you. Hopefully I won’t need this,” she said with an awkward laugh.
“I mean it. Even if you just want to talk about bad dreams. I’m there to listen.”
“That’s very kind of you. You’re a sweet man, Zane.”
He let out a sharp laugh. “No one has ever said that about me.”
“Maybe they don’t see you the way I do.”
He knew that was most assuredly true. She looked at him like he was someone she’d been waiting for. If he was right and she was his, then she had been.
“I think that as long as you see me in a favorable light, I can die a happy man.”
“You’re a flatterer.”
“I’m honest. I couldn’t lie to you. I think you are the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m not trying to confuse our situation, I know how that would make you feel.”
He saw her hesitate and expected her to agree.
“I don’t think you would know how that would make me feel at all.”
Zane took a step towards her. She didn’t back away.
“I know there are rules,” he started.
“Screw the rules,” she breathed.
Zane knew he shouldn’t, knew it was only going to lead to problems. There wouldn’t be any turning back after what he was about to do.
Reaching for her he cupped her face in his hands. “Are you sure?”
“I think so,” she said, her eyes on his, wide and seeking.
Zane wanted this to be right, he wanted them to remember this moment forever. He leaned forward, giving her plenty of time to change her mind. When she didn’t pull away, he let his lips touch hers. That sweet scent tripped over his tongue and he couldn’t hold back. He kissed her hard, pressing against her mouth so her lips opened under his. He swept his tongue into her mouth, tangling with hers. She kissed him back, her hands grasping at his shirt.
He knew they were outside, standing in public, but he couldn’t care less. He wanted her and he wanted more than just a kiss.
There was a slight hesitation from her and he immediately ended
the kiss. They were both breathing heavily and trying to catch their breath.
“Wow,” she gasped. “That was, I’m not sure how to explain it. Are you sure we haven’t kissed before?”
“I’d remember. I know that wasn’t right. But I’ll be damned if I’ll feel sorry for it.”
“Please don’t. There’s something about you that I can’t resist,” she told him.
“I want to spend time with you. Not as a session, but just us,” he said, holding his breath.
“I think that would be nice,” she smiled at him then glanced away as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. The piece didn’t stay, it immediately popped back out bouncing against her cheek.
Zane felt like his world clicked into place. Now he had to make plans that could include his mate.
“I have some things to take care of. I’d like to take you out, maybe you could show me around.”
She nodded and rested her head against his chest. He held her tight making sure not to squeeze her too tight. Zane needed to contact the SPD and get her covered until he could tell her about himself and who she was.
He kissed her again before letting her go. Walking her back to her front door to make sure she got inside safely. Turning back down the path, he paused, spun and ran back the few steps to pull her into a kiss that had him lifting her up on her toes as he pressed her against him. He needed one more taste before he left. Breaking the kiss, he didn’t say anything, and neither did she. Bringing his hand up to her mouth, Zane rubbed his thumb over her swollen lower lip. He burned in the memory of how she looked in that moment. It took every shred of will power to pull himself away from her and jog back to his car and drive away.
Chapter Fourteen
Wade was listening intently as Zane rambled on. He was pacing in front of the desk, repeating himself he was sure. But there wasn’t any way for him to hold back his feelings. There was a floodgate of information pouring out of him.
“What do you need from me?” Wade asked when Zane finally stopped talking.
“I don’t know where to start with her. I need to protect her. She said she’s had bad dreams. Had them all her life. What if it’s him? How do I know?”
