"Johnny," she moaned. "I can't…"
Then his hands were back on her hips, and he was moving her quickly. She rocked eagerly against him, grateful for the permission to find release. He moved again, pulling her down until her body was flush against his, his hands in her hair, their sweat mingling, the tension unbearable. His lips found hers, and she answered him wantonly. Then the wave rose within Elise once again. Her body clenched around him, and the intense orgasm rushed over her. Johnny's frantic movements and breathless cursing told her that he'd found his own release.
After allowing them a moment to catch their breath, Elise separated herself from Johnny. He took care of the condom, and, as in the bar, Elise gathered and replaced her clothes. The inevitable ache settled into her already strained and bruised muscles, and sadness settled itself in her heart. She'd gotten what she wanted, and now Johnny would get what he wanted-distance.
Johnny came back into the room, and Elise couldn't do anything but watch him. Neither of them spoke, and he didn't look at her. He was picking up some odds and ends that must have had some kind of sentimental value to him. She could only guess he had a suitcase in the next room, ready to be filled. She hugged herself. This was miserable.
"Do you get a girl hooked like this everywhere you go?" she asked softly, after a few more minutes of watching him step in and out of the room as if she wasn't there.
He may have been trying to pretend she wasn't. She wished she was able to do that with him. But now he turned and looked at her, that same pained expression in his eyes.
"Never. I try to avoid it."
She looked down at the carpet where they had just made love. This roller coaster of a night had her feeling way too emotional. Tears swam in her eyes, and one dropped to the floor before she could blink it back into oblivion. Johnny was by her side in an instant.
"Elise," he murmured, lifting her chin so her moist eyes met his. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault," she managed. "You never pretended we had a chance. I just never knew why."
"If I could make it so I wasn't like this, I would."
She gave him an obligatory smile, and he bent to kiss the top of her head. Then he went back to what he was doing, but the parting seemed forced. Elise knew this was hard for him. But it was always easier to leave than to be the one that was left.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Johnny's head shot up immediately, his whole body tense and alert. His fear found its way into Elise's heart. He obviously wasn't expecting company. He motioned for Elise to go into his bedroom, and she moved quickly, but she wouldn't go farther than the corner of the small hallway, where she could still peek around and see what was going on. He didn't press the issue but went to the front door. The visitor knocked again. Johnny put his hand hesitantly on the doorknob, turned it, and opened the door. Elise leaned against the wall, listening, not yet revealing her presence.
"You," she heard him say, surprised.
Elise couldn't stand it. She looked around the corner, and her eyes landed immediately on the familiar face of the asshole that had run her off the road just hours before.
"I saw what you did. To save the girl," he said.
Johnny didn't respond. The muscles of his bare back were taught.
"I called it in to my superiors. You haven't joined up to serve your country yet."
"I don't like to work alongside rapists," Johnny answered curtly.
Elise's face flushed. She didn't want to be reminded of what could have happened if Johnny hadn't shown up.
"We all have needs, boy. I needed her. You think you need your freedom. Now I've been sent to take that away from you, just like you took that pretty young thing away from me."
Johnny's transformation was quicker than it had been earlier, urgency spurring the movements. He turned into the wolf again and threw himself at the other man's throat. The stranger managed to get his arms up for protection, buying himself enough time to take the guise of a grizzly bear. He practically threw Johnny across the room, and the younger shifter crashed into a set of shelves. Elise gripped the corner of the wall for dear life. Johnny didn't have many neighbors close by. This man could kill both of them and no one would ever know, especially if the government stepped in to cover it up. Is this really what it came down to? People with these types of abilities becoming slaves to their country-or whatever country could get their hands on them-or being killed?
It seemed that way. Johnny lunged forward and got a good grip on the other man's arm. He turned into a tiger, falling backwards, away from Johnny, before he had time to clamp down harder, adjusting to the smaller hunk of flesh. Johnny answered him with a lion's form. Knick knacks and shelving units were crashing to the floor. Furniture was being ripped to shreds. The stranger shifted into a Percheron stallion and attempted to trample Johnny to death, but quick as a flash he was a bull. Walls cracked. His attacker got the bright idea to take it outside, changing into a cat and winding his way skillfully through Johnny's legs, which now seemed too clumsy. He changed back into the wolf.
It was like watching a game of rock, paper, scissors on steroids.
But that was where it ended. Before they could get out the door, Johnny's powerful jaws clamped down on the cat's head. Elise closed her eyes, but she heard the sickening crunch. Then there was silence and the sound of Johnny panting. Humanly. But she couldn't force her eyes to open. There was movement, the sound of a trash bag being opened, a thud as something was thrown into it.
Still, she couldn't look.
The front door slammed, then slammed again as she assumed Johnny came back inside. Then she heard his footsteps getting closer, smelled the familiar cigarette scent, and felt the heat of his overworked muscles radiating to her own skin.
"Please open your eyes," he murmured. She felt his fingers in her hair, combing it soothingly. She felt sick to her stomach and only held tighter to the wall. "Do you hate me now?"
She shivered as his hands rested on her shoulders, pulling her away from her support, begging her without words to give him some kind of sign, whether it was redemption or damnation. Elise finally complied, forcing her brown eyes to meet his almost wild blue ones. She noticed for the first time his hands were shaking. A spatter of blood was drying on his chest, but he must have washed his face.
"That's impossible," she managed. "Everything that just happened-"
"Do you hate me?" he asked again, quickly, interrupting her.
"No. No, of course not."
His lips came down quickly on hers, giving her a too-brief kiss. Then he squeezed her shoulders and let her go.
"They know where I am. I have to leave. Now."
"But…can't you take me with you or something?"
"Aren't you terrified?" he asked.
"Yes. But not of you."
"This isn't the first time this has happened. It will again. You can't be there."
"I love you."
"I know."
"Then let me come with you."
"It's not that simple."
She looked at him, then at the floor. Her earlier musings re-entered her mind. It was easier to leave than to be left.
"Fine."
She took in the sight of Johnny's perfect face one last time and then took a step towards the door. He caught her arm.
"If I ever feel safe …. If I ever feel that I could keep you safe …. I'll tell you. Somehow. And if you still feel the same .…"
She gave him a pleading look, and he let go. She just couldn't take it. Reason and emotion were playing tug-of-war with her heart, and she was too overwhelmed to deal with it. To deal with Johnny and his loving, hurtful words. He seemed to understand.
"Goodbye, Elise."
"Goodbye, Johnny."
Then she opened his scratched and chipped door and stepped outside. She'd walk home or to a bus stop, whichever came first, and then try not to think about him anymore.
But for the next year, Johnny was all she could think about.
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Chapter Six
Elise poured a shot of vodka for one of the pool players and walked it over to him. She wore flats, jeans, and a tight t-shirt that said 'Manny's'. After Johnny left a year ago, she'd toned down her clothing style. It just didn't seem worth the tips anymore. Besides, she still got enough attention without the extra effort. Too much attention. She'd dated one or two of the smooth-talkers that seemed nice enough, when she was feeling like she needed to let the ex-bouncer go, but she just wasn't ready. She didn't want anyone else.
"Hey, Elsie. I need some sex ... the beach!"
A younger, drunk guy leaned over the bar, dangerously close to Elise.
"It's Elise," she corrected him, unfazed by his innuendo.
She began to make his drink.
"How about I call you beautiful instead?"
"Hey!" A man's deep voice, full of authority interrupted, making both Elise and the boy jump.
But Elise realized almost immediately that it was Darnell, Johnny's replacement.
"You keep on your side of the bar," he ordered, and the younger man complied immediately.
Darnell's barking voice and intimidating stature allowed him to keep Manny's bar in order with ease. He was nothing less than a godsend, and Elise was thankful for him. She felt safe around him. Especially since he was very happily married and showed no interest in her. He was also extremely tolerant. Manny had made him follow her home for the first month he was working there. Before he was hired, Manny did it himself.
She'd given the kind old man the best explanation for that night she could think of. Part of it was the truth. She'd been run off the road by the man from the bar. Johnny showed up in time to chase him off. She hadn't wanted to go to the hospital, and she went back to Johnny's place to wait for the tow truck. He'd gotten some bad news about a family member while she was there and had to leave immediately. He didn't know for how long.
And that was that.
But Elise knew the truth: his fantastic ability, the murder, and, above all, the passion.
She gripped the rag tightly in her hand as she wiped down the counter, more for the distraction than anything else. How was she supposed to just let all that go? She couldn't. Would she be a slave to her memories-to him-forever?
"You look pissed," a deep, male voice broke through her frustrated haze.
An attractive blond man she hadn't noticed before sat down on the other side of the bar.
"Not pissed. Just ... thoughtful."
She smiled and stopped what she was doing. He was beautiful. For the first time in a long time, she was absolutely mesmerized by blue eyes that didn't belong to Johnny. Her chest was tight, clogged with nerves, and a tingling sensation made its way through her body, reaching her damp fingertips. She wiped the excess water from the rag on her jeans, licking her dry lips and giving him her full attention.
"Can I get you anything?"
His eyes followed the movement, and he shifted in his seat. This was it. This was what she needed to finally get her mind off of him.
"Malibu and coke. Keep the change."
He slid a ten dollar bill across the bar.
"I haven't seen you around before," Elise commented as she poured the liquor into a tumbler.
She glanced up at him through her long lashes and was pleased to see that his eyes were still on her.
"I'm just visiting a friend," he answered as he took the glass from her.
He took a long sip and remained where he was, seemingly uninterested in the pool and beer pong that was being played around them. And very interested in her. He toyed with the glass.
"I don't suppose you're single?"
Elise felt a shock of surprise. He may have been the first man to bother asking.
"Yes, actually, I am."
His eyebrows lifted.
"I thought for sure someone as sexy as you would have to be taken."
Normally it bothered Elise when guys fed her lines. But the way this man said it didn't make it seem like he was just trying to get in her pants. He was stating a fact. One she already had to know. One she already did know. He leaned in close to whisper in her ear, and his breath tickled the skin of her neck. She caught a whiff of tobacco smoke.
"Are you still hung up on some guy?"
She nodded before her brain could chime in to stop her. He sat back to look at her.
"What idiot gave you up?"
Elise shrugged and went back to wiping down the counter. She was interested in this man. Genuinely. For the first time in a while. She didn't want to poison the elated feeling with thoughts of Johnny.
"He had his reasons," was all she said.
"When do you get off?"
His cerulean eyes locked on her brown ones. She wanted this.
"In an hour."
"I'll meet you by your car."
He finished the drink and went outside. Elise stared after him. How did he know what her car looked like? Then it hit her. He wasn't chatting her up. He was fishing for information. He wanted to know if she'd forgotten about him. Her hand started to shake.
"Manny!" she called across the bar.
He excused himself from his customers and came over with a ready smile on his face.
"What can I do for you?"
"I'm so sorry, but is it okay if I leave early? I ... I just remember something I have to do."
"Yeah, no problem. Is everything okay?"
Elise couldn't form any more of a response than a nod. Manny's brow was furrowed in confusion, but he held back the questions she knew he wanted to ask. He took her place behind the bar and poured her a shot.
"You look like you need this."
"Thanks."
She took it in one gulp and practically ran to the back room to grab her things. Then she was out the door. There he was, waiting by her car. His body was taller, leaner, but he was undeniably attractive. And he was hers. She practically threw herself into his arms. Her lips were on his before he had a chance to say anything. Yes. He kissed in just the same way: tenderly, fighting the passion that had to be building up inside of him.
"It is you, isn't it?" Elise breathed as she came up for air.
He nodded and recaptured her lips. She molded her body to his. She could feel his urgency pressing against the vee of her legs, and a moan escaped her lips. A few guys were leaving the bar and catcalled, but she ignored them. She reached into her pocket and grabbed her keys, struggling to find the right button that would pop the lock open and give her a place to be with him. He heard the click and opened her back door, his lips never leaving hers as he turned her around and pushed her down into the backseat. Her keys fell to the floor, and he shut the door behind them. Elise didn't care who saw. She needed to be with him, and if some drunk assholes wanted to look in her windows, they were more than welcome.
"I didn't think you'd come," she said as they parted, breathless, trying to gain the access they needed.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you."
His shoes were off, and he took off hers as she undid her zipper. He pulled off his pants and boxer briefs in one motion.
"Oh, come on. You can do better than that."
She meant for her smile to be teasing, but she was sure it was foolish, too big. She was so happy to see him.
"I love you," he answered simply.
Then he aligned his body with hers, and his lips found her neck. There was no stubble. This man was clean-shaven. But the difference only served to magnify the sweet sensation of his lips on her neck.
"That's better," she murmured.
He nipped her neck, a warning that she should shut the hell up and enjoy what he was about to do to her. She squealed and obeyed. His fingers reached down to explore the soft curls, and she wrapped her arms around him, needing to feel him near as his strange, yet somehow familiar, fingertip gently rubbed her clit. She moved her hips in time with his movements and gasped as he moved down to insert two large fingers into her already dripping depths. She bucked against
him, and his self-satisfied smile pressed against her mouth. Her tongue met his eagerly, and she let out a noise of frustration as he removed his fingers. The car was hot, the windows were steamy. It was just them in a tiny little space, pressed against each other in the way she'd wanted for more than a year.
But then he adjusted, and she felt the familiar pressure of his hard penis against her moist opening. It was different, the shape and feel, but it was still thick and throbbing and his. He entered her slowly. For the first time, there was no condom separating her flesh from his. They were one. Johnny's whole body was tense, and he groaned as he struggled to keep control. It must have been a while for him, too. The thought excited Elise and made her feel possessive. He'd been hers all along, just as she'd been his. She lifted her hips and hooked a leg around his back, pressing her clit against his skin and pushing him deeper. His hard ridges raked against her g-spot. She could feel the waves rising.
The physical and emotional ecstasy was overpowering. His breath was heavy, mingling with her own. They had to force their lips apart for lack of oxygen, and she pressed her back down against the seat, pushing her hips up even farther. His large hand grasped her thigh tightly, holding her in place. She moved herself erotically against him, as much for his pleasure as for hers. His eyes closed, and his lips parted. He was close to losing it. And that knowledge was all it took to send her over the edge. Her back arched and she grabbed for anything her hands could reach as her body tensed, locked, and trembled, overwhelmed by pure pleasure. Johnny groaned and gasped, and she felt his sperm, hot and wet, inside of her.
Elise struggled to catch her breath. Johnny pulled out of her and maneuvered so that she was on top and he was laying across the bench seat as best he could in the cramped space. He held her close, but she still couldn't feel completely secure. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart's still-erratic beating. She allowed a brief afterglow, a happy pause. But then she had to ask the question that had been in her mind since she realized this man's true identity.
"Did you come back for me?"
Johnny kissed the top of her head. She wouldn't look at him, in case he just planned to disappear again. And she was afraid to sound too hopeful. She bit her lip and stared at the back of her passenger's seat, waiting for his reply.
Strangers Page 3
