She looked at the clock above the fireplace in Iris’s lounge, it was nearly midnight. Her eyes were heavy and her body cried out for sleep. Yawning widely, she turned to Iris who was sitting close by, thoroughly engrossed in a book.
“If you don’t mind, I am going to call it a night, I am beat,” Clara said, offering Iris a tired smile. Iris placed her book on the table, returning the smile warmly. “Of course, lovely. Sorry, where are my manners? I was really getting my teeth into that book then, I just love TerriAnne Browning’s MC books, they really drag you in.” She chuckled and stood to offer her hand. “Here, let me help you up, your leg and back must be killing you.”
Clara allowed Iris to pull her up, pleasantly surprised that the pain wasn’t nearly as bad as she had anticipated. “Thank you so much for everything you have done for me today,” Clara said, her eyes glazed.
Iris looked at her for a moment, her eyes darkened. Clara thought she was going to tell her to stop thanking her, but she took Clara by surprise by hugging her tightly.
“I know we’ve only just met, but, I feel like I have known you for years. You’re a fighter, Clara, and you’re important to us. I can sense there is something very special about you.” Iris pulled back, her eyes full of emotion. “Let me help you upstairs, I’ll give you something for the pain and to help you sleep. If you’re anything like me your head will hit the pillow and your mind will go into overdrive as soon as you try to sleep.”
Clara nodded wearily in agreement. Iris wasn’t wrong. She knew the nightmares would come again and when they did she knew they could be worse than the reality she had endured these past months. If she was honest the thought of another nightmare terrified her, but she was exhausted.
Once she was settled and Iris had left she swallowed down the pills Iris had given her and snuggled down under the big comfortable duvet. As soon as she closed her eyes her body gave in and she fell into a restless sleep; the nightmares she had been dreading dragged her in and tortured her already fragile state of mind.
Chapter Five
Colt A piercing scream made Colt sit upright in his bed. Without a second thought he jumped up and ran across the landing to Clara’s room. He burst through the door ready to go into battle, expecting to witness something horrifying, but what he saw brought him to a standstill. Clara was curled in a ball in the centre of the big bed in the throes of a nightmare, sobbing and begging for it to stop.
She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. Her loose auburn hair fanned out around her slender frame, the moonlight filtering through the window caught her pain-filled emerald eyes, making them shine. His breath stuck in his throat and he swallowed down the lump which had formed there. The thought of her reliving her torture broke his heart and pissed him off all at once. He stepped closer to her and lay on the bed, pulling her shaking body into his arms. He brushed the wild strands of her hair out of her face and held on to her tightly, whispering soothing words and kissing her forehead.
“It’s ok, Clara, I’ve got you. It was just a dream, beautiful. You’re safe now.” The sound of his voice seemed to calm her and her whimpering subsided, her breathing evened out. Surprisingly she stayed asleep and her body snuggled into his.
He didn’t know how long he lay t here stroking her hair. She felt so good pressed against him, he didn’t want to move her. He watched her sleep, taking in her perfect features, her soft parted lips were so close to his and her breath fanned against his skin. If he lowered his head just a little he would be able to taste her delicious mouth. His already hard dick throbbed in his boxers and he groaned; he was completely done for with this beautiful creature.
He decided to make his way back to his own room, he was sure she wouldn’t appreciate waking to a half-naked man in her bed. He pulled his arm from underneath her, trying to be as gentle as he could... He failed.
She stirred, her eyelids fluttered open. Surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes and she smiled at him shyly, and began raising to sit up, her long sleepmessed hair cascaded around her shoulders. She looked enchanting.
“Hey,” she said her voice husky from sleep. “What are you doing in here?” “You were having a bad dream. Sorry if this was inappropriate, it seemed to calm you,” he said pulling away from her.
She watched him intently, looking conflicted like she wanted to say something. Colt felt nervous suddenly and expected her to tell him to fuck off, but she surprised him.
“I -I dreamt you were there with me, you saved me f-from that woman, you held me and I felt safe. You told me everything was going to be alright.”
He was taken aback. Wow, she was dreaming about him. He lent forward and tucked some of her unruly hair behind her ear; the air fizzed between them.
“I’d never hurt you, Clara,” he whispered, aware of how his voice quivered as he spoke. He had to get his shit together and fast before he did something he was sure she wouldn’t take to kindly to.
“You seem to be ok now, I better get back to my room, let you get some sleep,” he said, climbing from the bed and heading for the door.
“Colt,” she whispered after him. He turned, meeting her eyes which were filled with desperation and fear. “C-can you stay with me until I fall asleep?” she asked nervously. The nightmare had spooked her more than he thought. She didn’t have to ask him twice, he would walk on hot coals for her if it meant she would feel safe.
“Of course I can, let me just go put some sweatpants on, I was kind of in a rush to get in here before,” he said, feeling exposed suddenly and not just through lack of pants.
He was screwed, Colt thought, as he changed into his sweatpants and a t-shirt. She was obviously still reeling from what she had been through and needed some comfort. He half debated on going and getting Iris up to sit with her, but dismissed that thought. She had asked him, he would just have to try and keep the effect she had on him under control. He snorted at that thought. “Yeah, good luck with that, asshole,” he scolded himself.
He grabbed some painkillers and a bottle of water he kept in his backpack and headed back to Clara’s room.
When he entered, she wasn’t there. His whole body went into defence mode again. He heard the tap running in the bathroom and relaxed, taking a seat on the side of the bed.
The bathroom door opened and she limped in. Definitely screwed.
“Thought you could use these,” Colt said, offering her the tablets and water. “Yeah, thanks,” she said, taking them from him. She swallowed down the tablets quickly and climbed onto the bed slowly, and pulled the covers over herself. He stayed on the edge of the bed, not quite sure what he should do. It was all on her terms, he didn’t want to frighten her by assuming too much.
“Lie with me, Colt, it’s ok. I won’t try and head - butt you again,” she said, amusement in her voice as if she could sense his indecisiveness and was trying to make light of it.
“Sure,” he said, laying down on his side facing her. She mirrored him on the opposite pillow, neither of them touching.
“You’re not like anyone I have ever met, Colt,” she said, breaking the comfortable silence between them. He smiled at her warmly. “I was just thinking the same thing. The last thing I thought I would be doing tonight is laying here like this, with you.”
“I know what you mean, all I wan ted to do was escape and run from you, I thought you were taking me back to that monster. I would kill myself before I went back there.” She spoke with such conviction he knew she meant it.
“Clara, I...” He wanted to tell her everything but he knew she would probably run or think he was batshit crazy.
“Go on, Colt, it’s ok,” she said, encouraging him to continue. He couldn’t tell her everything just yet, he needed, damn, he didn’t know what he needed, but he knew she would run if he told her what he really was. He had to wait for Heather to get here.
“Clara, there’s something between us, a connection... I know it seems a little clichéd saying that because we don’t really know m
uch about each other, and the circumstances around our meeting, but well, you can’t deny there’s something. Do you feel it too, Clara?”
He shifted awkwardly, he wasn’t used to opening up to people, especially not to women. He usually didn’t share a bed with a woman without sex, he normally fucked and left. It was easier that way – less complications. No emotion, no neediness, just pure unadulterated sex.
His gut told him that Clara was different from anyone he had been with before, he knew as soon as he buried himself in her he would be wrecked for anyone else; she would be his and he would be hers.
“I feel it,” she said, so quietly he almost didn’t hear. Her eyes drifted closed, the tablets doing their job. Her breathing grew shallow. “Sweet dreams, Colt,” she whispered to him before succumbing to the exhaustion.
“Sweet dreams, Clara,” he whispered into the darkness.
Clara Clara opened her eyes and closed them again. The bright sunlight shone through the window, almost blinding her. She squinted and looked at the clock on the bedside table next to her, eleven fifteen. Crap. The events from the night before flooded back. She remembered how attentive Colt had been, the way he had looked after... how he looked in just boxers... Shit. She buried her head into the pillow in shame. What must he think about her? He had raced in here thinking she was being murdered and she had shamelessly flirted with him and then made him stay with her until she fell asleep.
She dragged herself out of bed and hobbled to the bathroom to freshen herself up; she washed her face and brushed her teeth, and made her way downstairs, determined to apologise to him for her behaviour.
The wonderful aroma of coffee hit her as she got to the top of the stairs. She realised how much she had missed a cup of coffee.
It was funny how the little things that were just routine in her life before she was taken seemed like major things now. When she entered the kitchen, she was surprised to find it empty. She helped herself to a cup of coffee from the coffee machine; she added sugar and milk which had been left next to the coffee maker. She pulled a chair out to sit at the table, taking in Iris’s beautiful home.
It was so warm and inviting. The old wooden beams on the white ceiling had been painted in a deep mahogany and were featured all over the farm house, they gave the kitchen an old-world feel. The big double oven was magnificent, Clara could imagine hours of fun baking in this wonderful kitchen. She took a sip of her still-hot coffee and sighed contentedly, enjoying the dark sweet liquid as it made its way to her welcoming stomach, warming her insides. She was sitting pondering what the day held for her when Iris bustled into the kitchen, arms full of bags.
“Hey Clara, oh good, you found the coffee. Just give me a second and I’ll whip you up some food,” she said, placing the bags on the table. “I got you some clothes, I hope you don’t mind? I kind of guessed you were a size down from me considering my pyjamas are a little big on you. Anything that doesn’t fit or you don’t like I can return for you.” She chatted on about the kind of clothes she had bought while Clara looked on, speechless. Was this woman for real? Not only had she fed, nursed, and gave her a bed to sleep in, she was now buying clothes for her. She couldn’t cope with how kind and generous this beautiful lady was. The tears filled her eyes and overflowed before she could stop them. Iris stopped talking and concern filled her face.
“Shit, Clara, have I upset you? Did I say something wrong?” she said, panic in her dark eyes. “No, you haven’t,” Clara hiccupped. “I am just so overwhelmed by how generously kind you have been to me. Thank you so much.” Clara wiped her eyes, cursing herself again for her over-emotional outbursts.
Iris handed Clara a tissue and gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You can’t spend the week in my oversiz ed pyjamas now can you, sugar?” Iris said. “Even if they do look better on you.” Clara could hear the laughter in Iris’s voice and it made her smile and chuckle along with her.
“You must think I am a nutcase the way I keep on bawling my eyes out every time you do something nice for me,” Clara said, laughing.
“No, darlin’,” Iris drawled. “I just think you’ve been knocked down and need a hand back up again, that’s all,” Iris said, smiling warmly and offering her hand to Clara, who took it and allowed her to help her up.
“You go get yourself freshened up and I’ll make us some brunch. Tomato soup and cheese on toast ok?” Iris asked.
“Perfect,” Clara said, her mouth salivating at the sound of that delicious combination.
Iris handed her the bags and she headed upstairs to shower and try on her new clothes. After her quick shower, she redressed her leg, applying some funny-smelling ointment Iris had given her the night before. She was surprised by how well her leg looked now, it wasn’t as red or swollen as it had been the night before. At this rate it would be healed before the week was over thanks to Iris’s magical cream.
She opened the bags and found an array of different clothes inside. There were two pairs of light grey sweatpants, two sets of pyjamas, a white nightgown, slippers, two pairs of jeans – black and blue, a green cashmere sweatshirt, a thigh-length dark grey cardigan, three different coloured vest tops, some underwear, three pairs of socks, a pair of white Converse sneakers and a black pair of stylish ankle boots with a small block heel.
Looking at the mound of clothes on the bed, Clara couldn’t believe how much Iris had bought. It must have cost her a small fortune; as soon as she could she would pay her back for everything.
She decided to go for some sweatpants and a white vest top. She finished the casual look with the sneakers and the cardigan. She pulled her hair into a messy bun on top of her head and headed back down to Iris to see if she needed any help.
Clara walked into the kitchen to Iris standing at the hob stirring a big pan of the most wonderful smelling soup.
“That smells delicious,” Clara said. “Is there anything I can help you with?” she asked. “Could you cut some nice big slices from the loaf in the bread bin, sugar, and then throw it under the grill?” Iris said.
“Of course,” Clara said and got to work slicing the bread. “How many slices do we need cutting?” she asked, wondering if Colt would be joining them. “Just two good size ones, sugar. Colt went out before me early this morning, he won’t be back until later or tomorrow.” Something in Iris’s tone worried Clara; she didn’t pry any further but her brain went into overdrive.
Was Colt in danger? Had she scared him off with her forwardness last night? Stupid nightmare, he would probably avoid her now. Damn.
They worked together comfortably, preparing brunch, chatting about their families. Clara told Iris about her adopted parents and how they came to take Clara and her sister on, she talked about her sister Emmie and her niece Hope and how close they all were.
Iris chatted about how amazingly strong and nurturing her mother had been when she was alive and how hard it had been for her and Colt in the beginning after her mother passed away. She talked about her son Jake and how close he was to Colt, and how brilliant and supportive Colt had been when her husband John had been murdered. Iris told her how she had needed a fresh start and had decided to open this place to offer a sanctuary for people who needed a break from normal life.
Clara was in awe of this woman; she had gone through so much and to have lost the love of her life in such horrid circumstances must have been torture. Clara had never had a serious relationship, she had boyfriends but never anyone special.
Clara realised now why she felt a closeness to this wonderful woman. Iris reminded her of her sister Emmie – their lives weren’t much different in some respects. Clara just hoped that she would get to introduce Iris to Emmie one day.
They sat and ate together still chatting away about nonsensical things, when Iris’s phone chimed with a text. She picked it up and the look on her face told Clara it was not good news.
“Everything alright?” Clara asked.
“Not really, that was Colt. Something has come up, he’s not sure when
he’ll be back.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know what else to say. “Sorry Clara, he’s a pain in my ass, always has been. I worry all the time about the situations he gets himself into with that woman, but he is who he is and I wouldn’t try and change him you know.”
That woman.
A pang of jealousy hit Clara. Had he gone to be with that Heather woman?
Clara just nodded, the disappointment must have been written all over her face.
What am I supposed to do now?
Chapter Six
Colt The blood splattered on the floor and up the brick wall of the dark alleyway as Colt landed another fist to his attacker’s nose.
He had been checking out an address in this neighbourhood and had been dragged down here by this dickhead; to say he was a little pissed would be an understatement.
“Who sent you, fucker?” Colt snarled and landed another punch to the guy’s already battered face. The feeling of satisfaction washed over Colt when he felt the bone crunch beneath his clenched hand.
The back of the guy’s head slammed against the wall and his body slid down, he sat still with his head bowed, blood and saliva dripped onto the floor between his outstretched legs.
Colt gripped the guy’s shirt, making him look at him. This fucker wasn’t going to pass out on him, not until he found out who had sent him.
“I’ ll ask you one more time, fucker, who the fuck sent you after me?” Colt growled and his dark eyes turned amber. They were always the first to change when he was descending into his spectral form. “Start talking, dipshit, or I’ll introduce you to someone who will do more than slap you around,” Colt snarled again through gritted teeth.
He was tired and fed up of repeating himself. If this dick didn’t start flapping his jaw soon he wouldn’t be able to control the inevitable change.
He growled again, his eyes were almost yellow now. Stubbornness was now replaced by fear as realisation registered in his assailant’s face.
Unfamiliar (The Vandran Legacy Book 1) Page 6
