by Tl Reeve
She lifted her chin. “I’m not pitching a fit.”
He cocked a brow.
“You’re the one acting put out about everything.” She closed the distance between them. “What is your problem?”
“You.” He grabbed her by the arms and swung her around, pressing her against the front quarter panel of the truck. His mouth crushed hers in a brutal kiss, searing him to his bones. She made his blood boil with a combination of lust and rage. He hated her on one hand and coveted her on the other. His tongue tangled with hers in a war of dominance, demanding she acquiesce to him.
She moaned, tightening her grip on the front of his shirt while he fit his thigh between her legs. He allowed their natural connection do the talking, since all he did was screw shit up. Even though he couldn’t admit to himself the obvious, his wolf did it for him. Sayer fisted her hair tugging her head back as he pressed kisses along her jaw then down her neck. Then, he saw it. Tiny in size, the mark claiming her as his startled and confused him. It also made his dick rock-hard. When had he done it? When had he bitten her?
Mule-kicked, he stared at it and thought about what they’d done that morning. He replayed the images of them staring out over the fresh dusting of snow covering the back acre of his land. She’d smelled delicious, of him and her. He salivated thinking about how his seed filled her and he couldn’t stop himself. He lowered his face and…son of a bitch! He released her with a startled jolt, and stepped back. She gazed up at him, confusion and dejection filled her face. Before he could open his mouth and explain, she smacked him.
The crack of her hand striking his cheek surprised the shit out of him. For a little thing, she packed a walloped. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. Spitting it out, he stormed off. He couldn’t deal with this shit right now. Couldn’t handle the fact he’d partially mated her without it even registering in his brain. For now, he needed to get away. Run. Humans were a plague. Humans destroyed everything. Humans would kill him.
Kizzy already had.
Chapter Five
She watched him run off and cursed herself for being so stupid once again. Kicking the tire, she yelped. Pain radiated from her foot to her leg. Balling up her fist, she hit the hood over and over again, until tears blurred her vision and her body shook from her crying. Why her? What was it about her that people just naturally took advantage of? Did she wear some sign only others could see, welcoming them to walk all over her?
Well, not anymore. She had a plan. She just needed to follow through on it. Get the hell out of this town and go home. Maybe she could get her job back and keep to herself. In the last few hours, it had become quite apparent she wasn’t wanted here. Even her best friend didn’t want her there, or else, she would have told her about this town when they were younger. Well, screw her, too. She started down the road. Where she’d end up, she didn’t know, but it would be far away from there.
“Excuse me, dear.” A gentle hand touched her arm.
She spun around. The woman standing before her grinned. She swiped at her eyes and cleared her throat. “Yes. Can I help you?”
“You’re upset.” Her amicable smile turned to a frown. “Come with me, child. Let’s get you warmed up.” The woman led her toward the bar. “Where is Sayer?”
Her question surprised Kizzy. “Uh, he went that way.” She pointed toward the thickest part of the forest surrounding them.
The woman sighed. “Well, it’s for the best right now.” They continued on their way into the bar. “My name is, Miss Claire.”
“Kizzy Rhapsody.”
“I know who you are.” She smiled again. “You’re the talk of the town.” She opened the door to the establishment, and the twang of country music had her taking a step back. People turned to watch her, like when she’d stepped into the diner. All of their conversations stopped, and she was sure, if it were possible, the needle on the record playing would scratch across it.
“I am?”
“Oh yes. You are.” She guided her to a table, a group of women already there. “Ladies, look who I found outside.”
“Kizzy.” The woman at the head of the table smacked the hard glossy wood. “Where have you been hiding?”
Hiding? “I got here yesterday morning.” She glanced around the table. “I’m sorry, but how do you know who I am?”
“Sit, child.” Another woman patted a chair beside her. “I’m Miss Fern.” She pointed around the table to each woman surrounding her then said their names. “Miss Lonnie, Miss Kathy, and, of course, you met Miss Claire.”
“It’s nice to meet you all, but I should be going. I don’t belong here.”
“Why not?” Miss Fern placed a menu in her hands. “Burgers and fried pickles.”
“Uh…okay.” She glanced at the menu. “Burger and fried pickles it is.” She placed the menu back in the holder. “As to your question, I don’t fit in.”
“Sure you do, girl,” Miss Lonnie said.
“We have stuff planned,” Miss Claire added. “It’ll be fun. You have to stay.”
Stuff planned? She didn’t understand. “Well I—”
“Paul.” Miss Kathy grinned. “A round of burgers and pickles for all of us.”
“Beers, too.” Miss Lonnie tipped her glass. The foam from their last round clung to the sides of the glass, slowly descending to the bottom.
“This is Kizzy.” Miss Fern pointed to her. “She’s new, so tell the old man to make it good.”
He gave her a small wave.
“Good to meet you.” She smiled.
“He’s fluent in sign language, dear. He’s…the most talkative mute we’ve ever met.” Miss Claire made a sign she’d never seen. Though she was well versed in American Sign Language due to the kids she worked with, she continued to learn.
Congratulations. Welcome to…. He flicked his gaze to Miss Fern who shook her head. Los Lobos.
Thanks. When his brows shot up, she laughed. “I work with special needs kids, some of whom are hearing impaired.” She shrugged. “I enjoy it. What was the sign Miss Claire used?”
“Beer, dear. It’s one made here.” Miss Fern pointed to the menu. “By two of our town members.”
“Oh.” She repeated the sign. “It’s pretty cool.”
“It is.” Miss Claire patted Paul’s hand. “Thank you, my boy.”
With a nod, he left their side, disappearing behind the counter. She sat for a moment more, relaxing slightly. “So, do you always come here?”
“Sometimes,” Miss Kathy replied. “We also meet at the bookstore.”
“You have a bookstore here?” How had she missed it?
“Yes, we’ll stop by there when we’re done with lunch.” Miss Fern gave the ladies a pointed look.
“So, you work with special needs children. How kind of you.” Miss Claire placed her napkin on her lap. “What made you want to work with them?” She then fiddled with her amber necklace.
She shrugged and pushed up her glasses. “I’m not sure. I guess when I was in high school we had a girl with Down’s Syndrome. Everyone picked on her. I felt bad. So, I befriended her.” Polly had the sweetest disposition and was smart as a whip. Though everyone didn’t think she paid attention or learned anything, Kizzy saw her. She watched the girl. When she graduated with their class, instead of behind them like the other kids anticipated, Kizzy waited for her best friend at the end of the ramp. Afterward, when she got into college, her choice of study didn’t seem hard at all. “I miss her. But, she’s got a great job and she started dating last year.”
“Good for her,” Lonnie said.
“Will you miss your job…being here?” Miss Claire hedged.
“Oh.” She shook her head. “I’m not staying. I need to go home.”
“What? Why, dear?” Miss Claire touched her hand. “Don’t you want to spend time with your friend Elle?”
Elle. She bit her bottom lip. “She’s busy with her family. The babies take up a bunch
of her time. Wouldn’t be fair to intrude.”
The ladies frowned.
“It’s okay. I’m glad she’s happy, though. She should be after all the shit with he-who-shall-not-be-named.”
Paul placed a plate in front of her with fries, a burger, and fried pickle slices.
“Thanks.”
“Rupert?” Miss Kathy snorted. “The boy got what was coming to him, as far as I could tell.”
She agreed. “She’s got a good man in Graham. It’s all I wanted for her.”
“What about you, dear?” Miss Fern lifted her burger to take a bite.
“Me?”
“Yes.” Miss Lonnie nodded while dipping her fried pickle in ranch dressing.
“I never thought about myself.” Liar, liar. She’d convinced herself Sayer was the best and the worst person for her. She wanted to stay with him and also leave him behind to save her own sanity.
“Sayer is a good boy.” Miss Kathy took a sip of her beer. “He’s a little broken, though.”
The ladies nodded.
“What happened to him?”
“It’s a shame.” Miss Claire took her hand and squeezed it. “His parents died in front of him. Horrible, really.”
Her stomach dropped. Her heart lodged in her throat. “I didn’t know.”
“He doesn’t tell people.” A man the size of a grizzly stood over the table, staring down at them.
“Sorry. No one needs to say anything. Besides, I’m leaving.”
He snorted. “Stubborn.”
She screwed up her face. “Excuse you? I am not stubborn. I know when I’m not wanted somewhere.” Kizzy pushed out of her chair and pointed at the man, not caring how much he intimidated her. “I’m going home.”
He gave her a dismissive look. “Females.”
She balled up her hands. What was it about the men in this freaking town? The man strolled away like he hadn’t a care in the world. Taking her seat, she downed her beer then preceded to wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“A girl after my own heart.” Miss Lonnie raised her glass to Kizzy.
“We’ll be having a Winter Solstice celebration soon. Why don’t you give it a couple of more days and enjoy the town? Besides, snow is forecast for tonight. You won’t be going anywhere soon.”
Snow. Shit. “I should go now. Get to Hill City or Custer before nightfall. I can be out of the state by the time the weather blows in.”
Miss Claire narrowed her eyes. “Fine. If you must go. How about you have dinner with us first? We’re not supposed to get the nasty weather till late in the night. We’ll have you to the bus station before the first snowflake hits the ground.”
She glanced around the table. The women had been nice to her, and she did enjoy their company. “Okay.” She could have dinner with Miss Claire. Then, she’d throw her bag in their car and go home.
“Perfect. I’ll make us something fabulous to eat, and I’ll bake us a cake.” Miss Claire pulled a pen and pad out of her purse then made a list. “Is there anything you don’t like?”
She shook her head. “I’ll eat anything.”
“Good.” She glanced up. “Oh look. Someone is here to see you.”
She turned her head slowly. Like a Brahma bull in full rage, Sayer stomped toward her. His breath came in heaving pants. His eyes were wild and full of lust. He scared her, and, at the same time, he turned her on. She knew the look in his eyes very well.
“Kizzy.”
The deep growl of his voice slid down her spine and settled low in her belly. Her sex grew slick with arousal. No. She was mad at him. Nothing he could say or do would make her even consider forgiving him.
“Sayer.” She went back to eating her burger.
“We need to talk.”
No, they didn’t. They’d said plenty earlier. “How about you go home and wait for a cold day in hell?”
Miss Kathy whooped.
“I need to talk with you…please.” The word rolled off his tongue as though it were foreign to him. She supposed in a way it was. He didn’t seem to be the kind of guy who would use manners. She wiped her mouth with the napkin next to her plate.
“Ladies.” She pulled her Captain America wallet out of her bag and placed enough money plus tip on the table to cover their lunch. “I will see you tonight, Miss Claire. Six o’clock okay with you?”
“Fine, dear. We’ll see you then.”
Glancing up at Sayer, she passed him. “Go do what you’re good at, Sayer. Hide.”
He stared at the matrons for a moment then turned to follow Kizzy out of Gee’s. Instead of waiting for him, she was already walking down the road, heading back to his house, or worse, out of town. When Gee called him, he hadn’t been ready to hear what the bear had to tell him. Kizzy wanted to go home. Not just to Custer, but Charlotte. He couldn’t let that happen, even if it was the best thing for the pack.
“Wait up.” He trailed behind her. Jumping in his truck, he pulled away, following her. “Get in.”
She looked up at him and scowled. “Leave me alone.”
“You’re going to catch a cold.” He continued to keep pace with her. “You’re causing a scene.”
She stopped, and he followed suit. “I’m causing a scene? You’re the one driving on the wrong side of the road, yelling at me.”
He let out an exasperated breath. “Would you please get into the truck?”
She looked up then down the road. “Fine. I’m not getting in because you want me to. I’m getting in because I’m cold.”
“Thank you.”
Once she was settled inside, he drove her back to his…their house. Her scent permeated the cab of the pickup. So many conflicting emotions ran through her, the strongest being her arousal, followed quickly by her annoyance. He deserved it. When he walked away from her, he understood the ramifications of doing so. But, if he hadn’t done so, he’d have shifted in front of her, and then what? He hadn’t planned on telling her yet, if ever.
His gaze locked on the small mark on her neck, and a punch of lust shot through his system. The wolf within him puffed out his chest, proud of his stamp of ownership. The man was horrified. He hadn’t planned to claim her, however the wolf took over and blocked him out. He pulled off the main road and started down the long dirt lane. The silence killed him, but he had no clue what to say.
“I’m sorry.” The words tumbled out. “I acted like an asshole.”
“Whoa. Call the press. This is amazing.” She angled herself toward him. “Let me ask you something. Is this the first time you’ve ever apologized to anyone?”
I’m sorry. Please. Please. Let my mom and dad go. I promise they won’t help anyone anymore. “Whatever.” He stopped his truck alongside the house. “It’s not a big deal.”
She furrowed her brows. Her lips thinned. “Right. It is whatever.” She shoved out of the vehicle and stomped off for the front door.
Sayer followed.
Her hot temper turned him on, but sex couldn’t fix everything. Though he noticed it aided in their ability to connect, weren’t they supposed to use their words or something? He scrubbed a hand through his hair and gave a quick tug. “We should…talk.” He opened the door for her.
“Sure, talk.” She pushed past him and practically threw herself onto his leather couch.
“Look, I’m sorry. I—”
“You already said as much.” She swung her leg, allowing her foot to brush the floor. The tension seeping from her grew by the second. “What you haven’t said is which part.”
“All of it?”
She snorted. “Sure. Okay. All of it.” She stood. “I need a nap. I’m going to Miss Claire’s house for dinner tonight.”
Surprise filled him. “What?”
“You heard me. Miss Claire invited me to dinner tonight. Then she’s going to take me to Hill City.”
“Why are you going to Hill City?” Dread filled him. His wolf howled in outr
age. Even if she hadn’t said it, he understood the implications.
“Think about it, genius.” She left him there. The sound of her door slamming brought him out of his stupor.
“Wait a goddamn minute.” He stormed down the hall and smashed open the door. She jumped, her back to him as she stood by the window. “How dare you lay at my feet that you’re going home, like it’s something I want.”
She wiped her eyes. “Don’t act like you want me here, Sayer. You don’t.”
Truth. “I’m not sure what I want.”
“Right.” She folded her arms, pushing her tits higher. The way her shirt hugged them sent a pang of jealousy through him. They were his. She was his. “So, I’m your sex toy?”
“What?”
“I’m a sex toy. To get in, get off, and get out.”
He growled. “Who the fuck told you such things?”
“No one. You’re proving it.”
This is maddening. They were going in circles. “I fuck you because I can’t stand the thought of being away from you. I like my scent on you. I love the idea of my cum inside you.”
She blinked. “You make no sense.”
“I told you what you wanted to know.” Hadn’t he?
“Yeah. You did. If you’ll excuse me. I want a nap.”
“I’ll rest with you.” He pulled his shirt off then toed off his shoes. His wolf didn’t like the idea of her believing he only wanted to use her.
“Why won’t you leave me alone?” She fisted her hands at her sides as she faced him. Her eyes were red rimmed. The first wave of sadness hit him square in the chest.
Uncaring what she thought, he crossed the room and gathered her into his arms. “Don’t you get it? I can’t leave you alone. I haven’t been able to since the first time I saw you.”
“You’re a dick.”
Sayer pressed kisses to her jaw. “You say it as if I hadn’t realized it.”
