by Erin Wade
“Oh God, Eden!” she whispered.
The shower could wait.
##
“I hate waking up without you beside me.” A pillow struck Darke as she entered the bedroom.
“I knew I’d never get out of bed if you kept touching me.” A brilliant smile lit Darke’s face. “So, I sneaked into the shower. You’re a hard woman to wear out.”
“Hmm, is that a complaint?”
Darke became serious. “I love everything about you, Eden Daye. You’re perfect in every way. Women like you inspire poets and songwriters. You’re the kind of woman who incites legends and myths.”
Eden couldn’t stop the blush that crept up her neck to her cheeks. “And what are you?” she asked.
“I’m desperately in love with you,” Darke whispered.
Chapter 35
“Mother, come see this,” Carter yelled. “Eden and that woman are on TV.”
Mother Winthrop watched as people encircled Eden and Darke after Eden’s touchdown guaranteed the UT women’s flag football team a place at nationals.
“That’s disgraceful.” Carter heaved as if he would throw up. “Slobbering all over each other on national TV. It’s unnatural.”
“Nothing about Darke Knight is natural.” Mother Winthrop cursed under her breath. “You stay away from her and Eden.”
“I can handle Darke,” Carter boasted, “and I want Eden. She needs to be mine before she turns twenty-one.”
“Did you even listen to your cousin’s report on the fiasco in Moldova? Lycan is crippled and trapped in his wolf form.”
“What’s that got to do with us?” Carter whined.
“He challenged Darke for the hand of Raven. She crippled him. She helped Raven reclaim her rightful place, and the two of them completely destroyed the years of work Lycan had spent planning to take over Europe.
“We can’t figure out how they did it,” Mother Winthrop concluded. “You leave Darke Knight to me.”
##
“How are your grades?” Darke asked as they strolled across the UT campus.
“Excellent.” Eden caught Darke’s hand and laced their fingers together. “My psych professor has asked me to work with her on a research project.”
“What’s the project?”
“That information we discussed before you …” Eden looked away. I promised myself I wouldn’t bring that up, she thought.
“… slept with Raven?” Darke said.
Eden nodded and closed her eyes, holding back tears that burned against her eyelids.
“I didn’t, Eden. I swear on everything I hold sacred that I have not touched another woman since you and I mated.”
“Mated?” Eden’s expression was quizzical. “What a strange choice of words. Wolves mate for life.”
“Yes, they do,” Darke said. “As do I.”
“So, are you saying that you want to marry me?” Eden asked.
A light came on in Darke’s eyes. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Eden Daye, will you marry me?”
“I … Yes, yes, of course.” Eden tilted her head back and laughed. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Darke.”
“I have a ring for you,” Darke declared. “It’s in my things in the dorm. Let’s go get it.”
##
“It’s exquisite.” Eden held out her hand to admire the diamond Darke had placed on her finger.
“It was my mother’s wedding ring,” Darke explained. “My father died in combat and my mother has remarried. She gave it to me when I was home. I told her about you and how much I loved you. She wanted you to have the ring.”
Eden’s excitement flashed in her eyes. “When will I meet your family?”
“Perhaps after school’s out,” Darke said. “We can visit them for a few days if you want.”
Not until I’ve had a chance to explain them to you, Darke thought as she wondered how to explain herself to Eden. Raven’s words haunted her. “What if she’s appalled? What if she refuses to live her life with you?”
“How soon can we get married?” Eden asked.
“I thought you didn’t want to get married until after you graduate.” Darke tried to hide the panic welling up inside her. “That’s what you told Carter.”
“Yes, but I didn’t crave Carter the way I desire you.”
Darke nodded. “In the summer. We’ll decide after school is out.”
##
Lori was happy to be relieved of her babysitting duty and turned Eden over to Darke.
“It’s been quiet while you were gone,” Lori informed Darke. “Other than fighting the men and a few aggressive lesbians off her, I haven’t had to do anything. It’ll be good to get back to work.”
Darke remained vigilant, but the horror that had threatened Eden had disappeared. Darke never saw or smelled Carter lurking about the campus.
Darke sat on the sofa, Eden’s head resting in her lap. “You should ace your history test,” she said as she laid the review paper on the end table. Now comes the hard part, your Spanish review.”
Eden moaned. “Can’t we take a break?”
“Both of these finals are tomorrow,” Darke reminded her as she ran her fingers through Eden’s silky blonde hair. “I love your hair. It’s so soft and fine.”
“I like when you play with it,” Eden said with a smile. “I like it better when you clutch it to pull me into you.”
Darke couldn’t stop the tremor that shot to her core. “Spanish final,” she muttered.
“Ugh. Okay. Then we’re going to bed.”
“What about your psych final?
“Dr. Crain said my grades are so good that I don’t have to take the final.”
“Remind me to thank Dr. Crain.” Darke leaned down and kissed the woman she loved.
“I don’t think Dr. Crain has anywhere to go for Christmas break,” Eden said.
“Really?” With her fingertips Darke traced Eden’s perfectly arched brows that showcased eyes capable of sucking the soul from one’s body. She ran the back of her hand down Eden’s cheek. “I love your high cheekbones. I could look at your face for as long as I live.”
“That’s good.” Eden buried her face against Darke’s stomach then turned to look up at her fiancée. “Because that’s exactly what you’ve signed on for.”
“Spanish review!” Darke’s voice dropped an octave.
“Okay, but first I need to discuss something with you.” Eden pulled Darke’s hand to her lips and kissed her fingertips.
“What is it?”
“Would you mind if I invite Dr. Crain to spend a few days with us over the Christmas holidays?”
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” Darke said, furrowing her brow. “I suppose it would be selfish of me to want to keep you to myself.”
“Since you put it that way …” Eden giggled. “Forget about Dr. Crain.”
Darke laughed. “I’m just jerking your chain. While I do like to be alone with you, I also understand your wish to brighten the holidays for someone who is lonely. You’re the sweetest person I know, Eden … and the most gorgeous.”
Darke had met Dr. Elizabeth Crain. She was renowned in the world of psychiatry for her work with individuals suffering from dissociative identity disorders.
Dr. Crain, a petite, five-foot-four woman in her midforties, had a flawless complexion and sparkling gray eyes that made her look more like a student than a professor. She had taken Eden under her wing and was letting her help research a new theory she was trying to prove. Darke had found her informative and intriguing.
Darke liked attending Eden’s classes. It gave her the opportunity to study what Eden studied and to meet the same people.
Chapter 36
“You are one impressive woman, Eden Daye.” Darke’s appreciation of Eden’s grades was evident by the sparkle in her eyes. “That is the highest grade-point average one can attain at UT.”
“Yes, and I should get a reward,” Eden said sensuously as she slipped her arms around Darke�
��s neck and pressed the full length of her body against her fiancée’s.
Darke wrinkled her brow as if trying to think of a suitable reward. “Dinner?”
“No.”
“Jewelry?” Darke asked.
“No.”
Eden pulled Darke’s head down to her lips. “I want you to …” she whispered in Darke’s ear.
“ Hallelujah!” Darke said. “However, that sounds more like a reward for me.”
Eden blushed at her own brazenness. “It’s a mutual reward.”
Darke swept Eden into her arms and carried her into the bedroom.
##
“Oh Eden, I can’t catch my breath.” Darke rolled over on her back and struggled to breathe. She was pleased to hear Eden gasping for air too.
Eden threw her leg and arm over Darke and snuggled her head into the brunette’s shoulder. “Sleep,” she whispered.
##
Sunlight sneaked between the drapes, casting a ray across Eden’s eyes. She groaned and cuddled Darke’s head between her breasts. “It feels good to lie in bed with you instead of dashing off to an early-morning class.”
“I love waking up next to you,” Darke murmured, kissing the valley between Eden’s breasts. “This is my idea of heaven.”
Eden kissed the top of Darke’s head. “When we’re through, we need to visit Dr. Crain. We really should invite her to share the holidays with us.”
“When we’re through with what?” Darke snuggled deeper between her lover’s soft breasts.
“You know.” Eden giggled.
##
“Why, Eden, that is the nicest invitation I’ve ever received,” Dr. Crain exclaimed. “I’d love to spend a few days with you over the holidays.”
“It’s settled then.” Eden nodded gleefully. “It’s just a three-hour drive. We plan to leave at nine in the morning. You’re welcome to ride with us.”
“That’s perfect,” Dr. Crain said. “That will give me time to post everyone’s grades and pack.”
Darke leaned against an archway in the SUB and watched Eden talk to Dr. Crain. A man jostled her elbow as he stopped to stare at Eden. Darke smiled at him.
“Lawson Shannon,” the man said as he held out his hand. “I’ll be on staff next semester. English professor.”
Darke introduced herself as she shook the man’s hand—a hand so rough that it felt like it had been scrubbed daily with sandpaper.
“Your first teaching job?” Darke asked.
Lawson nodded. “How did you know?”
“Those aren’t the hands of a teacher,” Darke replied. “I’m guessing you’ve been doing manual labor for a while.”
“Construction work,” Lawson mumbled as his gaze settled on Eden. “My God, she’s gorgeous.”
Darke cleared her throat. “She is indeed.”
The man snapped back to the conversation at hand, a sheepish look on his face. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just … she took me by surprise. I worked in construction waiting for this position to open.”
Darke watched as Eden finished talking to Dr. Crain and headed in their direction, a brilliant smile on her face.
“She’s smiling at me,” Lawson tittered. “I wonder what a man has to do to get a woman like that?”
“No man could get that woman,” Darke muttered.
“Humph. She’s coming this way. Watch and learn.” Lawson bragged.
Eden slipped her arm around Darke’s waist and tilted her face up for a kiss. Darke brushed her lips across Eden’s.
“She’s my woman,” Darke informed Lawson as she placed a finger beneath his chin and gently closed his gaping mouth.
Chapter 37
Dr. Elizabeth Crain was thrilled when Eden Daye asked her to share the Christmas holidays with her. Eden was one of those rare students who had brains and beauty. Although she was young, Eden was wise and possessed a maturity usually found in those twice her age.
Dr. Crain often wondered why Eden required a 24-7 bodyguard. Darke Knight was almost invisible. One forgot she was always close enough to reach Eden before a dropped pen could hit the floor.
Elizabeth had seen the video of Eden’s touchdown in the flag football game and her subsequent leap into the brunette woman’s arms. She wondered if they were lovers and then dismissed the idea. Eden was too feminine, too sensuous, too beautiful. Darke was more serious, worldlier, more aggressive, but just as beautiful as the woman she protected. A dog that looked more wolf than domesticated canine always accompanied the bodyguard.
Something about the way Darke looked at Eden told Elizabeth that the bodyguard would kill anyone threatening her charge. The fact that she wore two Glocks beneath her jacket was disconcerting. Although her beauty rivaled that of a goddess, there was something terrifying about Darke Knight. Elizabeth couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was that made her uneasy.
##
“Your home is beautiful.” Elizabeth turned in a circle as she surveyed the ornate staircase and the artistic masterpieces that should have been hanging in an art museum. They were too priceless to be in a private collection.
Eden shrugged. “Thank you. It’s my family home. I’m afraid I can’t take credit for it. My mother and father decorated it.”
“Miss Eden!” Margaret engulfed Eden in a hug. “We have missed you.”
“Margaret, I’ve missed you too. I want you to meet my psychiatry professor, Dr. Elizabeth Crain. Dr. Crain, this is the lady who has raised me since I was a baby.”
“Welcome to Eden’s home,” Margaret said to Elizabeth with a polite nod. “It’s good to see Miss Eden involved in school and making new friends.”
“Where do you want Dr. Crain’s luggage?” Darke asked as she started up the stairs.
“I’ve made up the Blue Suite across from Miss Eden’s room,” Margaret said. “Freshen up and I’ll have lunch on the table in thirty minutes.”
##
Elizabeth was surprised to learn that Eden was a wealthy heiress. The young woman was so enthusiastic and unassuming. Her thirst for knowledge was overwhelming. Not at all like the spoiled rich divas Elizabeth often taught.
She wondered where Darke’s room was. She probably sleeps in the same room as Eden. Elizabeth had noticed that the two were rarely apart. And if Darke wasn’t there, the wolflike dog, Caz, was by Eden’s side.
Elizabeth brushed her teeth and applied fresh makeup. A soft tap on her door got her attention. “Are you ready for lunch?” Eden called through the door.
Lunch was perfect. A fire burned in the fireplace, giving the room a cozy warmth Elizabeth seldom experienced. Eden and Darke were animated conversationalists. Both were interested in Elizabeth’s favorite subject, psychiatry.
“Dr. Crain, tell us about the most unusual case you’ve ever treated,” Eden said.
Elizabeth smiled. “First, please call me Liz. Dr. Crain sounds so stuffy.”
Eden and Darke nodded and she continued.
“I suppose the most unusual and frustrating case I’ve ever treated was a man besieged by clinical lycanthropy.” Elizabeth paused to give the two women time to assimilate her statement.
“Lycanthropy?” Eden shifted in her chair. “Isn’t that when a person changes into a werewolf?”
Darke sipped her coffee and observed Elizabeth, watching her eyes as she spoke.
“Yes.” Elizabeth’s eyes danced as she warmed up to a subject that fascinated her. “He was convinced he could transform from a human to a wolf form and back again.”
“Could he, Dr. Crain?” Darke asked.
“Well, I … it was quite strange. His belief that he was a werewolf was so strong that he could actually manipulate his body.” Elizabeth looked away. “It was the most disturbing case I have ever treated.”
Eden’s eyes were wide with wonder. “How did he change, Dr. Crain?”
“Please, call me Liz.”
When Darke spoke, her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Liz, did you actually see him transform fro
m a human to an animal?”
“ Clinical lycanthropy is rare,” Liz continued. “There are many cases throughout history. It is believed that the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar described in the Bible’s Book of Daniel was afflicted with clinical lycanthropy.”
“It’s also believed, in some circles, that Nebuchadnezzar lived several hundred years,” Darke pointed out. “One can hardly use the Bible as a reliable source of information.”
“True.” Liz narrowed her eyes and gazed at Darke. “Nonetheless, the man I treated did actually manifest some physical traits of a wolf.”
“Such as?” Darke encouraged her to continue.
Liz looked away from the beautiful brunette and seemed to go somewhere else. “He grew hair in the palms of his hands, and his nails grew longer. He dropped to his hands and knees and snarled like a wild animal. It was horrifying. I actually feared for my life.”
“Did you do anything to precipitate his reaction?” Eden asked, leaning forward to give Liz her total attention.
“I used hypnosis to regress him,” Liz admitted.
Darke frowned. “Hypnosis is a powerful tool. It can affect one’s mind. It can be dangerous if not used properly. I would never allow myself to be hypnotized.”
“What happened to him?” Eden queried.
“He … committed suicide.”
“Not one for the success column,” Darke quipped.
“No, that was my biggest failure.” Liz sighed.
“Treating clinical lycanthropy is what you’re best known for,” Eden said. “You’ve written books on the subject.”
“Yes, and I have had great success working with lycanthropes,” Liz pointed out. “Contrary to popular opinion perpetrated by myths and novelists, not all lycanthropes believe they are wolves. I once treated a man who was positive he transformed into a cow after dark.
“The clinical definition of lycanthropy is that it’s a rare psychiatric syndrome characterized by the delusion that a person can transform into a nonhuman animal.”
Eden placed her hand on top of Darke’s and flashed her a seductive smile. “I, for one, prefer the human form.”
