Fateful Attractions

by Lucretia Stanhope

  They both ended up with shoes in hand, walking in the surf of the isolated beach. In spite of everything being perfect and feeling a chemistry at work between them, she continued to pull away, always aware of Sergei and the dangers she would bring to anyone in her life.

  She knew she needed to end the night soon, Sergei would be needing to get in to his room, and Shane would need some sleep before his shop opened, but something about him was so easy and peaceful.

  “We should do this again before I go.” She started to say something else but he kissed her, a deep, passionate kiss, she felt on more than her lips.

  T wo weeks later, having spent every night walking the beach and talking about everything from deep dreams to mundane daily tasks, they found themselves saying goodbye.

  Gwen lingered on vacation as long as she felt was reasonable.

  Deep down she wanted to get back to her regular life and put things at home back together. She enjoyed her time there and it had given her the needed distance to know she could be okay on her own. Without Sebastian. Shane had been like a best friend, like Dillon, a constant reminder there was still good in the world, and like with Dillon, she did her best to keep him at arm’s length, for his own good.

  Shane played perfectly the role of everything he sensed she needed, and that equated to several kisses, a few that almost pushed them past the barrier she seemed to have erected. When she told him she was leaving the next night, a bit of panic set in. He knew Dmitry, who had been less than patient, was not going to like that unless there was something good to tell him.

  Shane helped her gather all of her things and then they had one last dinner.

  “Can I call?” he asked, once they were back at her room, but still knowing he needed better than that.

  “I would like that. If I lived somewhere more exciting, you could visit.” She talked while she made another round, checking she hadn’t left anything in the room.

  He stepped in front of her in the doorway. “Wherever you are, I will always find exciting.” His lips brushed hers.

  She couldn’t deny the electric charge between them, or the way their auras mingled.

  “Stay, stay longer. There is so much more to see here.” He spoke softly between kisses.

  Her lips pressed against his and her voice trembled. “I have to go. It’s best.”

  “It’s not best.”

  She pulled back and put a hand on his face. “I promise you, it is best.” She stood on her tip-toes and kissed him. “Thank you for being just what I needed.”

  Chapter Two

  “I expected something by now. She’s vulnerable.” Dmitry stopped walking, and pounded his fist on the table. The air around him grew chilled from his aggravation. He continued to rant as he circled the meeting room.

  Shane sat in silence. It was a struggle for him not to respond, but past meetings taught him silence was the only appropriate response, so he fought the urge.

  “She should be easily manipulated.” He looked at Shane with disdain. “Even by a witch.” Fingernails clicked against each other as his irritation threatened to boil over. “Well, what is it now?”

  “You, sir.” His eyes stayed on the grains of the table, even as he felt Dmitry standing in his space.

  “Me? How is your inability to seduce a woman my fault? You had setting and insight into her needs.” Dmitry snatched a handful of hair and snapped his neck back to look at him. “Well, witch?”

  Shane winced and looked away, his eyes focusing on his mouth and the teeth that often caused him pain during these conferences. “She pushes me away, claiming it is best for me. The only reason that makes sense is she is afraid of you.”

  Dmitry sucked his teeth. “Of course she is afraid of me, you should take notes.” He dragged a nail along Shane’s neck. “You have one more week.”

  “Sir, I’ve been persistent to the point of creepy.”

  “Why are you addressing me?” Dmitry paced to the head of the table and looked at him with disappointment. “Did I not make clear what was to happen? Children, I want children.” He tapped his nails on the back of his chair.

  “Why don’t you demand it of her? Bring her here and let’s just get this over with?” The bitterness in the air caused Shane to shiver. “I’m always game to come play with your witch.”

  Dmitry wrinkled his nose. “It’s not so simple with Gwen.”

  “Surely you control her too.” His eyes drifted up, almost looking at Dmitry before they flicked to a simple landscape painting that hung beside him. “Sir.”

  “Would that she could be commanded. I’ve taken that approach with her. She would rather die than submit.” His fingers rapped on the table. “You need to do something to let her know you are not so fragile. She longs for someone to share her peace with. Be that someone. You have one week.”

  Shane stood, agitated. “One week? If you had other options, I would be dead already, sir.”

  Dmitry smacked him, knocking him to the ground. “I will adjust her desire to keep you safe. You however should know she isn’t entirely wrong in her concerns for your wellbeing.”

  “She doesn’t exactly live in a vacation hot spot. With the distance there isn’t a reason to be in the area.” The tone Shane used was snarky as he looked up at him from the floor. “What possible reason could I have to need to be in the middle of a field in Kansas?”

  “Your life depends on it, that is your reason. You are lucky I’ve been so patient. Results are what I want, next meeting or you are finished. I don’t care what Greta thinks you are.”

  Shane looked away. Dmitry constantly talked about finding another witch, but apparently, whatever made him so perfect for Gwen was hard to come by. He did know Dmitry was still looking. “When will you fix her thoughts?”

  “You are making demands of me now? Be creative.” He watched as Shane’s eyes filled with hate and anger and then fear as he stepped closer. “Roses, she likes roses, and cake.”

  The sting of the smack made his task grow harder. When she first walked in his shop he thought it would be fun to woo the witch for Dmitry, she was cute and looked like a good time. “Wasn’t I supposed to get some training out of this?” Shane stood and rubbed his face.

  Dmitry cut his eyes and walked him back toward the door. “I want progress.” He shoved him against the wall, then tossed him down and opened the door. “Sergei.”

  Sergei entered the room and looked down at Shane. “Yes, Master?”

  “Is Sebastian following orders or has he encouraged Gwen’s attention again?”

  “No, Master. Sebastian has kept his distance, only interacting to teach as instructed.” Sergei let his eyes drift to Shane again. “She’s smitten with the local sheriff.”

  “The human?” Dmitry snorted. “He’s not even a witch.” He walked into Sergei’s space and spoke directly in his face. “Why am I just hearing this?”

  “It’s taken place during the day. I’ve only just seen them together last week at her yarn meeting.” Sergei remained calm but noticed Shane winced at the deep growl Dmitry made.

  “Dismissed. Both of you.” As they started to walk out he added, “Sergei, if you have to, eliminate the sheriff.”

  Sergei agreed and stepped into the hall, followed by Shane who puzzled over the best way to suddenly be in town. It wasn’t going to be an easy answer since she lived in rural Kansas, and he had no good excuse to be there, other than if he didn’t get the witch in the bedroom soon, he was going to be monster food.

  “H

  ere? That’s fantastic.” Gwen packed her picnic basket as she chatted with Shane. “I’m going to the lake now, but I should be back in a few hours and will have coffee and snacks waiting.”

  “Perfect. Enjoy your afternoon.”

  “Thank you. I will call you when I get home.” Gwen and Shane said goodbye and she slipped her cell phone in the pocket of her shorts as she stepped into her flip-flops on her way out of the door.

  Even though weeks passed since
she returned from her Florida vacation, the attitude and easy smile she found while there, still lingered. It helped that she was still getting friendly calls from the handsome empath.

  Daily calls.

  Twice daily calls just lately.

  Gwen smiled and waved a hand, growing a few roses on the bushes that were just off the porch as she walked by. The air was warm and smelled to her like happiness. In her other hand, she carried a picnic basket, with coffee, and lunch for two. It was a rare thing when Dillon had the time off to relax during a work day and she was looking forward to finally catching up.

  She felt good. Happy and hopeful. Filled with life and light, despite the monster in her basement, the mark she bore making her property of Dmitry, and the creature she tried to avoid who lived both in her heart and next door.

  The drive to the lake was quick, the warm air blew in the window she rolled down, carrying on it the usual lake smell as she neared. Water, grass, peace.

  The sounds of gravel under her tires was the song that let her know she arrived as she pulled in beside Dillon’s patrol car. It was followed by the sounds of the family of ducks that lived at the lake. There was bread in the basket for them as well.

  She circled the truck and grabbed the basket. Her eyes drifted to the lake, looking for the ducks as she headed for the gazebo, they landed on Dillon. The sunlight reflected off his badge, it always struck her how perfectly he fit his uniform. His athletic build seemed accentuated by the cuts of the shirt.

  He smiled at her, his green eyes sparkled with happiness. The sweet look on his Romanesque face was framed by his blonde, neatly-cut hair. He walked over, took the basket and leaned down, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “How are you, sweetestheart? I laid the blanket out over there, it’s beautiful today.”

  “I am infinitely better now that you are here.” She walked beside him and sat down with his help on the blanket. “There’s bread for the ducks too.”

  His face lit up at that. “I smell, oh is that cinnamon, what’s for dessert?”

  Gwen chuckled. “I made you pie.”

  “You? You made it?” He opened the basket and fished around, pulling out the container with pie and the one with cake. He sat the dish with cake and a fork in front of her. “Start at the sweet spot?”

  “Don’t we always? And don’t say ‘you made it’ like you don’t know I can bake.” She winked at him and watched as he opened the pie and took a bite.

  He made a low moan as he chewed. “Apple, done just right. You are so perfect.”

  She shook her head and started her cake. “I want to hear all about the drama with the nippy Chihuahua at the grocery.”

  Between bites he told her about the unclaimed little dog that had been giving little old ladies a scare at the store. “I may take the demon home. He’s been staying at the station and no one has claimed him.”

  Gwen picked at the meat on her half-finished sandwich. “I can’t see you with an ankle biter, a shepherd maybe, a retriever, you know, a proper dog.”

  He laughed and polished off the last of his sandwich. “No, I agree, but the little thing just needs love.” He tossed his fork and trash back in the basket. “Thank you for lunch.”

  “Do you have to get back to work?” She put her leftovers away and ran her fingers along the blanket. It was one she made for him that he kept in his car for long cold nights, and apparently impromptu picnics.

  “Not as long as we have radio silence. You want to tell me more about the sand, seashells and this Shane person.” There was a slight edge in his voice when he mentioned Shane that didn’t go unnoticed by Gwen. He laid back and rested his head on the basket, patting his stomach. “Come on then, dish it.”

  She stretched out and rested her head on his stomach, looking up at the sky. Every time she got close to him, she noticed he had a sweet, almost sugary smell that mixed with the musk of his cologne.

  His fingers twirled in her hair, his eyes closed.

  She took a deep breath and watched the clouds rolling overhead. “You’ll get to meet him soon. He’s coming by today, around dinner time. I’ll take him to town, if you want to meet us at Mel’s.”

  He swallowed a dry lump. “Here?” His voice lost its commanding tone. “That’s great, serious, then?”

  She could feel the happy aura he usually put of waver and reminded herself Dillon was way too fragile for her world. Even Shane was too fragile, but at least he had some supernatural ability. “Not serious, we just met. He’s just returning from Colorado and wanted to swing in and see how the other side lives.”

  “Oh, well, tell me more about him then, or shall I run a background check?” He took a deep breath and chewed the inside of his lip while she talked.

  She told him about the shop, and the pier bars, but left off the beach walks and kisses, instead, she switched to talking about knitting projects and felt him relax. “The beach lacked this kind of peace.” Her eyes closed and the twirling of her hair started to send her to a nap, until his radio came to life.

  The crackling startled them both from the relaxed state. It was what usually ended their stolen moments.

  Dillon sat up after Gwen did, and then stood, walking away to talk to the dispatcher. When he came back his face looked pained. “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry.”

  She could tell something serious had happened by the look in his eyes and the frown on his face. “It’s okay, what’s going on?”

  “A body.” He sucked the top of his lip in and leaned down to grab the basket.

  “I’ve got this. I’ll wash your blanket.” She stepped closer to him and held his hand. “A dead body?”

  He nodded. “Charlie says it’s pretty unusual. I hate to leave like this, but I really have to go.”

  It wasn’t the first time he had to leave like that. He often got called in, even on his day off, though it was seldom a body. They didn’t have much serious crime in town, domestic disturbances were the majority of his calls, and since every one adjusted to him, they often insisted he come talk to them, no matter the day or time.

  “Go, go. I got this. Call me when you can. Please.” She squeezed his hand and walked him to the patrol car. Hearing it was unusual didn’t settle with her, she instinctively felt it was something bad and wished she could keep him there while Charlie and his men figured it out. Her eyes lingered on his. “Be careful.”

  “Always.” He stayed at the door for a second and gave her a hug. “I’ll call.”

  She watched him pull away before she started gathering their things into her truck. Her mind stayed focused on unusual. The whole drive home and while she unloaded the truck she couldn’t stop wondering what Charlie would have meant by unusual.

  That could have meant some sort of accident, she told herself, trying to settle the feeling of some supernatural involvement.

  It isn’t always monsters.

  After she folded his now washed and dried blanket she looked at her phone. Each passing minute without a call meant he was held up with something complicated. To take her mind off of it she ground some coffee to make a special blend for Shane, who was due any minute. She made him a mix of dark roast and something special she had from New Orleans. When that was done, she started making some beignets. If he were like Dillon, anything sweet she made would do.

  Dillon.

  She looked at her phone again. No missed calls. No texts.

  The oil popped and she checked the temperature before starting. When the phone rang and she saw a familiar number, she sighed.

  “Are you okay?” Was the greeting she gave.

  “Fine, listen, this is a mess, don’t worry about me but I can’t meet you and Shane at Mel’s.” His tone was strained.

  Gwen perched the phone between her shoulder and ear, while she cooked. “What’s going on?”

  “I can’t talk about it now. It’s bad sweetestheart. I will be working all night likely. I’ll call when I can.” He paused and she heard him sigh.

  “What? W
hat are you wanting to say?”

  “You always could read me like a book, even over the phone.”

  “Do you hear that? That is the sound of me frowning at you. Tell me, Dillon.” She heard the sound of a hand covering the phone and some muffled talking.

  “Just, can you stay with Sebastian tonight?”

  “I won’t be alone. I promise.”

  “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry. Lock your doors.”

  She agreed and said goodbye. There was still a lot of daylight left, but his tone had been serious, so she made sure she was locked in. After she hung up she fried the rest of the dough and sugared them while they were still hot.

  The smell of the coffee brewing gave her a small smile.

  When Shane called, he was in town and she directed him to her house. She was still feeling uneasy when he pulled in, and glad for the company.

  He gave her a long hug and kiss once they were inside. “This is some place, and something smells fantastic.”

  She watched as he looked around. The size of her manor still took her breath away, so his reaction seemed natural. “I made a snack.”

  He kissed her again. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I, thank you.” She felt her cheeks grow hot. There was a sweetness about him, but he was the most forward person she had ever met.

  He looked at the painting of her over the fireplace. “That’s interesting, you have a wolf?”

  She sighed. “No, it’s… Did you want coffee?”

  He followed her to the kitchen and helped her carry the coffee and beignets to the dining room. “You live here alone?”

  She laughed. “Yes, it is a bit much. It’s my grandmother’s estate. How was your trip?” While he told her about some business meeting, she picked at her dough.

  “This is fantastic. What’s wrong? You’re not really here with me.”

  She looked up and considered a lie, when she remembered he was empathic and could probably feel she was worried. “I’m worried about a friend. It’ll be okay, I’m sure.”