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“Are you crazy? We can’t go inside his club as a couple on a date.”
“Why not? It’s a public place.”
“I hope you are joking.”
“You said you wanted to date me. You told Tanaka to take a hike. Now, what’s the problem?” He pushed the car door open and got out to go around to her side to open her door.
“The problem is I’m not going inside. And I thought we settled this.”
“Velvet, I told you I wasn’t having that guy bugging us every time we run into him. Tonight, we’re setting this cat straight.”
“Troy is not a cat, Omar! He’s an Alpha werewolf with the biggest humpback I’ve ever seen.”
“I see he’s got you all impressed!”
“He’s got me worried.” More than that she was scared. Takeru was unstable. And jealous. He was confused. After taking over every other aspect of Troy’s life, there was only one area he was not able to dominate. He was trying to claim her when Troy had let her go instead.
“Velvet, between the two of us, a jealous werewolf is nothing.”
“I told you there was stuff you don’t know.”
“Stuff you don’t really want to tell me yet. So let’s keep it there.”
“Why?” Who wouldn’t want to know his girlfriend’s secrets?
“Because you aren’t the only one who’s not ready to tell their secrets, Velvet.” He reached across her, unbuckling her seat belt he paused to kiss her.
“Omar, this isn’t the way. Troy is different from before, he’s letting the wolf out all the time. If you confront him in his club with pack members witnessing, he will slaughter you. And then-” It pained her in her heart to think about. She couldn’t stop the sudden burst of tears. “And then, I’d want to die too.”
“Velvet.”
“If we stay here, he’s going to sense us.”
“All right.” After getting back behind the wheel, he offered her his handkerchief to dry her eyes. “Where should we go then?”
“Grrrl!” A heavy paw punched through the driver’s side window, striking Omar in his temple.
“Omar!” Before she was able to aid him, he was dragged out of the vehicle through the broken glass window. “No!” Furry arms and hands grabbed her and pulled her out to the ground. “Omar!” He wasn’t answering, the blow to his head had put him out. “Leave him alone!” She jerked herself free of the werewolves trying hard to restrain her.
“Calm down, and he won’t get hurt.”
“Takeru!” He walked up to her unmindful that her aura was illuminating the parking lot. Or that she was so scared she couldn’t think. Those werewolves could break Omar’s neck in an instant, or rip his body apart before she could say boo! “Omar?” He still wasn’t moving in the wolf man’s headlock and his knees were buckled. She had to get him out of there. Tricky with the wolfman attached to him.
“Look at me, Velvet.”
“Kiss my ass, Takeru.” With a clap of her palms, she reeled the wolfman with a concentrated burst of sound waves for his ears only. When he grabbed his ears howling, she transported Omar high into the air above the parking lot. She pushed off the concrete, flying to catch him. “Oh shoot!” She forgot werewolves were high jumpers. Takeru latched on to her legs going along for the ride. “Son of a bitch.” She popped him a few times right between the eyes with her silver light laced fists. He held on tighter rather than abandon his quarry. His face was right in her crotch. And he was sniffing it! “Get off me, you pervert.” She looked up at the sky, realizing Omar had to stop ascending and she had to send him somewhere safe. “Suzanne!” She screamed. Takeru looked down scanning the area.
“Faker,” he grinned, climbing the rest of the way up her body. He held on wrapping a leg across her backside. “Well, now. Where did your boyfriend go?”
“Away from you and your band of maniacs. You didn’t have to hurt him.”
“He didn’t have to come flaunting you in my territory.”
“What’s all this jealous bullshit about? You don’t even like me, and I don’t believe you care about Troy.”
“You know so much, don’t you?”
“I know this much, Takeru. If you try to kill any of my friends, I will kill you. Because I know Troy would rather die than-”
“Shut your mouth! You can’t speak for him.”
“Enough!” Bursting with white light, she forced his arms and legs from around her. He fell, accelerating from the altitude and crash-landed on his feet on the hood of Omar’s brand new car. The remaining windows shattered. He transformed ripping out of his shirt and leaped back into the air like a missile, growling and snarling reaching for a hold on Velvet. She levitated, waiting. She wasn’t fleeing from a jerk like him. Who the hell did he think he was? How much did he think she was going to take? “I’m Velvet Washington, you asshole! You won’t manhandle me!” His claw hand clamped onto her ankle and pulled her downward. He stepped on her shoulder for leverage and leaped higher. Using his long arms, he reached back, grabbed her arm and slung her across the sky. “Idiot, you’re the one who’s going to fall!” But he didn’t. He kept propelling himself in the wind and came at her again. “You jerk,” she gritted and let him attach to her again. He couldn’t fly, but his bounding ability was massive. As long as he could push off her, he could keep up with her unless she was willing to let him fall to earth again from double the altitude as before. She wasn’t and he knew it. “Crazy ass fool.” And he was ruining her new dress with his damn claws. “Get your leg off!”
“You want me to fall?”
“I don’t want to feel your dick, you pervert.”
“It better be the only dick you feel.”
“What?”
“If you need a man, I’m here. I look like him, sound like him, and most of all, I feel like him.”
“You’re a nutcase, Takeru.”
“I just want to fuck you. What’s wrong with that? You know it will be good. It has to be,” he said. “You smell so good, savory and sweet at the same time. You are so beautiful and strong, how am I supposed to resist you? How can I help wanting you?”
Dangerous jerk or not he was like Troy. Had her all crazy one minute then he was able to hold her still with just a softer tone to his voice.
“I’m the one with you,” he said adjusting his body so he could look down into her eyes. Doing so made her emit a small gasp from the sudden friction of his erection rubbing so close to her sweet spot. “Velvet...”
He was going to kiss her and she wanted him to. She didn’t really care who he was because her body responded to them both the same. Her body held memories of Troy, automatically wanting his pleasure. It must be the same for him, she thought. He couldn’t help what his body craved either. They were on the same page as far as their physical desires went.
Her hands went around his waist, holding him as his mouth came down on hers. Slowly, he took her tongue as if tasting her and savoring all the sweet goodness she possessed. She expected he’d try to eat her alive, but he was calm and tender. He gently moved his thigh, massaging between her legs. Her hands sensually traced his nude upper body, every bit of skin and muscles played like a musical instrument to her fingers. “Troy,” she sighed as he ran his tongue from her mouth to her throat. “Oh Troy,” she moaned running her fingers through his hair while his hands slunk down her body, then up under her dress.
“What baby?” he whispered in her ear, slipping a hand inside her undies. “Yes, Velvet?”
“I love you, Troy.”
“I know, baby. I know.”
“I love Troy,” she said and opened her eyes. Fantasy time was over. Perhaps it had gone too far. “Not you.” She teleported them from the sky to Omar’s beat up car. “You’d do anything to get to me. I want Troy, not the likes of you.”
“You can use me,” he said. “Anytime you want.”
She stepped out of his embrace, feeling weak in the knees. Feeling like she was stepping away from Troy again.
“Hey.” Takeru took her arm, anger showed on his face. “You’re going to just walk away? Come here,” he demanded and lead her around between the shadows of a mini Hummer and a van. “I want you right now.”
“I told you I want Troy.”
“More than that you want to fuck me.”
“I was thinking of him. My body craves Troy.”
“I don’t care. I don’t care,” he repeated, grabbing her with rough hands on her hips. “Neither of us cares.” He began by licking her lips and neck, then took her deeply in the mouth, backing her up into the van. She responded putting her arms around his neck, taking the kiss deeper, enjoying the delights his throbbing arousal was putting on her.
“Mmm.” She couldn’t control the soft sighs coming from her mouth. Or the fact, that she was letting him tug at her panties. She wished he’d just rip them off and then- what? Her eyes flew open alarmed she was about to make it with Takeru between cars, at the far end of the parking lot where they were the only couple about to burn up with passion. She closed her eyes and thought of Omar, knocked out and bloody. She wanted to get mad enough to raise a knee to Takeru’s nuts. Instead, she stepped out of her underwear. “This doesn’t mean anything. The moon hasn’t burned out the infection. Otherwise...” He was traveling down her body leaving a wet trail with his tongue. “Oh... ahh!” On his knees, his mouth took her womanly goodness with long strong licks that had her pulling at her braids.
“Oh, this is too sweet,” Takeru whispered and kissed it before rising back to his feet. He held her eyes while taking down his pants. He grunted as he pushed his rock hard member inside her. She gripped his shoulders to ride the waves of pleasure as he rocked her against the van. His head went back as if he’d howl. “Jesus,” he moaned instead and banged a fist on the van door. He groaned with each thrust as if in pain. “Tell me you love this too, baby.”
It was so much more than it should’ve been. All she wanted was a quick screw to ease the fire building every day in her loins. Takeru was doing something else, he was rocking her world.
Gunfire interrupted the night and startled them both. Wide-eyed they stared at each other, waiting for something else to happen. “It’s from your club,” she said.
He began kissing her again and squeezing her breasts.
She bit her lip feeling him fill her again. He wasn’t worried about anything but pleasuring her and getting his pleasure. Gunshots were fired and he wasn’t alarmed?
“Answer me,” he said lifting one of her long legs over his shoulder. “Tell me how you feel.”
“I... Oh, my stars!” It was mind-boggling that Takeru was the object of so much sweet pleasure. Her aura lit her up in sheer light. She held on to his arms and shoulders to balance herself in her stilettos. “Faster... faster.” Oh, it was wonderful. Pure delight. She looked up into his eyes and laughed until he kissed the sound right out of her mouth.
“It can be this way all the time, love,” he said. “The most powerful couple in Fairlight, plus all this good loving. God, Velvet... Say you want it. Say it.”
“It’s just sex.” Wonderful sex, she added in her head. “Oh... Takeru.” Climax was upon her. “Oh God.”
“Yeah, baby. Light up the night... Show me how much you love this!”
More gunshots erupted, this time sounding like automatic rifle fire to her ears. Then a loud chorus of frantic howling broke the frenzied couple apart on full alert. Takeru kept her body behind his protectively as he scanned the immediate area. Unconsciously, they reached for each other’s hands.
“Takeru.”
He turned to Velvet. “Baby, I have to get back in there quick. Zap me in!”
~*~
“What the hell, Craig?” He lay on the floor, his body shot up to hell and smoking from bullets. Some close to his heart. He was unable to answer his boss because he was too weak to transform from the animal. Takeru knelt beside him and lifted him to a sitting position. He placed his palm flat on Craig’s chest. “Everybody out!” he roared at the small remaining crowd of spectators. “Get them all out!”
Velvet saw it was going to take all night at the pace they were moving to the door. Friends or not they needed to give Craig breathing room. She quietly transported the whole lot of them outside and locked the door.
“It was some vampires. Came in here all rowdy!” Reiko screeched. “The fellas tried to kick them out then they started shooting but not silver at first. Craig was beating ass then they changed up!”
“Silver!” Velvet ran from out of the background. Pack business or not, Craig was her friend. “Oh, Craig.” He was out of it. Eyes rolled up showing white. “Craig, hold on!”
“Stop screaming,” Takeru said. “Back up and hold his legs. Now, Velvet.”
“Velvet?” Reiko stopped crying to scowl at Velvet. “I’ll do it!”
“Quiet!” Takeru ordered. “Call the doctor, Reiko. Velvet, hold his legs make sure he doesn’t go fetal. Got it?”
“Yes.”
“Now, Craig. Let’s see what you are made of.” Takeru did a partial transformation and dug his claws into Craig’s chest. He ripped and pulled four bullets from near his heart.
“Oh lord,” Velvet whispered. Takeru went back in and pulled out two more. “He’s going to bleed to death if you keep doing that.” But what else was he going to do? The bullets had to come out and quickly in order for Craig to heal. It was amazing, he seemed to know exactly where the most urgent to be removed bullets were located.
“Open your eyes!” Reiko sobbed. “Craig, don’t die!”
“He’s not going to die. Takeru knows what he’s doing.”
He lay Craig flat on his back. “Hold him, Velvet. Reiko, take his arms.” Rising, he transformed into the big humpback and howled so loud even Reiko cringed. He dropped down beside Craig on his knees. His body strained and flexed, his claws scratched the tile on the floor. His fur glistened with sweat. Finally, Craig’s chest heaved into convulsions, spurting bullets, blood, and tissue. “Velvet, use your blue light! It might jumpstart his healing factor.” Takeru grunted and coughed before collapsing, spent on the floor.
“Craig!” Reiko held him in her lap rubbing his fur, shielding him from Velvet. “He’ll be fine without you.”
“Reiko, stop it,” Takeru growled at her and rolled onto his back. “Velvet, hurry.”
Reiko wouldn’t move, so Velvet shot her with enough light to flip her out from under Craig. No time for finesse. She simply lay beside him belly to belly as she glowed and pulsed her light into his wounds.
“That should do it,” Takeru said.
“I just got started.”
“Vee, I’ve got it from here.”
He had what lying on the floor barely able to move? Although he was out of danger, Craig could do with a bit more energy. The silence and the askance in Takeru’s eyes told her to do as he told her. She went to him and helped him to his feet.
“Zap us to my private rooms.”
She glanced back at Craig stirring around painfully in Reiko’s arms. He was on the mend and in good hands.
~*~
Takeru was another story. He lay weakly on his back breathing hard. It was more than a half hour already and she saw no improvement in his condition.
“Here.” She handed him a glass of water. He gulped it down. He started to sweat again. She rinsed a cloth in cold water to wipe him down again. “Takeru, you need a doctor.”
“Doctor can’t help. Just stay with me. Don’t let anyone in here.”
“Maybe they can help you better than me. You look horrible!” And she couldn’t stand it. It reminded her of the night Troy came to rescue her with his back tore up from silver bullets. That was the night he left her.
“What are you thinking about?”
“You know what I’m thinking about.”
“Think of something else.” He frowned at her then took her fingers in his weak grip. “Something good.”
“You took over Craig’s body to expel the bullets. That’s why you use mind control to force the change on your people. It’s for them so you can help them when they can’t help themselves. But it’s much harder on you.”
“I just need rest.”
“Why won’t you take my direct life force? You let me help Craig.”
“You wanted to save him.”
“I want to save you too.”
“I’m not dying and I’m not taking any of your strength for myself. If I pass out, don’t let anyone in here.”
“Why not? Don’t you trust your own people?”
“Not at all. And I don’t want you at a disadvantage either.”
“I have plenty of energy to spare. Let me help you, Takeru. Please.”
“I won’t take it, Velvet! For God’s sake, listen to a man for once in your life!”
“All right. Calm down.” She pushed him back against the pillows and couldn’t help touching his face and smoothing his wet hair back. He did care about his people, he deserved their loyalty. Not being locked away in a room on the verge of death himself. “Reiko was showing a bit of disobedience. You think she’d try to harm you while you were down?”
“And convince Craig to help her. If he were strong enough. Fortunately, he’s not.”
“He wouldn’t hurt Troy’s body.”
“Craig will do anything he thinks is for the wellbeing of the pack. Since he’s been sleeping with her, he’s ready to do anything she says.”
“Sleeping with Reiko? Craig is dating Suzanne.”
“I don’t have the strength to discuss this right now.” He turned his head to the side, panting into the pillow.
“Takeru?” He was burning up. Getting worse than better. “Takeru?” His head lobbed to the side. She magically filled his empty glass with ice water then spit in it. “Takeru!” He opened his eyes, he seemed confused. “Thank God. Drink this.” She pulled him up and held the glass to his mouth. “There.” He got all the spit. “There now.” She settled him back on the pillows.
“Velvet, don’t leave.”
“I won’t. You’re safe.”
“I feel strange. You did something to me.”
“Just relax.” She climbed into bed with him and held his hand. “Go on and close your eyes.” He was cooler to her touch and his breathing was calm. “You’re going to be fine.”
“When we heard the first shots I should’ve...” His voice trailed off into unconsciousness.
“Yeah, we should’ve. But we didn’t, and Craig is going to be all right, thanks to you.” She caressed his face then ran her fingers through his wild hair. “You are not a monster. Why do you try so hard to convince everyone you are?” She turned on her side, giving him her back to rest herself from the stress of the last hour or so, then she thought of Omar. She sat up looking for a phone in the room.
“Velvet, what is going on?”
“It’s okay. Everything is fine.” She wiped her hand from his brow to chin. He lay back with his big eyes on her face. “Trust me and relax.”
“I do trust you. But Takeru...” His hand went up and clutched his chest. “What happened to us?”
“Us?” Did he mean himself and Craig? “You don’t remember? Takeru-”
“What did he do? What has he done?”
“Oh my God.” It was a joke. A sick joke. Just when she was beginning to feel something for him as a person. “Don’t play with me, I’m warning you.”
“Vee. God, you are beautiful. Are you all right?”
“Troy. It is you.”
“Yes, baby. I’m back.”
“Now? But how?”
“I’m not sure. It’s like I went to sleep and just woke up.” He glanced around his bedroom then paused before he looked up at her again. “Why are you in here?”
“Takeru needed me to protect him. He was very sick.”
“What happened? My chest is throbbing.”
“Earlier, Craig was hurt real bad. Vampires came in and shot up the place. I guess to draw Craig out. Anyway, they shot Craig repeatedly with silver bullets to his chest. Takeru dug the ones near his heart out with his claws, doing more damage. Craig was at the point of death. Takeru used his personal power to expel the rest of the silver, I used my healing aura to keep him alive. Craig is doing all right, but Takeru got sick, kept getting worse. He was concerned the others would make a move against him. I told him Craig wouldn’t harm your body. Was I right about that?”
“No. If Craig feels he has to protect the pack, he will, even if it costs my life.”
“What?”
“It’s his duty as my friend and second in command.”
“I won’t allow it, Troy.”
“Velvet, you don’t know what that beast is capable of doing to a weak pack.”
“He says his methods are making them stronger. He couldn’t have helped Craig if his body wasn’t conditioned first. He risked himself to save Craig’s life.”
“I’m grateful for that much, but Tak is using extreme force and mind control.”
“It saved Craig’s life.”
“It’s wrong, Velvet.”
“Okay.”
“You don’t agree?”
“What does it matter? You’re back now.”
“How long has it been?”
“Five months. I’ve been acquainted with Takeru for about a month.”
“I’m sorry. I must have been hard on you.”
“I’m all right,” she said. “Besides, it’s not your fault.” She got up to find Troy a pair of pajama bottoms. When she turned around, he was staring at her. Hard. “What?”
“Velvet,” he spoke so low she barely heard his voice. “You,” his voice choked.
“Troy?” She rushed to his side. “Take a deep breath. Now, let it out. Baby, you’ve been through a lot, just relax. Let’s get you in these bottoms.”
“I’m not a kid, Velvet.”
“I know, honey.” She watched him pull up his pajamas then slip under the sheet. “I’m going to take a shower. You’ll be okay?”
“Velvet, I love you. You haven’t forgotten?” She took his hand and kissed it then held it between her breasts. “You are the only real love I’ve ever had. I can’t lose you. Please, don’t abandon me.”
“Troy, you know that isn’t going to happen. I love you too.”
“I’m so sorry about Tak. I know he made it hard for you.”
“He’s not so big and bad. Anyway, you are back, that’s all I care about.” She kissed him lightly on his lips and pulled away. “Let me go freshen up and then we can talk, okay?”
“Okay.”
~*~
She walked out of the bathroom, into the bedroom wrapped in a towel. She let it drop to the floor to don the matching top to Troy’s pajamas. She hoped he wasn’t asleep, bless his heart. Climbing in, she lay on the pillow beside him. His body jerked hard. “Hey,” she giggled. “It’s only me.”
“Velvet?”
“Who else? Can’t you see in the dark, wolfman?”
“Yeah, I see you just fine.”
“How do you feel?”
“Real good.”
“Yeah?” She ran her fingers across his bare chest, kissed his nipples then kissed his lips. “Good.” She slipped her palm down his belly to his crotch, feeling the heat and stiffening of his shaft inside her hand.
“Why is that good, baby?” He rolled on top of her and started unbuttoning her shirt.
“Because...” She giggled like a school girl when he held her gently sucking her nipples. “Oh, I’m so happy. Never thought I’d be so happy again.”
“Baby, it’s only going to get better.”
~*~
She woke up hugging his neck, being kissed like there was no tomorrow. “Hey,” she beamed at him. So gorgeous and sexy in the early morning light. “I love you so much. “Feels like I just woke up from a dream.”
“I love you too, Velvet.”
“Aren’t you the cutest thing?” She laughed brushing back his wild hair. So black that it was blue.
“Cute?”
“The way you said it. Like it was the first time you ever said it.”
“You are the first woman I ever loved.”
“There you go again.”
“Velvet, I’m serious. I love you.”
“I know you love me, Troy.” The light went out of his eyes. “Troy?”
“Velvet.”
“Why are you looking so sad?”
“Sad? This is the happiest day of my life.” Anger quickly masked his features.
“Takeru? Oh, my God. When did you come back?”
“What are you talking about? I haven’t been anywhere.”
“You fainted from the fever and Troy was here. We talked and-” He left while she was in the shower! And it was Takeru she spent the night with making love. How could he? Why? “Oh no,” she moaned turning on her side giving him her back.
“Velvet, I was here with you all night.” He put his arms around her. “Troy was just a dream.”
“Takeru, don’t.” She pulled the sheet up to her neck.
“I love you. I’m the one put the smile on your face.” He cupped her breasts through the sheet. “Make love with me again.”
“Leave me alone. I feel rotten enough.”
“You didn’t feel rotten last night in the parking lot. It was amazing and you wanted it as much as I did. You took off your own panties and you weren’t thinking about anyone but me while I was inside you.”
“That was before when it seemed so hopeless. Then Troy was here. I thought you were him.”
“You saying you can’t tell us apart?”
“I wanted him so bad that’s why...” No. That wasn’t why she thought Takeru was Troy making sweet love to her. There just wasn’t any difference in their bodies. Not when Takeru wanted to be physically loving to her. He knew how she wanted him to make love to her.
“I’m here, Velvet. We aren’t strangers anymore. Make love with me again and you’ll feel fine again. I promise. Please, Velvet. Please...please.”
“Begging is not going to work, asshole.” But crawling all over her to suck and lick her skin sure did. She was instantly hot and ready. “Oh,” she sighed. It was no use telling him to stop now because he knew she didn’t want him to stop. She was too weak and needy to resist his manic demanding brand of loving.
The bastard. She hated him and in just a few seconds he was going to be inside her again giving her the pounding she was craving these past few weeks. Not Troy. He was gone again and not fought his way back to her, leaving her to be tortured by Takeru using his body against her. Well, she was just a woman. Like everybody else she had desires to be met. And sex was just two people enjoying feeling good together. Love need not be involved. Why was she holding back making herself miserable anyway?
“Velvet...” He began pushing his hard heat inside her. She felt him trembling from the pleasure. “Oh baby, you feel so damn good.”
“Shut up,” she said, kissing his arm and shoulder. His golden body was so hard and thick, all muscle. And he knew how to use it, how to make her want it so much, knowing she was bound to despise herself later.
“I just want to say...”
“I don’t want to hear it.” She wrapped her arms and legs around him holding on tight and drawing him in deeper. It was already getting good, so good that it was insane.
~*~
Takeru reclined against the cushions and pillows, in all his manly glory, smoking a skinny joint. He offered her some. She wanted to slap his face but merely rolled away from him to the side of the bed.
Pushing off the mattress, she felt the soreness between her thighs. The clock on the nightstand showed it was twenty-five past ten. She should’ve been in the office at eight. Rankin was going to have a fit.
Picking her dress and underwear from the floor, she realized she no longer wanted to wear them. She spied the trash basket near the chest of drawers and wadded her clothes into a ball and tossed them in before she continued into the bathroom and stepped into the shower.
Upon her return to the bedroom, she discovered the bed empty, the covers and pillows tossed about and torn. Somebody was all into his damn feelings. She zapped herself an outfit of jeans and tee shirt to wear out of the bedroom.
At the top of the stairs, she paused holding onto the banister to meet the rebuking glares of Craig and Suzanne. The sprite was dressed in her favored yellow and black battle suit, in the human form of the cute and deadly half Asian young woman Craig always acted like he was so fond of at first sight. And he held her to his side like a real sincere boyfriend. Werewolves, Velvet, thought and rolled her eyes. She scanned the bar, expecting to see Takeru below knocking them back, but he wasn’t present. That was a blessing she thought, a second later someone come up behind her. She turned and was met with a tight arm around her waist, pulling her into a hot kiss.
He released her mouth but kept her against him. “Still don’t have anything to say to me?”
“Vee?” Suzanne started up the stairs. She pulled her short-handled ax.
“Well, now.” Takeru was not amused.
“Step back,” Suzanne ordered. “Velvet, just give me the word.”
“What word would that be, sprite?” Takeru asked. Suzanne swung the ax. Takeru got his body out of range in the nick of time. “Why you little...” Takeru went for the ax. Suzanne was no match in hand to hand combat with a werewolf, she just didn’t have the experience or strength. He pulled the ax right out of her hands and slapped her to the floor.
“Leave her alone!” Craig bounded up the stairs in two leaps. He covered Suzanne with his body. “Don’t touch her again.”
“Craig, when will you learn?” Takeru raised his arm.
“Stop!” Velvet hung onto his arm. “Will you stop acting a fool every chance you get?”
“Me? I’m the one acting a fool?”
“You got what you wanted. Why aren’t you satisfied?”
He threw his head back and laughed. As if deciding he wasn’t amused after all, he sobered and grabbed her by the hair. “Oh, Velvet,” he said kissing her lightly on the lips.
“I can’t stand it,” Suzanne ground out. “He is a rapist, just like Reiko said. Knocked out poor Omar and kidnaped you!”
“What?” Takeru whipped his head around to snarl at Suzanne still on the floor covered by Craig’s body.
“I’m not afraid of you!”
“Sprite, be quiet.” Velvet said, holding firmly to Takeru’s arm. “Craig, would you see Suzanne home, please? I’ll be along shortly.”
“Craig, you better not take that freak anywhere!”
“Takeru, let them go!” He was too strong for her to hold more than a few seconds, and if he got any angrier, he was going to transform and let his beast out. His teeth were pushing out of his gums. “Tak, please.” She put both arms around his shoulders and raised a knee to hold him in front of her. “For me, okay?” Something changed in his eyes and his tense muscles relaxed. “Please?”
“Go on, then,” he ground out.
“Vee, why are you begging him? We can take him out.”
“Suzanne, I said be quiet.”
“Get out!” Takeru bellowed going into a howl. Craig jumped up keeping hold of Suzanne and double-timed it downstairs and out of the side entrance.
~*~
“You need to get a grip.” Velvet followed him down into the club. He was viciously yanking chairs from tabletops setting them around tables. At least he wasn’t drinking.
“You heard what she said.”
He was hurt. She saw it plain as day, his affected anger wasn’t fooling her. “I heard, and we all know it’s not true. Even Suzanne.”
“But you did believe it. Ran me through and hacked me with an ax.”
“I told you I was sorry about that.”
He stilled, then took a slow step toward her. “I know you are sorry. I’m sorry my scratching you gave you no pleasure. Even my fangs gave you pain. In my heart, I hoped you’d like it. I wanted to give you something Troy never shared with you.”
“Takeru...” He had her back in his grip.
“The loving between us is fantastic. You know the detective can’t satisfy you the way I can.” His breath was right on her face. His mouth just a hair from her lips. “I understand you wanting Troy back, but baby, he’s not here. I am. Take me and save the detective’s life.”
“Tak-” She’d have to fight him in order to get loose. The last thing she felt like doing was fighting.
“I want you so bad.” Before his lips touched hers, she turned her face to the side. “I guess you still don’t want to hear it.” His voice was husky and his eyes stared at her lips then back up to her eyes. “We don’t have to talk. Just come back upstairs with me. Please,” he whispered against her lips. The wolfish look in his eyes and the soft begging in his voice was so like Troy. No, he was tricking her again. Takeru knew how to make her respond by acting like Troy, except for when he was demanding like he’d done last night between the cars. But that was just a complete moment of madness. She pushed at his hands and chest, trying to avoid his kisses.
“I don’t have time for this.”
“There is always time for loving, Vee.” He took her hand, pulled her down into the booth with him, and sat her on his lap.
Damn. That was Troy. Something he’d say just to thaw her out. No, he just looked and sounded like Troy. They were brothers, they would say similar things. She was the one that needed to get a grip.
“Stay a few minutes,” he said.
“What for?”
“Because I asked you.”
“Oh. After you threatened my friends, I’m supposed to want to spend the morning with you?”
“After last night, and a few minutes ago, why wouldn’t you anyway?”
“Because I don’t want to! I’m not a sex maniac like you!”
“Then leave! Nobody is forcing you.”
She jumped up before he pushed her off his lap.
“What difference does it make if you do it once or a dozen times? You still chose me over Henderson. And you stopped waiting for Troy.”
“Okay, big boy. Let’s get a few things straight. One, I didn’t choose you over anybody. You were acting crazy and needed to get your head back on before you killed somebody. Two, in helping you do that I hope and pray the physical connection helps Troy find his way back to me. And three, I just wanted to get laid. Except for you looking just like Troy it wasn’t about you all that much.”
“You know I might buy that load of bull except for one thing. You knew full well you were with me this morning, yet you let me wear your sweet pussy out!” He slid from the booth. Looming over her he said, “Say what you want, Velvet. I know if Suzanne hadn’t seen us together, I’d have you bent over this table right now.”
“I’m not denying I craved your body- because it’s Troy’s body. I miss him, Takeru. I miss him so much.” Tears filled her eyes and spilled in big droplets to the floor between them.
“Troy split and he obviously doesn’t want to come back. I’m here and I’m not leaving. Accept me,” he said in a softer tone.
“Takeru, please. Just for a while. Let me see him.”
“I can’t.” He hugged her to his chest as if offering himself to her as comfort.
“Please.” She implored him tearfully, “You are so strong, you can do it. You said you would before. Remember when we first met? You said I could have him back for a while.”
“Things are different now.”
“How?”
“They just are.”
“Takeru.” She clutched at his shirt. “If I can’t say goodbye, how can I get over him?”
“By accepting me.”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can, baby. It all starts with a kiss.”
She shook her head and pulled out of his embrace. “What am I saying? What am I thinking? Why am I putting myself in this position with the likes of you?”
“You just want to feel good. You know you can with me. Don’t fight it.” He held her from the back pressing his erection against her derriere. His hands moved slowly from her sides up to her breasts. “Baby, when you accept me everything will be good, I promise.”
“Takeru, don’t do this to me. Let me see him again.”
“I can’t. Ask me anything, but that.”
She had to get away from his voice, his hands and his full-blown desire. She ran out of the club into the morning sunshine.
~*~
At the edge of the sidewalk, she paused to let out the breath she wasn’t aware she’d been holding. What the hell happened in there, she thought. One minute she thought she was working him, getting to his emotions. She actually thought he was feeling sorry for her plight. Instead, he was trying to wheel her in for more sex and it nearly worked.
“Velvet?”
“Huh?” She spun to the voice. “Omar.” He was walking fast from the parking lot. When did he show up? She hoped he wasn’t in the lot when she ran out of there like a bat out of hell. “Omar, what are you doing here?”
“I’m looking for you. Are you all right?”
“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”
“Because you and I were attacked last night and separated.”
“Didn’t Suzanne tell you I was caught up?”
“With Troy?”
“Yeah.”
“You spent the night here?”
“Well, yeah, I kind of had to.”
“Okay.” Hand on the butt of his glock, he turned toward the entrance.
“Omar, don’t be foolish. I had a situation last night and I handled it. It’s over. Let’s just go.”
Holding his hand, she crossed back into the parking lot praying Takeru would keep his ass inside his club. For once her prayers were answered.
~*~
He had that I need a drink look on his face. Was there no man she knew that she hadn’t driven to alcohol? His body language was all controlled anger. She closed the door and walked over to him standing in her living room. He avoided her eyes for the moment.
She went into the kitchen for a cup of water and discovered she was dehydrated. She drank half the pitcher, stopping after her stomach began to hurt. She turned after hearing the door swing open, it stilled with the touch of his hand.
“You stayed with him after he had me knocked out and dragged like a rag doll,” he stated full of bitter emotion.
“I made sure you were okay before I dealt with him. You were in good hands with Suzanne.”
“Suzanne isn’t you, and I don’t appreciate her trying to fool me to think she was you.”
“I didn’t tell her to do that. I guess, she thought she was helping.”
“Why did you have to deal with him? Why not just come see about me?”
“Takeru didn’t make it easy.”
“Who is Takeru?”
“Troy’s brother. He was the one that attacked us, not Troy. The other time was Takeru also.”
“I heard you calling him Troy.”
“Troy left months ago, and it’s been Takeru taking his place.”
“He’s been committing fraud and you’ve been letting him get away with it? Why?”
“That doesn’t matter, Omar. Ask what you really want to know.”
“I’m not going to ask you, Velvet.”
“Maybe I need to tell you.”
“Let’s hear it then.”
“I let Takeru seduce me last night- because I miss Troy so much. I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? You’re sorry!” He banged the kitchen door with his fist then kicked it tearing it from the hinges. He turned his body around making a complete circle then pulled at his hair. “Son of a bitch!” He kicked one of her oak wood cabinets.
“Omar.” She tried to wait for him to calm down. “Omar!” He started beating up the cabinets again. “Omar, stop it. What’s done is done.”
“Right! It’s done and there’s nothing I can do about it!” He turned to the fridge and punched it. “I guess, you did warn me. But like this?” He shook his head as if denying it.
“Omar, please.” She saw a chance to approach him.
“Don’t touch me, all right?” He swirled again. Forcing down his anger, he braced the flat of his hands on a counter top. Velvet stood back watching his meltdown. “Velvet, I need a drink,” he said. His voice was hollow and his shoulders trembled.
“Don’t drink,” she said, touching his back. He flinched from the gentle contact then turned around. He was undone. Nothing left. “You’ll just feel worse.”
“Come on, give me a drink.”
She went and opened the cupboard, chose a water glass and handed it to him. “Choose your poison,” she said. His poison was whiskey. A half glass. He finished it then took another before placing the glass in the sink.
“Yes, I am an alcoholic,” he said. “It’s the real reason my marriage went to hell.”
“Honey.” She touched the back of his hand, when he grabbed hold of her fingers, she embraced him, holding his shoulders. “I can’t excuse what I did. I’m so sorry.”
“My own fault. Like an idiot, I thought you were going to love me.”
“Omar.” He pulled out of her arms and exited the kitchen. “Omar!” She kept up with him to the door. “If you forgive me- Wait.” She put her back to the door. “Listen to me. We need to talk about a lot of things. If we’d talked before this might not have happened.”
“This happened because you thought it was good enough to send Suzanne to me in your place.”
“That isn’t the only reason. You have no idea what I’ve been going through these last few months.”
“I know it was hard, Velvet. I know what loving somebody who doesn’t care about you feels like.”
“I do care about you. Don’t be saying that.”
“Fine. You love me immensely. Now, can I get out of here?”
He reached behind her and opened the door, doing so he put their bodies in direct contact. Toe to toe, belly to belly, lips to lips. The briefest of touches. He pushed her back and walked out of her house.
“Omar?” She followed him outside and stopped on the edge of her porch. She wasn’t about to chase after a man that turned his back on her. Once he cooled down and thought about things, he’d either come back or stay away. Right now, she had no idea which was best. “Omar.” Her heart sank when he backed his car out of her driveway without another word or glance in her direction.
“It’s the best thing that could have happened.” Takeru stepped from around the bushes on the side of her house. He wore jeans and crew shirt that hugged his body and flip flops on his honey colored feet. Very casual, as if he wasn’t doing all he could to mess up her social life. “He’s alive with all of his limbs.
“Now, you are stalking me?” She tried to keep the unease and anger out of her voice when he approached her. She halted him climbing on the porch with her body.
“Actually, I came over to make sure you are all right. The detective carries a big gun.”
“He’d never hurt me in a million years,” she said starting back into the house.
“Unlike me?” Takeru inserted his body between her and the open door. “You think I can’t be a gentleman?”
“Not in a million years,” she retorted and roughly pushed him to the side out of the doorway.
“Hey!” He made it inside the house before she thought to lock the door against him. “He’s the one that walked out on you. Why are you mad at me?”
“Get out of my house. Can’t you tell when someone wants to be alone?”
“You need me,” he told her and snatched her up against his chest and tried to kiss her.
“I mean it, Takeru! I need you like I need a hole in my head! Get out and don’t bring your horny ass around me again trying to force yourself on me!”
“What?” The look of his face changed. The slant of his eyes sharpened, his mouth was full of wet teeth. “Force you?”
“You know what I mean. You know I only let you near me because you have his body. It’s Troy I want, not you.”
“You liar,” he swallowed the spit collecting in his mouth. “Telling lies right in my face!”
“I’m not lying! It was never about you!”
“Velvet!” He gripped her biceps so hard it hurt. He was furious. And hurt, she saw it behind the shine of his wolfish eyes.
“Takeru, let me loose. I’m past fighting with you. Act like a real man and do what a woman asks you.”
“You think I’m going to just give up? Make it easy for you?”
She managed to pull her arms from his clutching fingers. He stared at her as if stunned. She felt her heart soften, but she remained firm. “I have to get back to my life. The life I had before you barged in tearing it apart. I’ve put work aside because of you making me so nervous and upset.” She rubbed the bruises he left on her arms. “Would you please leave? My head is spinning.”
“You probably just need to eat something, and it wouldn’t hurt to relax.”
“With you in my house?”
“What do you think I’m going to do? Sit down. I’ll fix us some breakfast. How does steak and eggs sound?”
“Gross. I usually have toast and fruit.” He watched him head in the direction of her kitchen then lay herself on the sofa. Emotional upheaval had her worn out, or maybe it was getting sexed up left and right by a werewolf that couldn’t seem to get enough. Whatever, the cause she dozed off and then found herself being kissed awake. “Takeru...”
“I fixed you a tray,” he said with a big smile.
She sat up and let him place it on her lap. On the side table was a pitcher of orange juice and a full glass. He watched her gulp the juice before taking his seat beside her. Gingerly, he pushed back her loose braids securing them behind her ear. “Thank you,” she said eying the crudely chopped fruit on her lap to the buttered toast. “This is kind of you. There’s a lot, you should have some.”
“I had some ham and eggs.”
“I was asleep long enough for you to cook?”
“It’s past four o’clock. I let you sleep your stress away. Feeling better?”
“I suppose.”
“Would you like another tray?”
“This is enough for now.” She looked up from the bowl of fruit she made short work of to view his face. He seemed relaxed and content. “You’ve been here the whole time?”
“Yep. I wasn’t going to leave you alone in the state you were in.”
“You think I’ve never been in a state before or something?”
Footsteps on the porch drew her attention toward the front door. “You need to leave. If that’s Suzanne-”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t want another scene.”
“It’s your grandmother and the baby,” Takeru said rising to his feet.
~*~
“Vee!” Carmen ran into her arms before Hazel shut the door behind them. She kissed Velvet’s face then laughed showing all her pointy teeth.
“Carmen, what’s got you all tickled?” Velvet laughed, kissing her round cheeks in turn. “My lil tickle monster!”
“Oh, that child had her a time at the castle today,” Hazel said all grins and smiles herself.
“Great. I used to enjoy playing there when I was a kid, especially in the gardens.” Velvet gave Carmen a hug before setting her feet on the floor. She noticed Carmen was standing straighter and had run halfway across the room. She was still walking, going over to a bowl of fruit on the far accent table. She chose an apple, took a big bite then went back to Velvet. She picked her up, setting her on a hip. “So what did you do today?”
“Play and eat,” Carmen said plain as day. “Bite?” She pushed the apple against Velvet’s lips.
“Thanks.” Velvet met Hazel’s eyes as she chewed the juicy fruit. “Grandma?”
“Forget that,” Hazel said. “What’s up with this fella?”
“I already told him to get lost.” Velvet sifted Carmen on her hip and took another bite of the apple.
“Vee, I know you know that’s rude.” She walked over to Takeru. “Are you from Japan?”
“No, ma’am. I’ve visited and had extended stays.”
“You have family that lives in Japan?”
“Not anymore.”
“Just you and Troy left?” Hazel opened her purse and searched around for a tissue to wipe her nose. She snapped her purse shut and looked up at Takeru’s face. “Well?”
“I suppose.”
“Hmm.” Hazel smiled and offered him her hand. “I am Hazel.” Takeru reluctantly took her hand. “Wary of older witches?”
“Why are you asking me questions?”
“Excuse me, but I was under the impression you were after my girl. If you are, you better get reconciled to the fact that I come with her. And I will ask you any question I want to be answered.” Hazel stepped back openly appraising his appearance. “I never met your brother, but I heard he wasn’t a fan of Japan. You say you had extended stays there. Vee? Did Troy have that little accent as well?”
“I don’t have an accent,” Takeru scoffed.
“Actually, you do. It’s barely there,” Velvet said. And that was the difference! Bless you, Grandma, she wanted to shout out loud!
“Takeru, you are Japanese, aren’t you?” Hazel said, smoothing the back of her skirt before she sat on the sofa. “But your brother, who shares your body is American.” He looked from one witch to the other. “Of course she told me about your duality.”
“Okay, but so what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. If I’d met your brother, I might could tell you.”
“Are you trying to trick me or something?”
“Young man, I don’t have any reason to trick you.”
“You don’t like me.”
“Why would any grandmother like a man like you? Velvet sure can’t stand you.”
“You’re a lousy liar, Grandma. Must run in the family.”
“Takeru!” Miffed at the rudeness of the young man before her, Hazel shot to her feet and pointed a finger in his face. “I am not a liar! You get out of here if you don’t know how to talk to an elder!”
“Your heartbeat spiked, not a lot but I felt the change in vibrations. You know Velvet likes me.” He was grinning all down in her face. “She told you, didn’t she?”
“She said you are an insufferable maniac!”
“Wow.”
“Called me a liar to my face,” Hazel grumbled. “Well, what are you grinning about?”
“It’s nice to know she’s discussed me with the family.” He eyed Carmen perched on Velvet’s hip, her face a sloppy mess of juice and apple skin.
“Stop staring at her,” Velvet said, covering Carmen’s face with her hand.
“She’s a sweet, beautiful little girl.”
“I know that.”
Takeru brusquely pushed Velvet’s hand aside to touch Carmen’s cheek. “Hey, cutie.”
“Hey,” Carmen replied then bit down on his thumb. Laughing she scurried off Velvet’s hip and ran toward the hallway and paused. “I got you!”
“Now, I’m going to get you,” Takeru growled and showed her his fangs before chasing her down the hall.
“Well, he’s won somebody over.” Hazel took an orange slice from the table before her and bit into it.
“Carmen likes everybody,” Velvet grumbled.
“She never bit anyone before. Not even Devon.”
“Maybe she can tell Tak likes pain.”
“When you start calling him Tak?”
“I don’t know. What difference it makes?”
“Who you being short with young lady?”
“Nobody. Grandma, how long has Carmen been talking like that?”
“Just started today. And she was walking and running like a big girl all day too.”
“Wow. Is it my imagination or is she taller?”
“Velvet, forget about Carmen.” Hazel wiped her fingers with a paper napkin then said, “Why is Tak in this house? I thought you said you wanted to give Omar a real shot.”
“I messed all that up last night.”
“When Carmen and I walked in, I got the feeling you and Tak had been up to something.”
“It wasn’t what you think.”
“Velvet, when I touched him, I felt the two wolf spirits you told me about and there is something else. I can’t be sure of what it is without a deep probe.”
“He’ll kick you out.”
“No, he won’t,” Hazel expressed dismissively. “His wolf is different. Not just foreign. Maybe otherworldly. I’m not sure. Just be careful of him. I get the feeling that spirit is very dangerous. Remember that, Velvet. He’s not Troy at all.”
“Well, I already know that, Grandma.”
“Do you, Velvet? For real, he hasn’t fooled you? He’s playing for keeps. Remember that for Troy’s and Omar’s sake.”
Velvet saw Hazel was in protection mode, just like when she discovered Wilder was working his way into her heart. And she hadn't listened to her grand’s advice at all. But this wasn’t the same. Takeru might need her as much as Troy. It was just a feeling she wasn’t able to shake since he asked her to protect him from his own pack. “I have to say something out loud, Grandma. You want to hear it?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I like Takeru. He wants me and is willing to tell the brotherhood to go to hell if they object. That’s the turn-on, Grandma. He’ll fight anyone that gets in our way.” She didn’t have to add, unlike Troy.
“You think him behaving as a bully is love?” Hazel reasoned. Velvet could tell she’d been thinking about the matter some and was now having her say. “If you tell him to leave you alone he should leave you alone and quit threatening Omar.”
“I know that.”
“Velvet, do you want Takeru? Have you already chosen him in your heart?”
“No, ma’am. I only said I liked him.”
“No, baby,” Hazel rose to her feet. “You said a lot more than that.” With a long sigh, she went down the hallway and called for Carmen to come to her to take her bath.
~*~
She knew he knew she was slowly descending the staircase on purpose to watch him from the back. Front or back, either view was fantastic. Hands jammed in his pockets, he finally turned when she began to cross the floor to join him in front of the mantle. Lord, he was beautiful. Desire hit her in the chest, thudding her heart so hard that Takeru had to physically feel it. Abruptly, she veered her course and went to sit in the big chair by the window. He stared at his feet for a few seconds before taking a seat on the ottoman next to her chair.
“What’s the story about Carmen,” he asked. “She’s not your natural child.”
“I’d rather not discuss her.”
“But you are raising her as your own?” he continued.
“She is mine.”
“Okay, I was just asking.”
“Takeru, it’s getting late.”
“Still harassing demons?”
“All demons don’t belong among humans.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Have you met any Avaricites?”
“No. From what I hear they aren’t likely to deal with adults. They take children. Tell me you aren’t chasing them.”
“Somebody has to and we’ve done our research.”
“So your whole team is on it? Because that is what it’s going to take.”
“Yes, and we have a few exorcists on standby.” What was this? First, he charms Carmen, now he’s interested in her job?
“Is Carmen asleep?”
“Yes, she was all tuckered out.” Seeing Carmen so happy brought a smile to her face. “I don’t get to see her like that much anymore. Devon is taking more classes to catch up with his studies, so he isn’t around as much to play with her all growly and rough.”
“Fortunately, Devon isn’t the only werewolf you know.”
“I know -and it is getting late.”
“You kicking me out?” He rose with her, his body blocking her path to the door.
“I was trying to give you a hint. I have a new case I’m anxious to get an early start on tomorrow.”
“Why did you cover Carmen’s face?”
“You were staring at her like she was a freak.”
“I’m a werewolf, why would I be staring at another shape shifter’s appearance?”
“What?” A shape shifter? Carmen wasn’t changing into something else, but altering herself? “Um, what else did she do while playing with you?”
“She tried to form claws like mine. She managed to put little points on her ears.”
“Oh, I bet that was fun.”
“Yes, it was. Velvet, what is she?”
“A little girl.”
“All right.”
“Good night, Takeru.”
He put an arm around her and kissed her softly. Before she pushed him away, he backed off. “To speed things along, what do you want me to do, Velvet? What will get you to accept me?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure? What is between us is strong, magical and-”
“Wrong. It’s wrong, Tak.” Only, right then, looking up into his bright eyes, it felt wonderful. Just like when he kissed her up in the clouds. “Tak, you are fooling yourself if you think-”
“I’m not thinking anything. I’m feeling. I’m feeling us. You can lie about how you feel but what is in your heart is the truth. I want you so bad. I know you feel the same way.”
Slowly, he took her lips in a gentle kiss. Taking his time, he moved his hands up her sides to her breasts. When she sighed, he took her tongue and went deeper into her mouth.
“Tak...” She felt the straining of his hump underneath his shirt. His body was hard and tight, full of raw energy that sought her blue light. She closed her eyes. “Mmm.” His hands felt good slipping down into her pants, grabbing hold of her buttocks.
“Your light feels good... so warm,” he murmured against her lips. “You smell so sweet...
He licked her lips claiming her mouth for a deeper soul searching kiss crushing her in his arms. She felt the quickening of his heartbeat against her chest. His arousal was off the scale. Tearing their mouths apart, she pulled back to catch her breath. In his eyes, she saw the hot raw desire mounting. His eyes no longer shined but smoldered. His mouth barely covered his fangs and his body trembled. His muscles rippled in his chest and abdominals. His power hump threatened to grow as the seams of his shirt stretched beyond their limits. His body wanted to transform. But he had control it seemed. “Velvet,” he growled, nibbling at her earlobe. “Come with me.”
“What?” Wordlessly, he took her hand and pulled her along with him to the back of her house, and out the door. “Takeru?” He began to run holding firmly to her hand, dragging her along. About six miles out in the woods, he finally stopped then took her in his arms.
“How do you feel,” he asked hugging her up close.
“You want to run some more?”
“Just a few more miles. We’ll take it slow.”
“If we are going to run, let’s make it count.” Besides, she wanted to see just how much faster he was than Devon.
“That’s my baby,” he bragged and gave her a big loud kiss before taking her hand again to lead them out deeper into the woods. Every two miles or so he’d look over at her grinning and picked up speed. Soon, Velvet could hardly feel her feet touching the ground. Even so, she knew he was holding back for her to keep up with him.
“Woo-oo!” she mimicked when he howled. She was actually having fun she realized. After several more minutes, he began to slow down then finally came to a stop in the middle of a small clearing. They must have run twenty miles. “Wow!” She exclaimed watching him watch her back. “That was something!”
“You’ve never run like that before?”
“No way.” She took a moment to catch her breath. “You guys do it all the time?”
“It’s good for energy flow. Clearing the mind.”
“Yeah?” Her energy was sure flowing.
He turned his face up to the moon. Passing clouds covered it for a few seconds. He looked at her and smiled at her as he crouched down in the short grass. She smiled back and let him pull her down beside him.
“Is your mind clear right now?”
“If you mean, do I want to get laid? The answer is yes.”
“What about me? Don’t you like me?”
“You don’t seriously think I’ve forgotten Troy?”
“You don’t have to admit it out loud.”
“You think you know how I feel? You don’t even know me.”
“My feelings didn’t just come from nowhere or without reason.”
“Maybe what you are feeling are Troy’s feelings. You ever think of that?”
“Or maybe Troy was feeling what I felt about you. You ever think of that?”
“What?” She blinked at him then thought about what he said. Was it possible he saw her and knew her from Troy’s mind? Could they share experiences? Tak was a slick fellow. Had he been laying low and waiting for Troy to mess up? Mess up by taking silver bullets directly into his hump? “Tak, what are you saying? Were you sometimes out and Troy didn’t know?”
“No. But I was always close. I got glimpses of you. Sometimes, I could smell you and hear your voice. I wanted you. I came out to have you and show you what a real werewolf is, Velvet. You deserve me, not the wimp my brother allowed Jasmine to make of him.”
“Do you think Troy can get glimpses too? Did he come out because you got sick and passed out?”
“He wasn’t out, Velvet,” he gritted through his teeth. “That was your imagination.”
“If you were in Troy’s place that night and found out I’d just let your brother screw me in the parking lot-”
“I’d beat your ass and then fuck your pussy dry.”
“You call that love?”
“I call that a proven way of dealing with a problem. Once you are mine there better not be anyone else- ever. As my mate-”
“Stop right there. There’s no way in this world I’d become your mate.”
She rose from the grass and stood over him. All at once she didn’t want to get laid anymore.
“I love you. There is nothing in our way. I won’t let there be anything in our way.”
“I don’t want your love. All I want from you is a few minutes to talk to Troy again.”
“Not going to happen. Not even when you surrender your body to me again.”
“I’ll figure out how to get him back.”
“And you won’t miss me?”
“I’m sure I’ll do just fine without you in my life.”
“My feelings mean nothing to you?”
“I don’t even know you.”
With a long snarl, he transformed into the huge brown humpback.
“Hey!” Velvet swirled around just avoiding the swipe of his claws. He came at her again and this time she stood her ground. “Tak.” He pulled her blouse out of her jeans and dragged her up close to his flaring nostrils. His long tongue licked her cheek then her lips. “Stop it!” She screamed into his face and slapped his nose. “Get off me.” Man, he was big! She tried to step away before he had her locked up in his furry arms. Slowly, he transformed back. She held his wild stare, very aware that he was now nude.
“You enjoyed being with me before. Why is tonight different?”
“Maybe the run did me some good too. My mind is clearer than it’s been in months. I want Troy back and I know he’s not coming back if I keep letting you seduce me.”
“Just so you know, Velvet. As hard as he’s struggling to come into the light, I’m fighting much harder to push him farther into darkness.”
“Why? Why can’t you two compromise for time? You’re both viable entities. I don’t believe either of you has to be sacrificed.”
“Which one of us do you think is willing to give you up? Which of us will you choose? Tell me, because I don’t believe you for one moment when you say you don’t want my love! Are you the type to go between two men? We are two men, Velvet! Not just personalities of the same man!”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes! You think I don’t know what I am?”
“Interesting.”
“What?”
“I told you I was going to figure out a way to get Troy back.”
“Magiks can’t pull Troy back. Only I can allow his release.”
“We’ll see,” she smirked. Then laughed. “Tak, you are one smart fella. But you don’t know me very well. Now, you go ahead and enjoy your plans with your demons because soon Troy will return stronger than before and the pack will be his again and your demons will scatter unless you can find a way to take them with you.”
“If it’s power you want, you can have it now with me. Even love, Velvet. Just accept me. In your heart, you know that is all you’ve ever wanted. This city and a man’s love you can depend on.”
“Takeru, I have power. More than you and your demons can imagine. As far as love, I can wait for the real thing.”
“Then why the hell did you follow me out here?”
“I wanted to get laid. By you,” she added. “No point in denying it. However, I’ve overcome those feelings. My head is on straight and tight. I’m going to fly back to Fairlight unless you’d like to run back with me.”
“I’d rather kiss you good night right here.”
“Let’s make it goodbye and-”
Squeezing her biceps, he pulled her up to take her mouth and crush her all up on his chest for a long one that left them both breathless. “Now, disappear from my sight before I rip your clothes off your body and prove to us both what a liar you are.”
“Goodbye, Takeru.” She stepped from his arms and began to fade.
“For now, Velvet.” He turned and ran into the trees before she completely disappeared.