“Why not?” Hazel’s arrow wavered, then pointed to the ground, and she tilted her head. “You know that Akba Atatdia gifted me as he did you. I’m here to help you.” She looked away, swallowing. “Am I not good enough for the mighty shifters? Is that it?”
Instantly I closed the distance between us and lifted her face to mine. “No. It was my selfish wish. To keep you safe, away from the Ash Walkers.” Our breath mingled. “I…”
Hazel’s eyes went wide, and she smiled, but then the vision warped, and I was alone.
“No,” I cried out. “Hazel?”
Turning, I saw her in the distance, sitting at the edge of the river, watching the sunset sky.
This was now our time.
As I walked towards her, she looked at me, her face drawn. “Do you know me?” She asked in a fierce whisper.
“What?” I asked, suddenly in front of her, and I took her hands in mine. “What do you mean?”
“Do I know you?” She closed her eyes, as though in pain.
“I don’t think you want to.” I sighed.
Hazel shook her head. “No, that’s not the right question. I mean, have we met?”
“Yes.” I breathed, squeezing her hands even tighter, as the noise of the river grew louder. “I’m sorry, Hazel, I acted on impulse when I saw you…”
“No, that’s not it.” Her eyes opened again and she stared at me. She seemed desperate. “I mean before.” She paused, her eyes searching my face. “What is it that I’m trying to remember?”
With a gasp, I awoke and threw back the covers, heart pounding. Sweat trailed down my spine. Unnerved by the intensity of those dreams, as though I’d lived them, not dreamt them, I raced to get out of the cabin. I got dressed, ate a hasty breakfast, and took off running. Soon, the mindless rhythm soothed me, the fresh air of sunrise cleared my head.
Just dreams. They didn’t mean anything, I said to myself sternly.
You sure about that? Asked another voice in my head, one that sounded like Fern.
I almost tripped, then began running faster.
Shared dreams. One of our gifts as shifters.
My breakfast lurched in my stomach as I considered it. Usually shared dreams had to be brought on by a ritual performed by Aunt Sil. Typically, it was nothing more than a way for us to connect to each other or to the past to learn how to approach future problems. A bonding experience.
It was rare for it to just occur, but with Hazel here, all the usual rules seemed to be breaking apart. Especially my own. It’d forced me to confront something I didn’t want to think about.
Our meeting in the museum. And remembering it now, I recalled that instant connection I’d had with Hazel. Later, I’d dismissed it as just an attraction, but now I wasn’t so sure.
Why did I trust her with a secret like that? Why’d I show her my tattoo?
Coming to the end of one trail, I stopped and looked around. Ahead of me lay a three-pronged fork. One trail meandered west, into the valley, and the other looped back southeast, towards Aunt Sil’s house. The third trail shot north like an arrow.
Yesterday morning, this north trail had thrilled me to my core.
All thanks to Hazel.
Two days ago, I’d overheard her explaining her theory about the cave, and it had astounded me. Her reasoning that it was pictograph of both a story and a map formed an idea in my head that I had to check out as soon as possible. So the next day, after waking up around four a.m. to pounding rain, I’d secured the site, and then slipped inside the cave to study it. It was then I saw how Hazel had come to that conclusion. As I stood there, I even started to recognize landmarks.
Excitement fired in my gut as I wondered if this was the long-sought path to the Deadlands.
Unable to resist, I’d taken off north, running for a couple of hours to see what I could find. Things seemed to match up. Practically giddy, and starving, I’d then rushed to the cabin.
Walking in and seeing Hazel had only made me happier and filled with even more gratitude towards her. She was on to something. I’d wanted to scoop her up and spin her around the room.
Now, standing at the same intersection I had yesterday, I was filled with dread. As much as I wanted to continue north, I swung southeast and took off for Aunt Sil’s house.
An hour later I was sitting on the back steps, tearing into a sandwich and waiting for Aunt Sil to return from wherever she’d wandered off to in the woods. No one was around. Cree was at the site, Rayner, Wes, and Burr were off somewhere else. It seemed oddly quiet and empty, almost lonely.
Once I was done eating, I paced around and then flung myself onto the cushioned porch swing. Laying back, I told myself I was just going to close my eyes for a second…
“Doc?” Rayner’s voice jerked me awake, and I sat up, rubbing my stiff neck. I’d nodded off for well over an hour. Aunt Sil and Rayner were walking up the back steps. “Napping again?”
“What brought you back here?” asked Aunt Sil. There were shadows under her eyes and her movements were slow as she opened the back door. “You seem troubled.”
Jumping up, I followed her in, trying to find the right words. “It’s Hazel, I think she’s… She shouldn’t be here.” Then I winced. I’d meant to lay the case out more delicately than that.
“Why not?” Rayner asked from behind me as we walked into the kitchen. It was a spacious, well-lit space, as all the rooms in Aunt Sil’s house were. It had an old-fashioned stove, a huge fireplace, and a large counter. Without thinking, I gravitated to my usual spot and hopped up.
“What’s going on?” Aunt Sil asked slowly, looking at me as she washed her hands.
“Weird questions,” I said, then mumbled, “weird dreams.”
“Dreams?” echoed Aunt Sil sharply and I thought I saw her lips twitch, but then her face was expressionless. “Benny, I think you’d better explain yourself.”
Shaking my head, I looked down, and said, “I think I’m somehow dragging her into this. I don’t want her to get hurt. So we have to figure out a way to make her leave, get her to go back to London maybe.”
“That seems a bit drastic," Rayner said dryly. “Doesn’t she live in the States now?” I could feel his eyes on me and I nodded jerkily. “Benny, c’mon, you have to give us more than that.”
When I didn’t respond, Aunt Sil spoke up. “You’re giving yourself an awful lot of credit, too. It may just be that Hazel is exactly where she’s supposed to be.”
Something in her voice made me look up at her. Getting down slowly, I raked a hand through my hair. “She’s involved, isn’t she? Did you know? Did you bring her here?”
Aunt Sil put her hands on her hips and scowled. “Stop assuming the worst, Ben. And no, I didn’t bring her here. If she’s meant to help us, then it’s the will of the universe. Not mine.”
Gripping my hair, I shook my head. “You’re not telling me something.”
“Now you know how it feels,” Aunt Sil retorted, “and all I can tell you is that if Hazel has some role to play in this, sending her away will prove impossible.”
Clenching my jaw, I glanced between Rayner and Aunt Sil.
We’ll see about that, I thought.
It was nearing sunset when I got back to the cabin. Usually Hazel was back by now, feet tucked up under her as she sat on the couch, chewing on her pen and staring into space.
But it was empty and I found myself unable to sit still and wait for her. Walking to the site, I found it deserted, and a chill went up my spine.
Trying to stay calm, I breathed deeply and set about finding her scent; however, last night’s rain had made the air heavy and I couldn’t pick it up. So with a sigh, I began to walk upstream, hoping to come across her.
Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from a dense part of the woods to find Hazel sitting on a rock, staring down at the river. Bright splashes of sunset light were scattered around her and I had a sense of déjà vu.
Exactly like the dream.
Heart racing, I si
lently picked my way towards her, but she heard me, looked up, and scowled. Then she looked away, lips pursed, and I sighed.
I’d spent the whole afternoon trying to convince Aunt Sil and Rayner to help me to get her to leave. But they’d refused, instead trying to worm details of the dreams out of me. So I’d been stuck trying to come up with my own way to get Hazel to leave. And I had nothing.
Fireflies lit up around us, as though trying to ease the tension, which was stretching to a breaking point. Hazel’s shoulders were rigid as she avoided my gaze.
Suddenly inspiration struck me.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “Hazel. I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am for lying to you. But I’ll tell you why I did it.” Pause. “I’ll tell you everything. But only on one condition.”
Her shoulders loosened as she got to her feet and turned around. While her eyes were wary, curiosity lit up her face, and she studied me. “Go on.”
“You have to promise to agree to it,” I said and the sense of déjà vu increased.
“I keep my promises,” Hazel flashed and a spark of rage was in her eyes now.
“I’ll tell you everything – but you have to leave, and never, ever come back.”
Chapter 9
What the hell did he just say?
“Excuse me?” I gasped, anger and pain tearing a hole in my heart.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way.” Ben’s jaw clenched. “But you’ll understand – after.”
For a second I actually considered it, then my entire body seemed to rebel against the idea. “No!” I almost shouted, my fists balling, and I wanted to slam them into his chest. “No.”
Eyes wide, mouth falling open, he stammered out, “Why not?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I asked, then pushed around him, saying, “You can stop flattering yourself that I care that much.”
Two hands closed around my shoulders and spun me around. Ben’s chest was heaving as he gripped me. “I care, though, Hazel. Please, you have to go.”
“What?” I tried to shake him off, but he held on tighter. “Why? Why don’t you tell me that, Ben? And then maybe I’ll consider it. But I swear, if it’s because of Maxwell hitting on me, that’s nothing.”
To my surprise, he let out a weak chuckle, and said, “Yeah, that did bother me, but no, that’s not it. Not even close.” His eyes closed. “Listen, I get that you’re upset…”
“Upset?” I hissed, pushing on his chest. “Ben, you’re an idiot. Now let me go.”
“Sorry,” he murmured, his eyes opening, and again I saw that look of agonized guilt. A pang went through me, but I shoved it away. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I’d been ready to march away, but now I hesitated. A chill prickled along my spine. “What’s that supposed to mean?” My eyes narrowed. “Are you like a gangster or something?”
Ben laughed, putting his hands over his eyes. “Oh man, Hazel. Why do you have to make this so damn hard?” Then he looked at me and I felt my breath catch. “It’s nothing like that, no.”
A reckless impulse stole into my veins. Ben was in a strange mood right now and I wondered if now was the time I could get him to crack. Moving closer, I met his gaze without wavering. “Stop pretending you don’t care. You’ve been putting on a charade of being a jerk and not knowing me. Well, the jig is up. We know who’s trustworthy and who’s not.” I said.
Ben grimaced, then hung his head. “I know,” he muttered. “I’m sorry.”
How can he put me through such a rollercoaster of emotions? I thought, as my heart seemed to sag in my chest. “Ben… Since you owe me, how about this?” He looked up, raising an eyebrow. “You tell me and then I’ll decide whether to go.”
He let out a soft, exasperated sigh. “I have a feeling it will make you want to stay even more.” There was a note of rueful admiration in his voice.
“Damn it, Ben!” I burst out, throwing my hands in the air, and going almost stark mad in my curiosity. “You can’t say things like that and not tell me what the hell is going on.”
Why does he want me to leave? Theories chased through my brain, but nothing seemed to add up. Is he just trying to get rid of me?
“God, I’m so bad at this,” he said, dragging a hand over his face and avoiding my gaze.
Stepping even closer, I decided to throw caution to the wind. “I never said a word, you know. Not to anyone.” I lightly poked his chest where his tattoo was. “I kept your secret.”
Ben sucked in a sharp breath and caught my hand before I could lower it. “I know.” Our fingers interlaced and then our faces were inches apart. “Thank you.”
My skin danced with electricity and I tried to catch my breath. “You can trust me, Ben.”
He groaned and let his head fall onto my shoulder. Wide-eyed, breathless, I froze, and my heart accelerated. Then he let go of my hand and looped his arms around my waist, closing the distance between us. “Damnit, Hazel, that’s half the problem,” he said, and I felt his voice rumble in his chest against me. Need tugged sharply between us.
Tentatively, I hugged him around his neck, and let my hands skim his broad shoulders. He lifted his head and our eyes met. Not able to take another second of that tension between us, I leaned in, and Ben’s eyes filled with that burning look again.
Our lips met. Uncertain. Slow.
It was as though neither of us could believe this was happening. At first, Ben held onto me as though afraid he would break me, but then he gripped me so tightly as though his fear had inverted.
If he let me go, he would break.
As the kiss deepened, I was filled with the sense of Ben. How right this seemed. How familiar. His lips were deft on mine, his tongue dancing and teasing, stirring the heat in my belly.
Our hearts were hammering against each other, his hard body rubbing against me in all the most delectable ways. Strong legs pressing against me, a flat stomach, and bulky arms circling me.
Don’t stop, came my single, dazed thought, as Ben’s thumbs began to circle my hip bones.
The wind whispered through the trees, the river rushed by, and the heady scent of the woods filled my nose, along with Ben’s masculine one. Breathing deeply, I tried to memorize it, even as I could barely string two thoughts together, so much liquid heat was drowning my body.
Ben groaned into my mouth suddenly, a deep, male sound, and I gasped as our bodies pressed together even harder. A fierce triumph sang through me and I slung a leg around Ben’s hip.
With that, a rumble went through his chest, and I suddenly found myself being lifted into the air, before lowered onto the grass, with Ben covering me. Damn, he didn’t even break the kiss, I thought as his hands skimmed the sides of my thighs and I arched against him.
Then fingers were teasing the hem of my tank top and I let out a moan when he caressed my bare stomach. Ben worshiped me with every touch, spinning me to heights of pleasure I’d never known. Shaking now, I wrapped my other leg around his waist and raked my hands through his hair. I had never wanted any man so much. I’d never been wanted by a man so much.
Suddenly he broke the kiss, panting, and gazing down at me with the softest, most affectionate look I’d ever seen. The sun had set and the stars were coming out. Bright fireflies flitted by his head and a warm breeze wrapped around us.
I thought my heart might explode from the moment.
Cupping the back of my neck with one hand, Ben said, “I never forgot you. I couldn’t. I…” He laughed a little and brushed a kiss across my lips. “Hazel…” he murmured.
An ache went through me as I pressed a hand to the side of his face as he pulled back, then I lifted my head and kissed his cheek. A warm chuckle escaped him, tickling my ear, and he grinned at me in a lopsided, happy way when our eyes met again.
“Please keep remembering,” I said, pulling his face to mine. “Don’t stop…”
Ben instantly kissed me harder than before, our tongues meeting in a frenzy, as wanton heat pul
sed between us faster and faster. Joy and bliss lit up every nerve, every fiber, every bone, every inch of skin, every eyelash…
I slipped my hands inside of Ben’s shirt, exploring his warm, broad chest, tickled by his chest hair, tracing over his hard abs. Then his hands were drifting to my waistline and I smiled into the kiss. And I felt Ben smile back.
KRIIIIIIINGGG!
A raucous, shrill noise shattered the twilight and we both jumped. Breaking apart, we stared at each other, then Ben hastily fell back, pulling out a phone from his back pocket. I’d seen him with it before, but for some reason, I assumed it was off since it never rang.
“What?” he growled into it, sitting next to me, and a dull flush rising in his cheeks. When our eyes met, he immediately smiled softly, and I sat up. Ben brushed a hand through my hair as he listened to the person on the other end. “You’ve gotta be shitting me. Now?”
“What you got somethin’ better to do?” Came Cree’s loud voice. “Yeah, now. Get over here.”
“Fine!” Ben barked, now glaring up at the sky. “You know how long it’s gonna take?” He gave me an apologetic look and then rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay, fine. Sorry I asked.”
Then he hung up and sighed.
Whatever spell we’d been under was gone now, lost the instant his phone rang, and Ben was glaring at it like he wanted nothing more than to throw it into the river.
Uncertainty, shock, and embarrassment were now coiling in my gut as I adjusted my shirt.
What had I just done? What had I just almost done? In the middle of the woods?! With…
Ben got to his feet and I looked up at him. A throb of want went through me, dispelling those emotions for a moment. God, he was so sexy. I’d never be able to look at him the same way again. Now that I knew how he kissed, how his body felt against mine, how much I wanted him…
HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters Page 8
