Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Other Books By Harmony Raines
Curves For Her Bears
***
All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.
This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.
© 2014 Harmony Raines
Silver Moon Erotica
Kindle Edition
Chapter One
“We can’t take her home.”
“If she stays out here she will die.”
“Then let her.”
“We can’t Cyrus.”
“No. You can’t,” replied Cyrus. “I have no trouble letting a pure blood die.”
“And what about the police? When her body is found they'll be all over the forest. The best thing to do is take her with us and cover all trace of her being here. When she is conscious again, we can guide her to safety.”
“Leave her here, Aiden. Let someone else find her.”
“There is no one else,” Aiden paused. “She’s moving.”
“Then we should blindfold her so she doesn’t see our faces. I want no blame for this.”
Maggie wanted to open her eyes to see who these two strange men were. Their voices were new to her, and the way they were speaking bothered her. Danger was close, she knew that, someone had tried to hurt her, maybe these two men. No, she was sure they were nothing to do with it. However, at this moment she realised she could not be sure of anything.
Trying again, she managed to briefly flicker an eye open, catching sight of a seriously angry face. She closed the heavy lid, not having the courage to face him. It was better lying here in the darkness of unconsciousness, she did not have to think, and she did not have to feel.
However, they were not going to let her sleep. First they patted her face, calling her, but they did not know her name. When this did not work they lifted her, strong arms about her body, holding her close to a strong beating chest.
The sound lulled her, and she felt warmth, incredible heat from the body she was nestled against. Carefully she was taken through the forest, the smell of the disturbed leaf litter reaching her nose. Still she did not open her eyes, and they no longer spoke; only the steady rhythm of their feet and the occasional hoot of an owl accompanied them.
Time slipped by, she had no idea how long it was until there was light and warmth, they were inside, and it was time to struggle back to life.
A cool liquid was pressed to her lips, at first she did not respond, but they were insistent, and eventually she took some in. It helped, and despite the growing throbbing at her temples she opened her eyes again. This time it was the light that made her close them, it was too bright, and the throb in her head intensified.
Lifting her hand she shielded her eyes from the brightness. A shadow passed across her vision, and there were whispers, then the light changed, and was dimmer, more comfortable.
“I’ve lit the lamps so it’s not so bright. Can you open your eyes for me?” A gentle voice asked.
Maggie liked his voice, it was calm and soothing, and so she did as he asked. His face was right in front of her, smiling reassuringly. Concentrating hard she tried to focus a little better, he was still a bit blurred, but she could tell he was fair haired. His eyes were blue with a humorous twinkle, which reassured her even more.
“Don’t try to move,” he said. “You've had a bit of a blow to the head. I want to take a look at it and bathe it, if that's alright with you.”
So that was what the thumping headache was about. “What happened?” she managed to whisper.
“Don’t you know?” he asked, a slight frown crossing his brow.
“No. I don’t.” She fell silent, closing her eyes to try to force the memory to come, it wouldn’t.
“Cyrus has gone to get some water, and then we can have a look at you. Perhaps if you lie quietly it will come back to you.”
She did as he told her, slumping back against the cushion which had been placed under her head. Without opening her eyes again she asked. “What is your name? Do I know you?”
“My name is Aiden,” he answered, then added, “No. We found you in the woods. It was some way away from the road so you must have been walking.”
“Or running.” She vaguely remembered running from something, no images only a feeling of being scared.
“Do you know what from?” A nervous edge crept into his voice, making Maggie wonder if she could really trust him.
“No. Not really. I don’t know. Do you think that's bad?” she asked, opening her eyes a little.
“It might be the blow to your head. Or shock. Maybe something happened that you want to forget.” Then he realised that sounded scary. “I’m sure nothing bad happened. And you’re safe here anyway.”
She heard someone else come into the room, and she opened her eyes to see who it was. A pain jabbed into her head, and she felt quite sick. Nevertheless, she still managed to catch a glimpse of the newcomer, and now she did feel afraid. He was the opposite of Aiden, dark haired, dark eyes and he glowered at Maggie as though he wished her dead.
Was it possible that this was the man she had been running from, and the reason he did not want to help her was because when she did remember she would go to the police. Her eyelids closed again, and before Aiden began to bathe her head she mentally checked the rest of her body to see if anywhere else hurt.
Her arms and body felt fine, but her legs were leaden and stiff when she tried to move. It pretty much confirmed her feeling of running from something. What it was escaped her, as though a large wall had been placed between her and her memories. It frustrated the hell out of her.
Relax. That was the key, let the stress go, and it might pop back into her head. Instead she tried to remember other things, which drew kind of a blank too. She sat up, despite her throbbing head, and a panic attack swept over her.
Aiden placed a hand on hers, and spoke to her soothingly, as though she were a child. “Come on, deep breaths. In, and let it out slowly. And again. In, and out.”
She fought to get herself under control. When she could just manage to speak she said. “I...can’t...remember...anything.”
Aiden glanced up at Cyrus, who showed little sympathy for her at all. He raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes. She knew he didn’t believe her. That one look made her realise that these men were not the ones trying to hurt her, for if they were they would be glad she couldn’t remember.
But if not them, then who? And were they still out there looking for her?
“It will come back. Let me look at your head. Cyrus can make you something warm to drink. Then we can try to put together what you can remember. Like your name?”
“Maggie. I know that. But memories, they aren't there.”
“Hold still. Let me do your head, there's blood in your hair and I want to see how bad it is.”
She turned a little to the side to let him look. His fingers gentle as they probed her skull. Cyrus disappeared again and she heard him clattering around in the kitche
n.
“He doesn’t like me, does he?” she asked.
“Cyrus doesn’t like many people. So don’t take it personally.”
“Why not?” she asked. “Sorry. None of my business.”
“Let’s just say he had a difficult childhood.”
“Are you brothers?...Ouch.”
“Sorry. It’s not too bad, but you'll have some bruising. And we’ll have to watch for concussion. You should see a doctor. But it’s too late to go now.”
“I’m fine. Do what you can. I certainly don’t want to go outside tonight.” She lowered her voice, unsure why. “Someone was chasing me. I’m sure of it.”
“Through the woods?”
“I guess.”
He studied her for a moment. “You are safe here for as long as you need to be.”
“I will leave tomorrow. Cyrus doesn’t want me here. And I don’t want to bring trouble to your door when you’ve been so kind to me.”
“Trouble knows better than to come to our door,” he said firmly, and Maggie believed him. “Now, this is going to sting, but I want to clean the cut and check there's nothing in it.”
He worked quickly and as gently as he could, but it still hurt. She bit her lip, curling her fingers around the arm of the sofa they had placed her on, and only just managed not to cry. Her knuckles were white, and she had nearly drawn blood from her lip by the time he grunted in satisfaction.
So preoccupied with Aiden she had not noticed Cyrus had come back into the room with a tray of tea and toast. He stood holding it, keeping his distance from Maggie, making her feel like a leper. Did he think she would contaminate him if he got too close? She tried not to make eye contact with him, worried she might invoke his rage if she did. When Aiden gathered up all the things he had been using and got up, he spoke to Cyrus.
“Can you sit with her for a while? I need to throw these things out and then wash my hands.”
“She will be alright on her own. I am not a baby sitter.”
“And she is not a baby.” The sentence hung in the air, and a look passed between the two men she could not fathom. “But she might have a concussion. One of us will have to stay with her at all times.”
Cyrus grunted his unhappiness at this, but did as Aiden asked. Plonking the tray down next to her, and then going to sit in another chair, on the other side of the room. He then picked up a book to read, ignoring her completely. Aiden watched for a moment, and then, satisfied she was in good hands, left the room.
“Thank you.” Maggie motioned to the food; all Cyrus did was look up and nod imperceptibly, before going back to his book.
Taking a sip of the warm tea she nearly choked, there was sugar in it, quite a lot, which was something she never had in tea. Her coughing made him look up, and when she glanced across at him she was certain she saw concern. Whether it was for her, or the trouble it would cause if she choked to death in their house, she could not tell.
“It’s sweet,” she managed to say.
“For the shock.” He didn’t even look up from his book when he replied.
She brightened a little. At least he wanted to keep her alive.
Maggie ate the toast, and drank the tea, although she struggled to swallow something so sweet. However, she had to admit to feeling quite a bit better afterwards. Her strength was returning, but her memory was not. For now she chose not to worry about it, and lay down, closing her eyes and letting the warmth of the fire, coupled with the food lift her.
A hand on her arm made her jump. Not so much with shock, more of the current of tension that passed between her and Cyrus. She opened her eyes and looked at him. It must have been an accusing look because he instantly defended himself.
“I thought you were unconscious. You didn’t move when I spoke.”
“I’m fine. I must have drifted off to sleep.” She looked at the uncomfortable expression on his face; he obviously found it difficult to be around her. “Thank you for being concerned.”
He looked slightly mollified, and then said, “We don’t go near others unless we have to, so it is in my interest to keep you well.”
So much concern for her safety. How flattering! This she kept to herself, asking him instead, “Why do you stay away from others?”
For a moment she thought he would not answer, and then he simply said, “Because we are different.”
He went and sat down, picked up his book and began to read. She lay and watched him, disturbed by the way he made her feel, not wanting to close her eyes again because to do so would be to shut him out.
“How are you feeling now?”
Aiden came back into the room, and she looked at him properly for the first time. He was tall, and muscular, very toned and fit. Both these men must work out a lot to be the build they were. Maggie looked from one to the other; they were not related as far as she could tell. To her that left one obvious conclusion. They were gay. The reason they lived out her alone, and were “different” was because they were lovers. This left her with a strange mixture of relief and disappointment.
“I’m a little better. Thank you.”
He came and knelt down in front of her, and she looked into his eyes, mesmerised by them. If only he liked women she would struggle not to fall for him, there was something about him, about both of them that made her ache with need.
“No luck with the memory?” he asked, tapping his temple.
“Afraid not. Perhaps a good night’s sleep will help.”
“Probably. Do you need something more to eat?”
“No. Thank you. I am just incredibly tired right now.”
He looked concerned. “I think it would be a good idea if one of us stays with you tonight.” She looked a little worried, and he jumped to the wrong conclusion. “Don’t worry. Nothing will happen.”
“I know. I’m quite safe with men like you.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” He smiled, a devastatingly sensual smile, and her heart beat a little bit quicker. “Do you need me to carry you to your bed?”
“Bed? I thought I could sleep here.” She didn’t want to impose any more on their hospitality by stealing their bed.
“Really. It’s OK. Can you walk?”
“I think so.” She slid her legs around so her feet rested on the floor. Looking up she was again surprised to see Cyrus looking at her with a mixture of distrust, and something else. Concern? Only because he did not want any trouble brought down on them, she reminded herself.
Putting any weight on her legs proved too much, she stumbled forward, only Aiden’s strong arms saving her from crashing to the floor. Surprisingly Cyrus had also leapt forward to catch her, but backed off once he saw she was safe in Aiden’s arms.
“Allow me,” Aiden said, lifting her effortlessly and cradling her against the large expanse of his chest.
She lay back, her head resting on his shoulder and allowed him to carry her out of the room. It was colder out here, the warmth of the fire in their sitting room tricking her into thinking she was OK. Now, here in the cooler part of the house she shivered, a movement Aiden noticed, and pulled her closer to him. The heat of his body did the trick; she had never known anybody give off so much body heat.
He took her to a room down the hall, kicking the door open to reveal a double bed. He placed her down on it, and then pulled the covers back for her to slide in. She did so, but it was cold and she began to shiver again.
“I’ll get you more blankets,” he said.
She lay, her teeth chattering, watching him move about the room. He opened the closet and took out two heavy blankets, having to stretch to reach them, giving her a good view of his muscular back. While she watched him she marvelled at the fact he had only a thin shirt on and did not seem to feel the cold, while she had her clothes and the bed covers on but still could not get warm.
“Here,” he said, covering her up.
He then sat on a chair in the corner of the room, he did not take his eyes off her, something she found a li
ttle unnerving. However, she put it down to him being most diligent in his task.
Still she shivered, and it became uncontrollable. Aiden got up and came to sit beside her, placing his hand on hers. “You're freezing. It could be shock setting in.”
He lifted the covers slightly and chafed her arms with his hands to try to warm her. It helped, but not enough. He looked concerned, his expression worrying her.
“Am I going to be alright?” she asked.
“Yes. But we need to get you warm.”
“Why don’t you lie by the side of me? You're body is so warm, it will help to make the shivering stop.” He hesitated, and she did not know why. She smiled weakly, and said. “You're quite safe, I won’t jump on you.”
She had meant it as a joke, but his face grew more serious. His jaw clenched, and his hands paused in their rubbing of her skin.
“Please,” she stammered.
Reluctantly he lifted the covers and slid in beside her, instantly she was enveloped in his heat. She rested her head in his shoulder, and placed her hands on his chest. Her eyes closed, she felt so warm and cosy she wanted to drift off to sleep.
It was only when Aiden’s body stiffened that she opened them again. Cyrus stood at the door, a look of absolute jealousy on his face.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly to Aiden as Cyrus turned and quickly left. “I didn’t mean for him to be jealous of me.”
Aiden’s breathing seemed to stop, when at last he released the breath he answered. “I don’t know what you think. But it is not you he is jealous of.”
Maggie lay quite still. It was a long time until she fell asleep. Although her body was warm and relaxed her mind was in turmoil. She had misjudged the situation completely. They were not lovers, which meant she was in the bed of a very virile man, and the hardness pressing against her leg was for her. Not Cyrus.
She only hoped both men had sufficient self control not to hurt her.
Chapter Two
Maggie stirred briefly in the night, her body turned cold, as though someone had pulled the covers off her. She half awoke, and turned over, thankful to find the warm body of Aiden next to her. Curling fingers into his springy chest hair she went back to sleep, safe and content with him there.
Curves for Her Bears (BBW Shifter Erotic Romance) Page 1
