by Danube Adele
“Who are you?” I whispered.
“Who do you want me to be?”
I frowned, not knowing how to answer, but a smidgeon of truth escaped involuntarily. “A stranger who doesn’t kiss and tell.”
He looked at my lips. “A true man would never tell about a kiss.”
“This feels dangerous,” I whispered, looking down at his lips longingly. They looked full, but firm. I wanted to taste him.
“I could never hurt you.”
I didn’t move, and his fingers splayed over my hips. With only the slightest adjustment, he could be cupping my ass. Just that knowledge made my breathing speed up. I could imagine him reclined in my bed, pressed skin-to-skin, letting this fire in my veins build to something... Could I do it? Could I invite him back to my place for a single night? I’d never done that before, but the thought alone was getting me excited.
“I don’t want to think. I think too much. Please...” But I wasn’t sure what I was asking for. Was it a plea to come home with me? Permission? Acknowledgement that this was okay? That this was acceptable? Contradictory feelings kept my mind spinning, but the physical pull toward him was magnetic. It couldn’t be ignored.
“Don’t think.” His hand slid up my ribcage. Anticipation wound through me. Excitement shortened my breath. Fear went hand-in-hand with the rest. Fear that I was crossing a line I would never be able to come back from. And still, I prayed he wouldn’t stop.
“I’m nervous about this. This has never...” I shook my head helplessly. My breasts grew heavy, felt suddenly fuller. “I don’t... Just tell me something. Some small thing so you won’t just be a stranger.”
His hand cupped my upper ribcage, just below the swell of my breast. Then his thumb moved languidly over my stiff, aching nipple. Heat electrified the apex of my thighs, burning me like it had a direct conduit. I gasped a short panting breath as I felt the direct hit. Yes... That felt so good. Oh, God. From a simple touch, I felt like I was burning up from the inside out. I wanted this to happen. Where would we go? How would we...
“What do you want to know?” Singed by his hot look, I was turned on like nobody’s business. The blue fire in his eyes promised to devour me. I wanted him to. I wanted to know what it was like to have him just yank the bodice down and feel his hands and lips all over me. I wanted to feel that, but I was still hesitating...
What did I want to know? I looked over his face and saw the slight crookedness to his nose. Desperately, I stuttered a question. “When... How did you break your nose?”
His thumb continued its sinful ministrations, rubbing around the swollen tip that begged for attention, only moving over it briefly, teasingly. I bit my lip to hold back the moan that was fighting to come out. Under his thrall.
“I was protecting my people from an attack.”
“A fight?” Protecting. He was a good guy. Taking bodily injury for others. It made sense with his big man muscles. “Are you a soldier?”
“Yes.” Focused on my lips. Ready to take them.
“How is this happening? I don’t even know you, but I just want to...”
“...shove you against the wall.”
“Yes.” So animal. I just wanted to feel him. All of him.
The impulse was there. Would he taste as good as he looked? Sinful and decadent. His head dipped. My head tilted. His hand moved to cup my breast, and I arched into his palm with enthusiastic invitation while I stroked the thick muscles of his chest and shoulders. This was going to happen. Heat rode anticipation. The feelings were so strong, full of power that could cloud thought. Wild. Freeing.
Hey, Tiger.
My shields were quickly resurrected. Carlos was there. He was always there.
And the moment passed. My forehead dropped against his chest, and I couldn’t contain a deep, shaky breath. Was I out of my mind? No. That’s why this couldn’t happen. At least, not like this.
On a soft sigh, I stepped back, feeling the cold slap of reality. This was bad. It was a number of things, like alcohol, the emotional talk with my grandmother, the recent dream of Carlos and the secret wish that I could be like anyone else who just wanted to discover what hot, scorching sex felt like.
And we were still in a restaurant. Sheesh. Anyone could have walked up on us. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this embarrassed.
“This was crazy.”
“Not so much. We all have needs that bring out the nature of our beast.”
Suddenly his hand reached out to my shoulder. Moved the spaghetti strap back into place. I hadn’t even realized it had come down off my shoulder. This was bad, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if he was angry with me, but looking up into his eyes, I saw he wasn’t.
Remnants of arousal still lingered. I felt the need to apologize, but figured it would just complicate the moment further. The brain was a mysterious organ that could seriously suck at times. The hum of energy quieted, and my eyes caught on something glinting around his neck.
“Is that a wolf?” It looked to be a talisman tied with a leather band.
“Yes.”
“A lone wolf, howling at the moon. Is that who you are?”
The silence was thick for a moment. Then he gave his half smile. “Always.”
I held out my hand, and he naturally took it, but instead of shaking it, his thumb gently rubbed the skin on top of my hand. It was one of those great man hands, with veins that sort of popped out. It was sexy. “Um, it was nice to meet you.”
“What is your name?”
Damn. We hadn’t actually met. I’d been about to seriously attack the man, throw him on the floor and have my way with him, and he didn’t even know my name. Worse and worse on the scale of embarrassing moments. “I’m Cecilia Bradford.”
“A doctor at the hospital.”
“Yes. Right.” Professionalism gone up in smoke.
He leaned close, bringing his lips to my ear, teasing the sensitive area with his rough whiskers and causing even more sensation to run down my neck in a tingling wave, so there was no missing any of his words. “I’m sorry things couldn’t be different.”
“Ceci?” Henry called as he stepped away from the party and paused to peer down the hallway. “I was worried about you. Everything okay?”
“Fine. Great.” I snatched my hand back, feeling like I’d gotten caught masturbating or something, which then brought more color to my cheeks. Absolutely no more alcohol for this girl. Ever. I finished my awkward moment with a brilliant smile and a silly wave. “See you around.”
So stupid. For all my education...my higher self was watching and shaking her head.
“Okay, he was hot,” Henry whispered when we got far enough away. “Did I just ruin a moment? Where did you meet him?”
With a fake, nonchalant shrug, I said, “He was at the hospital earlier with a friend.”
“Why aren’t you giving that man your number?”
“He didn’t ask for it.”
Exasperated, he shook his head. “You’re such a girl. You seriously need help. You’ll never get tail this way.”
“You make it sound so romantic.”
The party was in full swing, and there I was, sitting at a table making small talk with various family members that dropped by, and though it looked like I was doing okay, smiling, making all the right comments, sounds, gestures, in truth, my mind and body were in turmoil. My eyes kept scanning, looking for signs of the Viking. Had he left? Had his friends arrived? Still didn’t know his name. Stupid. So flustered I forgot to ask. I could still feel the brand on my hip from his hand, the pulsing heat of my nipple, the tickle of his touch on my ear.
Hey, Tiger. And Carlos was there. In my mind, smiling his boyish smile. I felt a flash of resentment and affection. Simultaneously. Nothing was ever easy.
It was
time to go. Catch some sleep. Find normal again. It would be there, waiting for me in the morning. That was all.
I made my rounds, feeling the need to get home and close my eyes so I could finally check out for the night. I’d earned the right to stop thinking for a few hours.
“You call me soon,” my mother said firmly.
“I will.”
“Your grandmother told me about your conversation. Do you still feel guilt about what happened?”
Still more of this. Of course my grandmother talked to my mother. Nothing was ever secret in the family. We all needed to just be there in everyone’s business, watching from the foot of the bed, practically. I shrugged and gave her my I-don’t-know-and-I’m-too-tired-to-think look. “Can we do this another day?”
In her mom voice with her firm mom look, she said, “You know, it could just as easily have been you, sweetheart. There was no way of controlling what dangerous gang kids are going to do. You know this, but you don’t accept it. I’m worried about you. This is, what, eight years later?” She cupped my cheek, and I leaned into it automatically, closing my eyes for a moment. “It wouldn’t hurt you to see someone.”
“Mom, I don’t need a therapist.”
“Ceci, you’re a doctor. You know there’s no shame. You know what I’m saying is true.”
“Mom.” My sigh was long and deeply felt. “I’ll think about it. That’s the best you’re going to get out of me.”
With both hands up in surrender, she said, “Okay. I know when to stop.”
“Thank you. I’ll call soon.” My smile was one of thanks. I was done for the night on the let’s-fix-Ceci topic.
She gave me another tight hug, and I enjoyed the familiar musky, floral scent of her perfume that faintly clung to the surrounding air for a few more moments before stepping away. Moving back through the restaurant, I had a view of the regular seating area. Others were happily dining—couples, smaller family gatherings. Of course, I couldn’t help looking for my Viking. But he wasn’t there. I wondered if he would look for me at the hospital.
The entryway was a few short steps away, and then the night air hit my face, and I was heading out to the parking lot. Being that I was late arriving, I’d had to park farther away. Henry and I had followed each other over, so he was parked next to me. He’d suggested leaving my car at work, but officially being on vacation meant I didn’t want to see work again until I was ready to go back, so there was no way I was going to do that. I had a plane to catch in a few days, a future to plan. It didn’t feel quite right, but no plan did at this point.
I was almost to my car when I heard my name called.
The Viking was leaning against a car in a more shadowy section.
“It’s you.” The words slipped out almost involuntarily and an absurd blip of runaway excitement buoyed my emotions before my brain tugged it forcefully back in. It was important to be careful. The more important question was why he was out here. This was one of those moments women were told to be cautious of. “What are you doing out here?”
“The night sky is beautiful. It’s a shame that so many lights from your city keep us from being able to enjoy the starlight.”
I did a quick upward glance. There was a lot of ambient light. I hadn’t really thought about it before. “I guess that’s why you see more stars when you go out camping in the mountains.”
“Where I come from, the night sky is beautiful. I think you would like it.”
I looked back at him, and he was already staring at me, the intensity back like a living force, like he was trying to memorize my face. But, I mean, how far away could he live? “Where are you from?”
“Tabron? Are you out here?” Frank, the man I’d met at the hospital earlier, the long silver-haired guy, called from farther away in his British accent.
“Here!” the Viking called back.
Tabron? Unusual name. At least I knew it now. I walked with him toward the voice, reluctant to say my final goodbye. I wanted to prolong being in his company, even if it was just for a few more minutes.
“There you are. I sent the boys in to look for you, but then I was sure I could see you across the parking lot, and I was right.” Frank caught sight of me and gave me a wide grin. “Well, hello there! Isn’t it nice to meet you again!”
“Nice to see you,” I responded with a small smile.
“Frank?” A man’s voice called from the restaurant.
“We’re here!” Tabron called.
Not feeling like doing a whole let’s-play-nice and introduce myself to a bunch of strangers, I turned back to Tabron, appreciating his strong features one last time under the street light. “It was nice meeting you. Good luck with everything.” I gave Frank one more parting smile, not liking the sudden smirk that edged his lips.
Tabron nodded. It might have been my own whimsical interpretation, but it even looked like he was sad not to have time with me, but there was nothing to be done. I knew full well what a bitter pill life could feed you. More like shove down your throat. I started back toward my car.
The only warning I got that something was going down was when Tabron gave a sharp, furious “No!”
One moment I was on my feet, my skinny heels clacking on the pavement, and the next, massive arms were around me, lifting me off the ground. Men, three long-haired bastards, had swarmed me out of the darkness. My scream was cut off by a beefy hand, and I struggled violently to get free. When I looked back frantically to get help from Tabron, he wasn’t surprised to see them.
“What the hell are you doing?” Tabron started after Frank but one of the men got in his way, just barely holding him back.
Frank shrugged. “Change of plans. It has to happen this way.”
The disappointment and fear hit me. What a fool! I’d made it so easy!
“I thought we were waiting for the male,” Tabron snarled.
“We never got a chance to meet, Tabron. Our friend had to cancel. Some emergency has him up to his elbows in it, so he’s going to be in surgery for quite some time.” Frank had the nerve to sound lackadaisical. Were they talking about Kevin? Was he their target? He needed to know!
“There are many to choose from. Not this one,” Tabron insisted through his clenched jaw. I was briefly heartened. He was going to fight for me.
“I don’t have any more time. As I was telling your men, I have another engagement. This one here is a doctor. She’ll do. Or, we can go back and say we have no one. Which would you prefer?”
“What would you have us do, Tabron?” The man holding me asked this in hushed tones. “We thought you were aware of this change.”
Frank chuckled. “And here you were recommended by the king for this mission because you were known for being stone cold. Isn’t that right? Aren’t you known as Tabron the Cold or some such thing? We might need to come up with another name for you.”
“If I knew the mechanism of travel...” The frustration was ground out in his words.
Frank chuckled. “But you don’t, do you. Tricky stuff this mylunate. You have no idea what to do with your little bit around your neck. You are completely reliant on me. And you don’t want to be the reason your leader dies, do you? Sporting a sudden squeamish conscience might mean his death, mightn’t it?”
Tabron incinerated the silver-haired man with his glare. My relief came immediately. Thank God Tabron was in charge. He wasn’t going to hurt me. We’d just had this lovely time together. But the moments piled on top of each other. I was expecting him to tell them to let me go. Then he commanded the opposite. “Bring her to me.”
My shock was complete. I felt myself going along with the men pushing me forward, step by step, before I woke up and realized I was helping them take me. At this point, only one man was holding on to my arm. These men thought I was weak and submissive, going along with their plan qu
ietly. It could be an advantage. Hit lightning quick and run like hell back to the restaurant.
We were a couple of feet away from Tabron when he scowled down at me, though I could see there was genuine remorse in his eyes. He leaned down, offered quietly, “Thank you for the dance. I’m sorry it has to go this way, Ceci.”
Curling my lip with disdain, I mimicked his quiet tone, wanting him to hear it clearly. “No you’re not, but you will be.”
The move was sudden. I stomped the foot of the man holding me with the pointy tip of my heels. In his pain, his grip loosened, and I shoved him hard, catching him off balance so he fell into the other men. Spinning on a dime, I pushed off, digging hard for two steps before another set of muscular arms were around me, but by the forest scent and mild buzz that zapped me, I knew it was Tabron. This time, I let loose like a thing possessed.
“Let go of me!” Psychopath! If he thought he was going to get a passive female here, he was much mistaken.
“I need your help.” His voice was a growl against my ear as he fought to hold me still.
“Tell that to the judge!” There was no way I was going to let this guy get the better of me. I threw my head back, which smashed his nose. He cursed. I kicked his shins and bent forward at the hips to dislodge him. I only succeeded in turning around before I was grabbed again.
I tripped him to the floor, and he went down hard, but he still grabbed my ankle and yanked fiercely. I went sprawling over him, immediately taking his guard. “You picked the wrong girl to fuck with, asshole!”
“Can’t subdue a little girl, Tabron?” The amused British accent came up behind me, distracted me with its casual cruelty. It was just the moment Tabron needed to roll me over, pinning me with his hips between my legs, my hands clasped in one of his on pavement still warm from the day’s sun.
“We need to go now.” It was said as a command, and because he did not take his eyes off mine, I saw the change. One moment, he was still seeing me, and in the next, I heard, she fucking controls me already. Am I as pathetic as my father? It was like a final goodbye. Cold detachment turned his face hard, and gone was the warm, sensual man I’d spent time with.
