Blood Moon Box Set

by Natalie Aejaz

  But what did he feel for her? He wouldn’t be able to move on until he knew why this uncertainty had taken over his mind…what this need to be with her meant.

  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN long, Ivy looked forward to seeing Michael.

  Mother had gone all out as usual, with sandwiches, tea, coffee and homemade cakes.

  Ivy frowned at the spread on the table in the dining hall. “Mother. You do know we’re going out for lunch?”

  Pearl waved her hand, dismissing her protest. “A little refreshment beforehand won’t hurt—”

  “We are going out for lunch and won’t be staying for refreshments.” Better that mother heard it from her rather than being disappointed by Michael again.

  “Are you visiting the venue again?” mother asked.

  “There’s no need. The staff at the hotel have everything in hand.”

  And she did not want to risk running into Junaid again. It was difficult enough keeping her mind off him as it was.

  “You are sure it is adequate for the function? It is the most important day of your life, dear…”

  “More than adequate. It’s a beautiful place, and the hall is grand. When it is decorated with candles, it will look like a fantasy land.” And then she would leave that land and enter reality in Michael’s bed.

  “I knew John and Michael would make a good choice. Aren’t we lucky to have them to take of everything?”

  Lucky to have someone else making their decisions all the time? Yes, if you were the kind of person who was scared of thinking, that would be lucky...perhaps she’d been that person until a few years back, before she made the decision to go to a university of her choice. And since meeting the shifter, she’d been using her own mind even more...

  That day, she stormed out of his office after accusing him of playing games with her, but she wasn’t as angry with him as she was with herself. All it had taken was one kiss, and she’d melted in his arms. Despite knowing what he was, she had wanted him again…with a need that scared her.

  Her body had never been out of her control…she’d spent years learning to subdue its urges, but one touch from that supernatural was enough to release all those pent-up desires. He could have taken her against the wall, any way he wanted, and she wouldn’t have stopped him. In fact, she wanted him to.

  Even after knowing he was a shifter. How sick was she?

  If only she could experience half that attraction for Michael, and the marriage would be bearable. But the truth was that she only looked forward to today’s lunch because she hoped it would take her mind off Junaid.

  When the doorbell rang, she made an effort to greet Michael personally. When she stepped into the corridor, Fareeda was already at the door, ready to open it. “It’s all right,” she told the maid, “I’ll open it.”

  The older woman stood back from the door, and as she disappeared into the kitchen, Ivy opened the door. Michael was in a dark gray two-piece. After kissing her on the cheek, he looked her up and down, running his eyes over the long sleeved burgundy dress that fell below her knees. “You look lovely, Ivy.”

  “Thank you.”

  Mother appeared at the corridor entrance. “Lovely to see you, Michael,” she called from a distance, almost as if she was wary of approaching him without permission.

  “You too, Pearl.” He then turned to Ivy without giving mother another chance to speak. “Shall we go?”

  She followed him to the Porsche. She had no idea of where they were going…but he had mentioned last week that there was a new restaurant he was interested in trying out, so she guessed that was the one he’d chosen. Sure enough, they soon stopped at the riverside, outside small black gates, a villa-like structure rising behind them.

  “It looks lovely,” she said.

  “It is a highly recommended restaurant. Gourmet food, thoroughly blessed.”

  The electronic gates opened, and he drove through them before parking in the small car park next to the villa. They got out of the car and then walked up a cobbled pathway, little shrubs on either side of them, pausing at a large wood door. A guy in a red uniform and cap saluted them before opening the door. It was all so formal that it nearly made her giggle, but she doubted Michael would appreciate that gesture.

  They entered the restaurant, a vast and elegant space with wood flooring and large windows that overlooked gardens and fountains. A pianist sat in one corner, playing melodies that enhanced the ambience of the place. A man who looked important enough to be the manager, in a dark two-piece, approached them. “Mr. Ryder. It is an honor to have you here.”

  He guided them through another set of doors and into a smaller room at the back, where there were fewer tables. The table they sat at was next to a large bay window, overlooking the riverside and with impressive views of the city skyline.

  “This is lovely,” she breathed.

  “It is, isn’t it? And it’s owned by an Association member, so there’s no danger of the food being contaminated through contact with unblessed ingredients.”

  She nodded. “That is perfect.”

  The liveried waiter placed menus before them, and when she opened one, she nearly gasped at the prices. He really was treating her today, wasn’t he?

  With the money from my business…

  Such negative thoughts would get her nowhere. She pushed the thought aside…he worked in the company and obviously deserved a decent salary. Still, her voice was less enthusiastic when she told Michael what she wanted to eat. He gave the order to the waiter, and soon her starter of roasted cauliflower soup with melted blue cheese and an oat muffin arrived. She tasted a spoonful. Delicious.

  She made her way through the starter at a slower pace than she wanted. She couldn’t embarrass herself before Michael by behaving the glutton, especially when his father often reminded Association members of what a sin such behavior was.

  After they’d taken suitable time over the starter, the main course of spinach and sundried tomato quiche arrived, and as she devoured the sensation, she glanced around the place.

  The people here were dressed in expensive designer clothing and knew how to conduct themselves in public according to the standards of their organization. Being here only emphasized what a big mistake she’d made with the shifter. She should never have allowed him anywhere near her. She couldn’t believe that after discovering what he was, she responded to his kiss that day…had wanted to have sex with him again. Why the hell did she feel this way? Junaid worked at what was basically a sex club and probably had a different woman in that swanky office every night.

  That thought hurt…and felt like a betrayal.

  Stupid of her, because there was nothing between them. She hardly knew him…and yet, she wasted so much time thinking about him. When she went to bed at night, he entered her thoughts, not Michael. And as soon as she awakened in the morning, he was there, invading her head the more she tried to push him out of it. She didn’t need a priest to tell her this was not right…she needed cleansing…perhaps even a confession.

  “I needed to talk to you,” mentioned Michael. He brought her here to talk? So that was the reason for this impromptu treat. “Some of our important members have carried out an analysis of our calendar, and the 29th of this month would be a more auspicious date for the wedding.” But that was only four weeks away… “I presume you agree with the date change?”

  No…

  But she had to go through with the wedding sooner or later, and perhaps this was the answer to the reactions that the shifter evoked in her. The worst thing was that since seeing him in the office that day, she’d been tempted to return to Eclipse...she needed to get rid of this desire to see him again before she made another mistake. And there was only one way to do that.

  “It’s a good idea.” She smiled at Michael, even as her chest tightened. “We’re moving away after the ceremony, and this way we can start our new life as soon as possible. And you don’t want to be in the borough anymore, either, do you?”

 
“You’re right, Ivy, and always understanding. Father and I will sort the invitees, and if you could speak to the venue about the new date, that would be great.”

  “But it’s short notice. Do you think the date will be available?”

  Irritation entered his tone. “If it isn’t, we’ll look elsewhere. There are plenty of venues that will make room for an important Association ceremony.” He took a spoonful of soup, his blank expression giving no indication of what he thought of the taste. “Personally, I’m pleased the date is being brought forward. The quicker we get out of this borough, the better.” He paused. “And of course, the Boston branch of Harrison Business Solutions needs to be taken care of. Stupid leaving it in the hands of others when I could be there overseeing the work myself.” After they finished a creamy concoction of goat’s cheese, wild honey and beetroot, Michael stood. “I have to go back to work. Would you like me to drop you?”

  “I’ll get a taxi. And before that, I’ll call the venue to change the booking.”

  He leaned in to kiss her, such a familiar gesture and so devoid of emotion that they could be siblings.

  She walked to the front of the building with him, and after he drove away, she waited inside the restaurant gate. If she was going to bring the wedding date forward, she might as well deal with it as soon as possible. The sooner she was out of the way of temptation, the better.

  When she called the venue, a sickly sweet female voice answered. “Good afternoon, madam. How may we help you?”

  She gave her name and reference number. “I would like to bring the date forward, please, to the 29th of this month.”

  “Luckily, we’ve just had a cancelation for that date. But there will be a fee involved.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Great. In that case, I’ll re-arrange the date for you. Do all other booking arrangements remain the same?”

  “Yes.”

  “Done. Anything else I can help you with?”

  “No. That will be all, thank you.”

  After ending the call, Ivy made her way outside the gate. She hadn’t even hailed a taxi when her mobile rang. A call from Phoenix?

  It was the same lady she’d just spoken to, but her voice was considerably less chirpy. “I’m so sorry, Miss. Smith. If you want to make any changes to this booking, you’ll have to contact the manager, Junaid, who’s in charge—”

  “But you just confirmed it was sorted.”

  There was a pause. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to speak to Junaid.”

  Damn it. The shifter was doing this to goad her; she just knew it. “Can I have his number, please?”

  “Sure.” After the lady had given it, “I am so sorry about this—”

  “It’s all right,” Ivy snapped before hanging up on her. She bashed Junaid’s number into her phone and then waited.

  “Hello? Ivy?”

  That deep timbre threatened to diffuse her anger, but she held on to it, pulling it around herself like armor. “What the hell, Junaid? Why do I have to refer every change in the booking to you?”

  “I am managing the booking, remember?”

  “Yes. And you’re using that to make things difficult—”

  “These are the rules. I’m in charge of the booking, so you must refer any changes to me. In person.”

  In person? No way…yet, there was a frisson of excitement at the thought of seeing him again. No…those were the kind of thoughts she couldn’t entertain. The kind of thoughts that had made her agree to bring the wedding date forward. She would meet him if that was what he wanted, just to sort this, and then she would avoid seeing him until the ceremony. And once that was over, she would never set eyes on him again. And she told herself that was the way she wanted it. “All right then, I can come and see you now about the new date. Where?”

  “I’m not at Phoenix today, but you can come to my office at the club if that’s convenient.” A pause. “You remember it, don’t you?”

  Yes, he was goading her. “See you there within half an hour, if that’s convenient.”

  “It is.” He lowered his voice. “And you’ve no idea of how much I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  * * *

  JUNAID’S EYES KEPT FLITTING TO the clock. 1.00…1.10…1.15…1.20…1.25…

  It felt like hours since she’d called him, and he anticipated her rushing through the door at any moment. Yes, her accusation was partly true. He had deliberately blocked her from making changes to the booking without his permission, but not because he wanted to make things difficult, but because he wanted to see her.

  He’d been unable to get her out of his mind, and he needed to know what that meant. This urge that he felt…the way he was pulled toward her…it resembled the sensation his shifter friends described when it came to their mates. He pushed that idiotic thought from his mind, because going down that route would only lead to more complications.

  Finally, the club security called on his mobile. “There’s someone here to see you. Ivy Smith.”

  “Let her through, thanks.”

  It was as if his bloody heart was trying to rip through his chest and land on the desk. A few minutes later, when the office door opened, it practically stopped. For a few moments, he couldn’t even look at the doorway, unable to meet her gaze. And then she approached his table. When he looked up, her eyes flared and lips were tight. Her hair was tousled, probably because she’d rushed here, but it made him think of how she’d looked after they had sex the first night they met.

  “How dare you?” She slammed her hands on the desk. Yes, that was the fire he’d been missing. “You’re doing this to get back at me, aren’t you?”

  “After what happened between us, I need to know…why the hell are you marrying someone you don’t want to be with?”

  “We’ve had this conversation before. I want to be with Michael.”

  “Really?” He stood and placed his hands on the table, leaning over it. “If that was true, Ivy, you wouldn’t be here right now.”

  “I came here to change the booking.” She stood back. “I want to bring the wedding forward.” And then she added, “Because I can’t bear to be away from Michael any longer.”

  “I don’t believe that, either.” When he stepped around the table, she flinched. “I’ll be honest with you, Ivy…I don’t know why, but the idea of you marrying someone else, especially that idiot Michael—”

  “He’s not an idiot.”

  “In that case, I am the idiot, because I can’t you out of my mind, Ivy.”

  She pursed her lips, tight. “I’m not here to discuss all that. I need to bring the wedding date forward.”

  Damn it. Why the hell was she being so stubborn? She should be taking more time to think about marrying that dumbass., but instead, she was dying to be bonded to him as soon as possible. “Why do you want to bring the date forward?”

  “I can’t wait to become Mrs. Ryder. Why wait to start my life with Michael?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “Or is it something to do with us?”

  She snorted. “What us? There is no us, Junaid. What happened between us was a mistake—call it pre-wedding nerves or whatever. I’m not proud of what happened that night, but I won’t allow it to affect my future with Michael.”

  She really was testing his patience. “If you weren’t so stubborn, what happened that night would make you think twice about a life with that Association guy. But what’s your reaction? You go running to him.”

  “That night was a mistake—why would I let it spoil the rest of my life? And what’s it to do with you?”

  When he stepped closer, she stared up at him, those green eyes wide. “I want you, Ivy.” Hell knew, he had no idea why. “I think about you, damn it, all the time. Tell me you don’t think about me, too.” Her bottom lip trembled and eyes brightened. He expected more denials, but instead her expression twisted with something resembling…grief. “Ivy?”

  And suddenly, she was agains
t his chest, sobbing. Something ached inside him as she let go of whatever tore her apart inside. What the hell had she been carrying around with her all this time…what were these emotions she’d been unable to release? He did not know how long he held her like that. He stroked her hair and inhaled her soft scent, murmuring reassuring words in her ear as she calmed down, letting go of whatever anguish was embedded inside her.

  And then she lifted her lips to his.

  He wanted nothing more than this, but damn it, she was so bloody confused, and so was he. Perhaps she was right, and that night should never have happened. He held her by the shoulders and pulled her back as he forced out his next words. “Ivy. I’ll call you a taxi—”

  But she pressed her body against his, seeking comfort once again, as she had the first night they met. And just like that night, he couldn’t resist giving her what she needed.

  He trailed his fingers along her jaw, pausing at her soft lips, so damn kissable. As he ran his thumb across her lower lip, her breath quickened, and he dropped his gaze to see her breasts strain against the material of the burgundy dress that seemed designed to confine her.

  What fucked up attraction was this? He’d always been able to control his emotions, but around her, there was no point even trying. And he hardly knew the damn woman, yet she had one hell of a hold over him.

  He grabbed her waist and pulled her up against his body, so her breasts pressed against his chest and hips molded to him as he covered her mouth with his. When she trembled against him, whimpering against his mouth, his resistance was gone. He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the table, seating her on it. Drawing an arm around her waist, he shifted her so he could pull her dress up around her waist, and then he positioned himself between her legs as he took her lips again. Both his hands on either side of her face, he kissed her deep before lifting his face to look down at her. Her eyes were dark with desire but expression confused. “I don’t understand it…” she murmured. “When I’m with you, I forget everything else—”