by Kimbra Swain
“Keep playing, baby,” I encouraged him from behind. His fingers deftly flowed over the strings. The combination of the movement of his hands and the power of the music was mesmerizing.
I stalked behind him to avoid the brunt of the spell as he continued the fiery ballad. It was the kind that made girls throw their panties at the guitarist at a concert. Hell, I wanted to throw my panties at him. We weren’t sure if the song would affect the wolves, but I suspected if they were shifted before it started, they wouldn’t be.
Levi’s foot touched the first step leading to the wooden porch. The door slowly opened and a caramel skinned woman with dark locks sashayed out to him. Once he reached the top step, she ran her claws across his chest, and he shivered.
“Keep playing, Levi,” I urged him forward. Once inside the first room of the house, another woman stalked down the stairs to him. Her skin, pale as the moon, glistened with sweat. She locked arms with the other woman as they began kissing each other.
“Oh, shit,” Levi murmured.
I tried not to giggle. “Stay on target,” I muttered.
“Copy, Gold Five,” he returned.
“Huh?”
“Never mind,” he said as he continued to play. “Which way?”
I paused looking up the stairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a fur ball dart around the corner in the kitchen. I nodded toward the kitchen. As we turned into the room being followed by the nympho witches, another woman approached Levi. Her eyes were almost completely black. Dark black hair cascaded down past her shoulders. Her hips shifted back and forth as she approached him. It was the goth girl that took Dylan. He gulped.
“Keep it together, Stud,” I said as she rubbed body up and down his side. She planted her lips on his neck, and the song faulted. “Levi!”
He picked back up the song as I wedged myself between her and him. “Sorry, no autographs until after the show,” I told her. She pouted, but continued to sway to the music following us into the dining room. The other two witches pulled her into their grasp, then the twosome became a threesome. The wolves stood on each side of the table. Dylan laid on the table moaning as the coven leader, Lisette writhed astride him.
“Well, damn it,” I said rushing toward her. Encasing my fist in ice, I struck her across the jaw. Her body flew across the room, slamming against the far wall. She slid down the wall unconscious. Daring to look at his crotch, I sighed realizing she was only dry humping him. The wolves whined. Dylan raised up from the table, looked at Levi, then locked eyes with me.
“Dylan, honey, are you okay?”
Succumbing to the enthrallment, he slid off the table, so I backed away not wanting him to touch me. “Dylan, wake up. Levi stop playing.”
“What about the witches?” he asked as his fingers continued on autopilot.
“He can’t touch me!” I exclaimed.
Levi’s song intensified in his indecision. Dylan turned his eyes from me to Levi. Dylan grabbed him by the shirt locking lips with him. Levi immediately stopped playing and tried pushing him away. “Oh, god, no!” he gagged.
Dylan’s eyes fluttered after the song stopped, realizing he had embraced Levi. I covered my mouth suppressing a laugh. “What the hell?” he shoved Levi away. He spun around to me and the wolves, who snorted.
“Dylan, man, I like you, but you aren’t my type,” Levi said red-faced.
Dylan was so confused twisting back and forth when the three witches from the kitchen awakened from the enthrallment and started chanting. My eyes twitched to Lisette still passed out on the floor. “We gotta go now,” I said as I picked a dusty chair from the table, smashing it against the dining room window. The wolves jumped through.
I turned back to the witches who approached with hands raised. Their pupils widening across their eyes. Forcing power through my tattoo, I built a flimsy ice wall between us.
“Come on, Dylan,” Levi said, grabbing his arm.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” Dylan scowled.
“Go through the window, Dylan!” I screamed.
Levi tossed his guitar out the window, jumping out behind it. Dylan still looked puzzled. “Darlin’, it’s time to go,” I said. He blinked at me using the name he had requested and grinned.
“Well, what are you waiting on?” he laughed.
“You! Go!” I ordered as he jumped out the window. I followed close behind hearing the ice wall breaking. We ran in the darkness toward where we had parked the vehicles.
December 20th
Breathing hard, I leaned against the truck smirking at Dylan and Levi, who wouldn’t look at each other. Troy and Amanda had returned to human form, putting on clothes they’d stowed in the sheriff’s cruiser.
The moon had started to sink into the west, and a cool stillness enveloped us.
“So?” I said.
“Don’t even say anything, Grace,” Dylan growled. I giggled, and I heard Amanda behind me trying not to laugh.
“It was a spell,” I said.
“I know what it was,” he spouted.
“Sorry,” Levi muttered. I almost lost it, but bit my lip to spare myself the wrath of Mr. Sandy Hair. However, the demon inside of me won.
“Now we’ve both kissed him,” I said. Troy and Amanda died laughing. Dylan’s smile quirked on the edge of his mouth.
“You are better than he is,” Levi said.
“Shut up!” Dylan said, but started to laugh. He stalked toward me trapping me with his arms against the truck. “I still can’t touch you.”
“Not until midnight,” I said.
“It’s past midnight,” he said.
“Midnight tonight,” I frowned. The tension between us was like sparks of lighting. My memories drifted back to the night he kissed me in the street after the pool game at the bar. He kept his body from touching me then, refusing to give into his desires. This tension was worse because it wasn’t by choice.
“I’m going to ride back with Troy,” Levi said interrupting us.
“Okay, honey. You did great,” I said.
“Hey Dylan, you need some lip moisturizer, Dude,” he teased rubbing one of his fingers over his own lips.
“If you don’t get in that damn car, Levi, I’m going to knock your lights out,” he growled. Levi laughed.
He turned his attention back to me. “You said it,” he laughed.
“Something had to jar you from the euphoria after kissing Levi. Trust me. I understand, because the kid knows how to kiss,” I smirked hoping he would finally see the humor in it. He did as his eyes lit up. The moon reflected in them making them look icy. “Are you okay? She spelled the car door, and I couldn’t get out.”
“I saw everything happening, but couldn’t do anything to stop it. I hate feeling helpless,” he said. “In there, she was on me as soon as the music started, then I was out of it, too.” I desperately wanted to touch him. Searching within myself, I wondered if I could hold back the curse and comfort him if just only for a moment.
Pushing power through my tattoo, my hand frosted over as I reached up to his cheek. He started to pull away, but with my empty hand, I grasped his shirt. I touched his cheek, and he groaned. I felt the frost melting, so I pushed harder knowing that it might make me woozy. It didn’t matter because I was touching him.
“Grace, if you faint here, I can’t pick you up,” he said softly leaning into my fingertips.
I pulled away with no dizziness at all. “I’m glad you are okay. We dragged Levi out of bed with Kady. She broke up with him, again. I needed to know if it was Lisette. You missed the latest brother.”
“Oh, really?” he said stepping back from me slipping his hands into his jean pockets. “Get in the truck and tell me about it on the way home.”
As we drove back to Shady Grove, I told him about the troll on the shack. Not holding back, I told him about losing it at the Food Mart and the visit from my father.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think he actually loved you,” he said as we pulled into my spot in front of
the trailer. The icicle lights that Levi hung for me glittered in the darkness, and I could see the Christmas tree through the window lit up.
“Maybe. Or he doesn’t want me to make a fool of him,” I said.
“I’m proud of you. Did that sound condescending?” he asked.
“Yes, but I appreciate it just the same,” I smiled.
We went inside to find Levi sitting on the couch talking on the cell phone. I grabbed a couple of sodas out of the fridge, giving him a sad look as Dylan and I ducked into my room. He pointed at Dylan who’d already turned his back.
“Psst, Dylan,” I said getting him to turn and look at Levi.
“Huh?” he said.
Levi Rearden flashed a grin and winked at him. I clamped my hand over my mouth as Dylan slammed the door out of my hand. “He’s going to torture you now,” I said.
“If I were gay, Levi isn’t my type,” he said.
“Oh really? What’s your type?” I asked.
“Little nerdy guys with glasses,” he teased.
“He’s been playing fantasy card games with the nerd crew from church,” I offered. “He might know someone.”
“I knew he was a nerd at heart,” he teased.
I laughed more as I popped the top on the orange soda, sucking it down. He opened and drank his as well, while staring at me.
“You staying?” I asked.
“Yes. How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Tired, but I’m afraid if I go to sleep I’ll lose my grip,” I said.
“You lay down and rest. I’ll watch out for you,” he said.
I didn’t know how he’d do that, but I trusted him with my life. My heart. My everything. Dylan Riggs had successfully turned me into a sap.
I slept until morning. When I woke up, he’d moved one of the dining room chairs into the room, watching me with brilliant blue eyes.
“Morning, Sunshine,” he said.
“Morning,” I grumped pulling the covers over my head.
“Time to get up and meet the next brother,” he said.
“What? Already?” I said.
“No, but you know it’s coming,” he said. “Can I take you to lunch?”
“Sure. What time is it?” I asked.
“Eleven,” he said.
“Oh, shit! Why didn’t you wake me up? Did you sleep?” I asked.
“Yes, I slept. I let Levi watch you for a few hours, and you needed the rest. You looked terrible,” he said.
I threw a pillow at him. “Ass,” I said.
“I have a nice ass,” he said.
“Yes, you do,” I mumbled climbing out of the bed. “I’ll get a shower and get ready.”
“Okay. Levi left earlier. I think he was going to meet Kady at the bar so they could talk over coffee,” he said.
“Smart move on his part. The coffee,” I said.
“He’s learning,” he said.
“Now if I could keep the two of you apart,” I teased.
“You, Grace. I only want you,” he said.
“I know,” I replied.
“You know, huh?” he laughed.
“Yep,” I said ducking into the bathroom.
I heard him sigh on the other side of the door. Soon, darlin’, soon.
“I thought we were going to the diner,” I said.
He pulled into Brad’s Smokehouse BBQ which was just south of town. “No, I promised Brad that I’d come by and try his new pulled pork. He’s trying out a new rub.”
“Rub?” I asked.
“It’s the seasoning he puts on the pork before he smokes it,” he explained.
“Hm. Not nearly as kinky as I hoped,” I said.
He laughed. “Not nearly.”
I wore my own clothes today. Jeans and a slouchy sweater. The curse was weighing on me, so I didn’t generate my own clothes with my power. I was using everything I had to stay alive. However, the last thing I wanted Dylan to know was how close I was to losing it. Just a few more hours and I could go back to being myself. Most of all, I wanted his lips on mine. Oh, hell, I wanted his everything on my everything.
He held the door open for me as we went into the cabin-like restaurant.
“Hey, Riggs!” Brad called from the back. He came around the counter wearing a white apron without a spot on it. He was a curious fellow with slender legs, more than just a little belly and a large head that looked a tad too big for his body. However, he was extremely nice and would talk your ear off if you let him.
“Hey Brad!” Dylan said clasping hands with him. Bro handshake.
“Y’all come in and sit. Oh, man, the pork is good today,” he said. “I’ll bring you out a little of everything.” He didn’t look at me or say a word to me.
“I think he ignored me,” I said as we sat down at the table.
“You probably intimidate him,” he said.
“I don’t know him,” I said. I only had a passing knowledge of the local BBQ guru. He competed in BBQ competitions across the country, and the trophies were displayed all around the room.
He shook his head. “Grace, in this form, you could drive any man over the edge.”
“But you prefer the other,” I said.
“Yes,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“I just prefer brunettes,” he said.
“That’s it?” I asked.
“Yep, that’s it,” he returned. I shrugged.
Brad brought out a plate of something fried and set it down on the table.
“What’s that?” I asked.
He didn’t respond.
“Riggs, man, you gotta try these fried pickles,” he said as the waitress set two glasses of soda down on the table. I knew her from church.
“Hey Tonya,” I said. She flashed a smile at me. Her dark red hair was bundled-up behind her head in a ponytail that swished back and forth as she walked. She was a beauty. She was a siren.
“Grace, it’s good to see you. You are looking awfully blonde,” she commented.
“Curse,” I said.
“Damn, that sucks,” she replied. “If y’all need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks girl,” I said as she trotted away. Brad watched her swaying ponytail as she left. Dylan liked brunettes. Brad liked gingers. I wondered what Levi liked. Kady had brown hair, but it was much lighter than mine as Grace.
“Brad, bring out some of that sausage I had last time,” Dylan said.
“Yeah, man, sure thing. I’ll fix you up,” he said disappearing into the kitchen.
Our lunch date reminded me of the lunches that we used to have before we slept together. We spent very little time talking about business. Focusing on trivial things like football teams and television shows, Dylan and I enjoyed each other’s company. Back then, I didn’t even bother making a move on him, because of his live-in girlfriend, Stephanie. I’d since learned that she cheated on him from day one, but apparently, he knew. Either he didn’t care, or it didn’t bother him. When she left, or rather he kicked her out, he turned to me. I was more than happy to oblige him for the one-night stand. I never imagined my heart would get wrapped up into it.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked leaning back in his chair poking his belly out as if he had a pot belly like St. Nick. Dylan didn’t have a fat bone on his body. I’d seen it. All of it. Sigh.
“About our old lunches,” I said.
“Yeah? What about them?” he asked.
“You called them business lunches,” I said.
He wrinkled his nose. “What are you getting at, Grace?”
“You were with her all that time. Why go to lunch with me?”
“Stephanie and I had a complicated relationship. I know that sounds like a status on a dating site, but looking back, we were more roommates than lovers. I’ll be honest with you. We had our romps, but as time went by the romps got less and less. It was more just a convenience. A date when there was a function. A warm body in the bed at night. I know now that it wasn’t love,” h
e said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. Just thinking more about us,” I said.
“You can ask me whatever you want. Whatever you need, Grace,” he said leaning forward on the table.
“You’ve been on this earth a long time. I suppose there has been more than one Stephanie,” I said.
“Actually no. Grace, part of the reason I understand you so well, is that I know how you operate. Or at least, how you used to operate. A long, long string of one-nighters. No attachments,” he said.
I looked down at my hands as I fidgeted with my fingers. “Why did you stay with her? I mean, why did you decide to stop the flings?”
“When I heard about Shady Grove, something inside of me ached to just stay in one place. To find happiness. I thought she was it,” he said.
I smiled, because I knew he thought I was it. Two months ago, that would have made me pack my bags and run to a trailer park far, far away. Now, when I couldn’t touch him at all, I wanted him more than ever.
“Hey, look at me,” he said. Lifting my head to his brilliant blue eyes, I smiled to match his. “We are almost there. Just a few more hours. There is a party tonight, right?”
“Yes, the tree lighting, food and drinks in the plaza. I think the kids from the elementary school will be doing a pageant and singing,” I said.
“Will you be my date?” he asked.
“Who else would I go with?” I asked. “But I understand if you would rather go with Levi.”
His eyes twinkled despite my jab at his unfortunate kiss with Levi. “You are supposed to say yes, Grace.”
“Yes, Grace,” I said as he glared at me. “I will be your date. Fat lot of good it will do us. I can’t touch you!”
“I’ll wear my leather jacket, and you wear some gloves or something,” he suggested.
“You are warm all over, Darlin’. Doesn’t matter what I wear or you wear to block it,” I said.
His hand rested on the edge of the table. His index finger lightly tapping. He saw me staring at it, longing to touch it. “Okay, let’s go before we both go nuts.”
“I’m already gone,” I said.
“Well, I didn’t want to mention it. I figured that was a sure-fired way to not get laid,” he said.
