by Lola Taylor
She sighed, leaning her head against the cool glass. In a way, the fantasy was fun, if not confusing. It was the most excitement she’d had in a long time, like something out of a movie or one of the romance novels she read where the handsome knight showed up to save the beautiful princess. If only someone would save her from her loneliness. She didn’t like to admit it, but she missed Seth. No, not Seth necessarily, as a boyfriend. She missed the friendship she’d had with him before they decided to try dating and things went to hell.
That weird prickling sensation went off inside her head, and she looked over to find Gage staring at her. He looked away at the last moment. She crossed her arms, smiling smugly. “I caught you.”
“What?” he said, trying to sound bored.
“I caught you staring.”
“I was looking out your window.”
“Because yours wasn’t good enough?”
He gave her a bland look, at which she smiled wider. She stared at her hand. What kind of guy kissed a girl’s hand? She thought that kind of stuff only happened in movies. Her loins tightened as a shiver of desire rolled through her, and she decided to do what she did best when she was nervous: ramble. “So, were you, um, raised around here?”
“Up north, in Kentucky.”
“Oh. I’ve never been there.”
He smiled, casting her a sideways glance. “You’ll have to go there someday.”
“With you?” she wanted to ask, but kept her mouth shut. The thought of going off alone somewhere with her knight in shining armor made her sex tingle with anticipation. Her shoulders started to relax. This dream was kind of fun, like a date. Typical. She could only get a date with a dream guy.
How sad is that?
“Are you from Arkansas?” Gage asked in that deep, silky voice. Lounged in the seat with the top few buttons of his shirt open and his elbow propped up under his chin, he looked like he was posing for a magazine cover.
Her mouth began to water. “Um, yeah. Born and bred,” she said lamely. She felt stupid for admitting it. He seemed like such a worldly man. If he didn’t think of her as a country bumpkin before, he surely did now.
To her surprise, he responded, “Nothing wrong with that. I would have stayed put myself if I could have.”
It was an almost imperceptible shift, but still something she picked up on from judging people’s moods her whole life. His expression became guarded, and his jaw tensed, like he was erecting an invisible barrier between them. She had the sense that whatever had caused him to leave hadn’t been good.
Wetting her lips, she was scratching her brain for another “safe” topic when something white shone from her peripheral vision, and she turned her head.
She blinked. “Holy shit.”
It sat on a hill in the distance—and they were heading right toward it. It was the biggest house Danica had ever seen. No, scratch house—this was a mansion.
Greek sculptures lined the drive, alternating with tall, sculpted bushes. A huge fountain stood in the center of the wraparound driveway, and spotlights shone on the Ionic columns holding up the balcony stretching across the front of the manor. A marble sign out front said “Crescent Manor” in elegant script. The driveway was made up of that expensive pea gravel she always saw on the TV at rich people’s homes.
“Wow.” Danica breathed again as they pulled up to the staircase leading to the sweeping porch. “This is where you live?”
“Do you like it?” Gage asked, sounding hopeful.
“It’s beautiful,” Danica said, still taking it all in. It beat the hell out of the roach-infested shack she called home.
The driver, a wild-looking man with tats all over his arms, opened the door for her and offered her his hand. “My lady?”
What was with the formal talk? “Er, thanks.” She took his hand and let him help her out. His eyes darted to her chest. With a blush, she realized her tunic was still hanging off her shoulder. Covering herself up quickly, she stepped aside as Gage got out and growled at the other man.
He grinned and held up his hands. “Easy, there. You know I wouldn’t dare.”
“Then keep your eyes to yourself.”
Gage put a hand on the small of her back and guided her up the stairs and across the porch.
And he took the princess back to his castle….
The door opened before they’d even gotten close. A middle-aged man clad in solid black with a red tie stood there, bowing as they passed. “Welcome home, sire. I trust your trip was pleasant?”
“As always, Malcolm.” Gage smiled warmly at the butler, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Would you mind telling Mary to prepare the Crystal Room and to draw our guest a bath?”
“Certainly.” Malcolm’s eyes fell to Danica’s hand, and he stilled. “I don’t believe it. You found her.”
She looked at her hand, at the shimmery blue moon. “Oh, this? Yeah, I must have gotten drunk and tattooed myself or something. Pretty crazy, huh?”
Neither of the men laughed at her attempt at humor. They looked at each other. Something unreadable passed over Gage’s face, then it was gone. “I hope so.”
Huh? Hope for what? Once again, she felt one chapter behind the class.
Malcolm at once took her hand and dropped to one knee, bowing his head low. “My lady, let me swear my allegiance now. I gladly serve the queen of the Moonstruck Cl—”
“That’s quite all right, Malcolm,” Gage said loudly, grasping the older man by his shoulders and helping him to his feet. He leaned in, whispering something into the butler’s ear while Danica stared, puzzled.
Malcolm’s eyes widened. “Oh. I thought I smelled something different about her. I see.” Malcolm, without saying another word, bowed and took off toward one of two staircases at either end of the large foyer.
Danica stared after him, then at Gage. “What the hell was that?”
“What was what?” he asked innocently.
“The whole bowing and swearing allegiance thing. Are you, like, some kind of foreign dignitary or something?” He did say he had grown up in Kentucky, but still. People could move from overseas. And he seemed exotic enough, with his dark looks and sophisticated air.
“It’s hard to explain,” Gage said, running a hand through his hair. She wouldn’t mind running her hands through it herself, but she was a good girl and kept them by her side. “Care to let me in on the big secret?”
Gage actually looked scared for a second before his calm, suave mask slipped back into place. “Soon. I promise.”
“You know you can’t avoid the topic forever. You’re gonna have to—” She sneezed, shivering. Gross! Snot was the worst in front of a hot guy, dream or not.
Gage frowned, feeling her skin. “You’re cold as ice. You need a bath to warm up before you catch a cold.”
Before she could argue, he had wrapped an arm around her waist and was guiding her up the stairs.
She looked around the foyer as they walked, her curious nature taking over. The room looked like it could have been used in a Jane Austen movie. Gleaming pearl floors, silver candelabras everywhere, and fur rugs and vases overflowing with roses adorned the place. Paintings of landscapes, particularly those of the Arkansas landscapes, hung along the walls. Most of them were of night scenes—moon overlooking a lake, moon shining through trees. Most also had wolves featured in them.
“What do you think?” Gage asked, studying her.
“I think it looks expensive.”
He chuckled. “Each… leader of my, er, business has lived in this house over the decades. We’ve had a lot of time to accumulate junk.”
“A lot of pricey junk.”
He offered her his arm. “May I?”
Secretly, she preferred the feel of his strong arm around her waist, but it was just so flipping romantic. It made her feel like a lady and not a hair salon secretary who earned minimum wage and ate ramen for dinner.
As she stared into his hopeful eyes, her heart skipped a beat. It had no busines
s whatsoever getting pitter-pattery with her. She still had no idea who this guy really was. At least, that’s what her common sense kept telling her as she let him guide her up one of the stairwells and down a long hallway on the second floor. It’s just a dream, she told herself. Just go with it.
You should find a phone and call the police! her common sense sang.
She sighed inwardly. Honestly, her CS was ruining her dream. While a good idea—you know, if the dream had actually been real—truth was, Danica didn’t want to wake up. She didn’t want to admit her life was nothing special, and she was starting to slip into depression thanks to her loneliness.
None of her family was left in Moonstruck, not that they’d care what happened to her anyway. Her aunt certainly hadn’t when she’d run off with her boyfriend the day Danica had turned eighteen, leaving her to fend for herself. Her mom was dead, and who knew where her dad was. Probably in jail—again. She’d given up looking for him after ten years of no contact. Some people didn’t want to be found. She wasn’t sure what she’d say to him if she did find him.
Pushing back those depressing thoughts, she lost her breath again when Gage led her to a beautiful room dripping in crystals.
“We call this the Crystal Room,” he said.
“No kidding. It’s so sparkly.”
Crystals were embroidered in the silver curtains and along the silver- and champagne-colored comforter. The four-poster bed was surrounded by crystal beads, as was the huge circular whirlpool tub she could see in the adjoining bathroom. Several pillar candles and candelabra had been lit, giving the room a soft, feminine feel, and pitching rainbows along the floor and walls when the light caught the crystals. Double French doors stood at the opposite end of the room, leading to the balcony. Malcolm knelt before the fireplace, getting a fire started.
“Is this her?”
Danica turned as an elderly woman dressed in a simple black dress with red trimmings scurried up to her. She looked about ninety, considering all the wrinkles folding her tanned skin. She gripped Danica’s hands, tears shining in her eyes. “Bless you, dear! I was worried our poor master wouldn’t find his mate in time!”
“Um,” Danica said, smiling because she didn’t want to be rude, “I’m sorry, I think there’s been some mistake.” She looked to Gage, raising a brow.
Gage rested a hand on the lady’s shoulder, smiling kindly. “Mary, Lady Danica doesn’t know all the details yet.”
Mary, frowning, turned to Danica—and sniffed her hair.
Danica’s brows shot up. Were all these people on crack? She’d been reading too many fantasy books lately.
Mary gasped. “Oh. I see. How surprising.”
Danica nearly growled from frustration. “How? How is that surprising? Is she talking about the type of conditioner I use? It is surprising it works so well, being as cheap as it is.”
Gage sighed and rubbed his temples. “I’m sorry, Danica. I’ll explain everything later, after you’re rested. Mary’s prepared a bath for you if you’d like to get clean and take some time to relax. I’ll find a doctor and have him tend to your injuries afterward.”
“I’m fine,” she said, not wanting to be a bother. Which was stupid, because this was a dream, anyway. My, how polite her fantasy men were!
He frowned, not looking like he believed her, but he didn’t push the topic. “I also believe you said you wanted water, am I right?”
“Um, sure. Please.” She was parched. Must be the happy-beer.
“Miss Mary,” Gage said, “would you please get Lady Danica a glass of ice water?”
Mary smiled. “Sure.” She patted Danica’s cheek before scampering out of the room.
Lady Danica. Hmmm… must be part of some weird custom rich people do.
Malcolm, having finished the fire, left with Mary. Gage turned to Danica. “I know this is a lot to take in, but know while you are under my roof, you will come to no harm.”
“Sure. That’s why you kidnapped me, to protect me, right?”
“You didn’t seem to object back in the car,” he said huskily.
No, she sure hadn’t. Her cheeks heated at the reminder he hadn’t kissed her. Clearing her throat, she looked away, thankful the lighting was dim so he wouldn’t see her blush. Licking her lips, she said, “So, are you going to watch me undress, or give me some privacy?”
“Which would you prefer?”
There was that teasing, sultry tone again. Why was he flirting if he wouldn’t take advantage of what she was putting out? It was her dream, dammit! The sound of his voice made her want to moan; the urge to take him, to claim him as her own, hadn’t stopped since that weird mark appeared on her hand. “A gentleman would leave.” It was the wise response. All she wanted to do was invite him to join her, but she knew so little about him.
Didn’t stop you from wanting to jump his bones in the car.
Good grief, her conscience was super-chatty tonight.
Gage smiled, looking wicked and sexy. “As you wish, my lady.”
Nodding, he turned and closed the doors behind him, his gaze roving down and back up her body.
That suggestive gesture alone was almost enough to make her run after him, but she stood firm. A bath did sound amazing, and whatever oil was scenting the water made the whole suite smell like roses, her favorite flower.
Undressing, she gingerly lowered herself in the tub and sat back, trying to relax. She had no idea why she was dreaming about a bubble bath, but whatever. It was like a collection of her favorite things—bubble baths, hot men, a huge freaking house….
Popping bubbles with her toes, she smiled. All in all, not a bad dream. Sure, the earlier part had been pretty shitty, more of a nightmare, really, but this was nice. If every dream were like this, she never wanted to wake up. This was every little girl’s fantasy, to be swept away by the handsome prince and live happily ever after. She had no idea why she was thinking of “happily ever after” with a make-believe guy, but she felt a strong pull toward him she’d never felt with Seth. Sad, but true. She’d also thought he’d been the love of her life. That is, until he ripped her heart out by saying she wasn’t the type of girl a future doctor would marry. As if.
Asshole.
Irritated with herself for breaking her cardinal rule—never spend time thinking about jerks who wouldn’t spend a second thinking about you—Danica laid her head back and closed her eyes.
Something delicate tinkled beside her, and she nearly jumped out of her skin when she opened her eyes and found Mary offering her a glass of water.
“Jeez!” Danica said, heart hammering against her sternum. “You’re like a ninja.”
Mary smiled pleasantly. “It comes with being a wolf.”
The hell? “A wolf?”
“Oh, yes. Stealth is one of the attributes all werewolves share.” She said it as if she’d been merely commenting on the weather.
Danica stared at her as if her hair had caught fire. Maybe she had Alzheimer’s and didn’t realize what she was saying. “I see.”
Mary, still smiling, dipped into a little curtsy and scurried out of the room. A moment later, Danica heard the doors to her suite close, signaling she was alone.
Werewolves. A secret mansion in the middle of the woods. Strange markings on her hand and on that guy Onyx’s neck. Golden eyes, mates….
She giggled. She always thought the best part about all those Twilight movies was getting to see the shirtless werewolves. And considering she’d just read a werewolf romance the other night, it made sense she was dreaming about them.
Sipping on her water, she leisurely rinsed herself off, feeling sleep coming on.
Which was weird, since she was already technically supposed to be asleep.
Odd.
Brushing it aside, she finished up her bath, toweled off, and found a change of clothes had been laid out for her on the bed. It was an elegant, red silk nightgown that was perhaps a little flashier than what she would regularly wear to bed. She admired t
he way the firelight bounced off the silk. It was so pretty. She’d always wanted to wear something as sexy as this, but showing so much skin always made her self-conscious. As Seth got older, he tended to favor more athletic types, always bringing up her curves and the topics of “diet” and “exercise” as often as he could.
But he’s not around anymore. What’s the harm in trying it on?
She chewed her lip. It was her favorite color. Not seeing any other options, she pulled it on, liking how it dipped low to show off her breasts. Pulling on the matching robe lying on the bed, Danica went over to the mirror, admiring herself. She looked different, bolder.
Wilder.
Moonlight spilled in through the open sheer curtains, landing on her skin and making it tingle.
She felt it build in her throat first, then her mouth stretched in a yawn.
She paused, a sliver of fear creeping into her chest. Why was she yawning? Never once had she dreamed about yawning. Then again, she usually couldn’t remember her dreams.
Chewing on her lip, she slowly reached up and pinched herself as hard as she could.
“Ouch!”
She stared at the red mark on her arm in disbelief. Then pinched herself again. And again, until her arm was red with the truth of the matter.
That she wasn’t really asleep.
And she really had been kidnapped by a gorgeous, mysterious stranger.
After suffering through a half hour of listening to his packmates argue, Gage’s head was ready to explode. This was exactly why he avoided get-togethers like holiday meals with this unruly crew. The food would end up decorating his walls, along with the blood spilled when their brawls inevitably got out of control. It’d start with “He offended me,” “I had to defend my honor,” and BAM! Full-blown pack fight.
He sighed. Family. Gotta love them.
Gage had barely paid attention throughout the meeting after explaining what had gone down at the bar. He was too distracted by the thought of his future mate barely dressed, looking so sweet and ripe for the picking as she stood outside the door to the bathroom. He had wanted to close the suite off, strip her naked, then join her in the tub, but business called first.
