She’d also been warned that becoming too attuned with her animal could turn its protection into a curse in which she became a shifter herself.
She wasn’t worried and her thoughts quickly turned from that to the object of her happiness.
“Sabrina,” she murmured as she headed for the bathroom to shower. She cleaned up quickly applying moisturizer liberally before heading back to her room where her cell phone was chirping like a bird.
Veda hurried over to answer it. Seeing that it was her father, she let it go to voicemail. When it rang again, she groaned and glanced at the display. A smile played across her face.
She picked up her phone. “Hi,” she said huskily feeling like a school girl.
“Are you home yet?” Sabrina asked with a thread of concern woven through her words.
“Yes, why?”
“I wanted to make sure you got there safely,” she answered softly. “Are you naked?”
Veda fell onto the bed grinning and propped up against the mound of pillows. “Do you want me to be?”
“You’re damn sexy in nothing with your hair tumbling down around your face. Those doe eyes filled with hunger make me so wet.”
Giddy laughter bubbled in her throat. She never talked like this with her lovers even after months of being with them. Why was Sabrina doing it?
“You think so?”
“You’ve got to stop thinking of yourself as anything other than sexy, Veda. I can’t abide that. From now on, whenever you even hint you don’t trust my judgment on your body you’re going to get six lashes with a paddle.”
She bit her bottom lip. “Six?”
“I guess you’re going to watch your mouth around me, aren’t you, pretty baby?”
Her heartbeat quickened. Sabrina was making it so easy for her to become addicted to her.
“I’m going to try,” she admitted. “But you have to cut me some slack. I used to weigh two hundred and twenty-three pounds. In the last six months I’ve been working really hard with a personal chef and trainer as part of my therap—I mean as part of my drive to shed some of the weight.”
“What were you in therapy for?” Sabrina asked quietly.
“I had body image issues, so I sought professional help.” That was part of the truth.
“Then, my punishments will be like positive reinforcement.”
Veda swept her hair over her shoulder. “What do I get when I’m good?” Were they going to be playing even out of bed? That was something she’d never done before.
“Hmm. Do you have a full-length mirror?”
“Yes, unfortunately,” she said wrinkling her nose.
“Then, undress and stand in front of it and tell me the first thing you like about your body that pops into your head,” Sabrina told her.
“And I get a reward for that?” she asked frowning. She didn’t like anything about her body really.
“Do it and find out,” Sabrina commanded. “And do it now or all you’re getting tomorrow is a sore ass.”
Veda slid off the bed and went to the bedroom door. She closed it and surveyed her naked reflection in it with a critical eye. She’d toned up a little in the last six months and her stomach wasn’t nearly as round and soft.
She turned to peek over her shoulder at her butt. That had shaped up a great deal into a bubble that was tightening up nicely.
“Time’s up.”
Veda faced front and flattened her hand against her stomach. “My stomach,” she said softly.
“Why?”
“I really like the way I look in my clothes from the front.” She still wanted to trim her mid-section a little more though. Size twelve was the goal, and she was still a couple of sizes away.
“It’s nice, but your ass is my favorite part,” Sabrina told her.
“I admit it looks loads nicer than it did six months ago.” But it wasn’t as firm as she wanted it to be yet.
“What time to you want to meet in the morning at Trellis?”
“Eight?” she asked. “Do you work out? You look like you do.”
“Uh, yeah, but I’m not discussing business over sweat.”
“Why don’t we go to the country this weekend?” Veda asked before she could stop herself.
“Okay. We can jog.”
“Power walk? I don’t jog,” she said quickly.
“Sure. We can work out the details tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Veda said with a smile and opened a drawer to retrieve a night gown. “Can you hold on for a minute?”
“Sure.”
She set her phone on the bed and tugged the garment on before climbing into bed where she talked to Sabrina another hour before hanging up.
Sabrina was like a dream come true, but she’d always heard if someone was too good to be true then they probably were.
She hoped that wasn’t the case with Sabrina because she was already falling for her as crazy as that was.
****
The next morning, Sabrina took a sip of her coffee and glanced at her watch. Veda was technically not late. It was only five minutes after eight, but she had gotten the impression that Veda was as dedicated to her job as she was.
She glanced at the calendar on her phone to check her schedule.
“Good morning, Sabrina. Sorry I’m late.”
Sabrina glanced up and gave her a smile. “It’s okay this time, but be on time in the future unless something unavoidable comes up.”
“I guess that’s a pet peeve of yours?” she asked in a teasing tone.
“Somewhat.” Sabrina closed her calendar as the server came over to take their order.
“Just coffee and toast,” Veda said.
“And you?” The woman gave her an amiable smile.
“Another coffee and bagel” Sabrina said and noticed Veda’s frown. “What?” she asked when the server left.
“No breakfast?”
“Nothing heavy,” Sabrina replied. “I have a busy schedule this morning.” Veda nodded and Sabrina leaned toward her. “Beautiful, you think too much about food.”
“I can’t help it. It’s been the bane of my existence for a while now.”
“But you’re dealing with the issues that drive you to food for comfort?” Sabrina asked.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“I can be your guilty pleasure, Veda.”
Veda gripped that silver medal on her rosary and then smiled slowly and Sabrina’s heart flipped over. “I guess, but for now, let’s talk business.”
“Did you go over the packet I sent you?”
“Yes, and I’d like a full page ad,” Veda answered. “I want to hit everyone in my target audience and this ad should have some appeal to the lesbian community.”
“I have some space left in next month’s issue, but it’s limited.”
“I’ll take it,” Veda said quickly. “While we’re at it, I’d like to book space in the next two months’ issues. I’ll pay in advance in case my father vetoes the idea later.”
“Sounds good. I’ll send you the layout formats later.”
“You included them, so I marked the ones I wanted,” Veda replied.
“I’ll send you our standard agreement form, which states our terms of working with you, and your promise that the pictures meet the requirements.”
“Can I get that today?” Veda asked.
“I’m not going straight back to the office, but I’ll call my secretary and have her email the forms.”
“Thanks.”
“Here you ladies go.” The server reappeared and put the breads in of them before refreshing Sabrina’s cup. Then she turned the white porcelain cup at Veda’s elbow over to fill it.
“Thank you.” Sabrina gave her a smile.
“If you need anything else let me know.” She smiled and reached into her pocket removing several small packets. “Enjoy.”
Veda studied the toast for a moment and then stirred cream into the steaming brew. Sabrina watched her wondering if she was just being careful
with calories or if she had an eating disorder. She hadn’t eaten much last night.
She lifted her bagel to her lips and Veda looked at her, eyes going straight to Sabrina’s mouth.
“What are you doing this evening?” Veda asked. “We could go to the club.”
She lifted her brows. “Let’s not go to the club,” she said.
“Where do you want to go?” Veda took a sip of her coffee.
Sabrina smiled. “I’ll surprise you,” she answered. “Do you have an eating disorder? You seem to be more careful than necessary with food.”
Veda lifted her brows and then looked away. “I told you I was trying to lose weight.” Her tone held a tension that showed in the flexing of her fingers around the handle of her cup.
“Look at me,” Sabrina commanded softly. “Talk to me.”
She met Sabrina’s gaze and tried to smile. “There’s nothing to talk about,” she said and reached for her toast. “Unless you want to talk about this weekend, and I haven’t ironed out all the details yet. I’ll have everything taken care of by tonight.”
“Veda—”
“The place is my dad’s and I have to talk to him about it. He might be taking his wife out there.” Veda took a bite of her toast.
“Then, we’ll go to my cabin,” Sabrina told her. “Problem solved.”
Veda nodded. “Where is it?”
“Russ. They have a fantastic community market,” Sabrina told her. “The peaches are divine and the strawberries are the best the state has to offer. I love going down there to bring back fresh fruit and veggies.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Oh, it is,” Sabrina told her. “You’ll love it. We can bike through the town or grab some horses and keep to the country side.”
“No horses.” Veda wrinkled her nose. “The last one I was on threw me. I broke my leg.”
“Okay, then, that’s settled.” Sabrina smiled but she didn’t push Veda about her eating disorder despite her desire to know what she might have to deal with.
****
He watched Sabrina as she stood in the parking lot of the restaurant forty-five minutes after she went in. The woman she was talking to was attractive, but a bit on the overweight side making him wonder if this was a business date.
It had to be. The Sabrina he’d known as a kid would never consider a fat anyone as anything worth her notice. The woman leaned toward her and he whipped out his phone to take a few pictures. The boss would want to see them. He wouldn’t want to waste time going after someone Sabrina didn’t give much of a damn about.
Sabrina climbed into her car and he started his own. For now, his orders were to follow Sabrina. If she really had the video footage, she’d want to take it to the FBI. And he’d be there to take her out with a single shot.
Chapter Thirteen
Veda sighed an hour later as she closed her eyes. She’d finished going over the papers Sabrina’s secretary had sent her. A rap on her partially closed door drew a groan from her, and a low growl of warning, that was only audible to her ears, brought an end to her beginning meditative state. But she didn’t open her eyes as she sent out a thought to the animal energy of the wolf guarding her office.
“Yes?”
“You haven’t even been here an hour yet and you’re sitting there like you have a hangover.”
She groaned again and opened one eye to briefly fix her cousin Lyssi. “What?” she closed her eyes again.
“Have you read my proposal?”
She opened her eyes. “Yes, and no nothing has been decided.”
“Why? There’s nothing wrong with my science,” she said an edge in her voice now. “The scent does need a little tweaking, but I’m already working on it. I need the go ahead to really get to work on this.”
“Sorry, I can’t give it to you Lys,” she said letting the regret into her tone.
“You’re sorry?” Lyssi exclaimed. “I’ve been busting my butt for you and all I get is ‘I’m sorry?’ Your father only started this company for you because he was afraid you’d kill yourself if he didn’t give you something to focus on besides food and being fat.”
“That makes me lucky to have a father who cares enough to do everything he could to keep me from killing myself,” she murmured well aware of why her father had started Perfect Charm. “But it doesn’t change reality.”
“Re-ality?” Lyssi slammed her hands palms down on Veda’s desk. “The reality is you’re a jerk. I only want to help the company, but I guess I’m not fat enough to know anything.”
“Boss?”
She glanced around Lyssi’s slim form to her secretary. Lyssi was gorgeous and so perfect with her willowy tanned form. Even her dark brown hair was perfect.
“Yes, Stephanie?” She spied the box in her hands.
“This came for you along with a bouquet of flowers.” She grinned. “Admirer?” she asked in a teasing tone.
Veda cleared her throat. “No. Just—” She shook her head. “Thank you. You can put the box on the love seat.” She motioned to the plush pink furniture near the door. “I’ll get it later.”
“I’ll bring the flowers in, in a minute,” Stephanie told her and threw a knowing look to Lyssi’s back.
“That’ll be fine.” Veda turned her gaze back to her cousin.
“Find a man did you? Good. Maybe if you got laid once in a while you could focus a little less on you and think about what’s really good for the company.”
“Look, my dad is the one who vetoed the idea,” Veda told her. “I’m trying to talk him into approving it.”
“What? Why?”
“He said we didn’t have the budget, but I’m still crunching numbers. However, I like what I smelt so far. I really want your scent to be part of the company.”
“Your dad gives you whatever you want,” Lyssi said. “If you mean it, you’ll push harder.”
“Don’t give me that,” Veda muttered. “Just because this doesn’t work out for you doesn’t mean I’m to blame.”
“All I can say is if it doesn’t happen, I’ll know whose fault it is,” Lyssi said. “I’ll have another sample for you soon, so make it happen.” She turned and headed for the door then turned to give her a grin. “Let him rock your world if you haven’t already.” She winked and giggled as she headed out.
Veda blew out a breath. Anne Marie’s family had no idea she was gay. She kept it under tight wraps around the preachy Southern Baptists. The one time they even suspected she might have been seeing a girl, the matriarch of Anne-Marie’s family had sat her down and made her feel an inch high.
Her father tried to pretend she was confused and if she found the right man all of her self-esteem issues and her sexual confusion would vanish. A dick couldn’t clear the cobwebs from her mind that had formed from a simple dynamic.
Her mixed race heritage had been a source of aggravation and pain growing up. She was too black for some of her father’s white family and for Anne-Marie’s while she was too white for her mother’s tiny family.
The struggles with her school mates had evolved into esteem issues that had never been fully address after she’d lost her mother. Veda had grown out of some of those problems through the years, but her battle with her weight and the shame of being overweight had remained.
Veda got to her feet as the door of her office opened and Stephanie appeared holding the flowers.
“They’re so beautiful,” Stephanie said holding a vase out to her. “I didn’t know florists were even open this early in the morning.”
Veda shrugged but she did wonder where Sabrina had found the flowers. They didn’t look like the standard supermarket fare.
“I’ll let you enjoy these while I get back to work.” Stephanie smiled.
Veda took the vase and inhaled the delicate aroma of wildflowers. A smile tilted her lips and her pulse beat faster.
Sabrina was something new and that’s what she needed in her life, but Veda wasn’t fooling herself. She knew this was tempora
ry. However, there was no reason for her not to enjoy the hell out of it as long as Sabrina didn’t start talking about her and food.
She didn’t really want to dwell on her problems. Veda was more into getting past them or trying.
She put the flowers on her desk and went to the loveseat to open the box. Veda pushed the red tissue paper aside and came face-to-face with a neatly folded red and black corset style cami.
“Is she crazy?” she whispered. “I can’t get in something like this.” Still she couldn’t resist. Veda lifted the garment from the box, watching it slowly unfold. It was too short to cover her entire mid-section.
She shook her head and re-folded the silky fabric. When she went to put it back in the box, Veda noticed a red scrap. She set the cami on the loveseat and picked up the tiny item. Shaking it out, she saw that it had two thin back straps. The panties were ass-less.
Her hands started to shake at the very thought of wearing something so sexy. She had lots of nice panties and bras, but they were more for her benefit now. She didn’t have to worry that her lover thought she was an abomination in them.
“Sabrina, you’re crazy,” she muttered and put the items back in the box before grabbing the note at the bottom.
Veda,
I can’t wait to see you in this. Wear under a button-down and leave the top three buttons open. I want to see my gift and remember, you’re dressing for me, baby.
A knock on Veda’s door made her start and she guiltily folded the note. “Yes?”
The door opened and her father strode in. Her cheeks heated and Veda quickly closed the box.
“Dad?”
“Hi.” He frowned as his blue gaze slid over her. “What are you doing?”
“Oh, nothing,” she said and headed for her desk.
“What’s in the box?”
“Just some—uh, you know. Stuff I picked up.”
Claude made a beeline for the box and Veda tried to beat him to it, to shield it from him, but her father was lighter and faster. He had the lid lifted right before she got there. Her cheeks flamed and the heat burned the back of her neck.
Burning for an Assassin Page 7
