by V. Vaughn
A block down from the diner is where Gigi should turn off, and we stop to say our good-byes.
I wink at Gigi before I say to Mitch, “Luke can walk me home if you take care of Gigi.” Before Mitch can answer, the sound of glass shattering carries to us, and it’s quickly followed by a loud alarm.
I glance at Luke in surprise, and when I realize the direction of the noise is near the salon, I turn to Gigi. Her eyes are wide, and we both take off running. Within seconds, what we fear is right before us. The edges of our broken window shimmer under the light of the street lamps. There is a large hole in the center of it, and for some reason, I focus on the part of the words still left intact. “Turn —eds”
“Holy shit,” says Mitch. His voice breaks me from my trance.
The salon has been a dream for Gigi and me since we were in high school, and it means a lot to both of us.
She has a tear on her cheek as she asks, “Who would do this?”
My keys jingle when I remove them from my pocket and attempt to unlock the door with shaky hands. Luke’s fingers wrap around mine, and he steadies me as we turn it open together.
He steps in first, and I flip on the lights. Shards glitter, and I notice a brick wrapped in a piece of paper is on the floor. My ears ring from the siren, and glass crunches under my feet as I rush to get to the back room and turn off the alarm. When I’m done, I notice Luke bend down to pick up the brick. I know I should go see what’s on the paper, but my stomach rolls as I recall Zander’s words. “You’re the one who’s going to get hurt.”
Luke reads the note, and when he lowers it to gaze at me, Mitch snatches it out of his hands.
Mitch spits out, “Cowards.”
I step forward as my eyes fill with moisture, and Luke pulls me into an embrace. A low rumble vibrates from his chest as Gigi grabs the paper from Mitch. I let the warmth of Luke comfort me, and Gigi reads it out loud.
“‘Beware of bear.’” She huffs. “Not the brightest bulbs in the pack, are they?”
The intelligence of our vandals isn’t important. Zander was right. Luke being a werebear matters, and shame burns in me as I realize I’m putting more than myself in danger. I never considered how my actions could affect Gigi.
Mitch says, “When we find them, they’re dead.”
Gigi snarls. “You got that right, because I’ll kill them myself.” Her footsteps thud as she stomps over to the storeroom. “Someone’s going to pay for this.”
I gaze at Luke as he growls too. “They sure are.”
I shake my head slowly, because the last thing I want is a brawl that will end up with people dead. The punishment for that would be much greater than being banished from the clan. Gigi returns with a broom, and glass clinks as she begins to sweep up the mess.
Mitch asks, “Do you have any broken-down cardboard we can use?”
I sniff and step away from Luke to answer. “Yes.” I point at the back door that gives us access to the Dumpster we share with neighboring businesses. “I’ll get the duct tape.”
Luke grabs my hand to stop me. “Hey. I won’t let them harm you, Xena.”
I nod before I walk away, but I’m not afraid for me. I’m afraid who they really want to hurt is Luke.
Chapter 7
By the time we get things cleaned up, it’s well after midnight. I live above a real estate office less than a block away, and when Luke and I walk up the stairs as he takes me home, our footsteps echo in the narrow hallway. I’m emotionally drained, and my body aches to relax as we get to my apartment.
While I fumble with my keys, Luke says, “I know you don’t want to be with me, but I’m not leaving you alone just yet.”
I don’t want to be alone, so I say, “Thank you.”
I have a small living space that contains the kitchen and the living room, and past that is a separate bedroom and bathroom. My keys clatter on the small table by the door, and metal rattles as Luke attaches the chain lock.
I plop down on the couch and say, “This night seems to have gone on forever. Thank you for helping us with the window.”
Luke sits next to me, and the couch sinks as he asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” But my tears give me away. I’m not okay, because even though the last thing I should want right now is to be in Luke’s arms, it’s all I can think about. So when he opens them to me, I snuggle into his embrace.
“Hey.” Luke tucks my head into his chest. “Go ahead and cry. I have a big shoulder.”
I let myself cry for a bit before I pull away to gaze into Luke’s eyes. “This is so unfair. Being mates shouldn’t be so difficult.”
“I know. But prejudice is born from fear. Whoever threw that brick is afraid of what I am, Xena. I’m sure you understand that.”
“I do. But what I don’t understand is why hurting you makes it better.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I’m more concerned about you.” A low rumble comes from him before he asks, “Does this have anything to do with that guy you were talking to tonight?”
Zander. I frown, because I’ve never known Zander to be violent, and I can’t imagine him resorting to vandalism like a coward. He’d be more likely to challenge Luke on a physical level. “No. That was my ex-boyfriend. He may not be happy I’m with you, but he wouldn’t do something so petty.” I wonder if maybe Zander knows someone who would, and I think I need to speak to him.
Luke pushes a strand of hair out of my face. “You’re exhausted. You should go to bed.” He takes my face in his hands as his bear flashes in his gaze. “Don’t ask me to leave though. I can’t.”
I don’t want him to be alone in his apartment either, because I’m more concerned about Luke’s safety than mine, so I let him think I want his protection. “I know.” I trace Luke’s lower lip. “I want you to stay.”
Warning bells are ringing in my head as I let my attraction for my mate cloud my judgment, and I don’t pull away when Luke leans down and kisses me tenderly.
I lean my head back when Luke combs his fingers through my hair and gathers it at the back of my neck. I’m reminded of how he pulled my hair during sex and how hot it was when he dominated me. My skin tingles with desire for my mate, and my cat begins to purr.
Luke stops kissing me and says, “I want to be with you in the worst way, but I’m not going to force it, Xena. I think tonight you need me to hold you and make you feel safe.” He shrugs. “Or maybe that’s what I need to do to satisfy my bear. Will you let me?”
I comb my fingers through his short crop of hair. “I’d like that.” I tug a strand and add, “Keep me safe.”
Luke’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “I’m here to please.” He stands and holds out his hand for me. “If anything goes bump tonight, I’ll be the naked guy in your bed.”
I lick my lips as I scan his body. “I like your choice of sleepwear.”
I find Luke a toothbrush, and when I climb in between the sheets, he’s waiting for me. I put on a loose T-shirt before joining him, but as soon as he pulls me against his body to spoon, I wish I hadn’t. I long for the feel of his skin against mine, and the thin cotton between us is irritating, so I sit up and stare down at him. The light from the lamp on the street sparkles in his eyes as I lift my shirt to peel it off.
I say, “I don’t think I’ll be cold without this,” before I toss it to land on the floor with a whoosh.
Luke’s chest rumbles as I straddle him with my legs and press my chest against his to kiss his lips lightly. My nipples harden, and his coarse chest hair is rough on my skin before he rolls me onto my back and lifts up to gaze into my eyes. “Tell me you want me, Xena.”
The tiny voice of reason in my head that should warn me to say no doesn’t speak. Not that I would have listened anyway. “I do.”
Luke drags a finger down my chest and traces around my areola. I quiver beneath his touch as he says, “We’ve done fast and rough.” A low noise comes from the back of his throat as his cock twitches against my thigh. “And no
w we’re going to do slow”—he plants a kiss at the hollow of my neck, and his breath makes tiny hairs on my skin stand up—“and sensual.”
He continues to kiss his way down my chest until he reaches my nipple. Sucking it into his mouth makes electric currents shoot through me to my core, and I let out a shaky breath. Luke’s hands press against my sides as he drags them down to my hips and under my bottom. He squeezes my butt cheeks gently as he begins to move his mouth lower. My stomach trembles when he reaches my belly button. I gasp when his tongue swirls inside, and I mewl when his hands move to my inner thighs to spread my legs.
Luke inhales deeply and lets out a moan before he moves down to my feet as if he’s saving his dessert for later. He begins to massage my foot, and I lift on my elbows to gaze at him in the dim light of my bedroom. “You’re going to spoil me.”
“This is all it takes?” He moves his hands up to my ankle and rubs.
“It’s one way.” I sigh when he gets to my calf.
He leans down to kiss my knee and combines light nibbles with quick licks of his tongue. My head falls back as I revel in the sensation. Luke takes his time, and I’m a twitching bundle of desire when he gets to my inner thighs. He’s so close to where I want him.
“Please, Luke.” I pant as an impending orgasm teases to erupt.
Luke stops and gazes up at me. “You are so beautiful, Xena. I’m going to watch you come this time.” His fingers open me up for a taste.
I let out a small cry when he licks me, and my sounds become louder as he begins to suck. He brings me to the edge, and I glance at him as I cry out. Those blue eyes reach for me as I fall, and his warmth catches me.
Strong, thick arms wrap around me when Luke moves next to me and pulls my back against his chest. “Are you relaxed?” he asks. His erection is hard against my bottom.
I sigh, and the rumble of my cat’s purr vibrates against my mate.
“Now you can sleep,” he says.
“Wait, we’re done?”
“For now.” Luke places a light kiss on my shoulder and whispers, “I love you, Xena.”
A smile covers my face as sleepiness weighs on me like a heavy blanket. I’ve found my mate, and it’s my job to keep him safe. To do that, I should tell him we can’t be together, but I don’t want to live without him. And I’m sure he would never let me anyway. It’s time I accept that I can’t. I say, “I love you too.”
Chapter 8
Weekends aren’t time off for raft guides like Luke or hair stylists like me. My alarm goes off at an ungodly hour, because my long-standing client, Miranda, will be in for her appointment at seven. She followed me here from Deal’s Gap and doesn’t seem to mind the drive to see me.
I tiptoe into the bathroom for my shower and hope that Luke was able to get back to sleep before he has to get up. But when I flip off the water, the aroma of coffee hangs in the air. I smile to myself as I untangle my wet locks and wrap up in a towel to make my way back to my bedroom. I discover Luke sitting in my bed with two steaming mugs.
He says, “Come on over here, and let me help you wake up.”
I know I shouldn’t, but I glance at the clock and decide if I don’t do my hair, I’ve got ten extra minutes. My towel falls to the floor with a light thump, and the coffee cups clash as Luke sets them on the bedside table. He whips the covers off to reveal his intentions. Me-ow! I climb on the bed slowly to straddle his lap, and I rub my slippery sex over his thick cock.
Luke places his hands behind his head, and he says, “You’re in the driver’s seat, baby. Take me for a ride.”
“Don’t you have to leave for work?” I’m already wet for him, and I sink onto his thick length slowly as he sighs.
“It’s raining. We probably won’t get trips today. Jim will understand if I’m late.”
I let out a small moan. “This won’t take long.”
Luke squeezes my bottom as his breathing quickens. “No, probably not.”
I grip his shoulders, and hard muscle flexes under my fingers as I begin to move faster. This position allows me to make it all about me, but from the noises Luke is making, I think it’s working for him too. My core begins to spasm around his thickness, and Luke moves a hand around to grab my breast. He takes it into his mouth and nips at me. The pain of his teeth on my tender skin makes me cry out and adds to the intensity of my impending orgasm. For a fleeting thought, I imagine that he’s broken my skin in a mate bond, and my climax hits.
While I shatter over Luke, he flips me onto my back to finish. It’s only a few demanding thrusts before he quakes with his release too.
When he collapses over me, his breath is hot on my neck as he speaks. “This is how every day should start.”
I sigh. “I wish.”
Luke lifts up to twist a strand of my wet hair between his fingers. “It will. You may not be ready to admit it yet, but we’re meant to be together.” He pauses for a second. “Forever.”
I slide out from under him and make my way to the bathroom to rinse off again. I want us to be forever, but too much is standing in our way. My hair clip snaps shut over my messy updo as I push the thought from my head and return to my room. I turn to Luke, who’s still lounging in my bed as the scent of our coupling fills the room. I wish I could spend my morning drinking coffee and partaking in the pleasures my mate’s body brings.
I say, “I’ve really got to run, but I’ll leave you my key, and you can drop it by the salon later.”
“Can we have lunch if I don’t have to work?”
I gaze at him and imagine the sort of meal I’d prefer. “Yes. I’m free from one to two today.”
“I’ll stop by then and bring you food.” He licks his lips, and I contemplate whether or not we can get away with a physical encounter in the back room at the salon.
Probably not, because so far neither one of us has been very good about being quiet. The bed squeaks as I place a knee on the mattress and lean in to kiss Luke good-bye.
He lets out a sigh as I stand back up and says, “I’m a lucky man, Xena.”
“We both are.”
But once my door clicks shut, the heavy emotion of worry brings me down. We aren’t facing reality, and once I get outside, it only takes a few steps for that fact to stare me in the face. I gaze at the cardboard highlighted by silver duct tape that covers the hole in the broken window of the salon. Rain is falling, and if not for the awning over the shop, I’d be worried that our makeshift repair would be useless. The ugly scar reminds me of the consequences being with Luke brings. Members of my clan want him gone, and they seem determined to make it happen. I’m scowling by the time I get to Turning Heads.
I’ve arrived only a few minutes before Miranda should get here. When I flip on the lights, a tiny piece of glass glistens on the floor, and I walk over to pick it up. It’s razor sharp and slices my skin enough to draw blood. I suck on my finger as I head over to start a pot of coffee. Moments later, the tiny bell over my door jingles, and I turn to Miranda’s entrance.
“Goodness, what happened here?” she asks.
I sigh as the older woman hangs up her coat and comes toward me. She sits in the chair by the shampoo station, and I say, “Somebody decided the best way to give me a message was to throw a brick through my window.”
“Oh, Xena. Does this have anything to do with the werebear you’re hanging out with?”
“You know about that?” Water rushes as I wet her hair.
“Of course, dear. You’re the talk of the clan.”
“Fantastic.” Shampoo squirts in my palm, and I rub it on her head. “The people of Deal’s Gap have nothing better to do than discuss my social life?” If I were home, I’d be answering to the council for this, but being off clan land means I have a little more leeway. Even so, dread is a heavy lump in my stomach over my situation.
“Apparently not,” says Miranda. “I have to say, I’m a little worried about you, dear. Are you sure you couldn’t find yourself a nice cougar instead?”
Miranda’s eyes squint as she gives me a sly smile and says, “Well, I suppose there is something exciting about a shifter as large as a werebear.”
I flip on the water instead of answering, because while I understand Miranda’s curiosity, I have no intention of sharing my sex life with her. When I’m done rinsing, I walk her over to my station, and the large woman thuds into the chair.
She says, “I’m sure all of this will blow over as soon as you get it out of your system. Everyone will move on to the next scandal in no time.”
Miranda thinks Luke is a fling? I’m tempted to tell her that he’s my mate, but I realize this buys us time to figure out what to do. I ask, “Can I get you a cup of coffee before we get started?”
“Yes, please.”
Dark liquid splashes into a mug as I pour, and once again I glance over at my broken window. A red T-shirt catches my eye. It’s Luke, and I break into a smile. Gigi holds the door open to let Luke and Mitch walk in with something wrapped in brown paper, and I think it’s a new sheet of glass.
Gigi says, “I come bearing gifts.” She winks at me. “And I suppose we’re going to have to find a way to thank these guys later.”
Miranda chuckles as I stare at Gigi with wide eyes in a silent question. She nods as she giggles, and I clench my fist in a tiny little arm pump of victory. I want my best friend to find love too.
I grab her arm to pull her in the back room. “You’ve got two minutes to tell me about your night before I have to go set Miranda’s hair, so make it quick.”
“Oh, Xena.” She sighs. “I’m in love.”
“That was fast.”
Gigi’s grin is so large her face might crack. She says, “He’s my mate.”
We both squeal.
“I’m so happy for you.” I give her a quick kiss on her cheek before we walk back out.
I discover Miranda has twisted her chair to watch the men as they work. I tease her. “Like what you see?”
