by Michele Hauf
He drew a hand over his mouth and jaw, delaying a reply. Looking about, he paced. Always he became antsy when he was riled or scented something wrong.
“She was a lover,” Bella decided and took another bite of apple.
“She was not,” he hissed. The ferocity in his stare made her choke on the apple. “And this conversation is over.”
Chapter 13
Bella sorted through her few dresses in the large closet, which, surprisingly, held only a few items of Severo’s clothing. The man did like his dark jeans and shirts. She guessed that made less work for Heloise. But if he’d lived for so long, surely by now he should have collected a wardrobe.
Or maybe not. Though the house was grand, the man lived a simple life, which she admired.
Yet she still wasn’t sure what he did. Something related to buying forested real estate to create a wolf preserve. But how did he make his money in order to do that?
Feeling only a little guilty about leaving for town tonight, she decided she had every right to go out by herself. And it was to meet a friend. He couldn’t begrudge her that.
Though she knew he meant well, wanting to protect her. But she needed to keep her life, as she’d hoped she’d made clear to him. It wasn’t as though he didn’t have a whole life she wasn’t a part of.
That woman in the pictures. She had to have been a lover. Bella could feel it, no matter how much he denied it. And he had called out a woman’s name that night the vampires had attacked in her loft.
Did she have a rival for Severo’s heart?
Jealousy flushed her chest. And then she realized she was behaving like him, getting angry over something that likely wasn’t a problem.
Though she had to admit, Severo’s jealousy did make her feel special. No man had ever been so fiercely protective of her. There he went again, making a girl feel like a princess.
The bedroom door opened, and Bella didn’t bother to turn around. She wore spike heels, panties and a bra. Let him ogle.
“Her name is Aby,” he said.
Bella lowered the red dress she held and turned to him.
Severo, head down, limped a few paces. “She lived with me for ten years before moving out last year. She was…everything to me.”
Ten years? And they hadn’t been lovers? Now this was interesting. But his edgy tone cautioned her. Don’t rile the beast, Bella. Leave him to simmer.
“Sorry. It seems a sore spot with you. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You need to know. I shouldn’t hold things back from you, Bella. Know that I try to be as forthright as I’m able.”
“I know you do. I trust that you’ll tell me what you think I need to know when the time is right. So thanks for giving me that part of you.”
He nodded. “I’m going out to look at the car before you leave.”
And with that, he was gone.
Bella stared at the open doorway. She had grown accustomed to her lover’s constant presence, and so his swift absence pricked at her heart.
She stepped around the bed and pulled open a dresser drawer by the bed where she knew he kept a photo of the woman.
Ten years.
She traced the woman’s face and Severo’s beaming smile.
“Will you ever smile so big for me? Or is she always in your heart? What did she mean to you if you weren’t lovers?”
A child? A friend? A relative?
“Maybe Heloise would know?”
* * *
He held the Mercedes’ keys and waited for Bella. She had insisted on going into town to meet Seth without him. He knew she’d meet trouble.
After their argument this afternoon about Aby, he did owe Bella further explanation.
It hadn’t been an argument. More like him clamming up and not knowing how to face the feelings he’d kept buried for more than a year.
For ten years he had shared his life with her. Now Aby was gone. Stolen by another man.
He’d given Bella what information he could about his and Aby’s relationship. It wasn’t much. Perhaps he could give her more. But how did he release the feelings that sat in his chest like a black mass unwilling to be pried out?
It was generous of her to say she would accept what he could give her when he felt right about it. “Bella. My Bella.”
“You’re not coming along?”
Surprised he’d not caught her scent, Severo hardened his frown. She wore red, and that angered him. Seth was just a friend, he reminded himself. Just as he and Aby had been friends?
He attempted to remain stoic. “No. I promised I would not.”
“You won’t follow me?”
Well, he hadn’t promised that.
“At least stay out of sight, if you do. I know you will follow me.”
“I loved her,” he said and clutched the keys tightly. “Aby. I loved her. I could have made her my mate, but she didn’t want that. I respected her for that.”
Bella dropped her purse on the front seat and gave him an expectant look. “You don’t have to talk about this.”
“I need you to know me.”
“Thought we were taking it slow now. I won’t meet the werewolf until the next full moon. I don’t need to meet the old girlfriend. Ever.”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend. She was my…” Even after all these years, he still didn’t know how to describe their relationship. “Aby is a familiar. Do you know what familiars are?”
She shook her head.
“They are bridges for demons from their realm to this one. She is a tool. And she’s a shape-shifter like me. But familiars shift to cats.”
“Really?”
He could read her thoughts and answered them. “Cats and wolves do not get along, nor should werewolves and familiars. But I found Aby when she was a kitten—rather, the wolf did—and led her home. She had just begun a new life. Familiars have nine of them. They forget their experiences, though, from one life to the next.
“Aby grew up here, and we were like friends and relatives and lovers. Though we never made love, I wanted to have that relationship. And there were times I could sense the same desire in her, but mostly, she thought of me as a brother figure.”
Bella didn’t speak, which made the confession easier. Or maybe not.
“She fell in love last year. With a good man. A demon hunter. Someone I did not initially care for, but now I’m glad she loves him.”
“Someone you didn’t care for? The poor man. I can imagine the rough time you must have given him.” Bella’s smile soothed Severo’s anxiety. “It must have been hard for you.”
“It still is. I miss her. She doesn’t call often enough. It’s been months since I’ve spoken to her.”
“Maybe you should call her.”
“No, she’s on the road all the time. She and her highwayman.”
“Highwayman?”
“He’s a demon hunter. Bit of a celebrity in the paranormal realm. I didn’t like his cocksureness when I first met him. I felt threatened. But we’ve come to an understanding.”
“Sounds like you’ve decided to accept him, if only because he means so much to Aby.”
“That’s about it.”
He bowed his head, and Bella stroked his cheek. He loved her touch. The warmth of her, standing so close, yet not threatening, felt exquisite. She accepted him.
“Aby is who the wolf thinks about when he howls to the moon, I am sure. They used to get along, the wolf and the cat. It’s bizarre to imagine, but we were happy.”
She kissed him, barely touching his mouth. “Is it all right, then, with me? I don’t want to step on her memory.”
“You never could. I try to keep the two of you in different places in my heart. You are my mate, Bella.”
“But will I ever be as close to you as you were to her?”
“I hope so.”
She understood what he could not put into words. Bless her for that. And it gave him all the more reason to try his damnedest never to allow Aby into that place in
his heart that Bella now occupied.
“I suppose you should be going?”
She eyed the keys he held out. Please change your mind. Stay away from the vampires, and make love with me tonight.
She took the keys. “Remember what I said about staying out of sight.”
“I bow to your command, sweet. But know, if all hell breaks loose, I’m going to be there, loud and proud.”
“Deal.”
* * *
Scarlet was a local bar that catered to Goths and, now that Bella thought about it, probably paranormals, as well. She’d been here only once previously, with Seth. The entire place was lit in red: the booths were red vinyl, the dance floor was lit underneath by red bulbs, the windows had red stained glass and even the toilets were red.
An appropriate place to meet vampires, she supposed. If one wanted to meet a vampire. Which she did not.
“Please don’t let him be a vampire.”
Thankful they were meeting in public, she parked the Mercedes in the lot and hopped out. Wearing red might be overkill, but she never failed to dress the part when clubbing.
Though consciously aware of her surroundings, she didn’t spot a werewolf lurking in the shadows. Of course, Severo would be discreet. She smiled to think he was out there somewhere, keeping an eye on her. And it didn’t feel like she was being stalked, only that she was loved.
Her black velvet stilettos clicked on the sidewalk, and she had merely to flash the bouncer a smile for admission.
It took a while to adjust to the atmosphere. The red tricked her eyes and painted the faces around her.
Dirgelike music surprised her. Seth liked the funky techno stuff. He’d call this stuff a snoozer.
“Where are you, Seth?” She sipped her drink and scanned the crowd and the upper level. Seth waved and lifted his drink.
With a glance to the door—would Severo make good on his promise to follow her?—Bella headed upstairs.
Seth rose and kissed both her cheeks and mouth. Lemon, cologne and beer—the scent worked on him. His hair seemed darker, the long fringy bangs hanging over his eyes. A couple of silver rings flashed on his fingers. Seth had never worn jewelry; bling, he said, was for posers.
Bella slid into the booth next to him. He held her hand, so she had no choice but to sit close. That was usual. He seemed to be the same old Seth, except for the rings. But a turtleneck in this weather?
“I’ve missed you,” he said close to her ear so she could hear over the music. “You look great, Bellybean.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself. You dump Elvira?”
“No bitchy stuff tonight, Bella. Please. She’s my lover, and you’re going to have to accept that.”
“I can, but does that mean you’re a vampire?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Severo said you couldn’t have survived this long without her turning you.”
“You still hanging around that bastard werewolf? Is that why you’re never home?”
“I had to move out to his place after vampires tried to kill me. Did you hear that, Seth?” She leaned close to his ear. “Vampires tried to kill me. She’s doing this, you know. She’s jealous.”
“I don’t want to get into this argument again. You’re being brainwashed by that dog.”
“Don’t call him a dog. He’s a wolf.”
“Yeah, and I’m Renfield.” He slugged back the beer.
Bella stroked the stem of her cosmo goblet. She had no appetite for alcohol right now. Or for snotty friends.
“Hey,” he said in a calmer voice, “we started on the wrong foot. Let’s just chill and catch up, okay?”
“Is that why you wanted to see me?”
“It’s been so long, and I know I’ve been ignoring you. So you’ve moved? Permanently?”
“No, I still have the loft. I’m not sure about moving to town right now.”
“Fair enough. What about the audition? Wasn’t that a few nights ago?”
He’d remembered. Good old Seth.
“I didn’t get the apprenticeship.” She shrugged. “I’ll give it another go next time.”
“Bella, I’m sorry.” He hugged her and kissed her jaw. Beyond his usual scent, he smelled like something darker. Blood? She didn’t want to think about it. “Want to come to a party next weekend?”
“At your woman’s house?”
“My house. But she’ll be there. I’d like to introduce you. Sans wolf, of course.”
Next weekend was the full moon. Bella didn’t want to go anywhere. Nor did an invite to meet Elvira sound particularly intriguing.
“Can I take a rain check? Severo’s got some things going on.”
Seth laughed and a jerk of his arm spilled the cosmo across the table. “Ah, shit. Sorry. Just push it all to the other side. That’s cool.” He pressed his nose against Bella’s hair and kissed her hard on the neck, lingering too long. “Let me guess. Full moon coming soon? He’s going out on the prowl. Does the werewolf fuck you, Bella?”
She hauled off to slap him, but the small booth wouldn’t allow her to get her arm around. Seth caught her fist and kissed it. His wicked smile disturbed her.
“You’re crude, Seth.”
“Yeah, but you know what they say about werewolves, don’t you?”
“What?”
“They aren’t happy unless the werewolf has a mate. That it’s the monster, not the man, who needs to get boned every full moon. I can’t see you screwing a hairy beast, Bella. It’s so not you.”
“Like letting some Elvira wannabe suck out your blood is any more sane? God, Seth, just…sit back. You’ve changed.”
“So have you, Bella. You’re uptight now. More so than usual. Bet if I asked you to dance, you’d make an excuse not to.”
“My shoes are wet with cosmopolitan.”
“See?” He grabbed her wrist when she stood and roughly tugged her back to sit by him. “Don’t go yet, please? Or is your master here, lurking in the shadows?”
“Is yours?”
His drunken smile cut into her heart. “Touché. As a matter of fact she isn’t. I wanted it to be just us tonight. Let’s go to my place and watch a movie and make like old times again. Would you like that?”
His eyes were bloodshot; she could tell that even with the red lighting. And he was so pale. He was a vampire. He had to be.
Severo had said he could scent vampires. Bella wished he’d taught her to pick up that distinctive odor.
“Tell me one thing before I decide. And it has to be the truth, Seth. You know I can tell when you’re lying.”
“Very well, Miss Uptight. What truth do you need?”
“Are you a vampire?”
He smirked and mumbled a lackluster, “No.”
Seth always mumbled his lies. God, what had happened to him?
“I’ve got to go. Bye, Seth.” She leaned in and kissed his forehead. This time he let her go and tilted his head toward the dance floor, not even watching her leave.
Bella’s feet raced as fast as her heart as she shoved through the club.
Severo was sitting on the passenger side of the Mercedes when she arrived. Bella got in, and before she could sniff away the tear, he reached for her cheek and wiped it away.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “It was inevitable.”
“At least he won’t die now,” she murmured. Forced optimism didn’t work this time. Gripping the steering wheel, she closed her eyes and tilted her head against the seat. “Is there any way he can change back?”
“Impossible.”
What she’d suspected.
“Will you drive home?” she asked.
“Climb over me, sweet, and I’ll take you away from this nightmare.”
The drive home was quiet. He didn’t ask her what she was feeling. Bella sensed he knew her thoughts. She could understand Severo hating vampires now.
Halfway home he took her hand in his and pulled it onto his thigh. His silent reassurance made her cry. A gift he coul
dn’t realize meant so much to her.
God, she loved this man. She ached for him. She loved him for the compassion he would never admit to possessing. For the domineering spirit that always erred toward protection over humiliation.
And she loved him for his humanity, for the fact that he loved and lived as she did, and was the same as her, except for the one small thing about his ability to shift shapes.
They pulled into the garage, and the radio shut off with the engine. Severo reached to open the door, but she told him to stop.
Bella climbed onto his lap, straddling him, and he inched over to the middle of the seat. She was grateful it was an old car, the kind without a floor shift and with a full front seat.
He found her mouth with a fierce kiss. She moaned into him, releasing the last remnants of sadness and surrendering to the desire that had built during the drive home.
Shucking off her sleeves, she tugged down the front of her dress and lifted her breasts to his mouth. He sucked at each one, again and again, drawing up the intense coil of climax with expert precision. It took no longer than a few minutes before she came, long and loud and crying out in the confines of the car.
“You’re mine,” he growled.
Bella eyed his fly and he tilted up his hips so she could unzip him. “And you are mine, wolf. I need you now.”
“Tell me you want me, then. Where do you want me?”
“Inside me.” Yes, she could use his rough language, because she trusted him. “I’m so wet for you.”
He sucked in a hissing breath as she fitted herself onto his hardness. They clung together, moving little, for she squeezed him with her muscles, milking him to a fierce and triumphant climax.
This wolf was hers. And though he might think he controlled her, Bella knew otherwise. He was hers to command. And tonight she wanted him to serve her.
Sliding from his lap and lying across the seat, she put her heels on his thigh, pushing him away.
“I want your mouth on me, lover,” she said.
Severo opened the door and stretched out his legs. He pulled her hips up and entered her with his tongue.
