Christina stirred beside him and he let his hand drift up and down the curves of her body before settling on cupping her breast. It felt good in his hand; round and womanly.
“Stone?” She pressed a kiss to his chest.
“Hmm...?”
“Will you tell me your real name?”
He opened his eyes. “Is it important?”
She’d begun tracing a pattern on his skin, following the downward path of his body hair but had paused when he answered. “Not really.”
Her tone belied her words yet it wasn’t enough to change his mind. He wasn’t one who shared much about himself with others, not even his name.
She resumed the movement of her hand, circling his navel. His stomach muscles quivered in response to her gentle touch. “I was just wondering.”
“Curiosity seems to be your middle name tonight.”
She tilted her head up and he could see her eyes now. “I’m curious about you. Why you keep coming back each night. How long it will continue.”
He shifted his gaze so he was staring at the ceiling. “A day or two. I might have a job that will take me out of the country.” The idea gave him an unaccustomed feeling of regret.
“Oh.”
He could sense her disappointment in that one small word and clamped his jaw shut to keep from mouthing platitudes. He hadn’t made her any promises.
“To Central America, right?”
“You must have excellent hearing.”
“Lip-reading.”
He gave a soft chuckle at her resourcefulness.
She hitched herself up so her back was against the headboard and reached out to touch the scar on his face. He closed his eyes, absorbing the feel of her finger tracing the rough skin. The wound no longer hurt, of course, but somehow she still seemed to soothe the injured flesh.
“How dangerous will it be for you?” There was concern in her voice and when he looked at her, worry marred her brow. He found himself answering, giving away more than he intended.
“Not very. I need to go in, find some Lycans and help them get home. It should be pretty simple.”
“But there are guerrilla fighters.”
“I’m a Lycan.” He brushed away her concerns, giving no hint that the hardest part would be not using his abilities once the diplomat and his family were free. The children were too young to shift. The escape would have to be made in human form.
“Will that be enough?”
“Of course it will.” He reached up and threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling her down so they were eye to eye. “I’ve done similar jobs before.” He kissed her, then murmured against her lips. “Now let’s talk about something more interesting, like the sounds you make when I do this.” He slid his hand down to tease the curls between her legs.
A purr of appreciation escaped her and she returned the favour. All thoughts of his upcoming mission melted away.
Tina dressed for college the next morning, pulling on black leggings, a pink t-shirt and then layering the outfit with a long blue lace tank top that floated nicely around her hips. She was writing her last mid-term today and had cast a good luck spell on the shirt. Since her spells never worked very well, she figured it wasn’t really cheating. She tugged at the hem and then checked in the mirror to ensure it was long enough to cover her butt before starting to put on her make-up.
“Why do you do that?” Stone was still in her bed, propped against the headboard watching her get ready. Morning stubble adorned his chin and he appeared more relaxed with his arms negligently crossed behind his head. He usually left as soon as he awoke but was lingering today for some reason. It was both disconcerting and thrilling to get dressed in front of him. Having him watch her wiggle into her panties and adjust her bra was almost as exciting as removing the garments had been, but a part of her wondered if he was noting the extra weight on her hips and thighs. She pushed the negative thoughts away and answered airily.
“Why do I check the length of the t-shirt? Because I don’t want my ass out in the breeze.”
“Not that. Why all the colours and make-up?”
She paused for a beat before replying. “Because I’m studying to be a theatrical make-up artist.” She turned her back and stared into the mirror concentrating on her eyeliner. “We learn certain techniques at school and I practise using them on myself.”
“Some people might think you use them to hide behind.”
Her hand stilled and she looked at his reflection in the mirror. “Some might.”
Their gazes locked and the moment stretched between them before she finally broke away and grabbed a tube of lipstick.
“Listen, Stone, I don’t even know your first name. I’m not going to tell my secrets until you share a few of yours.”
Giving a heavy sigh, he tossed the covers off and stood up. “Fair enough.”
She continued to get ready while sneaking peeks at Stone as he dressed. Six-pack abs. Muscled thighs. Tight buns, broad back. There were scars on his back; she’d felt them when she’d held him while making love. The sight of them had her wincing in sympathy. While she’d slept with him for a week, she’d never seen him naked in full light. Even scarred, he was still as impressive as her imagination and sense of touch had led her to believe. It was hard to understand why he kept coming back to her each night. If she were ten pounds slimmer... He pressed a kiss to her forehead as he walked by on his way towards the door. “I’ll let myself out.”
“Will I see you tonight?” She shocked herself by asking the question. No strings, that was their relationship. Had she overstepped herself? Would he even answer?
She could see him through the open doorway, noted how he’d paused his long easy stride. He didn’t turn around, just stood there, his back military straight. What was he thinking? Had she just jinxed things?
“Probably.”
A wave of relief washed over her though she tried not to let it show in her voice. “Have a good day.” Doing whatever you do, she added silently.
“You, too.” The door shut behind him and she sagged against the dresser, surprised at how tense the whole morning exchange had made her feel.
Exhaling slowly, she straightened and began to search through her jewellery for the right accessories. Lots of colour and bling, that’s what she needed to take her through the exams today.
Stone was more intuitive than he appeared. Or maybe he’d been making an idle comment about her fashion sense and she’d read more into it than she should have. Old insecurities raised their heads at the oddest times.
“The past might have shaped me but it doesn’t control me. I am who I am,” she reminded herself as she inserted silver hoop earrings. “If someone doesn’t like that then they better get out of my way because I’m not changing to suit them.”
Mid-terms finished at noon and Tina left the room feeling good about the answers she’d given. She mentally thanked the lucky shirt for the extra boost of positive energy that had seemed to infuse her during the day. Or, maybe it was the morning sex. Either way, the questions had been easy. Art history wasn’t a favourite topic of hers but between the shirt and her work with her study group, she was sure she’d get a good grade.
And speaking of her study group, they were all meeting for lunch in a few minutes! She hurried across the campus and slid into the last seat at the table.
“So how did you do?”
“I totally froze on the last question.”
“It was easy for me.”
Comments expounded around the table and Tina chimed in with her own impressions as they waited for their food to be delivered. Eventually, the conversation turned to the real reason for the get together. Spring break plans.
“I still think we should go to Florida. It’s cheaper.”
“No, I want to take a road trip.”
“A tropical island.”
“What do you want to do this year, Tina? You always have great ideas.”
Everyone looked at her. As the oldest in the group—
the professional student as some called her—she was usually the unwritten leader of their plans. This time however…
“I’m going to stay home this year.”
Her announcement was met with stunned silence for a good ten seconds before the questions flew at her. She held up her hands to ward them off. “I have some things I need to do.”
“Don’t you mean someone you need to do?” One of the group snickered.
She rolled her eyes but didn’t explain. She hadn’t mentioned Stone to any of them. After all, she’d only known him a week. Their relationship was…er… She couldn’t even think of a word to describe it, yet whatever it was she didn’t want to forfeit even a moment for a few rays of sunshine. If she went away, she had a feeling she’d never see Stone again; that he’d disappear without leaving a message.
“You guys make your plans. If I change my mind, and there’s a last minute opening, I might tag along.”
“It won’t be the same without you, Tina.”
“Remember last year when we...”
She nodded and laughed in all the right places but in reality the conversation washed over her as she thought about Stone. Her fascination with him puzzled even herself. Maybe it was the novelty of him being an older man. And the strong, silent thing he did made him seem interesting and mysterious. Plus, it just begged for her to try and shake him up a bit, make him smile. It was one of her secret goals; to get an actual belly laugh out of him. That, and discover his real name, of course!
Several hours later, Tina found herself behind the bar at Club Mystique again. Monday was always a slow night at the club so she usually spent a large portion of her shift straightening glasses and organizing supplies. The fact that those tasks were located directly in front of where Reno and Stone were meeting wasn’t her fault. She didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was trying to eavesdrop, either.
Reno frowned in her direction while addressing Stone. “I think we should move somewhere else.” He looked around and then gestured towards the back corner. “There’s a table over there.”
Tina gave him a saccharine sweet smile. “Oh good. I have to clean the tables in that section next.”
Stone shook his head. “She’s going to follow no matter where we go unless we leave the club.”
“Leave? That’s an excellent idea.” Reno gave her a look that let her know his patience was being pushed to the limit.
Surprisingly, Stone spoke up on her behalf. “She’s safe. No ghosts in her closet. No political leanings. No connections to Central America. Just too curious for her own good.”
Tina gaped at him. He’d done a background check on her!
“Curious?” Reno lowered his brows. “You know what they say about curiosity and cats. It might also apply to witches.”
Something about his tone let Tina know she’d pushed as far as she could. “Fine. I’ll leave you alone. Your conversation is probably going to be boring in the extreme anyway.”
The corner of Stone’s mouth twitched, the small movement catching her attention. Had he almost smiled at her antics?
“You can bring us a couple of beers before you leave.” Reno prompted obviously not knowing or caring that a smile from Stone was a monumental event.
“Make mine water,” Stone corrected.
Tina filled their orders bemused that Stone had smiled. It hadn’t been a full-blown grin but it still counted on her mental Richter scale of facial expressions. A pleased bubble filled her. For some reason, she wanted to see Stone happy. Something in his life had sucked the joy of living out of him, making him too serious, too intense. The mystery of Stone was entirely fascinating to her. A gazillion questions about him swirled in her mind.
For example, why was his usual beverage water rather than alcohol? Not that it mattered. In fact, a man that stayed stone cold sober was a real plus.
A thought struck her. Stone was stone-sober. She tried to hold back a giggle.
“Something amusing you?” Stone looked at her with his usual impassive expression as she placed the glass of water in front of him.
“No. Not at all.” She snickered again and then hurried away before she burst out laughing at her own joke.
Reno waited until Stone’s crazy witch girlfriend was out of earshot before speaking. She might just be curious but this situation was too delicate to take any chances. Satisfied that she was busy on the far side of the room, he continued with his explanation.
“I’ve arranged for you to fly into the neighbouring country of Mercosta. From there you’ll take a jeep to Cantala. It’s a small country, barely a blip on the map. From our point of view it’s important because it’s home to the jaguars, some of the most ancient shifters in the Americas. They claim they can trace their ancestry back as far as the Maya civilization.” Reno paused and checked Tina’s location, not putting it past her to be working her way closer to them. So far, so good. “From a human standpoint, it’s less significant. It’s too small to have any political clout on the world stage. Most of the country is impoverished and underdeveloped with a high crime rate. Drug trafficking is its main claim to fame right now.”
“Sounds lovely.” Stone murmured.
“It has its pluses. Great beaches, jungles, mountains, waterfalls. It has its share of tourists; those brave enough or stupid enough, depending on your point of view. It could be a must-see destination if the area ever stabilized. Duffy was even commenting on that in one of his last communiqués.”
“The one he made right before he disappeared?” Stone asked wryly.
“Yep.” Reno sighed. “Too optimistic in my opinion. Now we have to get him and his family out of there.”
“Any idea where they are?”
“Best case scenario is that the drug lord who took over the area is holding the family at the Lycan Embassy. Worst case, beyond them being dead, naturally, is that they’ve moved them into the jungle and you’ll have to track them down.”
“Once I find them, I’ll smuggle them out or...?”
“If you can’t get them out, you’ll signal us and we’ll have a chopper swoop in. The island of Santa Marietta is just across the channel. There’s a spot there we have access to if need be.”
Stone nodded. “Anything else?”
“I’ll bring you up to speed on what we know about the area.” Reno spread out a map and the two men began to study it.
Tina glanced towards Stone and Reno. She couldn’t hear what they were saying or read their lips.
Fudge sticks.
All she wanted was some vicarious excitement in her life, was that too much to ask? Apparently. With a sigh she headed to the back of the club. She needed to get more napkins from the storage room in the back.
As she passed by Gwyneth’s office, the other woman twisted in her chair and called out to her.
“Tina?”
“Yes?”
“Are you done behind the bar?”
“Yep. I’m just going to get some more napkins.”
“Good. You can leave early if you want. Not many customers tonight.”
“Thanks.” It wasn’t like the older woman to do favours. Tina turned to go before she changed her mind.
“I won’t pay you, of course.”
Tina held back a snort. She’d known it was too good to be true. Once again, she turned to leave.
“Wait.”
“Something else?” Mentally, she rolled her eyes. She should have been faster getting away. Now Gwyneth was going to ask her to do something horrible like clean the bathrooms.
“Be careful.”
“With the napkins? They’re only made of paper, Gwyn. I really don’t think I can damage them.”
Gwyneth scowled, her tone sharp. “I’m trying to be nice so listen up, witchling.”
Tina winced at the term. Being called witchling always made her feel like a child. Just because her powers had never fully appeared, there was no reason for Gwyn to ignore the fact that she was an adult. If Gwyneth didn’t scare her s
pitless, she’d confront the woman about it.
“I had a vision.”
Ah. Gwyneth hated having visions. They always put her in a bad mood.
“What was it about?” Tina didn’t really want to know. She wanted to get back to the bar in case there was a chance she could catch a word or two of Stone and Reno’s conversation. Still, one had to tread carefully around the older witch and a show of interest might be prudent.
Gwyneth gave a nod of approval and leaned back in her chair, her eyes half closed as if she were seeing the vision again. “It was about a wolf and witch. They were facing each other, bathed in a pool of silver light. The witch stretched out her hand but the wolf bared its teeth, snapping and growling. She didn’t heed its warning but continued to step closer. It lunged at the witch and the light that had surrounded her changed from silver to blood red. Then the witch vanished from sight completely leaving the wolf howling in the darkness.”
“Oh.” Tina tried to hold back a shiver as a chill washed over her.
“I don’t usually share what I see.” Gwyneth sniffed and straightened in her chair. “It never makes a difference in the end but I’ll feel guilty if something happens and I didn’t warn you ahead of time.” She turned back to her computer screen.
“Umm... Thanks.” Tina wasn’t sure if a warning given to avoid feeling guilty really warranted a thanks or not but manners had been drilled into her. “Are you sure it has to do with me?”
“No. It could be anyone in the vicinity. Even me.” Gwyneth picked up a receipt, seeming engrossed in her work again.
Tina let out a sigh of relief and dismissed the warning. “It could also mean there’s going to be a fight at the club in the near future. It’s nearly a full moon and there’s usually some kind of an incident around then.”
“Perhaps.” Gwyneth tapped a few keys then squinted at the screen again. “Visions and prophecies are always open to interpretation, curse them.”
“That they are,” Tina agreed, giving her boss one last look before heading to the back storage room.