Wolfs bane, p.9
Wolf's Bane, page 9
"I could help with that," Rylan said.
She startled at the sound of his voice. She'd been so engrossed that she didn't hear him enter. She'd planned on ignoring his presence in her house, but the way he gazed at her now, waiting for her to respond, was hard to ignore. Even more challenging was what she wanted to do with him. Instead of reprimanding him for giving her a fright, she moved over and gave him room to join her in the shower.
He stripped and stepped beneath the spray of water. His eyes grew dark with desire. "You have no idea how long I've waited since my return for this invitation."
She spread her palm on his chest, teasing the dark curls with the tips of her fingers. "I hope I won't live to regret this, but either way, I want you more than I ever have before."
Their hunger drove them into a lustful frenzy while the water sluiced over their bodies. She knelt to taste him. He groaned a deep throaty moan of pleasure. He picked her up, holding her against the tiled wall, where he fondled her until she was slick with heat. Kylie took advantage of how he held her and wrapped her legs around his waist.
They teased one another with playful nips. He slid into her. She threw her head back and arched into him even deeper, relishing every thrust. Her arms clung to his neck as she rose with him toward their climax. Over and over again, they moved in unison, sensing what the other desired.
He slowed his rhythm, teasing her again.
She moved more urgently, urging him not to slow down. "You're driving me crazy. Keep going. Don't stop."
"Is this what you want?" He pinned her once more against the shower wall and cupped her buttocks in his hands, holding her in place, not allowing her to move. He toyed with her desire for him by withholding what she sought and pushing into her one inch at a time and pulling back just as slowly.
"Oh, my god. This is torture. I want all of you," she murmured in his ear then nipped his ear lobe. He jerked, met her gaze, and let her have every inch of him. Her breath caught. "Yes." With her eyes half-lidded, she matched his pace. The water streamed down her neck to her breasts, then to where they were joined. He took her harder, and she moaned in delight. She climaxed, and moments later, so did he. She felt each pulse within her until they were both completely spent.
She slathered the soap over his body and then hers and allowed him to position them under the water to rinse away the suds. She turned off the water but didn't get out. "Wow. That was the best shower I've had in ages."
He grinned, kissed her, and then stepped out of the shower to grab the towels. "Same here."
They dried each other off, admiring one another. She was tempted to see if he'd be up for another round, but fatigue held her back from expending any more energy.
"You can sleep in my room tonight if you'd like." She held her breath, hoping he'd accept.
"There's no other place I'd rather be." He carried her down the hall to her room and placed her gently on the bed.
"Oh, damn, I have to dry my hair." The long purple tresses were plastered against her skin as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"I'll get the hair dryer. Is it in the bathroom cabinet still?"
"Yes, but you don't have to bother. I can get it." But he'd slipped away before she'd finished replying.
She brushed the tangled strands while he retrieved the dryer. He returned and took the brush from her to finish the job. It was such a simple act, but one that meant a great deal to her. She closed her eyes and held on to the moment of happiness as he dried her hair with long brush strokes. When he was done, he pulled her hair aside and kissed her neck. She brought his mouth to hers, probing and tasting until both of them groaned.
He placed her on the bed and started suckling her. She reached for him and stroked his firmness. He rolled her over and took her from behind. They found a satisfying rhythm of ecstasy that left her legs shaking and him uttering wolfish growls. They climaxed in unison. How she wished she could match his wolf with her own, but she still couldn't shift.
They lay in bed, embracing one another, until she fell asleep thinking of how her wolf would mate with his.
"Wake up," Rylan said. "We have places to be this morning."
"No." She gathered the covers around her and rolled onto her stomach.
He laughed then pulled down the blankets to run his fingers along her spine. She shivered at the sensation. Her breath caught as he went lower. He began kissing her every place his fingers landed, creating a trail all the way down her body. She squirmed in awareness of his touch.
"You don't know the power you hold over me," she said. "I want you all over again."
"Then you shall have me." He pulled her to the edge of the bed and teased her body to prepare her for his entry. It didn't take long before her breaths came in gasps of exquisite anticipation. "If you don't do something soon, then I'll be forced to take matters into my own hands. Be warned. I bite."
"That sounds tempting, but you'll have to wait. It's my turn to pleasure you."
He held her hands above her head and came down on her slowly, taunting her, making her writhe for several moments while he kept just out of her reach.
"You're the devil in disguise." She groaned, but it was muffled by his tongue when he kissed her.
He used his knee to part her legs wider and enter her with the full force of his pent-up passion. Their union became urgent, but he never let go of her hands. He pushed deeper inside her, withdrawing when she came to the edge of her climax. He did this several more times. Each time, her moans grew louder. When she thought she could stand it no longer, he made a final push that sent her over the edge. She brought him with her and savored every spurt of his seed.
He released her and fell against her on the bed. "Lord, I've died and gone to heaven."
She laughed and pushed him away. "Well, after seeing angels, I think I'll stick with the here and now on earth." She rolled on top of him and kissed him. "I suppose we can't hang out here all day, even though it would be fun." Her stomach rumbled. "Plus, I've worked up an appetite."
He moved her off him and got up. "I'll fix us something to eat to take with us on the road. I'm dropping you off at the hospital on my way to the funeral home."
She started to protest but he cut her off with a deep kiss.
They ate homemade breakfast burritos on the drive. Too soon, they reached the hospital. She took the last bite of her burrito, washed it down with some coffee, and gave him a kiss before walking through the double doors at the main entrance. She glanced back to see him waiting for her to get inside. His protectiveness might get annoying at some point, but for now, she'd let it slide.
Chapter 16
Revelations
Avery was propped up in bed, her head wrapped in bandages that showed how close Kylie had come to losing her. The sterile scent of the hospital lingered in the air, softened by the aroma of chocolates as Kylie approached. Kylie had stopped at the gift shop on the way to see her. A smile of eager anticipation and gratitude flitted over Avery's face as she accepted the box.
"Hey, Avery. I brought you some contraband," Kylie said, offering a conspiratorial wink as she handed her the box of chocolates.
"Thanks." Avery opened the box, revealing an assortment of chocolates. She carefully selected one, the rich smell of cocoa filling the air, and placed it in her mouth. She closed her eyes and moaned with satisfaction. She handed Kylie the box.
Kylie chose what she hoped would be a caramel one and was happy to discover it was what she wanted. "You're welcome. I'm sorry you got hurt." Her voice dropped as she handed the box back to Avery. Seeing her friend like this sent a pang of guilt washing over her. This was her fault.
"It goes with the territory." Avery's voice was light but carried the weight of unspoken truths about how close a call it had been for her. She took the box and removed another candy. "Have a seat. We can do like old times and devour this entire box before we get caught."
Laughter bubbled up between them, an echo of happier times. Kylie savored the caramel, its stickiness clinging to her teeth. They reminisced, each bite of chocolate unearthing memories, some sweet, others bittersweet. It was almost like they were friends again. Kylie prayed there was hope for their friendship.
Their conversation shifted, delving into past romances and misunderstandings. "You know I never got over you stealing the guy I wanted to date," Avery said, a playful accusation in her tone.
"Who? Ted? Seriously?" Kylie's surprise was genuine, her brows arching in disbelief. She hadn't realized Avery's feelings back then when Ted had asked her to the prom instead of Avery.
"Yes. Ted. Seriously." Avery ate a third chocolate. "How could you not see that I had my eye on him?"
"He asked me to the prom because you were flirting with Andy from the football team. I found that out after we got to the prom, so I dumped his ass and went home."
"Really? He told you that? So, it was a revenge date on his part. Huh." Avery shrugged. "That makes a difference. How come you didn't tell me?"
"First of all, I didn't know you wanted to go to the prom with him. You were all about Andy any time we talked. Andy this and Andy that. 'He's so cute. He plays football. Did you see that catch he made at the last game?' It about made me barf."
The two of them started laughing, just like nothing had come between them. Their shared laughter filled the room, a healing balm to old wounds.
"But, honestly, I would never have gone with him if I thought you wanted him. Sorry."
"Actually, we both dodged that bullet," Avery said. "Have you seen him now? Ugh. Gross. Total loser."
They cracked up again, ate the entire box of candy, and settled into trivial banter about all the guys they'd dated. Unity Falls was a small town, and the dating choices were slim. They had dated some of the same guys at one point or another. Comparing notes now was hysterical. Kylie laughed until tears rolled down her face.
"I've missed this," she said.
"Me, too." Avery reached out and grabbed Kylie's hand. "Let's not lose this again. Okay? The accident brought home all that I could have lost and made me see what I wanted in my future. So, I'm telling you right now, don't go after Zack. I really want him."
Kylie raised a brow. "Zack? Wow. Okay. No worries. He's a super nice guy. I think you two would be great together."
Avery sank back onto her pillow. "Thanks. And thanks for coming to see me."
"It hasn't been easy being around you with all that's been going on with the pack and me. I know you will have to do your job when the time comes, and I won't make it harder for you. I'm glad we patched things up. And, not to take advantage of that friendship, but I do have something I have to give you." Kylie felt the cold metal of the key in her hand and placed it on Avery's tray table with a clink.
"What's that?" Avery examined it, giving Kylie a quizzical expression. "A safety deposit key?"
"That's my guess. I found it after Pete and Vance had their tussle. I thought it was Pete's. I picked it up and asked him about it last night. He said it's not his. So now I think it must belong to Vance, which means you have to take possession of it. Sorry if I messed with evidence or whatever you call it."
Avery looked at her for a long moment. Kylie did her best to appear innocent.
"I've got it. Don't worry. I won't tell them the truth. I know you too well for you not to have taken this on purpose. Did you go to the bank yet?"
"Well, hell. You're supposed to act like I picked it up by accident. Which I almost did, by the way. I just happened upon it, and when you all arrived at the scene, I panicked and shoved it in my pocket. Also, no, I didn't go to the bank. I'll let you handle that one. I'm already in enough trouble with the pack."
"In other words, you couldn't figure out how to access the bank vault to use the key and need me to help."
Kylie shrugged. "I will neither confirm nor deny that accusation."
They laughed again and hugged.
"Rylan will be back for me soon. I have to go, but thanks for being a great friend and covering for me on this."
"It's not like you haven't done the same for me in the past." Avery's tone grew serious. "I'm rooting for you. I think it sucks what Ray is doing, but legally there's nothing I can do."
"It's okay. Honestly, I'm fine. I'm tying loose ends. Making amends with you makes me happier than you could know. So, thanks again."
Kylie rose from the chair, reluctant to depart. The warmth of the room seemed to fade, leaving a tangible sense of parting for the two reunited friends. With a final squeeze of hands, Kylie turned and left the room.
Outside, Kylie embraced the fresh air, a welcome respite from the hospital's clinical atmosphere. She wandered to a garden path dotted with benches, choosing one with a clear view of the road. It had been over two hours, and Rylan wasn't back. The garden was a small oasis of tranquility, the vibrant hues of pansies, petunias, and geraniums painting a carefully curated picture of serenity. It was a relaxing place for long-term patients to get some fresh air and push away their worries. All the benches were empty, which suited her current mood. She closed her eyes and breathed in the mingled scent of spring flowers.
"Mind if I sit here?" Scarlet didn't wait for a response. She sat next to Kylie.
Kylie's eyes flew open, and she whipped around to see Scarlet putting on a pair of sunglasses. The light glinted off of them, giving Scarlet an even more brilliant appearance than usual, which only served to irritate Kylie further. "Nice shades. What brings you here?" She had an edge to her voice and didn't care.
"You have a right to be peeved with Aziel."
"But not you?"
Scarlet sat poised with an air of confident innocence. "I had nothing to do with his decision to intercept the police car and take Vance and that young guy. You know, the delivery fellow, what's his name?"
"His name is Paul, and he's not a bad person. Stupid but not bad. He can't help being Vance's nephew any more than I can with being Aziel's niece."
"Touché. You have your mother's sense of righteousness. It's an admirable quality, even though it could prove to be your downfall if the demons exploit it."
"Demons?" No one mentioned demons to her. She should have known better. If there were angels hanging around, then demons had to be not far behind.
"Of course. Why do you think we exist in the first place? I told you we keep the balance." Scarlet bent over and plucked a petal from a pansy. "The world exists with opposing forces. It's part of nature. Just as this pansy exists for its beauty, so does the hand that plucks it. Like so." She held it up for Kylie to see as she crushed the flower. "Do you smell it? Even after its destruction, it gives back to mankind. Just as your mother did when she chose your father and her fate."
"My mother wasn't a flower!"
"She was more than a flower. She was a field of them. She was a gift to mankind. Her passing gave us you. You will have inherited some of her gifts. We don't know what those are yet, but it will be interesting to see how they emerge. What you do with your gifts, of course, is your choice."
Kylie didn't know what to say. She remembered her mother through snapshots and hazy memories. She stared at Scarlet and saw bits of the red fox—sleek, beautiful, and cunning.
Kylie changed the subject. "What will Aziel do with Vance and Paul?"
Scarlet paused, her expression unreadable. "That's a good question. I don't know for sure. I imagine the tips of his wings will give them something to think about if they refuse to answer his inquiries about your mother's death and how you all were poisoned."
Kylie remembered the twinge of pain when her uncle's wing touched her, the memory vivid and searing. That sharp almost electric jolt of pain was a reminder of the power angels wielded, a stark contrast to their heavenly origins, and not something she'd likely forget anytime soon. She didn't care if Vance suffered. Paul was a different story. Being stupid or related to someone who was corrupt shouldn't be his burden to bear.
"Vance Montgomery deserves whatever he gets. Paul is pawn in all this and someone I'd hope Aziel would go easier on."
Scarlet’s eyes darkened, reflecting the gravity of their situation. "That's not for me to say. Aziel won't kill them. However, they may have nightmares for the rest of their lives."
That was a scary thought and sent a shiver running across her arms. Her uncle would, in some fashion or another, break the men. God help them. Or not. These were angels sent from heaven to be warriors. It seemed their methods didn't necessarily align with mercy. It was a reminder of the harsh justice of their world, where even angels, the epitome of divine mercy, could be relentless in their pursuit of retribution.
Kylie put aside those disturbing thoughts and focused on her own concerns. "You seem to find me wherever I go. How do I find you and Aziel?"
Scarlet smiled in a sly, foxlike way. "Ahh. I wondered when we'd get to this. Alright, I can give you some information on how we communicate, but most of it you will discover for yourself. Hold out your right hand."
Kylie held it out to Scarlet, who traced the line that ran around Kylie's thumb. The line was long, stretching all the way to her wrist. As Scarlet traced, the line glowed a brilliant white, fading seconds after her touch. There was an intense warmth in the line as it was traced, but it wasn't so hot as to hurt.
Kylie watched until the glow disappeared. She glanced up at Scarlet. "What did you do?"
"It's not what I did but what you did. Angel blood runs through your veins. Only someone of angel descent has that kind of response." She looked pleased. "You show great promise, but time will let us know to what extent that will be."
"It was a test, wasn't it?"
Scarlet spoke with genuine enthusiasm. "Yes."
"I'm guessing I passed. Now answer my question on how I can contact you and Aziel. I noticed you don't exactly carry cell phones around with you."
