Sundown & Serena

by Tara Fox Hall

  “Your words are kind,” he said finally. “I wish she were here with me, too. I miss her very much.”

  “Does she know how you feel?” I murmured.

  “She knows,” he said darkly. “But she doesn’t love me. She loves her husband, the dolt!” He paused, and then swore. “I gave her the best sex of her life! Me! And she chooses to live with that Neanderthal!”

  “I’m sorry,” I said again, not knowing what else to say.

  “So am I,” Devlin sighed. “I don’t want to feel this way anymore. I want to be free of her. But I think about her all the time, no matter how many other women I’m with. No matter how good the sex is. I think about the things she said to me, the way she looked at me...” He trailed off, and let out a deep sigh. “I think about going back to her, stealing her away in the night, and making her come be with me. But I’d just be killed. And she’d hate me anyway.”

  “Did you ask her to come to you?” I whispered.

  “Yes,” he sighed. “She hasn’t replied. She hasn’t written to me, or e-mailed me, or called me. My brother gave her some presents from me, and told me she liked them, though she burned a book I sent her.”

  Who was this woman? What was her hold on him? She must be a living goddess, to possess him so, him being so handsome, and charming.

  “But I sent her a token of mine,” he continued. “I know she must have gotten it, yet she doesn’t contact me! I don’t know if she’s thinking about me, like I’m thinking of her, or if she’s burned it like the book. I keep hoping she’ll call, but it’s been a month now.” He paused again. “I’m losing hope.”

  “Send her a card, or flowers, or an e-mail,” I suggested. “Ask her if she’s thinking of you. What can it hurt?”

  Devlin looked over at me, and nodded once. “You’re right,” he sighed. “It can’t hurt. I’ll send her a card tomorrow.”

  “You really must love her,” I murmured.

  “I do,” he said, his honey-colored eyes tormented, “though it would be better for everyone if I forgot her, as she seems to have forgotten me.”

  “I doubt she’s forgotten you,” I whispered. My human impulse was to take his hand or rub his arm as a comfort. Yet my animal half warned that this apparent weak moment was not one where he would welcome casual touching by any female other than his love. “I’m never going to forget our time together, and it was just sex. She’s probably thinking of you just as much as you are thinking of her. But she’s got a husband to consider. She may be thinking of how to break it to him that she’s leaving him. Or she may think you’ve moved on, because she hasn’t heard from you.”

  “Why are you being so kind to me about her?” Devlin said, looking over at me searchingly. “What does it matter to you how I feel?”

  “You’ve changed my life,” I said quietly, still trying to be submissive, understanding instinctively that it was what he wanted from me. “I was living in a tiny apartment, scraping by and working every day with no affection or sex. Now I’m going to live in a mansion, and spend a good part of every day in bed, enjoying myself. I’m shocked how fast my fortunes have changed.”

  “I understand your gratefulness,” Devlin said with apparent satisfaction. “Your life will be much more to your liking, I’m sure. I hope you’ll be happy living here.”

  Devlin rolled over towards me, and took me in his arms. “I’m going to bite you now,” he said, lust in his golden eyes. “Roll over on your stomach, Serena.”

  I rolled over obediently, bracing myself with my upper arms. Devlin moved atop me, and slid into me with a hard thrust of his hips, going deep enough I felt the press of his scrotum against my moist inner thighs. I groaned at the deeply satisfying sensation of his organ stroking my already wet channel, as he began to move in quick hard strokes. Together we strained for release, our pants like gasps of sheer need. He brought me screaming once more, my cries nearly howls as I felt some of my control over my human form lessen, fur sprouting on my forearms as my teeth sharpened and lengthened. At once, Devlin bit down hard on the side of my neck. He took deep long pulls in time to his thrusts, his swallowing interspersed with muffled groans.

  There wasn’t any pain at his bite, just a rush of pleasure that intensified the orgasm to the point I thought I was going to die. I shook all over, jerking under him, my screams turning to animal howling, then back again. As my orgasm ebbed, Devlin came again, his arms squeezing me hard as he bore deep one last time.

  Devlin took one long last pull, then held his mouth over the bite, kissing it gently. He moved off me to my side, licking his lips thoughtfully. “You taste interesting. What mix are you?”

  “Coyote and fox,” I replied, flushing. “I’m a half-breed.” Hesitantly, I felt the side of my neck he’d bitten. There was only smooth unbroken skin, and no pain. Somehow, he’d healed me.

  “Ah!” Devlin said, sounding surprised and pleased. “I’ll be wanting your blood again, then. I haven’t tasted that particular mix before.”

  “Of course.” What other response can I give? Asking if I’d be paid for that too made me feel churlish. If he starts asking for it every week, then I’ll address it.

  “You should go to your room now, little dove,” Devlin said dismissively, kissing my hand. “You need to sleep. And I’m sliding into a malcontent mood, something I’m afraid is quite common lately. It’s better if you go.”

  You don’t need to tell me what I can already scent. I got up, and wrapped my robe around me. “Thank you for the lessons.” And the easy exit.

  “You’re welcome,” he said seriously, sadness in his honey-colored eyes. He’s thinking of that woman he loved, missing her.

  I shut his bedroom door behind me, thinking if that was what love was like, I was better off not ever feeling it.

  Chapter Four

  The next day, Nick came to my door at ten in the morning, and asked me if there was anything I wanted from my apartment. “I have the day off,” he explained, grinning. “And I’m very happy you took Devlin’s offer. So I’ll help you bring your stuff here, if you want.”

  Belatedly, I realized today I’d have to officially quit my job at the diner. Already that seemed like a life so far removed from me that it was hard to imagine I’d ever lived it. And thank God for that. “Sure,” I said brightly. “Let me get dressed.”

  Slipping my clothes from the previous night back on, I followed Nick outside to a waiting Jeep-like vehicle with no license plates and a few flattened boxes in the back. Vince was already there behind the wheel waiting, and he gave me a grin when he saw us. “I have the day off, too,” he said. “I’ll drive. Where to, Serena?”

  I gave them directions, and soon, we were at my apartment. I was embarrassed as I let them in. Next to the estate they called home, this was a practically a closet, all of the furniture hand-me downs from neighbors that I’d picked off the curb on garbage day, and almost all the other décor items that I’d bought cheaply at flea markets. “Here it is.”

  “What should we start bringing?” Nick said, looking around a little curiously. “Do you want the furniture first? We may have to make multiple trips.”

  “None of the furniture is mine,” I stammered, casting my eyes around at all the junk, which looked so cut-rate next to the furnishings of my new home. None of this fits in my new life. “I don’t have much. Just the books, and the few plants there on the kitchen windowsill.”

  “I’ll get those, then,” Nick said, nodding. Vince and he began to load the books into their boxes, while I packed the plants in one large box, wrapping them in my threadbare towels to protect their clay pots. Then I did a quick sweep of the apartment, choosing just a few clothes and other personal items. It only took an hour to pack up everything I owned, and load it in their vehicle.

  My landlord came to see what was going on, and I explained to him that I was moving out. He said he was sorry to see me go, and gave me back my deposit, after inspecting my apartment to make sure I hadn’t taken any of his furnishings. L
ike I’d want them where I was going.

  As I walked down the stairs, it sank in finally that I wouldn’t be coming back here again. Small as it had been, that apartment had been home for years now for me. Since Rosa had left, and Father had died...

  “You okay?” Vince said, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

  “I’m okay,” I assured. “It’s just been a lot to take in.” I forced a smile. “Canids prefer routines. We’re wired that way.”

  “That’s normal for us weres,” Vince said easily. “Your life is changing. It was a shock to us when we moved here, too. But we got used to it. You’ll be fine in a couple days.”

  “You’ll like living on the beach,” Nick added, as he opened the Jeep door for me. “There’s no one around at night. We like to become bear, and lay on the warm sand, and play in the water.”

  “You can join us if you want tonight, if you want to change, too,” Vince chimed in, turning in his seat to look at me. “We never asked, but what canid are you? You smell kind of like a fox. I admit, I’m dying to see you in your fur.”

  I bit my lip, and looked at him.

  Both of them saw my unease, and waited, watching me.

  “I can’t take my animal form,” I said finally.

  They gaped at me. “Why not?” Nick asked gently.

  “I’m a half breed,” I whispered. “My mother died having me. My father gave up trying to help me change when I was a few years old. He said there was something wrong with me.”

  “Asshole,” Nick said in anger, then added quickly, “Sorry.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with you,” Vince said with surety. “You should be able to assume at least one, if not both, of your parent’s animal forms. Have you tried any by yourself?”

  “No. There wasn’t anyone around to show me what to do. And my father almost never changed form at all.” I smiled bitterly. “He was too busy doing his own thing.”

  Vince looked inward, pondering. “I can ask Kev, he’s turned women before.”

  “Really, you don’t have to.”

  “We can show you how we do it, if you want to try,” Nick said gently, reaching out to clasp my hand with his. “It’s not healthy for a were adult not to change at all. It fucks with your mind, the doctors say.” He flashed a smile. “Though not using those exact words, of course.”

  “I’m afraid to,” I admitted.

  “We won’t press you to do something you’re not comfortable with,” Vince affirmed. “But if you want to try, we’ll do our best to help you.”

  “Okay,” I agreed, mostly so they’d drop the subject.

  As we drove to my new home, I thought more about why I had never felt the urge to change form. Was it tied to sexual maturity? Would I want to change, now that I was having sex? My father had always said the animal side brought its own problems, that the human half of us weres was more than enough to deal with. For the first time in my life, things were going well. I didn’t want any new problems raising their heads.

  * * * *

  Next, Vince, and Nick drove me to my job, where I spoke to Fred. He was sad to see me go, and told me that if I ever needed a job, to come back and see him. Patty was there, too, and I gave her a hug goodbye. She was plainly jealous of me, because neither Vince nor Nick responded to her charms and their attention was centered fully on me. Being desired made me feel good after years of being the unnoticed wallflower.

  Afterwards, we went out for meat pizza, for which Nick said it was his turn to pay. Evening found us back at Devlin’s estate, where the boys helped me unload the car and carry the boxes upstairs to my new room. We’d no sooner shut the door behind us after the last load that there was a knock on it.

  Nick went and opened the door, revealing two men standing there. One was brown-haired, with brown eyes, though he wasn’t cute as Nick was. The other was Asian, with jet-black hair, and dark eyes, though his skin was lighter than mine, like buttercream.

  “Hi,” the Asian one said. “Name’s Brock, and this is Justin. You must be Serena. We got tested today. Are you free for the next two hours? And do you mind if we see you together?”

  I looked at them, and tried to think of something to say. Holy shit. What have I gotten myself into? But Vince beat me to a reply. “Serena’s seeing us for the next hour,” he growled. “Then she needs an hour to rest, and put her things away. Come back at seven.”

  Justin growled, showing blunt but long fangs, and Brock took a step toward Nick.

  Suddenly, a whip cracked loudly. Everyone jumped, especially Brock who let out a yell.

  “That hurt!” His forearm was dripping blood from a long cut, which scabbed over quickly, then began the multi stages of rapid healing.

  “Knock off that shit!” Lash said, his hissing voice hot with anger as he pushed in front of Brock, looking at the four men in succession. “There’s enough of her to go round, if you don’t abuse her. And I have orders from Dev to fuck up anyone who does. Got it?”

  “We got it,” all of the men said, in low voices.

  Lash gave us all another hard look, then strode off.

  “Fine,” Justin said, grabbing Brock’s healing arm. “We’ll come back later. Come on, let’s take a swim.” They walked off together, Brock still growling about how it wasn’t fair.

  Nick shut the door, and came over to me. “You’re going to have a busy night, so we’ll be fast,” he said eagerly. “For a week or so you’re going to be so in demand you’ll be tired of sex probably. But after that, most of us will be more ‘once a week’ kind of guys.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Vince growled, kissing my neck. “I’m an ‘every day’ kind of guy. And I intend to take full advantage of a live-in lover.”

  I turned and kissed him. Nick began to undress me, as I lost myself in Vince’s embrace.

  * * * *

  Nick was right, to put it simply. That night, I met Justin, Brock, Matt, and Gerry. The next night was Lars, Van, and Harald. I was also very embarrassed to see the sole mated wereman Jazz, at my door, until he said that he was there only to send a message for the one single guard who hadn’t seen me yet, asking me to reserve two hours for him that night near dawn. “His name is Kevin, but he goes by Kev.”

  I agreed, relieved. From what the other guards had said and I’d overheard, Kev was the most trusted of Devlin’s guards next to Lash, the very guard he’d sent on a mission into Rio the night I’d met Nick and Vince. Something to do with checking on the vampire Perseus’s whereabouts, according to Jazz. He’d been gone for three days, but was due to return that night.

  “Devlin said to tell you Kev will bring you health info tonight, when he comes to you,” Jazz finished. “And to give it to Devlin tomorrow night, in the early evening.”

  Weird. Devlin had okayed all the men himself before they came to me for their first time, and I hadn’t seen any paperwork for them at all. This one he must really trust, to not want to see the paperwork before giving permission. Could there be some relation, with their names so similar? Obviously not a blood relative, but maybe an adopted son? It was too soon to ask, and my gut feeling was that I was off base, anyway. “Okay.”

  Jazz left, and I went back to reading my romance novel, trying not to laugh at the heroine who was so smart about everything except her dealings with the man she loved. Is this really how relationships are?

  Someone knocked at my door. I answered it. A husky-looking man stood there, almost the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. If possible, he was more muscular than Vince was. Yow.

  “Hi Serena,” he said casually. “My name is Kevin. But call me Kev, I like that better.”

  “All right,” I said, nodding. “Please come in. What do you want tonight?”

  I still felt a little odd, saying those emotionless words up front. But I’d learned in a very short time that getting expectations out of the way made my work easier, and more enjoyable, too. The other option was to get into bed and discover it through trial and error, something that I di
dn’t have the energy for at that moment.

  “I like regular sex, and oral sex,” Kev answered easily, entering my bedroom. “But I like other stuff too, and I’m willing to pay you extra, if you let me do that to you.”

  Great, another one. What is that, over half now? Some of these bears were kinky, or at least wanted to try out things that they’d seen in porn moviesmostly bondage. Until now, I’d said no to all of them, telling them until I knew them, and trusted them completely, normal sex would have to be enough. But this was different; Kev was Devlin’s close friend. I’d already refused Lash, and Devlin hadn’t been happy about that. Dare I refuse Kev’s request?

  No. “Will what you want me to do hurt at all?” I said flatly. “I don’t do pain.”

  “You might be uncomfortable, if you’ve never done it before,” he said, sitting down on the bed beside me. He was noticeably trying hard to be less frightening, which only made me more uneasy. “But it shouldn’t hurt. I’ll agree to a safe word, also, if you want one.”

  “Safe word?” I echoed.

  “I want you to act out a fantasy of mine I’ve had for a while. I want you to be someone for me, and say certain things. But I admit, doing something like this, it’s easy to go too far, and forget it’s a fantasy, not reality. So I’ll tell you a word, and if you say it, I’ll agree to stop what I’m doing immediately. That way, you really have complete control over the situation and won’t feel scared.”

  I was scared already and he hadn’t laid a finger on me. “Why would I feel scared?”

  “Because I want you to fight me, and pretend I’m raping you,” Kev said bluntly, his eyes glittering with lust. “And about halfway through, I want you to decide you love it.”

  I felt a little sick at his admission. Yet I’d been reading up on sex games in a book borrowed from Devlin on his orders, and what Kev was asking me to do wasn’t unusual. Men often fantasized about this, that once a woman who didn’t want them felt their touch, their object of unrequited desire would change her mind completely. “Who do you want me to be? I’ll need some idea of what she would say.”