Constant Cravings Page 8

  “It’s like I’ve been missing the real world my whole life,” I said after several blocks.

  “You’ll get used to it. I don’t think I mentioned, I can see all of this because the veil doesn’t count for me.”

  “Huh?”

  “To magical beings there is no veil.”

  “Oh.” That was probably the most easily understood thing he’d said.

  Nym reached over and patted my knee. “It will become clearer. Like you said, you’ve been missing the real world. How old are you?” Generally, I’d consider it rude for someone to ask a woman’s age, but under the circumstances I didn’t think it mattered. I guess that’s just a holdover from being raised in the South.

  “Twenty-six.”

  “No wonder it’s such a culture shock. If you’d been seeing this stuff since you were a kid, it’d be second nature by now.”

  We were two blocks from my apartment, at another stoplight, when it started to rain. We don’t get a lot of snow in Atlanta, but freezing rain is not unusual. I expected at any minute to see the rain turn to snow flurries, but it didn’t happen. I looked to the stretch of grass next to the sidewalk and saw hoofprints, walking their way across the narrow space.

  “What the fuck?”

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  “What is it?” Nym asked.

  We were already moving forward by now and all I could do was press my face against the window and stare.

  “Hoofprints. They just appeared on the grass back there!”

  “What the fuck?” he said, echoing my response.

  “It’s like an invisible horse was walking across the grass.” Nym was obviously struggling to keep his attention focused on the road.

  “Do you want me to turn around?” he asked.

  “And do what? No. Let’s just get to my house.”

  When we arrived at my apartment, we were still trying to figure out what I’d seen.

  Nym pulled a leopard print umbrella from underneath the seat and came around to my side of the car. I jumped out, putting my arm around his waist.

  We dashed across to the back entrance and made our way into the foyer. I hoped none of my neighbors saw me because I had to run very awkwardly to keep Liam’s boots from falling off. Basically, this meant I didn’t bend my ankles. I must have looked like Frankenstein’s monster trying to dance.

  “Are you sure they were hoofprints?”

  “As sure as you were about that woman’s tits. My uncle raises horses. I know hoofprints when I see them.”

  He shook his head. “Sorry. I have no explanation for that one.” For the time being, we let the subject drop and headed toward the stairs.

  Once we were inside my apartment, we focused on things that could be explained, like why I needed to look sexy for tonight. We moved to the couch in front of the fireplace and huddled underneath one of my blankets.

  “As soon as we’re warm again, we should get started,” Nym said.

  The house still smelled like sandalwood incense mixed with cinnamon. I’d closed the door to the back room, since I didn’t have time to clean up. When I’d last looked, the candle had finished burning and was melted in a pink pool over the fireproof plate. The last thing I needed was for Nym to know I’d been dabbling in love spells.

  “Are you listening?” he said.

  “Yeah.”

  “They open at dusk and I suggest you leave early to allow for traffic and possible time you might have to wait to see the king. We should start working on your outfit first. If you don’t fit in, that’ll draw even more attention.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Do you have any leather pants?”

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  I didn’t have leather pants, so we had to settle for vinyl. By the time Nym was finished with me I barely recognized myself. I stood at the full-length mirror in my bedroom, staring.

  With some bottles he’d taken out of his trunk, he turned my hair jet black. Then he added some very red highlights in thick streaks. These streaks sparkled underneath the light. He used a flatiron to enhance my layered style and my long bangs only added to the “punk” effect.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “This won’t wash out or wear off?” I asked, running a hand through my chin-length hair.

  “Nope. It’s permanent until we change it. But I was talking about the outfit.” My outfit. I didn’t know where to start. I’d given Nym complete access to my clothes, underwear and all. Black vinyl pants hugged my hips and thighs like a second skin. For a top I was wearing a red bra covered by a black fishnet sweater. The only part I liked was the stiletto boots.

  “I look like a hooker.”

  Nym crossed his arms over his chest. “You look like you’re going to a werewolf club.”

  “You can’t be serious. I’m not going out in public like this. I love the hair, but this?” I gestured to my outfit. “Nym, I’m self-conscious. You put this together from my lingerie and old Halloween costumes.”

  “You just went out in public in your underwear and a robe.” He had a point. I turned my back on him and focused on my reflection again. “That was different. What I had on was covered by your coat. Besides, no one noticed us. This will attract attention.”

  He moved closer behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. “Look, I’ve been to club Red before. You’d be surprised how well you’ll fit in.” I glanced over my shoulder, giving him a skeptical look. “Even with the glittery black eye shadow?”

  “Right down to your pointy-toed boots. I promise.” We were trying to decide which coat I should wear when Liam arrived. I had my mind on other things and had forgotten he no longer needed a key. Apparently he could “magic” himself fairly often without side effects. Still, neither of us saw him.

  When he knocked on the frame of my open bedroom door I jumped and Nym screamed.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” I took one look at him and my mouth opened, but no words came out. He was wearing black leather pants that cupped his package better than a set of hands. The leather accentuated the curves of his muscular legs. His boots were knee-high and worn 58

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  over the pants. Silver buckles down the front of the boots reflected the light as he stepped farther into the room. His shirt looked like satin and had ruffles down the front. In place of buttons the shirt had laces that were not tied, leaving it to hang open to the waist. The deep purple fabric set off his eyes and matched the lining of his long coat.

  “You’re forgiven,” I said, taking in his appearance.

  “Speak for yourself,” Nym said. The elf put a hand over his heart. “Bastard nearly made me jump out of my skin.”

  I moved toward Liam and ran my hand inside his shirt. “Well, I could never be mad at a man who looks this good in leather.”

  Liam pulled me close and smiled as he ran a hand through my hair. “I love it.”

  “What about the outfit?” Nym asked.

  He looked down and directed his response to me. “You are incredibly sexy.” From that point on, I didn’t second-guess my appearance. Sure, I wasn’t used to it, but I was with Liam and if he liked the way I looked, that was good enough for me. It wasn’t as if I had to wear vinyl every night.

  “We should get going,” Liam said.

  He helped me into my coat, a long, black number with a fur-lined collar to help keep me warm. He had one hand on the door when I turned him back to face me.

  Strands of white hair fell over his shoulder, framing his handsome face.

  “I’m nervous,” I said, putting my arms around him.

  Damn, he smelled good. I didn’t want to smudge the makeup Nym had done such a good job applying. So I put my face as close to Liam’s chest as I could without touching. I hovered above his skin, breathing him in. Liam smelled of vanilla soap mixed with expensive cologne and traces of incense. Underneath everything else was the scent of lea
ther.

  “I find your smell almost as arousing as the sight of you in those pants,” I said. My eyes were still closed and I continued to take slow, deep breaths. As I spoke I reached down to cup his package, giving him a gentle squeeze.

  “Don’t be afraid,” he said softly.

  The deep vibration of his voice made me wet and as he bent to kiss me my lips parted involuntarily. I hungered for him. One taste had been like an introduction to a new drug. Maybe what Nym said about never wanting another lover after being with a fairy had some truth to it? I’d been with men who turned me on in the past. But not like this. What I felt for Liam was beyond desire. It was a craving.

  “Looks like someone’s jonesing for a taste of fairy,” Nym said.

  We both turned toward him. Apparently he could read my thoughts by taking in my expression. I’d never been very good at hiding what was on my mind and right now I was surprised.

  “Liam, you dog,” he teased. “Didn’t tell her you were addictive, did you?” 59

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  “Neither did you,” I pointed out.

  “I hinted at it.”

  “Hinting is not the same as telling.” I looked back to Liam then and realized I had yet to release my grip on his crotch. “How addictive are we talking?”

  “Like cocaine,” Nym said.

  Liam looked back at the elf. “Shut up.”

  His words were spoken softly, but gave no room for further discussion. I released him and before I could move he pulled me back, holding me close.

  “Now that we’ve had sex, every time you’re near me, you will crave my touch. You will hunger for me.” He stroked my face and that simple touch made me shiver. “I didn’t tell you because I wanted you so much. I didn’t want to scare you away.” I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes again. “I’m not scared. And I have hungered for you since we first met.”

  His smile was wicked, and though he took obvious pleasure in my response, the look in his eyes was kind.

  “I will never take advantage of your desire,” he said softly.

  It was just after dark when we arrived at the club. This place was unusual, to say the least. I was relieved when I didn’t see music notes dancing in the air. In fact, I couldn’t see anything strange at all. I could feel it. Liam opened my car door and as soon as I stepped out I was hit by a blast of cold air and pure sexual desire.

  I gasped. “What was that?”

  Liam smiled as he offered me his hand. “Werewolves close to the full moon. Their pheromones are saturating the air.”

  “Saturating?”

  He looked toward the club. “This is a big place. There are probably more than a hundred of them inside.”

  Holy shit. Combine my cravings for Liam with the pheromones of a hundred werewolves and I was going to have one hell of a time making it through the night.

  “It’s all right to be turned on,” he said. “You are safe with me.” I took the hand he offered and let him lead me toward the entrance. Three letters splashed above the door in blood-colored brushstrokes said “Red”.

  The man at the door looked us both up and down. “We don’t get many fairies here.” He flashed me a wolfish grin as he added, “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

  “My date and I have business with the wolf king.”

  “Really?” The bouncer crossed his arms and studied us again. “Fine. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  Apparently there was no cover charge for those who had business with the king.

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  “That was easier than I’d expected,” Liam whispered to me as we moved through the door.

  “Your date, huh?” I didn’t mind the title, I just wasn’t expecting it.

  He put his hand against my back as he replied, “Just marking my territory. That’s important with werewolves.”

  The inside of the place was dark, with occasional flashes of strobe lights illuminating a path through the crowd of sweaty, gyrating bodies. The music pumped, creating graphic sexual images with every beat. I could feel the rhythm in my chest like a heartbeat. Like really good sex, the pounding music rattled my teeth. The whole room pulsated with an energy I couldn’t describe. It excited me.

  A tall man approached us. His long, blond hair was pulled back in a tight braid and he was dressed from head to toe in white vinyl. He looked like he’d stepped off the pages of a dirty magazine. Oh yeah, we fit in perfectly.

  “My name is Luther,” he said, leaning toward us in order to be heard above the music. “I hear you have business with Marco. I’m his second. Would you like to run your situation by me and I can repeat it to him?” I looked him over once more. Luther was unbelievably sexy and though his blue eyes called to me to answer his request with “yes”, what I said was, “I’m sorry, but I’d rather tell it to him myself if that’s all right.” Luther glanced at Liam, who shrugged and said, “You heard the lady.” The werewolf smiled. He didn’t seem offended and I was glad, not just because I didn’t want to piss off a werewolf, but because I liked Luther. Something about him was very friendly. Maybe it was the way his smile reached his eyes.

  “Suit yourself. I’ll let him know you’re here.” I tried not to stare as he turned and walked away, but his ass looked amazing in those tight vinyl pants.

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  Chapter Eight

  Liam and I were not the only non-furry guests who passed through Red that night.

  I was relieved to see the club wasn’t exclusively for werewolves. I suppose I felt less likely to be eaten. The werewolves were easy to pick out, even in the crowd. They had a different energy. They simply felt different than humans. To my surprise the longer we were there, the more comfortable I felt. We’d long since removed our coats and after an hour I felt right at home.

  “The drinks must be good,” Liam said, pointing to some men on the dance floor.

  I watched the group stagger around for a few minutes and laughed.

  In the time we were there, a variety of music was played and a variety of people were on the dance floor. I’m not sure what it is about alcohol that makes people think they can dance, but it’s sure as hell entertaining to watch. The only thing funnier than the group of men was a woman who kept “backing up” her ass on everyone. Trust me, it was not in the sexy way so many songs request. This was more of a butt-thrust backward. I was glad she couldn’t hear me laughing at her above the music.

  “It’s only a matter of time before she knocks someone over,” Liam said.

  I laughed harder before regaining my composure. I had to turn away from the “butt woman” or I could not have a serious conversation.

  “Oh my. That is so embarrassing,” I heard a woman behind me comment as she walked past. I snickered again before clearing my throat and turning back to a more relevant topic.

  “Is it their pheromones that put me at ease so much, because I’m not nervous anymore?”

  “It is. How else could a werewolf ever find a mate if they were terrified of the beast inside him?” He smiled as a scantily clad she-wolf danced past us. “Or her,” he added.

  I knew what Liam meant, but his words turned me on even more. They made me want to rip off his clothes and see what he was hiding beneath. Across the room I caught sight of another stunning blond werewolf, only this one’s eyes were pale, icy blue, much lighter than Luther’s. I could tell this from a distance because they glowed in the dark. On his lap sat an equally alluring redhead who was running her fingers through his hair. Something about the way he looked at me made me wonder if he could read my thoughts.

  The air was charged with so much sexual energy I felt as if I might explode if I didn’t at least move.

  “Get us a couple of shots,” I said to Liam.

  He raised a brow. “Where are you going?” 62

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  “To dance. I can’t sit here anymore.”

  My behavior was surprising, co
nsidering how afraid I’d been to come here. Now that I was here and the fear was subsiding, my anxiety was turning to excitement. And my excitement was turning to arousal.

  Liam moved toward the bar and I made my way through the crowd. I could feel his eyes on me as I moved and turned to see him propped against one of the tall leather barstools. He crooked a finger toward me, beckoning me with his suggestive smile as much as his gesture.

  When I was close enough he pulled me against him. “You didn’t specify, so I ordered spiced rum.”

  We downed our shots and this time Liam took the lead, pulling me out onto the dance floor. There was sex in the way he looked at me and the way he licked his lips. I loved how he stood out in the crowd. It wasn’t just the fact that he was taller than most everyone, his white hair and pale skin made him appear to glow beneath the strobes and black lights. Through the flashes of light and dark his lavender eyes smoldered, blazing to life each time I looked at him. My heart pumped to the beat of the music as he held me close. He moved against me, slow, grinding and perfectly in time. He reached for my leg, pulling it up his thigh. Thanks to my heels I had the necessary leverage to dance with someone so tall.

  I don’t know how much time passed because as I watched him, smelled his skin, felt his breath against my neck, I became entranced. I ached with need as the sea of bodies pressed in tight around us. It would seem that they too were becoming entranced by Liam’s magic. I wasn’t aware that anything was wrong until someone put a hand on my shoulder.

  I was pulled roughly by a man whose muscular arms were as big around as my waist.

  “Do not put your hands on her,” Liam said, stepping in front of me.

  The other man growled and smiled, flashing his fangs. “Easy there, fairy. I just wanted a dance.” The wolf licked his lips. “Besides, everyone can smell how turned on she is. I think she might want more than a dance.” My fear had returned full force, however, Liam sounded calm and confident as he replied, “You do not put your hands on her.” The werewolf took another step toward us and Liam thrust his hand forward.

  Purple lightning shot from his fingertips, knocking the werewolf through the crowd and into the back wall. The music came to a screeching halt and I heard someone say,