Chapter One
“We’re doing what?” I demanded as I stumbled from the rough way my best friend Mattie was jerking me onto the sidewalk.
Great. It would be a perfect birthday if I fell flat on my face. That would be two for two. Two birthdays in a row I spent mostly in the hospital.
“Come on. It’s going to be fun. An experience. You need to live a little.”
“Live a little? I’ve been dragged around to several places today. All your ideas.” I jerked my wrist from her death grip and winced. She had sharp yet perfectly shaped nails, scarlet in color to match her personality. I had poor excuses for uneven nails and chunky cuticles, according to the girl who’d given us a manicure.
A birthday present.
I wasn’t into girls’ days out, but Mattie had basically kidnapped me.
“You call having your palm read fun?” I huffed and brushed my hands down my dress. That was new too. So was my way too fluffy hairstyle. Both compliments of my bestie who was a wild child at heart.
A responsible pediatrician by day. A crazy girl by night.
“You’re not having your palm read, goofy. It’s a tarot card reading.”
“Same difference. And why today of all days?”
Her tall heels clipped on the broken sidewalk. I had trouble keeping up with her given her long legs. Her stilettos didn’t bother her, while I was still pretty certain I was going to have a slip and fall accident.
“Because it’s your birthday, sweetie. Don’t you want to know your fortune?”
“If we hadn’t just experienced eating an entire cow for lunch, I’d recommend getting Chinese food. That way I could get that happy little fortune.”
“As long as you add between the sheets to the end.” She laughed in her subtle yet provocative tone. It was the very one that attracted every red-blooded male this side of the Mississippi. She was the resident bad girl that had managed to attach herself to me shortly after my arrival in Cartersville. I was the good girl who kept to herself and liked it that way.
What was wrong with sobbing over old movies?
“What?”
“Yep. You’re supposed to end every fortune with between the sheets afterwards. It would do you some good since you haven’t gotten laid for half your life.”
“You’re such a bitch.”
“I know,” Mattie cooed. “Which is why you love me.”
She was outgoing. I was a wallflower. She was beautiful. I was plain. Although I had to admit today, I’d gotten a few looks from passing men. I chalked it up to the ridiculously tight dress she’d made me buy. The fruffy—her favorite word—material probably made me look like a water buffalo.
“Not today. Likely never again. I don’t like the occult.”
“It’s all fun and nothing else. You know that. You keep telling me you’re a scientist and don’t believe in the paranormal.”
She had a point like she always did, but my grandmother had read the cards much to the chagrin of my mother. I’d begged the woman to read mine when I was ten years old. She hadn’t wanted to, but I was an excellent beggar. She’d stopped midway through, refusing to finish or tell me what she’d seen.
But I’d seen the card. As a kid, it had terrified me even if I hadn’t known what it meant.
A wolf.
I noticed the sign up ahead and groaned. “I don’t like this.”
“You don’t like anything outside of your comfort zone, which consists of dead bodies, slimy internal organs, draining blood, and cartons of chocolate ice cream topped with hot fudge.”
For most people, describing the work of a medical examiner wouldn’t be done alongside remarking on a frozen treat. But Mattie wasn’t most people.
“I’m perfectly comfortable.”
“Uh-huh. In gray scrubs and nasty tennis shoes. That sounds comfy to me. Humor me and I’ll take you to get some ice cream.” She even had the nerve to use a funny voice at the end like she was bribing a child to be good.
If I didn’t truly adore the woman, I’d walk home. After changing back into my beloved tennis shoes.
“We’re here. Suck it up,” she said.
“Mattie.”
“Don’t Mattie me.”
She looked at me and rolled her eyes, which she usually did at least twice whenever we got together. Sadly, our work ethics and long hours prevented us from doing that very often.
“Fine. But I will get you for this.”
“There you go,” she cooed. “I love it when you get angry.”
The woman had no idea just how angry I could get.
She threw open the glass door and a small bell jingled in the process. The small shop faced a busy downtown street on a bustling Saturday, but there were no other customers inside. Just creepy music and a round table covered in a blue, gauzy-looking tablecloth that had stars on it.
“This is a joke,” I told her. My teeth were gritted. The place was freezing.
“Oh, come on. Look around you. It’s quaint.”
“Quaint? The pink building with pretty little flowers in flower boxes across the street is quaint. This is hokey-pokey fake.” There had to be two dozen candles lit and flickering. My guess was whatever the horrific scent was, it was meant to be soothing.
“Just don’t embarrass me.”
“Me with you? I think you mean the other way around, darlin’.”
My bestie didn’t have a chance to quip her sarcastic response. A draped doorway was suddenly thrown open, a girl with long raven hair walking out with a bit too much flair. She was right out of the stuff I’d seen in the movies.
“How may I help you?” She had a lovely voice and she was so young it threw me. At least she wasn’t dressed like a gypsy, wearing jeans and a flowered top like a teenager would. Wait a minute. I was going to have my future read by a girl who was much younger than me?
“I don’t think so,” I said as I tried to turn around to flee. There was something about the moment and even the thought of going through the experience that troubled me tremendously. Maybe it was about the warning my grandmother had given me after ceasing her session.
“The cards are evil for you, my child.”
Evil.
I’d never thought I’d hear my grandmother say something like that.
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Mattie barked like a drill sergeant.
She jerked my arm again and I just knew I was going to have bruises come tomorrow. “Ouch.”
“I’ll bop you in the face next time. We’re here for a reading. It’s my friend’s birthday. I’m paying for it,” my bestie announced, like it was something important.
And the girl couldn’t care less. She simply motioned me to the table while speaking to Mattie. “That will be thirty-four fifty.”
“Ouch,” I said again. I gingerly sat down on the chair. I don’t know what I was afraid of, but my teeth were definitely chattering. Maybe it was because the air conditioning unit was on full blast.
Mattie glared at me and pulled out her wallet.
When we were all paid up, the girl pulled a set of cards from behind the small counter. I could tell she was bored with her work and wasn’t taking the reading any more seriously than I was. Still, with the gothic music and the stench in the shop, I half expected to see mist coming from the shadowed corners of the walls.
“What is your name?” she asked.
“Sedona.”
“Powerful yet innocent.”
“And yours?” I could almost feel Mattie breathing down my neck. She was way too excited with this while I was ready for a nap.
“Lucia.”
“Beautiful name.”
Her eyes flicked up to mine and it felt as if she was able to look straight into my soul.
As she selected one card, Strength, explaining something about kindness and tolerance being needed to guide my chariot, I almost nodded off. I must have reacted badly because Mattie punched me in the arm.
The second card was a little happier. Lovers. Yeah. Maybe Mattie would get her wish after all. She’d been bugging me for weeks to find a hunky older man and have sweaty, rough, and filthy sex.
Not in this girl’s lifetime.
The next one was Justice and Lucia seemed perplexed. She even used the term retribution more than once. I slowly glanced over my shoulder at Mattie who shrugged.
When the Devil card was followed by Mr. Death himself, I’d had enough. “Oh, come on. This is fixed.”
The girl shook her head and I could swear she was shaking.
“Not fixed. True.”
I started to get up and Mattie’s hard shove almost made me show her that anger she said she adored via my middle finger.
“Stay,” she hissed.
“I do not think we should go on,” Lucia said.
“Oh, go for it,” I chided her. I wasn’t irritated with her, just with my soon to be ex best friend for dragging me into this shit.
Lucia was clearly out of sorts, her entire mouth twisting like she was an extra in a horror movie, the one where the victims always suffered a horrible death.
My, wasn’t my imagination working overtime?
Lucia finally swallowed and pulled another card. She was clearly despondent now. While she was a damn good facial actress in showing fake horror, there was also confusion in her eyes.
“What is it?” Mattie asked.
“The Wolf.”
“O-kay. What does Wolfie boy mean?”
Lucia continuously shook her head and she was pale as sin. Was the girl going to pass out too?
“It’s not supposed to be here. Not this deck.”
“They were accidentally mixed together.” Mattie’s suggestion was decent enough, but the girl wasn’t buying it.
“A dangerous man is going to change your future. Be careful. Be very careful.” She gathered the cards and immediately jerked up from the table.
She walked off, which was a clear indication we were finished.
“Was it something I said?” I asked.
“Clearly it was. But you were a good girl.”
Now I gave her my middle finger, which sent her off into hysterics.
Meanwhile, the reading stuck in the darkest part of my mind.
And I didn’t like it one bit.
[divider]Chapter Two
Jax
“Can you believe this bullshit?” Chase asked as soon as he jumped off his Harley. My younger brother’s outrage was understandable, but his histrionics continuously frayed my nerves.
“It was a mandate from the Council of Wolves. Actually, I’m surprised you bothered to show up.” Riker had his arms crossed over his barrel-like chest. His deep voice was laced with the same animosity I felt.
While Chase looked like he was attending a photoshoot, a highly paid model preparing a spread in some fashion magazine, my older brother’s appearance made him appear like the dangerous man I knew him to be.
He wore dirty, well-worn jeans with holes in the knees, a dark tee shirt covered in spots of red paint, and a flannel shirt that had seen better days. Along with his shit-kicking boots and the scruffy beard he’d grown while on vacation, his masculine look was more reflective of our ancestry.
There were already three or four dozen wolves who’d arrived, all considered Alpha in the pack order. More had been told to attend. The Wolfen rules were very strict, punishment harsh, which included banishment from the pack and more pain-filled methods as well.
“I wonder why Mom didn’t give us a heads up,” I said casually. I stood in my typical business suit and dark shades, my attire just as questionable as Riker’s. I had a damn good excuse. I was the CEO of a billion-dollar business, keeping many of the wolves chatting and laughing employed.
Cartersville was like any other small town, colorful people keeping small businesses alive. Ours was the largest, a highly profitable sports car manufacturing corporation. The ache behind my eyes had occurred the minute I’d read the email sent via the Wolfen communication system. I kept them covered by sunglasses. I hated the old ways, our ancestry outdated and unwanted.
“My guess is they wanted to surprise us,” Riker said, laughing.
“Maybe we’re going to start the ancient games again,” Chase chortled as he paced the terrain in front of the makeshift stage that had already been put together. The eight chairs suggested all the council members would be in attendance.
That meant something was wrong or our lives were about to change. I didn’t like either concept. I was far too busy to worry about pack politics.
“Oh, do you remember the old jousting event?” Riker asked.
I tilted my head in his direction, not surprised he was grinning from ear to ear. He was a rough and tumble guy, his vacation taken to build a new garage on his house himself. I could only imagine the luxuries he’d put into it.
“You mean the spearing method of death,” Chase snarled. “I hated that shit. We’re too old to play games proving our wealth. And too human.”
“Aw, you’re just pissed because you never won an event.” Riker was forced to step back as Chase lunged for his throat.
“Stop it,” I hissed. “Let’s just hear what they have to say.” There hadn’t been a mandated meeting in at least twenty-five years if my memory served me. Maybe longer. Maybe it was just protocol, but I didn’t like the fact the council members had arrived from every corner of the world.
“What if we’re forced back into the old ways? Are you going to vote for the change?” Chase always knew how to get under my skin. He should be happy the Wolfen had shifted into becoming a democracy instead of running the organization like Stalin or Napoleon. I’d been alive long enough to see some shit go down in the packs.
Chase had too, although he refused to associate himself with members of the pack. His continued push back at the rules could be considered criminal activity within our ranks. He wasn’t above the law.
All three of us noticed several limousines pulling up along the road behind the stage.
“There they are, the majestic eight,” Chase spit out through gritted teeth. “Whoopedy do.”
“Just shut your damn trap,” Riker hissed. “Our brother is right. We listen. We learn.”
“Learn what? That we’re really bloodthirsty wolves chomping at the bit to feast on small animals and humans?” Chase was laughing when I knew there were some within our pack and others who wanted nothing more.
The old ways.
“I wonder what they have in mind.” Riker was talking more to himself than to either one of us, but I could sense his concern.
The worldwide count of members of the Wolfen hadn’t strengthened in the last two decades since the hundreds of packs had voted to alter practices.
Everyone wanted to be a human.
Only it was impossible to alter our DNA. We’d been around since the beginning of time. However, while we could breed with humans, our numbers had dwindled. While it was entirely possible for a child born of hybrid parents to shift, the difficulties could be considered a problem. Plus, few children born in the last twenty years gave a shit about their ancestry.
“I did a check on the numbers of packs after reading the email,” Riker said. He remained in the same stoic position, his posture all about asserting his Alpha authority.
“Yeah? And?”
“Even the number of packs is dwindling.”
I didn’t find that hard to believe.
The council members began to fill the stage, chatting amongst themselves as they remained standing. Other Alpha pack members had also arrived, the group now approaching two hundred.
“I heard some bullshit on the Wolfen dark web about fated mates.” Chase’s voice was suddenly filled with amusement.
“Meaning?” I asked. Fated mates, another ancient rule that had been abandoned for at least fifty years. There wasn’t a single pack member I knew who wanted to go chasing around the world to find their soulmate.
I no longer believed they existed. It was another fable in the line of ridiculous stories we’d all heard as kids.
“Meaning we might be forced back into the prehistoric era.” Chase laughed again as other members of the packs began to converge in front of the stage.
Riker snorted. “Fated mates? Such bullshit. Even if there was such a thing, I’m not ready to settle down.”
I remained quiet, noticing our mother appeared stressed. She’d had countless arguments with Cane Evans, a man who’d been the Wolfen council president for as long as I’d been alive. Some said his time had passed, that his wisdom was no longer important or needed.
While I wasn’t certain where I fell on the scale, it had become obvious my mother hated the man. She had different beliefs than most ancient council members, following along with the ninety-two percent of Wolfen who enjoyed their new way of life.
Only a few human spouses ever learned about our true heritage.
“Who knew Cartersville would be the center of Wolfen activity?” Riker was still amused while my hackles had been raised.
“You mean it is,” I told him. Cartersville was supposedly the location where our kind had been born. I took a deep whiff, sensing discord amongst the council members.
Something was off about the meeting.
“Don’t you remember a great battle was fought here hundreds of years ago?” Chase offered with his usual dramatic demeanor. “Wolfen against hundreds of humans with spears and tomahawks. The Wolfen won, forever preserving our way of life and making this hallowed ground a mecca of fertility. Therefore, the Cartersville pack is considered royalty, the Wolf family the supreme beings.”
“Just keep your mouth shut, Chase,” I told him. We weren’t royalty. The truth was that there were dozens of packs who loathed our existence. Our kind had its share of hatred, so much turning political given the Wolfen rules established so long ago. That had led to battles in the past, although killing one of our own kind was punishable by death.
“You’re not my boss, brother of mine.”
I was tired of the bantering, moving closer to the crowd while still keeping my distance. All the council members took a seat except for Cane. He was already at the podium, checking some notes he’d brought with him. I’d heard the man had developed health problems over the years and it showed in his sallow features.
Even his heartbeat was erratic. I could feel that from where I was standing. While our kind hadn’t been prone to human diseases or illnesses for thousands of years, the interbreeding had presented a new host of possibilities leading to our deaths.
There was no such thing as immortality.
Cane tapped the microphone and cleared his throat. “Thank you for coming. It has been a long time since we’ve held one of these meetings. Too long. I bring you a new item that must be considered for a vote.”
“Here we go,” Riker whispered, suddenly flanking my side.
I couldn’t imagine our diverse group agreeing to anything at this point. We were too scattered, too torn apart.
And too human.
“Our numbers are dwindling,” Cane continued.
“Tell us something we don’t know,” a pack member yelled from the crowd.
“Who cares!” another burst out.
The sudden unrest was disturbing.
“Enough!” A second council member stood up and moved to the front of the stage. Rory was the youngest elected member of the council, only taking his seat in the last election.
Twenty-five years before.
I finally removed my sunglasses, shifting my attention to our mother. She was the only woman on the council, which had allowed other female Wolfen to shout to the trees about the mismatched numbers being a violation of women’s rights. Their demands to overhaul the council in its entirety had gone unheeded, even laughed at.
We were still a bunch of Neanderthals in my mind.
Cane held up his arms until the crowd settled down.
“There could be a fight,” Riker said quietly.
“What fun,” Chase added.
“We are losing our abilities as well,” Cane continued. “We must remain strong and in order to ensure our younger wolves maintain their abilities, we must return to our practices of training our youth.”
Chase huffed and threw up his fisted hand like so many others in the crowd. “Stop the ancient ways!”
They had been stopped two decades before by a majority vote of the Wolfen. No longer did our teenagers begin their training to easily shift and fight an enemy, honing their various abilities as they should. Now, kids spent their free time playing video games and texting their friends.
I’d never thought it was a good idea. We were weak, incapable of fighting any enemies. Granted, we didn’t have many in the wild. Humans no longer chased us with spears or weapons. The old stories had died, giving way to lore and myth, fables that created nightmares and movies.
“We must not remain complacent,” Rory shouted.
“Do you see how uncomfortable our mother is?” Riker asked.
Her face was pinched and she was antsy. “She’s not happy with the proclamation.”
“No. Do you have a feeling something is going on here that we likely don’t want to know about?”
I shot Riker a look, nodding at the same time. The council had never been forthcoming in explaining issues.
“The council has voted and believes the games and training are necessary. There will be a vote in two weeks. The council will accept a single candidate from every pack to be the new training advisor to the council.” Cane was on a roll, ignoring the chants and words of anger.
“That is bullshit!”
“We won’t vote for it.”
“You need to resign.”
The insults came fast and furious.
I’d already grown weary of this, but I had a feeling there was more.
Cane seemed smug, more so than usual. Meanwhile, I could tell our mother wanted to wrap her hands around his throat, dragging him straight to hell.
She was that kind of woman, tougher than most and always refusing to accept anyone’s bullshit. I admired that about her, especially since she’d taken our father’s place on the council when he’d suddenly found a new life.
“The council will also be setting forth a referendum that is not up for vote.”
“Oh, here goes,” Chase mused. “The big, bad wolf bully.”
“Why issue a referendum?” Riker asked. The man was tenser than normal.
So was I.
Cane took a deep breath, probably because the entire audience had grown silent. I couldn’t remember the last time a new mandate had been proposed. The rules had been in place for centuries.
“Do not think we don’t have enemies lurking in the shadows. They are fierce and increasing in numbers. As I mentioned, our strength is dwindling along with our numbers. We must persevere. We will not succumb to the treachery of evil ways.”
Riker’s eyebrows suddenly furrowed as he turned toward me. “Is he going nuts or what? What freaking enemies is he talking about?”
I had no clue. Although I sensed our mother did.
“As of this moment, all Wolfen/human breeding is prohibited. All Alphas will be required to find their fated mate.”
If it hadn’t been for my keen hearing, I wouldn’t have been able to hear what the man was saying. There wasn’t a Wolfen alive who liked to be told what to do.
“Fated mate?” Chase repeated. “That’s crazy.”
“I’ll say,” Riker added. “The man better watch his back.”
Cane continued talking although at this point, all I could hear was a buzzing sound. I found myself walking closer, pushing my way through the crowd toward the front of the stage.
“Why?” My voice boomed above the others. I had that ability when needed.
Other Wolfen began to turn in my direction.
“Why?” Cane repeated, shielding his eyes from the early afternoon sun as he searched the crowd, locking eyes with mine.
“Yes, what aren’t you telling us? There must be a reason that you’re destroying the precious way of life for so many of your kind. So what is it?”
I’d made Cane nervous with my question. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see my mother cautioning me. I also read her mind, begging me to stop for now.
“Answer his question!” Chase yelled from the back.
Cane was very anxious, a true surprise. The council was hiding something and was completely unprepared to provide the information.
As with all Elders, he was able to mask his thoughts when desired, preventing me from learning what I needed to know.
“Yours is not to question, Alpha Wolf.”
Our surname indicated how old my family was, which should mean we were respected, even revered. That wasn’t always the case. We were thought of as high and mighty. It was ridiculous since there was no throne, but the belief lived in the group today.
“I will ask what is necessary until I obtain the truth, Elder Evans. Now, why must we boost our numbers? An enemy? If so, what are we talking about?”
He brought down a gavel as others in the group began to shout. “That is enough. The reformation will be signed into law later today. It will remain in place for twenty-five years. If you are already married and with family, you are allowed to maintain your relationship. If engaged, you must break it off. That is all.”
“What the fuck was that?” Riker huffed from beside me.
“I don’t know, brother, but I have a very bad feeling.”
[divider]Chapter Three
Sedona
“I do not belong here.” I had to yell over the bouncing drumbeats.
“Stop it,” Mattie chastised. “You look fabulous, darling.”
“Fabulous? I look like I was wrapped in bloody Saran wrap.” The dress was bright red and hugged every curve with such ferocity I could barely breathe.
“Stop it,” Camille yelled, which was two octaves above her usual whisper.
I was shocked she’d agreed to come out tonight. She hated dance clubs with a passion. She was the true epitome of an accountant. Yes, I was stereotyping.
“More drinks, please, bartender!” Shelly was in her element, acting as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
I only hoped the hot male behind the bar reacted quickly or she’d bite his head off. The woman hated men.
Huffing, I adjusted my dress for the tenth time, but it wasn’t any more comfortable than two seconds before. The three of them were swaying to the music.
I was hiding behind my second glass of wine, wishing it was time to go home. Maybe I was a wallflower after all.
“We need to leave soon. I have a busy day tomorrow.” It was a lie and Mattie knew it.
“You have no kid tonight, no dead person waiting to be carved up, and no other responsibilities. You are staying a little longer or I’ll erase you from my phone.”
“Tempting.”
“Brat.”
“Bitch.”
We laughed together, but it didn’t change how uncomfortable I felt.
Mattie bumped me with her shoulder. “Don’t look now, but there’s a hot guy at the end of the bar staring at you.”
“He’s likely staring at you since your big tits are hanging out.”
“Would you stop it!”
I gave her a funny look, but couldn’t help glancing toward the end of the bar. Yes, the man was hot, even as disco lights pulsed all around him. There were some men you sensed reeked of sensual passion by the way they carried themselves or by the expression they wore. The dark-haired man with penetrating eyes had that in spades.
“See. He’s staring right at you, girlfriend,” Mattie said, her grin far too mischievous.
And I wanted to wipe it off her face.
I shook my head, taking a big sip of wine and almost choking on it. From what I could see, he was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, which went nicely with his ebony-hued wavy hair. When he lifted his glass, a flash of something caught my eye. A ring. I could see the diamonds from here.
Maybe he was wealthy, a man about town.
Maybe I was kidding myself that some hot guy like that would be interested in me. When I turned away purposely, Shelly glared at me.
“Stop being Debbie Downer. It’s your birthday. Live a little.”
Her words stung, since she was going through such a horrible divorce. Her ex was worse than mine. And that was saying a lot.
“I’m not Debbie Downer. I’m just… cautious. If I hear that phrase again, I’m going to scream.”
“At least that would mean you’re alive. Just flirt with him.” Mattie did her best to spin me around.
I was determined to do that of my own accord. So I waited and counted to ten before doing so.
He was still staring at me, only this time, he wore an amused look on his face. When he lifted his glass in either appreciation or disgust, I lifted my head higher.
Maybe I was the object of his affection. But he would remain where he was and so would I. I wasn’t a one-night stand kind of gal.
“Flirt. Flirt. Flirt.” Camille’s chant would normally piss me off, but it was my birthday. Right?
I took another gulp of my drink then a second, trying my best not to make a fool of myself when I returned the glass to the bar. At least one of my favorite songs was on. Even I was swaying my hips, which delighted the girls.
“You go, hot chick.” Mattie joined me in making some moves.
Suddenly, the four of us were dancing and we weren’t close to the dance floor. At that moment, it didn’t matter. For the first time in months, I was having a good time. Maybe a light had gone off inside my hard head. I deserved to live and enjoy what I could, even if I still felt gutted inside.
One song turned into three and when I reached for my glass, waving my other hand across my face to try to cool off, I realized I had a fresh drink. At least I wasn’t driving. After taking another sip for courage, I casually glanced in the hot man’s direction.
Damn it. He’d disappeared. I should have known it was too good to be true.
“Don’t look now, but Mr. Hottie is coming this way.”
“What?” I stiffened and my mouth suddenly went dry. Admiring a beautiful man from afar was one thing, but being faced with his advance was something else altogether. I didn’t move, couldn’t breathe, and that truly wasn’t my personality.
Although I had lost some self-confidence in the last few months. Who wouldn’t question everything about themselves after being insulted dozens if not hundreds of times?
I gave myself a pep talk, steeling my nerves and turning around to take a better look when he passed. Whew… The man was at least six foot four, his broad shoulders filling out his suit jacket nicely. It was as if he was wearing shoulder pads from a football uniform. I could only imagine what his abs looked like. Lickable.
I was such a bad girl when I allowed myself to be.
“Wow,” Camille whispered. She was suddenly very close to me.
Too close.
I was suddenly a tigress fending off her prey. Which was ridiculous, of course. He also had a chiseled jaw. In my mind his carved features set him apart from any other male in the room. I wasn’t certain I’d seen anyone so gloriously attractive in my life. He oozed sexual appeal, his long legs carrying him through the crowd with all the self-confidence I was lacking.
As he came closer, I realized I was holding my breath.
In the movies, all time seemed to slow with the hero and heroine saw each other from afar, basking in the moment just before they met.
As he stood in front of me, it was as if the entire world around us had faded.
Christ. This wasn’t some movie where I ran away with the hero.
The mysterious stranger gave me a hard onceover and I did the same to him. I could detect that he thought his shit didn’t stink. That was a big turn-off.
“You need to dance with me,” he stated. I should say he commanded.
“Why?”
Mattie was already giving me the side-eye.
“Because I deem it so.”
A laugh bubbled to the surface before I could stop it. “You deem it so? I don’t think so, buddy.”
“And why not?”
Was that a smirk on his face? Oh, hell, no. I got closer, so much so his aftershave danced across my nose, filling my system. I was lightheaded and thought for certain my body swayed. Not the best look.
“Because you’re perhaps the most arrogant prick I’ve ever come across. I suggest you get lost.”
“Sedona,” Mattie hissed.
“Oh, no. I don’t dance with jerks with tiny cocks.” My other side suddenly appeared, the one that didn’t take shit, especially from a man. It didn’t matter how sexy he was.
He appeared almost… amused but slightly annoyed. Maybe? It was tough to tell.
“Go on. Be gone,” I added, flicking my fingers toward the door.
He didn’t respond and fortunately, I was saved by the shrill ringing of his phone. “Until we meet again.”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. In fact, I know better.”
When he issued one word, I could hear the other three girls sucked in their breaths.
“Beautiful.” His voice was deep, seductive, and easily heard over the tribal beat. After brushing his knuckles lightly down my cheek, he backed away, returning to his phone call.
“Now, that man is hot,” Shelly said with more gusto than I’d heard from her in weeks. “I’d do him.”
“I thought you hated men,” Mattie told her. “Although he is one sexy dude.”
Shelly laughed. “Not to fuck. I could fuck one all night long if some asshole could keep up with me.”
“He’s a jerk,” I added in. But I knew I’d been a teensy tiny bit harsh on him. He looked back once and I purposely looked away.
“You are a brat. He was just trying to be friendly,” Mattie huffed as she pushed me by the shoulder.
“Tough.”
I don’t think I moved for another fifteen seconds, frozen to the spot, not by the actual word he’d whispered, but by just how penetrating his eyes had been. In the strange lighting of the club, they seemed to be glowing, an iridescent flickering of color.
The wine was definitely getting to me.
There was also a strange kinetic chemistry coursing through my veins that caught me way off guard. I wasn’t nauseous yet my body was tingling all over from the closeness. It was overwhelming in a way I couldn’t comprehend or appreciate.
But the connection was real.
“I think I need to go,” I told the group.
“Are you really going to be a party pooper?” Mattie was huffing and puffing again with her level of frustration.
“I’m not ready to leave yet,” Camille said.
“Me neither.” Shelly shook her head. She had a way of furrowing her eyebrows that made you feel so small.
“I really do have a dead body waiting for me for an eight a.m. autopsy that came out of the blue.”
Mattie got in my face. “It’s eleven o’clock. The last time I checked, you were a big girl.”
“It’s also way past my bedtime for an early wakeup. A murder victim. Would you like me to describe how he died? He was nearly gutted by—”
“Alright. Don’t say it!” Mattie snapped. “I’ll take you home. You are a party pooper and much older than twenty-seven. Next birthday? Granny panties.”
There was no reason my hot flash was followed by a cold shiver, but the handsome man had the strongest effect on me of any man to date.
Who was he?
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