Changing Destiny

by Rivers, Brandy L

  Putting his hands up in surrender, he grinned. “Okay, okay. If you’ll let me take you on a proper date, you can heal my arm the rest of the way.” Besides, he was mostly kidding where his lack of trust was concerned. And her exhaustive runs were about the only way he wrangled one-on-one time with her outside the clinic.

  She bit down on her bottom lip, looking away. Before he could take the request back, she met his gaze. “One condition.” Her eyes sparked with determination.

  His mouth fell open as he blinked, ready to give her the world for a single chance. “What’s that?”

  “The first few times you spar, I’m there to make sure you’re in one piece when you’re done.”

  He nodded, gathering his words, then froze. If she only agreed in order to heal him, he didn’t want to go through with it. “Em, if you can’t, I’ll understand. You could come hang out with me and the crew. Get to know me better. I crave some time with you, but I think you know that by now. I’m not pushing for more than you’re ready to give.”

  “I trust you, Clint.” Those four words sparked hope.

  “Never in a million years would I ever push you. I get it. Whatever happened in your past, tore you apart. But you know what? You’re stronger now because of it. I’ve been there. So even if you never see me romantically, I make a pretty good friend.” Though he desperately wanted to earn her trust so they could have more.

  “I want the date. But I have to warn you, if we ever—touch, I have to be in control. If you take over, and… and…” Her gaze skated away before sliding back while her brow pinched. “Um… do your wolfy-dominant thing, I’ll bolt.”

  He laughed. “In bed, I’m very submissive. I want to be dominated.” His eyes rounded as he put his hands up, realizing he’d said too much. “Sorry, we aren’t going straight there. I’m saying you have all the time in the world, and if we ever get there, it will be on your terms, not mine.”

  One corner of her mouth tipped up, a devilish glint behind her eyes. “And if I’m never ready?” she asked seductively.

  His cock twitched, hoping she was teasing. “Then you aren’t, and I won’t complain.”

  She gave his arm a look. “Now, may I heal you?”

  He wet his lips, nodding slowly as he outstretched the limb still wrapped in a bandage. The bone was set properly, but weak.

  One of her small hands took his, the other wrapped around his wrist. Her chocolate eyes turned molten bronze as she chanted under her breath.

  Magic flowed from her touch. A thousand butterfly wings flapping against his arm as the pain he hadn’t noticed melted away, taking the ache with it.

  Normally, a snarky comment would roll off his tongue, but the connection between them flared, pulling him closer to her. Rocking back on his heels, he took a deep breath and stopped himself from reaching out to touch her face.

  “Thank you,” he murmured, awed by the gentleness in his own voice.

  Blinking slowly, her eyes rose to his, fading back to the warm brown hue. “You’re welcome. And I’m free whenever you want to go on that date.”

  He couldn’t help teasing. “Em, you’re in control here. When do you want to go?”

  A confident smile lit her face. “Tonight. You can pick me up at seven, and take me to In 2 Deep.”

  “Are you staying in your apartment today?” She had a home in Seattle, but she seemed to stay in her apartment in Edenton more often.

  “And tonight.”

  Or mine, he thought, before reprimanding himself. If they got there, great. If not, he’d survive, blue balls and all.

  * * * *

  Ecstatic, Emily beamed. Clint let her heal him. For a date. One she’d been slowly building the courage to ask for herself. Men in general scared her, thanks to her late brother. But Clint made her heart skip, in a good way. He made her feel sexy, desired—things she’d never enjoyed before.

  Typically males were pushy, dominant, and too hands-on. In the six months she’d known Clint, he’d never made a move to touch her. He talked to her, flirted, and was genuinely interested in all she had to say.

  Didn’t take the fear away, but it became more a thrill of excitement. The question was, could she allow herself to trust a man? Emily wanted to believe she could, and had since the second she laid eyes on him.

  Uncomfortable, out of place, and generally miserable, Emily sat at an empty picnic table, watching her brother with Liz and Tremaine at Fallon’s engagement party. Emily knew a few people there, but had never felt truly welcome at parties, preferring isolation.

  “This seat taken?” a warm voice asked.

  She looked up to fall deep into spring green eyes. His brown hair was short, stylishly messy. He wasn’t much taller than her, lean muscle. Her stomach fluttered as she admired a man for probably the first time because she was usually too afraid to notice how they looked.

  Her breath caught as she blinked in confusion. Something unfurled, drawing her undivided attention and managing to calm the quiet fear that hummed along the edges.

  His smile dimmed slightly as he took a step back. “I apologize. Enjoy the party.” Such a sad expression covered his face as he turned away.

  “Wait,” she whispered, then cleared her throat. “Wait, please, sit.” She froze, realizing she’d invited a man to sit beside her. Panic didn’t hit. In fact, she felt a warmth gush through her.

  “I’m Emily. You are?” Her voice held a strength she didn’t realize she possessed.

  He didn’t offer his hand before sitting on the other end of the bench with gentle smile. “Evening, Emily. I’m Clint. Never seen you here before.”

  She nodded toward Robert. “That’s my brother over there, Robert. I’ve known Tremaine and Liz most of my life.”

  “They’re good people. I’m sorry I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you until now.”

  “I live across the country, though I think I’m moving closer. Things are sort of in the air at the moment.”

  “Then I hope I’ll see you around more.” His gaze held interest and comfort.

  “What do you do?”

  “I’m one of the pack enforcers. During the day, I build homes with my buddy over there.” He nodded to handsome blond man. “He’s another enforcer.”

  “So, you’re a werewolf?”

  He glanced away with a nod. “You’re a mage, right?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, don’t take offense,” she pleaded, hoping he wouldn’t dismiss her offhand. “I’m merely curious, and not very good at being social.” Her eyes squinched shut.

  “It’s okay, Emily. No offense taken. I’ll admit, I worried you would reject me for being a wolf.”

  She shook her head. “Not at all.”

  He turned toward her and she wanted to drown in his eyes. “Want to know more about Edenton? With your brother here, I imagine you could use a friend to show you around, or at least give you a verbal tour.”

  “Would love that,” she admitted, falling into the easy, not too detailed conversation. The first real one with a stranger she could recall enjoying.

  “Em,” he said softly, pulling her out of her thoughts and back into the present. Finally, she could admit she wanted to take an honest chance with Clint.

  “Sorry, mind’s wandering.”

  A grin spread on his face. “That’s okay, I enjoy your sunny smile. Hopefully you were thinking about me.”

  “The day we met.” Blushing, she glanced down at the arm she’d healed a moment before and changed the topic. “Don’t need this anymore.” She expertly unhooked the bandage and rolled it as she unwrapped his arm. His hand hung in the air, tempting her to lean forward, into his touch, but nerves kept her feet rooted to their spot.

  He drew a slow breath, the corners of his mouth lifting. “Thank you.”

  Nodding, she met his light green eyes. He was nothing like his reputation, maybe only for her. But he’d been nothing but sweet and attentive. Her eyes dropped to his lips and she found herself craving a taste.

&n
bsp; With a mental shake, she hooked the bandage in a roll and nodded to the car. “Come on, let’s get you back.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He saluted.

  Laughing, she climbed into the driver seat as he walked to the passenger side. He looked over with a charming smile and her toes curled, anticipating a touch she knew wouldn’t come.

  Her head was a mess. Craving him, afraid of him, needing more than the sweet smile and playful flirting. Sometimes she thought that if he reached out to rest his hand on hers, she could handle it. Other times, she saw the hungry look in his eyes and wanted to run.

  Curiosity got the better of her as she started the car. “You really don’t like control?”

  He shook his head. “No. You can blame my old pack for that. You don’t want to hear that story though.”

  “You can tell me anything.”

  He looked away. “I’ve done my share of talking about it. Never helped. I’m not that lost boy anymore. I know what I will and won’t do. But if you ever need an ear, I’ll lend you mine. For anything, Emily.”

  She gripped the wheel tighter. “Don’t want to think about my past, let alone talk about my private hell. It’s all over now.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be. My goal is time with you. You settle the dark corner that hides in my soul.” He looked over with a sad smile.

  Pulling onto the road, she took his hand that rested on his leg and pulled it to the console with hers. A careful beginning. “I believe you. You have a way of easing my fear. I’m not sure what I’m ready for yet.”

  “Been there,” he answered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

  She drove faster than she should have, back to Edenton. A buzz started in her ears, and then Clint’s arm whipped out, pinning her in the seat as a black SUV filled her view.

  The crunch of metal, screech of tires, and smell of burning rubber flooded her senses before it all went dark.

  Blissful Agony is coming November 10, 2015

  You can preorder now.