Emily's Story (6 page)

He heard the rustling of clothing and began placing the food on the table. The small wood cabin had two bedrooms, an office, small living area, kitchen/dining room and one bathroom. There was a loft that looked out over the den with a large arcadia window that led out to a balcony. He had checked the bars on the large glass door. They would be the first he removed when she was ready. He heard a noise at the bedroom door and looked down the short hall.

The words were soft and hesitant. “I need privacy.”

Her head was down, which surprised him. It was hard for an alpha to look down and even if she was being submissive, he could feel the raw and volatile power she was radiating. He had to shake himself from the subconscious pull to surround her body with his scent and mark her again. With a blink he realized her problem. He walked over and opened the door to the bathroom. “What you need is in here.” He knew she wouldn’t approach while he was standing so close. “You can use the sink to wash up before dinner. I left towels out. We’ll tackle a shower after we eat.” He walked back into the kitchen. He heard the bathroom door close and minutes later the unmistakable sound of the toilet flushing. He smiled when he heard the water turn on in the sink. After it shut off, there was no additional noise from the bathroom but she didn’t come out for several minutes.

The toilet was like the one she grew up with and she let the cool water run over her hands after she did her business. The looking glass was new to her though she saw one in her mother’s home when she went up the stairs. The same face looked back at her. Her eyes were blue and she smiled, she loved blue. Moving her head side to side, she thought about the man. His scent was different than her mother and it reminded her of her own odor. She wanted to stay in the small room where she felt safer but the smell of food and the need to kill the man in the other room drew her out. Her anger spiked but terror also made her weary. Peeking down the hallway she could see him. Blue eyes blazed into his. “Are the demons here?”

Chapter 8

She wasn’t dropping her gaze now and her alpha’s scent rolled from her body in waves. He shook his head slightly to recover from the effects of her power and the sexual attraction he was feeling.

“There are no demons here. Kinsee is a young child and she’s precious to us. Cheri, with the teeth, is a vampire and she is our queen. I know this doesn’t make sense but I won’t let anyone harm you.” Her face betrayed she had little understanding of what he was saying. She was his mate and he opened his link with her mind not sure if it would work.

Blood, there will be more blood when I kill him.

Her thoughts flooded his mind. Feeding her would probably be a good idea right now. He would save the worry about his death until after dinner, though he would keep a close eye on the knife she would need to cut her steak. Backing slowly to the table, he pulled out a chair for her and sat down in the one next to hers. She didn’t come closer. Using his fork, he placed a steak on his plate and then picked up his knife making the first cut. Bringing the meat to his mouth, he watched her while chewing his food.

Her eyes followed ever movement he made, then stopped, and fastened on his mouth. Yearning to eat what caused the incredible odor and making her mouth water, overcame her fear. Thoughts of tearing his body apart and escaping her new prison diminished and the need to fill her empty stomach took its place. She pulled the chair out further and sat down. Picking up the plate, she scratched her fingernail against the hard surface. It was strange and she put it down. Keeping her eyes on the plate and using her fingers, she swiftly grabbed the meat, transferring it to her place setting. Blood drip across the table and surrounded the meat. Panic seized her when she noticed the messy trail she left on the table. The man lay down the instruments he was holding. She tensed ready to attack if he took her food.

Misunderstanding her body language his voice was soft, “You’re hungry, and the eating utensils will only be frustrating. Eat like this.” He picked up his meat with both hands and took a large bite from the side. The bloody juice dripped onto his plate.

She didn’t hesitate. Her teeth flashed and sank deeply into the meat. Her eyes partially closed and she barely chewed before swallowing. The tension left her body with the first bite. He wasn’t going to take her food. She took another bite after seeing him do the same and began eating without reservation. His hand startled her when it moved the rest of his meat onto her plate. She glanced up, not understanding why he would give up his food but then her stomach overruled her curiosity.

Brandt knew he could make more if she needed it. He began fixing a potato, first adding butter, and chives. He then cut it into quarters and added them to her plate before making his own. He also cut his into quarters and then ate with his fingers. When the steak was gone she started on the potato finishing it quickly.

“Do you want more?” Intense eyes just stared at him. He linked with her mind.

Yes, yes, yes.

She took a deep breath, “No.” She spoke but looked away from him. 

“I have a surprise for you, give me a minute.” Rising, he walked to the kitchen, taking their dirty dishes with him. Aware she watched his every move; he removed two small plates from a cabinet and then opened the oven pulling out a warm pan of brownies. “I thought of baking a cake but the brownies were faster and easier. I’m not the world’s greatest cook but I doubt you will complain. If you’re like most of us you’ll love anything chocolate.” Carrying their dessert to the table, he placed a plate in front of her. Sitting down, he picked up the brownie from his own plate and using his fingers, took a bite.

She watched and then her hand brought the brown square to her lips. Before she took a bite she breathed in. Her eyes shot to his then down to the brown square in her hand. A nibble, and then a bigger one, it was gone in four large bites. Laughter came from the man and then he got up and returned bringing more brown food with him. He grabbed a brownie and sat back down. Lifting her hand she placed it on another warm square and brought it to her mouth again. It was so good and she wanted more. She began eating another.

His eyes didn’t leave her mouth. She ate and his chewing slowed. He watched the look on her face. It was carnal and she was turning him on again. His groin no longer ached from her well placed knee and he wouldn’t need to visit a laughing Cheri.

He was so caught up in the bliss of watching her eat he almost missed the fact her knife was gone.
Hide the knives
, the thought made him smile and startled at his grin, her fingers stopped their ascent to her mouth. His voice was low, “Go ahead and eat, I’m full.”

She quickly consumed each bite.

Her stomach felt good and her thoughts became focused on the man again. He’d given her food. He caged her. He was in the cage with her. His smell was intriguing. What would his blood taste like? Her finger smoothed over the long pointed eating utensil she hid beneath the table. She might not need her demon to kill him. With a shaking hand, she kept it on her lap and waited.

Rising, Brandt picked up the plates, walking close to her. He was ready.

Her left arm rose quickly and she lunged.

Dropped the plates to the wood floor, he made to grab her hand but wasn’t fast enough and the sharp edge sliced a burning path across his arm. He managed to grab her fingers which held tightly to her weapon. Blood welled from the cut though it wasn’t deep. She was struggling but he only used one arm to secure her and with the other, he tossed the knife across the room for a perfect landing in the sink. Grabbing her other hand in a punishing grip, he twisted her around so her back was to him. Using his uninjured arm, he held both of her hands in one of his. He kept his voice stern and softly rebuked her, “Not a good idea. I’m not easy to kill and I don’t want to hurt you. Keeping you prisoner is not the way I want your life here to start, but if I can’t trust you, you’ll be trapped inside the cabin.” With his other hand, he wiped blood from his wound onto his finger and brought it to her tightly shut lips. His finger smeared, leaving a trail across her soft lower lip, “This is what my blood tastes like. It’s the blood of your mate. He pulled his finger back before she could bite it but slowly noticed the effect his blood had on her and began to scent the chemical change in her body. Her breathing deepened and he knew she had no idea what was happening. Her wolf, wild and untamed recognized his.

“I would really love to know your name.” The words were little more than a warm whispered breath in her ear.

Burning heat traveled from her mouth throughout her body. Sparks were running along her skin and mostly, she craved more. More blood, more him. She needed to taste, smell, and roll into his flesh, soaking the scent into her skin. The feelings were so strong, almost flashes of pain but mostly, uncontrollable need.

He knew exactly what her body wanted and needed but she didn’t answer his inquiry about her name and he wasn’t giving an inch even if his own desire drove him crazy. He held on tight for a few more minutes feeling her alpha’s electric charge increase. Their courtship would be volatile and bloody. Controlling his own wolf was difficult, controlling his erection was impossible. Deep breaths, he needed deep breaths. Closing his eyes he relaxed his muscles and let his scent change marginally to help her control what she was feeling. Her body became pliant. Slowly his arms loosened and he released her and stepped away. Picking the broken dishes up from the floor, he took deep controlled breaths and acted like nothing happened. He ignored her trembling body, her scent and her wanting eyes. His mate tried to kill him. He wasn’t angry but every fiber of his being wanted to sink into her body. He knew even with sharing his blood she wouldn’t understand. Hell, he didn’t understand though his wolf did.

She didn’t move and her wary eyes followed him. After cleaning the table and kitchen, he entered the bathroom, turning on the shower, and running his hands beneath the water. Maybe she wouldn’t want to kill him if she was clean. When the water temperature met his requirements, he walked out of the small room. Her feet slowly backed away. The room contained a new strong bitter scent and her frozen face held absolute terror.

The power washer, he was incredibly stupid.

Punishment
. The water spray meant pain and humiliation. Images of Carolynn holding the spray flashed through her mind; her fight to remain standing, icy water hitting her arms and legs, and tears. Tears caused by her mother’s hatred. And finally escape. She looked around backing away from the sound. More thoughts flooded her brain; his blood, the taste, her need. They continued; his smile, his voice, food, his food offered to her. Her thoughts were jumbled confusion. The panic receded and she tried to gain control. Looking up his intense gaze stared back.

He turned away and walked back into the bathroom, shut off the shower, and let the bathtub slowly fill. From the corner of his eye he saw the tail end of her shadow move past the bathroom door. He’d created a mess and spiked her fear. Turning both knobs off, he walked to the bedroom. Not seeing her he let his nose lead him to the closet. Hidden and hunched down toward the back, her arms clasped her knees to her chest. She was small and vulnerable. He crouched down bringing his eyes level with hers.

“This is my fault. I don’t mean to scare you. I turned the water off and stopped the spray. I washed your body earlier while you slept but a bath will make you feel even better. Your hair is tangled and I don’t want to cut it. I’ll show you what to do and I’ll help.” Bringing his hand forward, he waited. They had reached their quota of accomplishments for the day and this was up to her.

Delicate fingers unfolded and her arms released her knees. She brought her eyes up. He smelled so good. He was so beautiful. Placing her hands on the floor, she pushed up not taking his extended hand. She wouldn’t touch. She couldn’t. His body straightened and he stepped backwards giving her room. He turned away and left the room. She no longer heard the sound of water spraying. Slowly she followed and stopped outside the water room.

He didn’t look at the door but knew she was there. He ran his hand through the water while sitting on the side of the tub. “These knobs control the temperature, just like a sink. I’ll leave the room and give you privacy. The shampoo and conditioner go on your hair, shampoo first, and then rinse it out with water. You may need to use a lot of the conditioner to get the tangles out but we’ll see how it goes.” He glanced up to see if she was following what he said. Her gaze stared into the mirror and her fingers traveled over her face. He realized this must have held her up in the bathroom earlier. He didn’t know if she had ever seen herself. Walking past her, she followed his movements in the mirror. The door closed with a gentle click.

Her eyes went to the water and she walked over and sat down where she saw him sit. Fingers tentatively lowered. Warmth spread on her skin. Her hands went to her clothes and she couldn’t get them off fast enough. Her bare leg lifted and settled in the water and then her other one followed. Slowly she melted and submerged herself. Stretching back, she felt the silky liquid cover her limbs and she drifted fully into the water. Her eyes closed and her muscles relaxed. Peace settled and she let out a slow breath drifting into a world of dreams.

He refused to worry. Ten minutes turned into thirty. What if she drowned? Did she remove her clothes? Now he was being stupid but that was only one of the feelings she brought out. Another was hot, feral, desire. The thought of water soaking over her naked body was driving him crazy. He wanted to feel the soap on his palm sliding over her curves and making their way to her breasts, her thighs. “Damn it!” He exclaimed out loud. This was torture and he could take no more. Even knowing he shouldn’t his legs had a mind of their own and his hand clasped the bathroom door knob and pushed gently.