Newport/Aftport #2: Danea

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “I knew her from school,” she smiled at the college memories. “When I talked about moving here, she helped me with the building and permits and contractors.”

  “Then you also know Nick and Jase,” Wade continued.

  “I know them and I know about you from her,” Danea exhaled slowly. “Your genetics, I mean. We talked about the Institute over in Devil Hills and how they’re working to…to keep some level of control over the fanatics who want to try and cure other species.”

  “What do you know, Danea?” Noah leaned forward, his hands clasp between his knees.

  “That you’re a wolf and Wade is Fae,” she saw the answer on their faces. “So what else am I missing?”

  “Why did Nick and Jase choose Breanna?” Wade asked cautiously.

  “I…she told me…oh, no…” she almost fell off the arm of the sofa in the attempt to back up, her feet stumbling until she struck the counter. “Oh, no. There has to be a mistake. A very big mistake. I’m not a pure blood. You both are. I’m just…just…oh, no…absolutely impossible.”

  “You’re not a pure blood…” Noah stood up and crossed to stand in front of her. “What are you, Danea?”

  “Tired. I’m very tired and want some sleep,” she said firmly, sliding quickly to the side and opening her door. “Please. It was a very nice evening and I enjoyed talking to you both. Mostly. Now…if you’d go and let me prepare for bed, I’d appreciate it.”

  “What are you hiding?” Noah pressed, stopping when Wade placed a hand on his arm. “Fine. Good night, Danea. But don’t make the mistake of thinking this is over. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Danea,” Wade shook his head. “That wasn’t meant to sound like a threat.”

  “The hell it wasn’t.”

  Danea closed the upper door and leaned against is, sinking to the floor and letting her head hang between her knees.

  “What do you think she’s hiding?”

  Noah looked over his shoulder at the building when they stepped outside.

  “I don’t have a fucking clue and I have a feeling I’m going to feel really stupid when I figure it out,” Noah shoved his hand into the pocket of his jeans. “See you tomorrow, Wade.”

  “Good night.”

  Chapter Six

  When morning finally set the alarm off, Danea was surprised that she had actually slept through the night. Stepping out of the shower, she used a towel and gave her clean hair a brisk rub before tossing towel over the door to dry. She had the terrycloth wrap buttoned just above her breasts as she wandered into the living area, absently tapping the remote to the TV.

  Yesterday had been almost stuffy with the heat, only cooling when the marine layer pushed in from the ocean. She opened the window and stared out into the mass of fog coating the area. Nothing new there, especially this time of year. She curled into the corner of the sofa and stared.

  They hadn’t been far from her thoughts, no matter how hard she tried forcing everything and anything else into the slot. All she saw when her eyes closed were two men, one with teasing green eyes and the other with sparkling hazel eyes that seemed to hide so much behind them.

  Noah with his long black hair tied back; his skin wasn’t as dark as full blooded native Americans, but the constant hint of a tan seemed perfect for the high cheeks, long neck and squared jaw. His hands were big, she thought, remembering how they had surrounded her in the office and his lips…full and hungry. She’s always seen him wearing jeans and t-shirts, usually with the crème colored sheriff’s shirt over top, but open. She wondered what coloring his wolf had…

  And Wade…an inch or two shorter and not as bulky. He’d always worn button down shirts, with the long sleeves rolled to his elbows and pants with lots of pockets. He kept his hair neat and short and always seemed to sport a shadow from forgetting to shave. She’d felt it rasp against her face when he kissed her, his lower lip fuller than the top and his teeth nipping at her mouth. The hunger and need in his kiss had been more subtle, she thought, the wild sensations that had coursed through her reminded her of hiking in a frond covered forest.

  She knew her breathing had become ragged and her fingers slid down her body, beneath the short terrycloth wrap. Fingers caressed over her pussy, the lips swollen and heat surging from inside. How did she allow them to walk into her mind, into her fantasies in such a strong way that excited her?

  She stroked gently, her thumb pressing and circling the small clit that had erupted with her attention. More thoughts of them penetrated the morning play. She saw them; felt them touching her, kissing her and when her body lurched hard against her own fingers she released the shout and stroked her clit until her body collapsed on the sofa. She’d never been able to orgasm that easily or that strongly before. She wanted to curl against the back of the sofa and bury her face in the warmth with a contented sigh.

  But she was responsible and reluctantly went to wash up and get dressed. She was still wondering how different it would be to explode with them actually close and touching her.

  “Get a grip, woman,” she mumbled and opened a can of salmon to dump into the wide ledge she’d had welded to her balcony railing. The flapping and single squawk came a few minutes later when she was in the kitchen. She winced, waiting for the complaint.

  “I know I said fish…but I didn’t get out last night,” she said through the open window, watching the large bird peck petulantly at the canned meal. She met the large, scowling eyes with a wrinkled nose. “I like them, so be nice. Did you see anyone last night?”

  Galileo lifted off a few pieces, swallowed and continued pecking the roll apart.

  “I don’t think he’s in the area…” Danea’s head went back, her eyes narrowed. “The casino? Seriously? Oh, now that’s a surprise,” came the sarcastic tone before she sighed and shrugged. “He could just ask for a pint of blood. That would be so much simpler.”

  Her hand was up, gently stroking along his neck. “I know…I’ll be careful. Gotta work…bye…and remember…you be nice to them!”

  The first ninety minutes of the day was half of the most hectic time of her day. People of all ages brought in children that were all under the age of four and most not in a very good mood. She attributed that to the moods of the parents or caregivers who, themselves, were usually in very bad moods and it rubbed off on the little ones.

  Thirty minutes after their arrival, though, her staff had them giggling, laughing and settled with playtime or learning time, depending on their age. She talked to her manager and let her know she was leaving at four thirty for food or her pet bird was going to divorce her.

  Marina laughed and nodded, waving her off at the end of the day.

  Danea spent the next hour shopping and laughing with people she met. She also found people she barely knew talking to her suddenly. Then there were a few women younger than her or around her age that looked at her with nothing but pure daggers in their eyes.

  “Don’t let it bother you,” Mrs. Temple patted her hand where it rested on the shopping cart.

  A bright smile met hers when she looked over. “I don’t know those two women. But they sure looked angry at me for some reason.”

  “It’s a small town,” the older woman said with a nod, pacing beside Danea. “Word gets out real fast when a couple good looking boys leave the marketplace.”

  “I…when…oh, no…” Danea felt the heat searing her cheeks. Her vision swept from Mrs. Temple to the women walking past them. “They think…”

  “They know. Auturo’s is a popular place. Real good food and lots of interesting stories come out of there. I heard those boys were just falling all over you.”

  “I am sure the story has been embellished a great deal compared to the truth,” Danea cleared her throat and tried to lower her voice a little from the nerve riddled pitch. “We just had dinner and talked. That’s all. They’re very nice guys.”

  “They’ve been alone too long,” she patted Danea’s hand again and swerved off. “Ta
ke care of them.”

  “Oh, good grief,” Danea checked her cart and found her way to the checkout, still shaking her head as she loaded the back of her station wagon. So now the whole town was buzzing about her dining with them. God only knows what it’ll say if they see the cars outside her daycare.

  She ran her hands through her hair before starting the car and heading home. How in the world had her life become so complicated? All she wanted was her own business and little kids to chase around…and a nice peaceful swim now and then. She drove the short distance from the mega mart to her now quiet parking lot and backed into her personal space next to the entrance.

  She didn’t realize how distracted she was until the shadows formed and had her breath freezing in a silent scream that never left her throat.

  “Whoa, Dani…it’s just us,” Noah had two hands on her shoulders when she made a move to swing, keys raised like a weapon.

  “Are you trying to scare me to death?!” She gaped at him, brow furrowed and mouth open. She pulled her hand up and shoved hard against his chest. “Don’t do that again.”

  “No, ma’am,” he responded with only a hint of humor that earned him a scowl.

  “We come baring gifts,” offered a deep voice on her other side. “Dry and red, or sweet and white. Just in case we figured either one would work.”

  Danea turned her head slowly to stare at Wade holding a bottle of frosted wine in each hand. They were both there. And just why are you surprised, a voice inside her asked with a tinge of sarcasm.

  “Why are you here?”

  “It’s dinner time,” Noah answered with a cheerful gleam in his eyes. “We figure if we don’t feed you, you could get skinnier and that would just be wrong.”

  “I…skinnier? Are you…I am not skinny,” she informed him, pulling herself up straighter and opening the back of her wagon. “I am…I…”

  “You are a woman with all the best curves possible in one delicious package,” Wade said while she was sputtering.

  She spun back to him and felt like she was at a tennis match.

  “Why don’t you take these,” Wade thrust them forward so she had no choice but take them or let them fall. “And let us bring up the goods.”

  “We’re good at it…hauling and all,” Noah teased, giving her a little push toward the now open lower door. “Makes you believe we’re strong and necessary.”

  She hesitated, her brain busily churning up a snappy answer when she felt the very large, very solid imprint of his palm on her ass.

  “Hey!”

  “Move, woman, it’s dinner time and we’re hungry,” Noah informed her, the sound of rustling bags left behind her as she hurriedly ran up the stairs and got the main door unlocked. She propped it opened before slapping the light switch and heading to the kitchen. She put the wine into the fridge, hooked her purse and keys on the end of a tall breakfast stool and waited.

  She was mentally going over her purchases, trying to figure out what would make a good dinner. She bought stuff, but not enough of any one thing to feed two big hungry men.

  Then she smelled food. Already prepared, hot cooked food. Her nose twitched and her stomach let out a low grumble reminding her that she missed lunch. She had food with her in the daycare, she just got busy with other things. Little things with arms and legs and mouths that demanded attention. And they always won out over the growling in her stomach.

  “You can hear that growling all the way in the parking lot,” Noah commented, settling at least six plastic sacks on the kitchen counter. He stepped quickly to the side as Wade settled the others there.

  “We brought dinner, Danea,” Wade said with a grin at the look on her face. “This time it’s a variety of Chinese. Fresh. I’ll get plates and things for the table.”

  “I…just make yourselves at home,” she said with an exasperated sigh. Her hands worked without asking her, emptying bags and putting things away. “You do realize you’ve started wild, rampant rumors through town.”

  “I heard a few of those,” Noah chuckled as he rooted through cabinets and handed glasses to Wade. “Evidently we had a wicked time with you last night.”

  “Oh, my god,” Danea almost dropped the bottle of pineapple juice.

  “Easy, Danea,” Wade shook his head. “He almost decked Mel Porter in the wine store for even suggesting you were less than virtuous.”

  “Oh, God,” came another whimper. “You didn’t…you can’t…”

  “I told you not to tell her that,” Noah ground between his teeth. “Idiot deserves to be decked.”

  “You cannot go around getting into fights! It’s…it’s…you’re the sheriff!”

  “Breathe, Dani, I behaved with the help of the professor here,” Noah hitched his head to the side and put a hand on her waist. “Come have some food. The story gets better over something hot and spicy.”

  “There’s more?” She choked, letting him lead her to the table that was now decked out with plates, glasses, silver and napkins. Two large plastic sacks of containers were being emptied as she sunk into a chair. “I’m really a quiet, reserved kind of person, but I can easily see a time where the two of you are going to view a storm like you never imagined possible.”

  Wade stopped and stared at her, the surprise on his face matching the look on Noah’s features.

  “I don’t think she’s ever said that much at once before,” Wade remarked, going back to opening containers and spooning things onto his plate.

  Noah chuckled and opened the remaining containers for things he’d selected.

  “Tami, the girl at the counter, said your favorite was sweet an’ sour chicken and fried rice with extra chicken,” Noah pushed the two containers toward her before opening the flat container with egg rolls inside. Last, he found the small bag with soy sauce and hot sauce and spread them on the table.

  “You talked to Tami about what I eat...Mrs. Temple heard about our dinner and there are girls…probably old enough to be called women…glaring at me in the grocery store for things they’ve concocted in their imaginations,” Danea just shook her head and dumped the carton on her plate. “I haven’t even done anything and I’ve made top of the gossip list this week.”

  “People will become bored and move on,” Noah said easily.

  Chapter Seven

  Both men watched her as she ate. They could almost see her mind churning as she looked from one to the other, quietly eating the orange colored chicken bits with the fluffy white rice on the side.

  “She’s on your side, by the way,” Danea lifted an egg roll and put it on her plate before smothering it with soy sauce. She looked from one to the other, both sporting a quizzical expression. “Mrs. Temple. She says it’s about time you settled down.”

  “I always liked Mrs. Temple,” Noah chuckled and reached for the large pitcher of water and ice. He filled the glasses and took a long drink.

  “What do you hope to accomplish with this frontal assault?”

  “Isn’t that a little on the harsh side?” Wade used the chop sticks and ate the crunchy vegetables and spicy sauce he’d chosen. “We see it more of a meeting of minds where we learn about each other and find out how compatible we are…or can be.”

  “So this isn’t purely hormonal on your parts?”

  “Hormonal?” Noah choked out.

  “We’re a little over that side of the male nature, Danea,” Wade chastised mildly.

  “Not from my side of the table,” she returned, feeling a little more chipper now that she had some food inside her. “From my side of the table, I’m being pursued by two…” she paused, wondering if the word she wanted a too harsh.

  “Please, don’t hold back,” Noah said with a flourish of his hand. “We’re strong, independent males. We can handle it.”

  “Two rabid males bent on satisfying the hormonal needs that have reared their heads,” Danea hurriedly stuffed several pieces of chicken into her mouth and waited.

  “Rabid males?”

  They
exchanged looks. Wade ran a palm over his mouth.

  “I thought I wiped that foam off before we got here,” he winked at her and went back to his food. “We aren’t teenagers, Danea,” he said, the sound of Noah’s laughter behind his words.

  “What did my mother mean about it hurting you?” She asked after a quiet minute.

  “Different species experience different levels of discomfort if the mating…” Wade stopped and considered his choices. “Urge…is denied. Some experience no noticeable sensations, or feelings…”

  “However,” she supplied the word for him softly.

  “However, our various heritages inform us that we’re only given one mate,” Noah filled in the unfinished answer. “You’re human, so you don’t have that limitation. You have the ability to walk away and find someone that you feel is better suited to you. But we do understand if you aren’t interested, Danea.”

  “It isn’t about interest,” she said finally, her tone releasing the self-chiding. “I didn’t exactly behave like a nun when you kissed me. And I’ll admit it was like nothing I’d ever felt before…from each of you…and maybe it frightens me a little…on the upside, Galileo tolerates you both well.”

  “A vote from a bird, swell,” Noah reached for another container and dumped the contents left inside to his plate. He absently collected the empty ones and stuffed them into the plastic bag.

  “I dated a guy once and it turned out Galileo’s instincts were much better than mine…since it came out he was dating half the senior class in college,” Danea shook her head, wincing at the memory. “It wasn’t pretty. Galileo brought friends to his apartment and found an open window…they blamed a break-in for the damage…for the next year…the police were beginning to get suspicious and insurance did think there was fraud going on…” she looked up at the laughter from them both. “You’re cute and sexy.” Her palm instantly covered her mouth when the surprise registered on both their faces.